MPsy Faculty Profiles
Taslim Alani-Verjee
Ph.D., C.Psych.
Faculty, Master of Psychology Program
Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee is a Clinical Psychologist living and working in Toronto, Canada. She is the Founder and Director of Silm Centre for Mental Health, a community-based and social justice-oriented practice that seeks to make mental health awareness and services more accessible to the communities with whom she and her teamwork. Dr. Taslim has her PhD and Masters in Clinical Psychology from Lakehead University, in Thunder Bay, Canada. She has a Masters in International Development Studies from Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Canada. Dr. Taslim is an Adjunct Faculty Member at Lakehead University, and an instructor at Adler Graduate Professional School and the University of Toronto Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.
Julie Brown
M.S.W., RP Dean of Psychotherapy
Faculty, Master of Psychology Program
Dean of Students
Dean of Psychotherapy
Julie Brown is a Registered Psychotherapist with experience spanning over twenty years providing services in the areas of mental health and wellbeing. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work (Clinical Focus) from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Guelph. She joined the Adler Faculty in 2011 and is currently the Program Director and Lead Instructor for the Trauma Psychotherapy Certificate Program, in addition to her role as Dean of Psychotherapy. A dynamic group leader, presenter and consultant, Julie has delivered keynote addresses and training in the areas of Attachment, Traumatic Impact, Domestic Violence, Addiction and Chronic Pain for mental health professionals, educators, parents and students. She has worked in numerous sectors of the social services, including community based children’s mental health centres, schools and child care settings, and more recently team based care with medical professionals in primary health care settings. Julie maintains a private practice in Guelph specializing in working with individuals, couples and families using Trauma-Informed and Relationally focused therapy. When the professional hat is off, she is busy being a mom of 4, raising chickens and kittens, and finding any reason to be close to large bodies of water.
Kim Campbell
M.Sc. RP, RMFT-SQ
Faculty, Master of Psychology Program (PTH)
Kim Campbell is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and Registered Marriage and Family Therapist with fifteen years of experience providing therapy as well as designing and delivering mental health programs and supports. Kim completed her honours degree in Psychology (biopsychology), and her Master of Science Degree in Couple and Family Therapy at the University of Guelph. Prior to that Kim had experience in adult education, advanced facilitation, and group processes in the private sector. Kim has over twelve years experience as a Psychotherapist in a primary care setting providing therapy across the lifespan for a broad range of issues and maintains a private practice. Her foundations are in relational therapy, and she has experience working with first responders, tragic events, and traumatic loss. Areas of knowledge include relationships, parenting, bereavement, the psychobiological foundations of stress and trauma, suicide prevention and postvention, chronic pain and health issues as well as workplace challenges.
Gary Challis
Ph.D., B.Sc., M.Sc.
Faculty, Master of Psychology Program
Dr. Challis holds a Ph.D. in psychology from Carleton University and has practiced as a Registered Psychologist for the past eighteen years in the Toronto, Scarborough and Whitby area.
He attained his B.Sc. from the University of Toronto and M.Sc. from the University of Calgary. He has worked in various professional capacities including within a Provincial Psychiatric Hospital as a psychologist and the Director of Quality Management and Program Evaluation. He has worked within rehabilitation psychology and has provided supervision for graduate students and professionals seeking registration with the College of Psychologists.
Dr. Challis has worked for the past fifteen years within a private practice as a registered clinical psychologist providing therapy, treatment planning and assessments. His areas of interest and practice include health psychology, depression, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, PTSD, grief, MVA assessment and rehabilitation, chronic pain, anger and stress as well as couple and individual relationship therapy. His graduate theses addressed issues with respect to the role of individual coping strategies and personality variables in cancer chemotherapy patients.
He is a member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario and a member of the Canadian Psychological Association.
Victoria Creighton
Psy.D., C.Psych.
Core Faculty, Master of Psychology Program
Victoria is the Director of Clinical Training and Family Services at Pine River Institute, where she oversees clinical training programs and leads family services. She ensures that staff are equipped with evidence-based practices to provide effective, compassionate care. Victoria emphasizes family involvement, believing it is essential for long-term success in treatment, and works closely with families to support lasting change.
Prior to her current role, Victoria served as the Clinical Director at Pine River for 15 years, where she introduced a developmental/systemic model of treatment, addressing the developmental needs of adolescents and the systemic factors influencing their mental health and recovery.
