Trust the Ottawa Therapists at Family Therapy
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life. Ottawa therapists & psychotherapists at Family-Therapy™ are here to support you when you seek help. We are independent therapists who offer a variety of therapy and counselling services including child and teen/youth therapy, family and step-family challenges, individual, and couple therapy issues. We are GBLTQQ+ friendly. We’re open Monday through Saturday and offer day and evening appointments. We offer counselling and psychotherapy services at 3 different Ottawa locations. Call us today and find out how speaking with a trained psychotherapist or social worker can help you, your children, your relationships, and your family.
Family-Therapy™ is accepting patients in person, online video conferencing or phone calls.
The only constant in life is change, and every change impacts our situations and our relationships in some way or another. While you may successfully navigate through many of life’s challenging situations, the professional therapists at Family-Therapy™ in Ottawa are here to help whenever you need extra support. As independent psychotherapists and social workers, we offer a variety of therapy and counselling services, including a child and teen therapy, family counselling, and individual and couples therapy. We now offer help for individuals and families struggling with addiction issues.
Meet our Team of Registered Therapists & Psychotherapists in Ottawa
Nataxja Cini
Adult and Couples Therapist MSW, RSW
Areas of Specialty: Individual & Couples Counselling, Depression & Anxiety, Grief & Loss, Infidelity & recovering from an affair, Separation & Divorce Support, Counselling, Marriage & Premarital Counselling, Step-parenting Issues, PTSD Refugee Issues.
Location: 4019 Carling Ave, Suite 202 Ottawa, Ontario K2K 2A3
Online Appointments Tuesday – Thursday
Nataxja Cini, is a Registered Social Worker (R.S.W.). She works with adults to help them identify and overcome their current life challenges. She specializes in management of and issues related to anger, anxiety, family problems, separation, divorce, infidelity and severe depression. Nataxja can work with you in short-term or long-term therapy to help you achieve your life goals.
As an Emotional Focused Couples Therapist (EFT), Nataxja is passionate about assisting couples in reconnecting and strengthening their relationships. She has helped several couples to overcome the challenges they face in their relationship, together, or individually, especially after the discovery of an emotional or physical affair. As an EFT specialist, Nataxja creates an emotionally safe environment that encourages her clients to explore their vulnerabilities, fears, and concerns, before arriving at mutually agreeable long-term solutions.
Nataxja is also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which is proven to effectively treat traumatic stress or memories, PTSD and other adverse life experiences, such as car accidents or near-death experiences. If you are experiencing emotional trauma that is causing recurring nightmares, sleep disturbance, feelings of fear, guilt, shame, or even physical pain, Nataxja uses EMDR therapy to help in the healing process.
Nataxja provides individual, couples and trauma therapy for refugee claimants under the Interim Federal Health Plan. She provides an understanding ear, practical advise, and writes psychological assessments under the supervision and guidance of Dr. Saxe for refugee claimants. Nataxja helps prepare refugee claimants mentally and emotionally for their refugee board hearing. She accompanies refugee claimants to their refugee board hearings.
Nataxja taught psychology and provided student counselling services at the Canadian National Institute of Health in Ottawa. She has also worked at the Royal Ottawa Hospital, Brockville Campus in their Dual Diagnosis Unit.
Nataxja offers supervision to placement students and new psychotherapists and social workers.
Nataxja provides services under the supervision of a registered psychologist Dr. Brenda Saxe Ph.D., C. Psych.
Call today to book your appointment with our Ottawa social worker, Nataxja. If you are a refugee, please call our receptionist and speak with her directly for more information.
Marnie Colter
Youth and Adult Therapist CAC-II, RP
Areas of Specialty: Adolescents and adults, Substance abuse and addiction, behavioural and emotional issues, social skills, anger management, anxiety and depression, school issues and early intervention.
Location: 430 Hazeldean Rd. Suite 203, Ottawa
In Person and On Line Counselling
Appointments available Tuesday to Saturday
Marnie is a Registered Psychotherapist and a Certified Addiction Counsellor with 20+ years experience working in both individual and group settings. She is passionate about assisting adults and youth (12+) to understand and explore issues associated with a variety of mental health concerns. These include substance use and addiction, anxiety and depression, anger, communication skills, self esteem, stress and trauma.
