Meet the COCA Psychotherapy Team
Licensed in: Ontario, British Columbia, and Newfoundland & Labrador
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist
Founder & Clinical Director
Pronouns: She/Her
Maud Coca MSW RSW
Maud is passionate about working with LGBTQ2S and BIPOC communities. Her clients are familiar with anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, career issues, and difficult life transitions.
She identifies her primary role to be your ally and walk alongside your journey. Maud will be genuine, yet sensitive to your thoughts and emotions.
Collaboratively you can explore what is weighing you down, and find ways to overcome this through learning new skills and self exploration. She will guide you through various shifts that will transform the way you have been coping into a healthier state of mind. She will support you in solidifying your goals and aid you in meeting them.
Maud has lived experience in the areas of immigration, depression, anxiety, ADHD and trauma. The path to processing her own struggles has provided her with an opportunity to connect non-judgementally with her clients.
Specializations:
Mental health: anxiety and depression, addiction, sexual violence, relationships, career transitions, life transitions.
Works with:
Women, LGBTQ2S, BIPOC, and youth.
Her Story
Maud is Central American and lived a great portion of her life in Nicaragua. Her first language is Spanish and she offers support to Spanish Speaking people. Maud’s interest in working with people and communities was sparked at a young age volunteering in Nicaragua as a companion and advocate within rural areas and hospitals, providing support to adults, seniors, children and families who were ill and had scarce resources. Maud also dedicated 9 years to volunteering on the support line at the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region.
She has had the wonderful opportunity to work in a variety of settings with diverse populations over the last 15 years. Maud has provided therapeutic services within mental health facilities, counselling agencies and correctional institutions. Her work experience has been in addictions, mental health, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. This has set a humbling path for Karen, nurtured by a strong non-judgemental collaboration between therapist and client.
As a therapist, Maud likes to focus on a trusting and non-judgmental relationship with her clients, where they are the experts in their lives and stories, therefore are in the driver’s seat of their own journey. Using a person-centered approach, and the idea that not one therapy fits all, she ensure that she is working at where her client is at, focusing on their goals and adjusting a treatment plan that fits the needs of the individual.
Maud is lover of all furry family members. She has a lionhead bunny, a cockatiel and two yorkies. She also dips into art every now and then through photography, airbrushing, and providing aesthetic services at her beauty studio where she continues to embody self care services at Beauty Sessions in St. Thomas, Ontario.
Book An Appointment With Maud
Educational Background:
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology (Sociology Minor)
– Wilfrid Laurier Universit
Assaulted Women’s & Children’s Counsellor/Advocate
– George Brown College
Master of Social Work
– Renison College University/University of Waterloo
Specialized Training:
Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy
Interpersonal Therapy
Gottman Method
Feminist Therapy
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist
Pronouns: She/Her
Ali Diebold MSW RSW TITC-CT
Ali enjoys working with BIPOC individuals who are struggling with their mental health, specifically around mood disorders and anxiety. Often Ali works with folks who are feeling stuck/stagnant in their marriage or careers. She also supports individuals who have experienced fertility struggles.
Her belief is that by cultivating a therapeutic and safe environment based on values of compassion and benevolence, together you will be able to overcome obstacles, establish forward momentum, and stabilize progress.
Through undergoing a variety of life experiences, Ali grew to understand the unique purpose, passions, and skills as a health professional. As a young adult she was gifted with both physical and mental obstacles to overcome. By working her way through these challenges, she has learned what it takes to accept oneself, find comfort in the unknown, and embrace necessary change.
Specializations:
Depression, anxiety, trauma, and infertility.
Works with:
Adults, BIPOC.
Her Story:
Ali specializes in providing counselling for mental health conditions, trauma, and infertility. Over the past years, she has had the absolute pleasure of working with individuals, groups, and community organizations to improve their overall quality of life. By cultivating a therapeutic and safe environment based on values of compassion and care, with her clients she is able to overcome obstacles, establish forward momentum, and stabilize progress.
Through her own lived experiences, she grew to find her purpose as a mental health professional. As a first-generation young adult in Canada, she was gifted with both physical and mental obstacles to overcome. By working her way through these challenges, she has learned what it takes to accept oneself, find comfort in the unknown, and embrace necessary change. This journey led her to complete the Master of Social Work program at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Her learning and lived experiences has given her the passion and ability to deliver meaningful and impactful counselling experiences. She have received extensive training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectal Behavioural Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy. She develop individualized treatment plans aligned with the clients goals and can be offered on a brief or long-term basis.