Victoria is a registered psychologist with 24 years of experience. Before joining Pine River, she trained under Dr. John McKinnon in Adolescent Development at Montana Academy, deepening her understanding of adolescent development and therapeutic approaches. She also trained for 10 years under Dr. Maria Gomori in Satir Family Therapy, a model that emphasizes the importance of family dynamics in healing. This foundation has shaped her family-centered treatment approach.
Kim Daniel
M.Ed., Ph.D., R.P.
Faculty, Master of Psychology Program
Kim S. Daniel, M.Ed., PhD., RP- received her PhD from McGill University in an APA/CPA accredited Counselling Psychology program where she developed her skills in research and clinical work. She completed her residency at Surrey Place Centre in Toronto, working with individuals with differing developmental disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). As well, she completed a postdoctoral clinical fellowship at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, working in the Pediatric Clinical/Health Psychology and Behavioural Medicine Division with both in-patients and out-patients. Currently, at CBT Associates, Kim is a therapist and provides Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for children, adolescents, adults, and families who are dealing with differing issues such as: grief and loss, health issues, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, stress, bullying, relationship issues and other mental health difficulties. Kim continues to hold a position at Surrey Place, the Director of Community Partnership and Innovation Division. Kim’s are of interest/research and work is to understand and explore best practices in equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility. Kim enjoys her field of practice whereby she can dedicate her efforts to her clients, by promoting the maintenance of mental health and the treatment of mental illness. She continues to aspire in making a significant contribution in the fields of Counselling and Psychology and Education. Kim is affiliated with the CRPO and CPA.
Mary Fiore
PhD,
Director, MPsy and TEQ Program
Faculty, Master of Psychology Program
Mary Fiore is an instructor with the Faculty of Psychology at Adler Graduate Professional School focusing on providing graduate students with learning opportunities that will enhance their understanding of the role of statistics for research in psychology and the relationship between various research methodologies as part of their professional learning journeys. Mary completed her PhD at the University of Toronto with the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning. In her various roles as a curriculum and instructional leader she works collaboratively with educators to explore innovative ways to support the teaching and learning of mathematics. As a contributor in developing professional learning resources, she has participated in a variety of writing projects that focus on thinking differently about mathematics and making students’ mathematical thinking visible. Mary embraces professional collaboration that provides opportunities for reflective practice and the development of new knowledge, new abilities and new ways of doing.
Alison Hunt
R.P.
Faculty, Master of Psychology Program
Alison Hunt has been working in the mental health field for over 20 years. Previous work experience includes working directly with individuals with serious mental health issues, and leading various case management and early psychosis intervention teams at CMHA Toronto and CAMH. Alison has published and presented internationally on the topic of CTOs. Her most recent work has been as Director of The Access Point. She has her M.Ed. in Psychology and is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She was trained in DBT at CAMH. Alison has been a DBT skills group facilitator since 2008 and continues to be part of the CMHA DBT team.
Jabari Jordan
MPsy, MPhil
Faculty, TEQ Program
Teaching internationally for 12 years in different countries, Jabari has gained an understanding and appreciation of different perspectives and walks of life which he uses to enhance course material and engage students.
Jabari holds a masters degree in psychology, philosophy, and an international teaching certificate. His courses are student centered as students learn best when reflecting on and relating concepts to their own lives.
As a fully registered psychotherapist with the CRPO, Jabari specializes in treating adults, families, and couples from a trauma-focused, internal family systems, emotion-focused, communication building, and cognitive-behavioral therapy lens. He’s worked on both Adler’s and the CRPO’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging boards to promote understanding, empathy, and compassion for people or groups that are disadvantaged.
Martin Katzman
M.D., F.R.C.P.(C)
Faculty, Master of Psychology Program
Experienced Clinic Director with a demonstrated history of working in the mental health care industry. Skilled in Diagnosis and Treatment of people with complex difficulties; Specific treatment skills in Complex Pharmacology, Integrative Care with Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness Based Therapies as well as Psychodynamic Psychotherapies for the Anxiety Disorders, the Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, and of course the Mood Disorders. He is a strong healthcare services professional with an interest in ; Skillful and involved with Clinical Supervision, Psychological Assessment, Neuropsychology/Neuropsychiatry and clinical research. His research focus involves a fundamental interest in psychobiological factors causing psychopathology including, hedonic tone, intolerance of uncertainty as well as the development of technology and phone applications to help with the diagnosis and treatment of these complex populations.