Marnie integrates various techniques and alternate approaches such as Motivational Interviewing, Psycho-education and Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy with the intention of helping you feel empowered to make changes in your life. Marnie will support you in setting therapeutic goals and objectives that will enable you to explore past and/or present issues.
Marnie is a client-focussed therapist who provides an accepting, non-judgemental and caring environment for her clients by taking the time to build rapport and trust. She will work with you to provide sessions with an emphasis on equipping you with a variety of skills and strategies promoting health, change and resiliency. Marnie provides services under the supervision of a registered psychologist Dr. Brenda Saxe Ph.D, C. Psych.
Call today to book your appointment for therapy, or leave a confidential message for our Ottawa therapist, Marnie. She is currently accepting new clients.
Shelley Colter
Adult and Couples Therapist
CD1, M.A., RP, RMFT TITC-TC
Areas of Specialty: PTSD, First Responders & Military, Couples, LGBTQ, Sexual/Gender Identity.
Location: 4019 Carling Ave, Suite 202, Ottawa, Ontario K2K 2A3.
Online and In person Appointments Tuesday and Thursday. Not accepting clients at this time
Shelley Colter, M.A, RP, RMFT, TITC-CT. is a is a Registered Psychotherapist and certified traumatologist, who works with individuals (16 years of age and older), couples and families in Ottawa and Kanata. She has over 20 years’ experience as an officer with the Canadian military in operational environments. Her therapeutic goal is to assist clients in being heard and validated, thus, empowering them to discover and develop their unique strengths for resolution of conflicts.
Shelley has a special interest in assisting current or retired military personnel, first responders and their families who have been affected by work related stress, personal trauma, PTSD, loss and grief. Having served for over two decades, Shelley understands the challenges associated with operations, deployment and reintegration into the family and community.
Shelley is compassionate about assisting individuals, couples or families to understand and explore issues associated with sexual and/or gender identity and related challenges they may face. She also works with trauma, including sexual trauma in childhood and adulthood, post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and anger.
Shelley provides services under the supervision of Shelley Briscoe-Dimock, Ph.D., RP, RMFT.
Shelley offers supervision to both qualifying registered psychotherapists and marriage and family therapists under CPRO and CAMFT requirements.
Call today to speak with Shelley regarding supervision. Shelley is not currently accepting new clients for therapy at the moment.
Ashley Croke
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MACP Candidate
Ashley is completing her Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University
I accompany clients through stressful life events and emotional challenges, as well as relational and personal issues. I work with individuals, families, couples, and youth. My focus is on helping clients find a state of calm and reassurance as they proceed through challenging situations. I help clients who are experiencing depression and anxiety, dealing with grief, or managing stressful life events. I have experience working with persons with disabilities and/or different neurotypes (ADHD, ASD) late diagnosed persons with ADHD or ASD.
I am accepting new clients for mid January 2023.
Gulzar Firashta
Youth, Adult, and Couples Therapist RSSW, RP-Q
Areas of Specialty: Youth (16 and up), Adult Individual and Couples Counselling, Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Issues, Grief & Loss, Relationship Issues, Sleep Issues, Behavioural issues, school challenges and early intervention.
Online appointments
Languages Spoken: ગુજરાતી Gujarati, हिन्दी Hindi, and اردو Urdu
Online Appointments
Appointments available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Day and Evening Appointments
Gulzar Firashta, MA, RP-Q, RSSW, is a Registered Psychotherapist who works with individuals (16 years of age and older), couples and families conducting online sessions. Her aim is to help individuals and couples to thrive and achieve success in the personal lives and intimate relationships.
Gulzar uses a goal-oriented and collaborative approach in therapy with her clients. Gulzar’s active listening skills, empathy, and open-mindedness towards a variety of lifestyles and situations allow for a safe, and comfortable space for clients to work in collaboration with her to explore their issues. Together in therapy, you and your therapist will learn about unhelpful patterns which prevent you from reaching your goals.