As a therapist, Ali strives to provide an environment of support to help individuals and couples overcome obstacles and thrive. She whole-heartedly believes that we have the power to direct our resources and voices to things that truly reflect and support what we believe in. With every action we take, we can harness our strengths to create the world we envision.
Educational Background:
Bachelor of Arts, Honours (Legal Studies Major)
– University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
Master of Social Work
– Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON
Doctoral Student, PhD in Social Work
Research Focus: Transformative Justice Interventions
– Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON
Specialized Training:
Clinical Traumatologist, TITC-CT: Traumatology Institute
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Solution Focused
Brief Intervention
Transformative Mediation Certificate
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist
Pronouns: She/Her
Jackie Boyer MSW RSW
Jackie is dedicated to work with all individuals (12+), couples and families. Jackie’s abilities surround working with people who have experienced trauma current or historical who require assistance to discharge the trauma from their bodies and find joy again. Jackie also focuses on couples in her practice and works within relationship systems to strengthen our understanding of each other and how to ensure our relationships are thriving and safe places.
Jackie will partner with you to uncover your natural abilities to heal and gain perspective from all of life’s events. Jackie’s approach is gentle, and client led. Jackie will consult with you surrounding your choices for therapy and move at a pace you are comfortable with.
Along side one another, Jackie will support you to decrease the discomfort you are experiencing in life and increase your ability to experience joy with yourself and others. Therapy will help decrease intrusive thoughts, increase a sense of control in your life and help with over coming shame, grief and low self-worth while increasing the quality of your relationships and self-confidence.
Specializations:
Anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, mental health, relationships (couples & family), burnout, compassion fatigue
Works with:
All genders, LGBTQ2S+, BIPOC, couples, families, youth 12+
Her Story:
Jackie has been working in the social work field for 20 years. Jackie has experience in a wide variety of settings including the shelter system, mental health system, family court system and school boards.
Jackie has maintained a strong focus helping others heal from trauma while working with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families.
Sometimes events happen in life that stick with us. Whether we experienced adverse situations as children or recently were involved in a traumatic situation our bodies can develop a heightened stress response. This can make relationships, working and day to day activities difficult to navigate. Jackie believes in the bodies natural ability to heal from these events and will partner with you to uncover the parts of you that were made to be socially engaged, creative, playful and to experience joy.
Jackie will support you in decreasing uncomfortable thoughts and sensations by working with your thoughts, emotions and senses to regulate your ability to tolerate social situations, the demands of life and future triggering events. Jackie will journey with you to decrease and alleviate the guilt and shame
that we over shoulder in our lives. Jackie believes in the importance of increasing one’s confidence to feel safe at home, work and play.
– A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking because their trust is not on the branch but on it’s own wings. Always believe in yourself – Anonymous
In Jackie’s free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Jackie enjoys nature and her pets a dog, cat and rabbit. Jackie enjoys listening to music, reading and having conversations over coffee.
Jackie is currently employed with the school board and is only accepting evening and weekend appointments.
Educational Background:
Social Service Worker Diploma
– Niagara College of Arts and Technology
Bachelors of Social Work
– Ryerson Polytechnic University
Master of Social Work
– Renison College University/University of Waterloo
Specialized Training:
Brain Spotting
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
Self- Regulation
Multi-systemic Therapy
Family Systems Therapy
Imago Therapy
Registered Social Service Worker, Counsellor
Pronouns: She/Her
Theresa Campbell RSSW HBASc
Navigating the challenges of life can feel isolating at times and Theresa is here to help.
With over 10 years of experience in the field, Theresa has worked with a number of young mothers, women and youth who have experienced or are experiencing violence as well as individuals with disabilities. Theresa offers a safe and welcoming environment to feel heard without judgement while using client-centered approaches and strategies from a number of therapeutic methods to help you to recognize your inner strengths, while empowering you to reach your goals.
From anxiety and depression to relationship challenges, and issues surrounding the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities she will work with you to formulate your own goals, navigate through everyday challenges, and help you to develop short/long term strategies that will support you to live a happier and fulfilling life.
Theresa has lived experience in the areas of foster care, young motherhood, depression, anxiety, familiar abuse and sexual violence. These experiences have led Theresa on a path of compassion, offering a supportive and empathetic presence for those looking for healing and growth.
Specializations:
Depression, Anxiety, Life Transitions, Relationships, Sexual Violence and Abuse.
Works with:
Women, LGBTQ2S+, BIPOC, Individuals with Disabilities, Young Mother’s and Youth.
Her Story:
Theresa is a queer black woman who grew up in the GTA within the foster care system as a crown ward. From a young age Theresa has always had a drive to support others around her. She continues to be an agent of change and has had the opportunity to have worked in a variety of settings with diverse populations within community education, political action and law reform.