Priyanka Khimsharia
MSc., MPsy.
Faculty, TEQ Program
Priyanka Khimsharia, M.Sc., MPsy, is a dedicated professional with extensive experience in clinical psychology. With a Master's in Clinical Psychology from Adler Graduate Professional School (2024) and the University of Sussex, UK (2011), Priyanka is in the process of accumulating hours to registration with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. With over 8 years of diverse experience in healthcare settings, she specializes in mood disorders, OCD, BFRB, trauma, PTSD and psychodiagnostic assessments. Priyanka employs a range of therapeutic modalities, including CBT, EMDR, DBT, Psychodynamic approach, and mindfulness, to foster growth and resilience in her clients. Her clinical and research interests lie in adverse childhood experiences and resilient factors impacting adulthood, shaping her tailored approach to each individual's needs.
R. James Little
M.Ed., M.A., C. Psych., Psy.D.
Faculty, Master of Psychology Program
President Emerita, Adler Graduate Professional School
Core Faculty Member (2011 to 2017)
Dean of Students (2011 to 2017)
Academic Vice-President (2014 to 2017)
President (May 2017 to 2023)
College of Psychologists of Ontario
Ontario Association of Psychological Associates
Charter Member of Ontario Society of Adlerian Psychology
Member - College of Psychologists of Ontario, Registered Psychologist
Jim is currently President of AGPS. He has been involved as an instructor since 1989 and held various positions over the years including Core Faculty Member, Dean of Students, and Academic Vice President. Educationally, he completed a Bachelor of Arts from McMaster University, a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Western Ontario, and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from the Alfred Adler Institute of Chicago (now Adler University). Recently, Jim completed a Doctorate in Psychology from the Professional School of Psychology located in Sacramento California. In March 2020, he was awarded the designation of NASAP Diplomate in Adlerian Psychology. Professionally, Jim worked as an educator for 32 years. He held positions of a classroom teacher, special educator, consultant and principal. He has extensive experience working in the field of special education. Along with his teaching experience, Jim is registered with the College of Psychologists as a Psychologist whose scope of practice is school psychology. He has extensive experience completing psychological assessments. Outside of work and school, Jim is an avid photographer and enjoys BBQ both cooking and judging. He has also earned the designation of Master Certified Barbecue Judge from the Kansas City Barbecue Society.
Leah Macpherson
BA, MA
Faculty, TEQ
I earned a Master of Arts degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the Adler Graduate School. I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, Adjunct Faculty at The Adler Graduate School in Toronto, and a Clinical Supervisor. I am also a Certified Positive Discipline Parenting Educator (CPDPE) and a Certified Positive Discipline Classroom Educator (CPDCE). An experienced public speaker, I have given numerous presentations to parents, students, faculty and staff on topics such as children's mental health, parenting strategies, and social media and technology.
Early in my career, I earned a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English from the University of British Columbia, a Diploma in Broadcast Studies from the National Institute of Broadcasting, and a Diplôme d' Études de la Langue Française from the Centre de Linguistique Appliquée in Besançon, France
Goldie Millar
Registered Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Goldie Millar is a highly experienced Clinical, Counselling and School Psychologist with over two decades of experience in various settings. She earned her Ph.D., from the University of Toronto in 2003. She is a member in good standing with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario. She has taken on leadership, supervisory, and advanced clinical roles in school, health, and community-based organizations, where she has used her knowledge to navigate complex systems, build stakeholder relationships, and promote change. Dr. Millar has a deep understanding of pedagogical, research, and empirical practices, which she leverages to help individuals and families achieve overall wellness. Dr. Millar is the author of numerous peer reviewed research articles focused on addictive behaviours, childhood maltreatment, adult victimization and models of service delivery. She is also the co-author of two children’s books focused on emotional awareness and regulation.
Linda Page
Ph,D.
Faculty, Master of Psychology Program
President Emerita and Founder, Adler Professional Schools Inc
Board Certified Coach, 2012, Center for Credentialing and Education
Associate Certified Coach, 2006, International Coach Federation
Adler Certified Professional Coach, 2002, Adler International Learning Inc.