In addition to being a psychotherapist, Gulzar, works within the school system and a community-based organization helping children and families with school challenges. Gulzar has experience working with youth with behavioural issues, individuals facing depression, anxiety, sleep issues, anger, grief, and loss, taking a holistic approach with care and affection.
Gulzar helps couples address conflict, loneliness and tension in their relationship. Couple counselling is helpful when one or both partners are missing the closeness/cherished feelings they once felt, feeling neglected, angry, resentful, lonely, controlled, criticized, arguing excessively or wounded by infidelity. She is certified in Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples and Gottman Method level 2 for couples counselling.
Gulzar’s aim is to foster a safe and understanding environment, enabling you to comfortably explore your past and present experiences and challenges. As your therapist, Gulzar creates a warm and accepting environment where you will feel heard and understood. She believes that every individual is able to shift present patterns that are causing them difficulty, and focuses on supporting them to feel empowered to make changes in their lives. With fluency in four different languages, Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, and English she understands that all individuals are diverse and require interventions that are catered towards everyone’s unique needs.
Call to today book your appointment with Gulzar or leave a confidential message for Gulzar with our receptionist. She is currently accepting new clients. Gulzar provides clinical services under the supervision of Shelley Colter, CD1, M.A., RP, RMFT-S(Q), TITC-TC.
Bridgette Guindon
Youth, Adult, and Couples Therapist BA, MACP RP-Q
Areas of Specialty: Youth, Couples and Adults (10+), Managing emotions (depression, anxiety, anger), Building self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, and Gender/Sexual identity. Available to work with d/Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
Location: 4019 Carling Ave, Suite 202, Ottawa, Ontario K2K 2A3
Appointments available: Mondays and Wednesdays (days & evenings), Fridays and Saturdays (days)
Online and In person Appointments
Bridgette is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP-Q) who focuses on sessions that convey compassion and warmth to support clients in addressing their current challenges. She builds therapeutic alliances with clients through establishing trust, safety and understanding. Bridgette has worked for many years with children, youth, parents and vulnerable and diverse populations. In her work as a Child & Youth worker she has developed creative ways to engage and support children and youth in the therapeutic process. All through a lens of teamwork and relationship building to strengthen families so that they can tackle problems together. Bridgette has a significant understanding of the oppression and obstacles that d/Deaf and hard of hearing individuals face after completing a minor in American Sign Language in her undergraduate degree.
Bridgette’s approach to therapy includes the use of cognitive-behavioural, narrative, attachment and emotion-focused work. She recognizes counselling as a collaborative process between therapists and their clients, in which encouragement, validation and acceptance are pivotal for clients to feel supported. Bridgette understands that therapy can be a daunting process and that it can be difficult for clients to prioritize themselves and find ways to create healthy boundaries in their personal lives, especially when it comes to the people they love and care for. Bridgette aims to make the therapeutic process as fulfilling as possible through empowering her clients in their relationships with themselves and others.
Call today to book your appointment for therapy or leave a confidential message for Bridgette.
Raphaelle Heureux
Registered Psychotherapist, Mdiv. RP-Q
Areas of specialty: Youth 15+, Young adult and Adult Individual Counselling anxiety, depression, self-esteem, transition, loss and grief, and suicidal ideation
location: 4019 Carling Ave., Suite 202
Online & In person Appointments Wednesday and Friday
Raphaelle is a Registered Psychotherapist. Her approach to psychotherapy is based on the belief that our beliefs and thoughts impact the way we interpret life events as well as everything that surrounds us. Raphaelle believes everyone possesses inner resources and strengths to enable changes in their own life. Her goal is to help you find your inner resources, use your strengths, and find solutions that work with your beliefs and values. Raphaelle can help you challenge your perspective, identify maladaptive stories, and help you create positive coping strategies that align with your values.