Theresa has provided counselling services within community agencies/organizations as well as within a number of school boards within and around the GTA. Her work experience has been in supporting young mother’s, building and maintaining healthy relationships among youth, sexual violence, sexual abuse, domestic violence and self-exploration within the BIPOC and LGBTQ2S+ communities. This set a compassionate path for Theresa, offering a supportive and empathetic presence for those looking for healing and growth.
As a counsellor, Theresa likes to focus on using a client-centered and strength-based approach. Her compassion, intuition and well-grounded presence creates a safe environment to explore your own goals, navigate through everyday challenges, and help you to develop short/long term strategies that will support you to live a happier and fulfilling life.
Theresa is an autism mom! When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her wife and son exploring beaches or hiking trails. Theresa is also an entrepreneur and provides makeup and hair services for special events and self-exploration.
Educational Background:
Honours Bachelor of Applied Science, Family & Community Social Services
– University of Guelph
Social Service Workers’ Diploma
– Humber College
Assaulted Women’s & Children’s Counsellor/Advocate Program Diploma
– George Brown College
Specialized Training:
Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy
Interpersonal Therapy, Feminist Therapy
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Crisis Prevention and Intervention
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist
Pronouns: She/Her
Valerie Vanhooren MSW RSW
Valerie is passionate about working with women and young adult populations. Her clients relate with anxiety, depression, relationship dynamics, and challenging life transitions. Valerie also helps individuals navigate dealing with injury, illness, and chronic pain management.
Valerie’s approach to therapy honours individual life experience. Her focus is to assist people through identifying their strengths, goals, and hopes to achieve successful problem resolution and personal life fulfillment.
Initiating therapy can be an intimidating process for some people. As such, Valerie is dedicated to creating an environment with clients that is warm, receptive, and nurturing. She will help you uncover areas in which you may feel ‘stuck’, and introduce you to ways in which you can surpass obstacles and maintain personal progress and growth.
Valerie has lived experience with a variety of common life issues that enables her to seamlessly engage with her clients. This has encouraged her to prioritize self-acceptance and positive change management in her sessions as a means to achieve improved life balance and harmony.
Specializations:
Mental health: anxiety and depression, chronic pain management, burnout, relationships, life and career transitions, bereavement
Works with:
Adults & LGBTQ2S.
Her Story:
Valerie has had the privilege of working with diverse populations in various settings over the past 15 years. Valerie has provided therapy and counselling support within mental health organizations, health care facilities, and the correctional system. The focus of her work has been in mental health, addictions, and chronic pain.
As a therapist, Valerie considers a healthy therapeutic relationship as an essential component in talk therapy. She views the client as the ‘expert’ in their own life. By using a person-centred approach, treatment goals and solutions are guaranteed to align with individual preferences and personalities. Valerie views therapy as a healthy practice for everyone because it can offer a sense of excitement, fun, and motivation towards creating healthy positive change and gaining momentum to put into practice the life we envision for ourselves.
Valerie can also assist you to identify and learn how to set healthy relationship boundaries, practice self acceptance, promote self care, and embrace ‘good-enoughism’. This can prove beneficial for those experiencing lack of life control, burnout, anxiety, depression, and perfectionism. She has witnessed people make profound gains by implementing realistic and manageable ‘tweaks’ to their present style of doing resulting in more overall life satisfaction.
On a personal level, Valerie enjoys social connections with friends and family. Her volunteerism includes community building in Honduras, former non-profit Board of Director, and womens’ shelter advocate. She loves the beach and water having grown up in close proximity to the Great Lakes. She is an avid bookworm (and will gladly offer up any book recommendations upon request), DIY fanatic, and destination daydreamer.
Educational Background:
Bachelor of Arts, Social Development
– University of Waterloo
Bachelor of Social Work
– Renison College University/University of Waterloo
Master of Social Work
– Renison College University/University of Waterloo
Specialized Training:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Solution Focused Therapy
Feminist Therapy
Chronic Pain Management
Gottman Method
Motivational Interviewing
Crisis & Suicide Intervention
Registered Social Worker, Counsellor, Psychotherapist
Pronouns: She/Her
Debbie Seeley MSW RSW
Debbie has over twenty years of experience working with youth, young adults, adults, and older adults who have been encountering challenges with negative affects related to trauma. She has partnered with many individuals who are experiencing a variety of mental health symptoms.