Certification, 1998, Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists, and Psychotherapists
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (retired), 1996-2016, State of Illinois Department of Regulation License #180.002144
Linda J. Page is an educational innovator, business leader, coach, retired psychotherapist, and author. She has been involved with Adlerian graduate professional education in Ontario since 1978. In 2004, Dr. Page founded Adler Graduate Professional School (ADLER) in Toronto, Canada, a graduate school that offers a Master of Psychology (MPsy)and a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree under consent of the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities, an ICF-accredited Professional Coaching Certificate, and certificates in the helping professions. She served as President of ADLER from 2004-2017 and currently teaches Comparative Psychotherapy and Social Dimensions of Psychotherapy there. She holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from Princeton University and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Adler University (AU) in Illinois, where she was a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor until her retirement. As a member of AU’s core doctoral faculty from 1992 to 1998, she taught Adlerian psychology and practice, social psychology, cognitive psychology, learning, motivation and emotion, sensation and perception, and gender studies. Dr. Page was a psychotherapist in private practice in Ontario from 1980 to 1995. As Chair of the Alliance of Psychotherapy Training Institutions (APTI), she supported the formation of the College of Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO) and the design of educational requirements for CRPO applicants. Dr. Page became an Adler Certified Professional Coach in 2002, Associate Professional Coach in 2006, and a Board Certified Coach in 2012. From 2015 to 2017, she served as President of the Graduate School Alliance for Education in Coaching, an international standard-setting body for graduate-level coach education programs, of which ADLER is a Founding Member. With David Rock, Dr. Page co-authored Coaching with the Brain in Mind: Foundations for Practice (Wiley, 2009), which identifies scientific and philosophical contributions to the emergence of professional coaching and the brain research that holds promise for the future development of helping professions.
Daniela Switzer
M.A., C. Psych
Faculty, Master of Psychology
Daniela is a dedicated scholar and advocate for lifelong learning, with a strong commitment to enhancing educational experiences. She earned her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago in 2005, a milestone she achieved after returning to academia at the age of 35. This accomplishment paved the way for her career as a registered School Psychologist in Ontario, where she has accrued over a decade of experience within the educational system. Daniela's work focuses on conducting comprehensive assessments for children and adults to elucidate their unique learning profiles. Prior to this she worked with a Neuropsychologist, providing assessments for insurance purposes. Currently based in Cambridge, she upholds the philosophy that learning is a highly individualized process and recognizes the challenges that formal education can pose. Her mission is to foster a supportive educational environment that encourages individuals to excel and reach their full potential.
Amena Syed
Psy.D., C.Psych.
Faculty, Master of Psychology Program
Dr. Syed is a registered Psychologist in the Province of Ontario with areas of competence in Clinical, Rehabilitation and Neuropsychology. She is qualified to provide these services to children, adolescents, and adults. She is also board certified by the American Board of Clinical Psychology and is a diplomate with the American Board of Assessment Psychology with a specialization in Neuropsychology. She is an associate member in good standing of the Canadian Society of Medical Evaluators and the Canadian Academy of Psychologists in Disability Assessment (CAPDA) and the Canadian Register of Health Service Psychologists (CRHSP) along with membership in a number of associations, including but not limited to the Ontario, Canadian and American Psychological Association. By way of training, she received her Honours in Bachelors of Science from McMaster University followed by a Master’s in Counselling Psychology and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology. She has completed various clinical internships with residencies in the following hospitals: SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine, Jacobs Neurological Institute & Erie County Medical Centre in Buffalo NY, North York General Hospital, and Woodstock General Hospital. She has been in private practice solely since 2010 completing hundreds of plaintiff and defense disability and catastrophic assessments along with the provision of treatment.
Eran Talitman
Ph.D., C.Psych.
Faculty, Master of Psychology
Dr. Talitman is a senior clinical psychologist who has been helping people for over 30 years. He has extensive experience treating couples, adults and teens who are struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, addictions, interpersonal conflict, sexual abuse, and sexual orientation issues. Eran also has specialized training and extensive experience in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples and individuals and provides supervision for therapists in this leading-edge approach. He blends Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) with emotion-centred approaches with his clients as appropriate. His warm approach helps put both women and men at ease during therapy. Eran’s knowledge and experience in men’s issues is particularly helpful when working with men. In addition, he has given numerous talks and workshops on resilience, stress management, intimacy, conflict resolution, personality disorders, and professional boundaries.