Raphaelle is a compassionate, open-minded, non-judgmental yet direct, and intentional psychotherapist. She connects well with people in difficult times and finds a ray of light in demanding situations. Raphaelle has experience with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, transition, loss and grief, and suicidal ideation. Raphaelle practices from an integrative perspective combining CBT, family system, narrative and EMDR (Eyes Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
Nathan Hicks
Social Worker RSW, MSW, BSW, BA
Areas of focus : Youth, Adults (14+), Managing emotions (depression, anxiety, anger), spiritual trauma, substance use (addiction), relationship issues.
Nathan Hicks (RSW, MSW, BSW, BA) is a registered Social Worker in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and possesses a Master of Social Work, specializing in addictions.
Nathan values providing clients a safe, supportive environment where they may experience a warm, empathetic approach that is client centred. He draws on several therapeutic modalities such as CBT, SFT, MI, attachment theory, mindfulness, and self-compassion. Nathan believes in meeting the client where they are at, moving at their own pace, and providing supportive tools which may help them address personal issues outside of session. He takes a holistic view with each client as circumstances, environment, relationships, and culture all have a role to play in psychological health and physical wellbeing.
Nathan background encompasses working mainly with adults struggling with substance use disorders and/or various mental health challenges. Nathan provides support to youth in helping them acquire emotional regulation skills and social confidence. Many of his clients have come from diverse backgrounds and situations. He has experience working with youth and adults deal with court-related issues, severe trauma, child custody negotiations, depression/anxiety, relational conflict, spiritual concerns, and suicidal ideation.
Nathan believes it takes a great deal of courage and self-regard for someone to confess they need help and reaching out is a powerful (albeit terrifying) first step towards positive change. He understands addressing personal concerns is not a perfect process and may include setbacks but healing through past/present issues is like writing a book: you have to go through a few drafts before you’re satisfied with the result. He looks forward to hearing your story and supporting you in your journey.
Nazir Hussain
Adult and Couples Therapist RSW PhD
Areas of Specialty: Adult Individual and Couples Counselling, Depression, Mood & Anxiety, Behavioural Issues, Grief & Loss, Individual Anger Management and Emotion Regulation, Trauma, Self-Esteem and Self-Growth.
Location: 4019 Carling Ave, Suite 202, Ottawa, Ontario K2K 2A3 .
Languages Spoken: اردو Urdu, हिन्दी Hindi, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Punjabi, عربى Arabic, فارسی Farsi, and پښتو Pashto.
Online and In person Appointments Monday and Thursday
Dr. Nazir Hussain, is a registered Social Worker, M.A. RSW PhD, and has 39 years of extensive counselling experience for trauma, mood disorders, grief, couples/relationship difficulties, addiction, work-related challenges, obsessive compulsions, depression, perfectionism, and much more. He has a PhD from England, where he practiced, researched, and published extensively on depression within diverse immigrant communities.
Nazir understands that seeking therapy can be very challenging and overwhelming. He understands the shame, negative stigma, and connotations that comes with seeking therapy. He believes therapy can bring self-awareness, clarity, insight and empowerment to help connect you to your authentic self. His role as your therapist is to facilitate a safe, compassionate, and non-judgemental space using evidence base and therapeutic practices to meet your needs and understand your areas of difficulty. Together you and Nazir can explore new areas of yourself and your relationships to help restore harmony in your life
Nazir is multilingual speaking English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and Elementary Arabic, Persian/Farsi, Pushto. Dr. Nazir Hussain has lived and worked in Asia, Europe, and North America. Hi familiarity with divergent cultures and world views have enriched his abilities to offer unique help and perspective to his clients. He enjoys working with people of all ages, gender, class, races, cultures, abilities, sexual orientations, and lifestyles.
Nazir supports couples wanting to improve their communication and connection in their relationship. He understands that couples need to have a relationship which is built on trust, respect, intimacy, and cooperation. As your therapist, Nazir assess the strengths and weaknesses of your relationship, helps you identify the current problems, and together set goals for your therapy.
Nazir specializes in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focussed Therapy, Clinical hypnosis for PTSD and EMDR for trauma and PTSD.
Call today to book your appointment for therapy or leave a confidential message for Nazir. He is accepting new clients in March 2022 in Kanata.