Debbie has supported individuals affected by trauma/PTSD, anxiety, depression, other mood disorders, addictions, relationship difficulties, grief/loss, life transitioning challenges, and personality style issues. She can assist with stress management, symptom management, increasing self-worth, life transitions, and a variety of other concerns with a compassion based and trauma informed approach.
Debbie works from a relational foundation in partnership with the people she walks alongside with. She is a very warm, empathetic and warm soul. She uses a multimodal approach according to clients’ needs, goals, and preferences. She works from an anti-oppressive, strengths based, integrated and trauma informed framework.
Specializations:
Anxiety and depression, mood disorders, addiction, trauma & PTSD, psychosis, dementia/neurological disorders, pain management and complex physical health concerns, stress management, difficult life transitions.
Works With:
Individuals over the age of 19.
LGBTQ2S, gender diverse, trans, non-binary, cisgender
Her Story:
Debbie, was born and raised on the traditional unceded lands of the Secwepemc territories, and has lived on and off on the (unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations) also known as Vancouver since 1994.
With over 20 years of experience as a helping professional, her background as a clinician in healthcare has had a primary focus on treating a broad range of mental health concerns, with some related to physical conditions, as well as the impacts from systemic oppression. She considers addressing the social determinants of health to create a holistic treatment plan.
Debbie identifies as a a cisgender white woman, and uses the pronouns she/ her. She describes herself as warm, empathetic, and a caring individual. She has had the honour of working and traveling internationally, which has further increased her interest and curiosity about the wonderful diversity of the human experience. Her work abroad involved supporting youth in Ireland, and women and children in India.
Debbie finds connecting with nature, music, and laughter provide rich ways to enhance her presence, and to provide deep connection to herself and others. In her free time she enjoy playing the guitar and singing, spending time in nature, reading, and watching comedy.
Educational Background:
Bachelor of Arts, Social Development
– University of Waterloo
Bachelor of Social Work
– Renison College University/University of Waterloo
Master of Social Work
– Renison College University/University of Waterloo
Specialized Training:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Solution Focused Therapy
Feminist Therapy
Chronic Pain Management
Gottman Method
Motivational Interviewing
Crisis & Suicide Intervention
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist
Pronouns: She/Her
Alba Arteaga MSW RSW
Alba works with adults who experience challenges with their mental health and are looking for support in managing triggering situations. She works with individuals who are experiencing concerns related to anxiety, grief & loss, identity formation, interpersonal relationships and specializes in pre/post immigration & cultural issues.
Alba brings warmth, gentleness and an ability to provide a safe environment to develop a deeper understanding of your strengths. She believes that people deserve kindness, empathy and support as they navigate new chapters and challenges in their lives.
***(Currently not taking new clients)
Educational Background:
Master of Social Work
– Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON
Specialized Training:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
Registered Social Worker, Counsellor, Psychotherapist
Pronouns: She/Her
Christina Hennelly MSW RSW
Christina enjoys working with all individuals who are experiencing depression, feelings of sadness, loneliness and overcoming grief. As a yoga therapist, Christina may introduce the powerful healing principles of yoga into your journey to reduce stress and improve resiliency.
Christina puts thoughtful emphasis on holding a safe and supportive space while you bravely explore goals, challenges and gain tools to make lasting changes. With a compassionate approach and trauma-informed/strength-based counselling, Christina is uniquely tailored to help individuals live more presently by nurturing their own strengths and raising awareness about themselves and their environment.
Through your work with Christina, she will support you as you optimize personal growth and overcome struggles in a non-judgemental, confidential and compassionate setting where you can evaluate negative thought patterns that contribute to your emotions and behaviours.
Counsellor
Pronouns: He/Him/She/Her
Jay Scott HBMus (ip) AWCCA CSW
Jay is passionate about working with a diverse set of communities, including people of colour, indigenous communities, as well as immigrants. Jay specializes in the areas of mental health, trauma and infertility issues and works alongside clients who are struggling with anxiety and depression. With a musical background, Jay utilizes music as a therapeutic tool to allow for clients to achieve their goals using creative methods.
Jay recognizes and understands how not feeling valued or feeling unworthy of good things can lead us to struggle with our self-esteem, mood and confidence. Jay believes that we each have the power to redirect our resources and voices to things that truly reflect and support our best self.
With a mindfulness approach along with cultivating a safe and non judgmental environment based on values of compassion and benevolence, Jay trusts that together you will be able to overcome obstacles, establish forward momentum, and stabilize progress, leaving you with a renewed sense of confidence.
Working With COCA Psychotherapy
Most insurance companies provide coverage for counselling services.
We may also offer free services to clients through Non-Insured Health Benefits for First Nations & Inuit (NIHB) & Victim Services