Eran’s prior work includes providing treatment at the Windsor Regional Hospital to individuals with depression, anxiety, acquired brain injury, cancer and HIV and treatment at the Centre for Psychological Services at the University of Ottawa. Eran received his psychology degrees from York University and the University of Ottawa.
Begum Verjee
Ed.D., M.Ed., ACC
Faculty, Master of Psychology Program
I have a doctorate in Educational Leadership & Policy and a master’s in Counselling Psychology, both from the University of British Columbia. I am also an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coach Federation (ICF), trained from the Faculty of Coaching at ADLER. I have worked in the post-secondary sector for over 30 years, with extensive experience in educational leadership; adult education; health equity; policy and program development, and community engagement. I am currently the Provost and a faculty member at ADLER, and on faculty with the International Committee of Adlerian Summer Schools & Institutes (ICASSI). I also Co-Chair ADLER’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging strategy. I am a member of the ICF, and sit as a Council of Ambassador with the ICF Foundation.
Chris Wekerle
Ph.D.
Faculty, Master of Psychology Program
Core Faculty, Doctor of Psychology Program
Director of Research, Doctor of Psychology Program
Dr. Wekerle is an Associate Professor in Pediatrics and an Associate Member of the Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University. She obtained her Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology) in 1995 from The University of Western Ontario, an American and Canadian Psychological Association accredited program, and conducted her accredited internship at McMaster, in Pediatrics. She is Editor-in-Chief of the premier international journal, Child Abuse & Neglect, and founding editor of the open-access journal, International Journal of Child and Adolescent Resilience.
Dr. Wekerle has been an active scientist, publishing in peer-reviewed journals since 1987. Her research focuses on youth who have had adverse childhood experiences and their current mental health and resilience. She led the Maltreatment and Adolescent Pathways (MAP) Research Study partnered with Canada’s largest child welfare agencies to track youth outcomes across adolescence. The research-to-action video on this study was runner up in the CIHR IHDCYH Video Talks competition. Her team grant (#CIHRTeamSV) focuses on the impact of sexual violence victimization among male youth and young adults, seeking to understand components of resilience and developing intervention innovations. The #CIHRTeamSV research-to-action video won a special commendation prize in the CIHR Video Talks contest for 2017. This work is ongoing with ECPAT International as a key partner. Dr. Wekerle and team have developed a youth resilience app, JoyPopTM, to support day-to-day resilient functioning. Her new book with colleagues, Child Maltreatment (2nd Edition), is targeted to those whose practice engages them in the issues of child maltreatment.
Carmen Weiss
Ph.D., C.Psych.
Faculty, Master of Psychology Program
Dr. Carmen Weiss is a clinical and health psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. After receiving her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from York University in 2010, she was a staff psychologist at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. In 2012, she also opened White Pine Psychology, a private psychology practice in Burlington, ON, and, in 2013, decided to focus her efforts full-time on this clinic. Teaching and supervision have been a major focus for Dr. Weiss throughout her career, and helping new therapists grow their experience and confidence in their practice is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable parts of her work. Dr. Weiss has held past psychological positions at CAMH in Toronto, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, and Toronto General Hospital’s Eating Disorders Unit. She has a strong interest in meta-levels of psychotherapy, understanding what makes therapy successful and how therapist and client co-create sessions together.
Avi Zer-Aviv
R.P.
Faculty, Master of Psychology Program
Avi Zer-Aviv, RP, is a seeker who stumbled onto psychotherapy while in search of spirituality at a young age. He spent years travelling the world, studying Ayurveda, Yoga, Mindfulness, Mind/Body Medicine, Organic Farming, & World Culture. He completed an undergraduate degree specializing in Conflict Studies at the University of Waterloo, and went on to work in the community for 11 years, engaging various groups including youth, seniors, people living with disabilities, & other marginalized folks. Like many psychotherapists before him, Avi came to be a therapist by first being a client, both individually and in group therapy for years. He has completed extensive psychotherapy training at two different professional schools, and is currently a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and of the Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists (OSRP). Avi has been in private practice for the last decade plus, and runs many group programs.