Kaylee Leduc
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MACP Candidate
Clinical intern – Hybrid practice (virtual and in office)
Youth, Adults, and couples
Kaylee is completing her Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University.
Reaching out for help is the first step to overcoming life’s most difficult challenges. Kaylee’s goal is to create a safe space, free of judgement, where you feel comfortable to express your thoughts and feelings. Kaylee helps individuals explore and work through difficult emotions, stress and interpersonal challenges. She has experience helping people deal with anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, and sleep issues.
I am accepting new clients for mid-January 2023.
Kaylee is supervised by Nataxja Cini, MSW RSW.
Sandra Martins
Youth, Adult, and Couple Therapist M.A. RP
Areas of Specialty: Depression & Anxiety, Grief & Loss, Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Issues, Couple & Family Issues, Military Families, Anger Management.
Locations: 4019 Carling Ave, Suite 202, Ottawa, Ontario K2K 2A3.
Online and In person Appointments Monday – Friday
Sandra Martins is a Registered Psychotherapist, M.A. RP, who works with individuals, couples, and families in Kanata and Nepean. She has experience working with individuals facing depression, anxiety, trauma, angry, grief and loss, and life transitions, whether in their personal lives or at work.
Sandra specializes in working with women and couples who are facing issues around pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. She also understands the distinctive challenges facing military families during deployment, relocation, and retirement.
Sandra is known to establish collaborative relationships and creating a safe and supportive environment while assisting clients on mental, emotional, and relational well-being. She provides services under the supervision of a licensed psychologist Augustine Meier, Ph.D., C. Psych and Shelley Briscoe-Dimock, Ph.D., RP, RMFT.
If life circumstances or past events are affecting your motivation, outlook or decisions, seek the help of a registered therapist such as Sandra.
Call today to book your appointment for therapy or leave a confidential message for Sandra. She is currently accepting new clients at both locations.
Alex Vance
Adult Therapist M.A. RP-Q
Areas of Specialty: Young adult and Adult Individual Counselling; Couples’ Counselling.
Location: 4019 Carling Ave, Suite 202, Ottawa, Ontario K2K 2A3
Online & In person Appointments Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Alex is a Registered Psychotherapist. His approach to psychotherapy is based in the belief that we, as people, possess the strength and resources necessary to make positive, helpful changes in our lives. Alex’s goal is to help his clients develop solutions to the problems life can present, building resilience and coping skills, reconnecting with their values, and thinking critically (and compassionately) about their own distress processes. In other words: to develop their own compassionate inner-therapist.
Alex strives to create a space with his clients that is collaborative, accepting, non-judgemental, and authentic. Alex can help you learn to tune in and truly listen to yourself, accompanying you on your journey of self-growth as you find out more about who you are. Alex works with adults and young adults and has experience working with a variety of issues, including: mental health-related disability, depression, anxiety, grief, developmental disorders such as ADD/ADH, trauma, and substance abuse. Alex practices from an integrative perspective, combining behavioural (CBT, REBT), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and existential approaches.
In his work with couples, Alex draws primarily from Sue Johnson’s EFT (Emotion-Focused Therapy) framework, which aims to help couples recognize their self-defeating patterns, and re-establish their compassionate, understanding connection to each other. Alex has a client-centered view on the therapist-client relationship and prioritizes connecting with his clients through empathy, genuineness, and warmth
Alex practices under the supervision of Dr. Brenda Saxe Ph.D, C. Psych. , a registered Ontario psychologist.
Call today to book your appointment with Alex or leave a confidential message for Alex with our receptionist. He is currently accepting new couple clients at our Kanata location.
Take the first step by calling us today. Our dedicated psychotherapists in
Ottawa want to help you.
Confidential and Empathetic Counselling
Family-Therapy’s family counselling services in Ottawa, Nepean, and Kanata aim to help you and your families cope with a wide range of complex challenges. Seek timely help and resolve difficult situations by discussing them with a trained professional therapist. We work with refugee claimants and Military members and their families. For more information about our services or to set up an appointment, please call 613-287-3799 or email us. Doctors, Therapists, and Lawyers can fax us at 1-613-777-4975.