Our Team
Registered Social Workers
Natasha Rykaszewski MSW, RSW
Hi, I’m Natasha—a registered social worker, and the founder of Rooted in Counselling.
My extensive experience includes supporting youth and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, interpersonal conflict, emotional regulation and trauma. The path to healing, growing and creating lasting change is one that I know well.
Before starting my private practice, I worked in the field of social work for over six years. I learned a lot about myself and the communities I worked in. Through doing my own inner work, I became inspired to use my lived experience and knowledge to guide others on the journey towards living intentionally and reaching their goals.
My approach to therapy is collaborative and eclectic—meaning I partner with you to create a personalized plan and incorporate various modalities based on your unique needs. I view myself as not only your guide but your support system, too. Someone who hears you distinctly, speaks with compassion and delicately challenges you to see different perspectives. Our work together may bring up tears and laughter—and both are okay.
Kim Ross BSW, RSW
Hello and welcome, my name is Kim and I am a Registered Social Worker at Rooted in Counselling.
I work with adults experiencing changes in their mental health, life transitions, grief, substance use concerns, as well as adults who are looking to get in touch with themselves and find new insights and clarity in their lives.
I have a compassionate and conversational approach to therapy and use the benefits of CBT and DBT to empower my clients with skills and motivation to make meaningful changes in their lives. I provide a safe space to understand and process feelings, notice unhelpful thoughts and patterns, and work alongside my clients to achieve their goals.
Jade McIntosh MSW, RSW
Hi, I'm Jade, a Registered Social Worker with a Masters Level degree at Rooted in Counselling. I am registered with the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers in good standing.
I have been in the social work field for over ten years and have worked in a number of different areas such as a residential counsellor, psychogeriatric social worker, child protection and crisis work.
I have completed training in Foundations of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Skills. My focus has included a wide range of support in; substance use concerns, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, life transition and supportive counselling. My approach to therapy is client led as I believe that people are the experts of their own life, journey and experiences. My role is to support your growth through goal formulation and implementing a plan to best support your needs!
Gabriele (Gabi) Reid BSW, RSW
Gabriele (Gabi) is a Registered Social Worker with over 8 years of experience in the field. Gabi holds a Bachelor of Arts (with a focus in Psychology) and an Honours Bachelor Indigenous Social Work. Gabi is currently completing a Master of Social Work degree.
Gabi has worked extensively with adults, families, youth, and children. Throughout her career Gabi has supported individuals with depression, anxiety, addictions, family and relationship issues, neurodivergence, as well as other psychiatric disorders and diagnoses.
Gabi is certified in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention. In therapeutic practice, Gabi draws from a Strengths-Based approach and utilizes Emotional-Focused Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Play/Art Therapies and Trauma-Informed care to support clients in their individualized healing journey.
Gabi provides a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for clients of all ages with various needs and goals.
Registered Psychotherapists
Zoe Fysikoudi , RP
Hi, I am Zoe – a Registered Psychotherapist and passionate working with children, youth and their families.
I have extensive experience working in private practice, schools, and community organizations supporting children and young people presenting with anxiety, relationship difficulties, social skills, behavioral issues, emotional dysregulation, low self-esteem, loss and grief, separation and divorce, trauma. I also work with parents who may need support to understand and walk with their children while they go through changes and want to enhance their child-parent relationship.
My approach is gentle, kind, authentic, attentive and playful allowing the therapeutic process to unfold and tailoring my approach and pace according to the needs of the child/ youth I am working with. I use elements of play therapy, art and creativity, sand tray, puppets, bibliotherapy alongside talk therapy in order to help children and youth share their story and perspective, connect with their inner resources and develop their resilience, learn strategies to manage difficult feelings, be creative and playful, manage transitions effectively and build a secure relationship with themselves and others.
Allison Jones , RP
Hi, I’m Allison. I am a Registered Psychotherapist with more than 20 years of experience working in the field of child and youth mental health.
I have extensive training in providing assessment and treatment to individuals, children and families who are struggling with anxiety, relational concerns, emotion regulation, attachment and parenting, behavioural issues and the impact of trauma.
Therapy is a uniquely personal experience and there is no one “right” approach. I create a safe space to explore your challenges and help you feel understood. Using a family systems lens, I believe that a child/youth’s struggles should be viewed in the context of their environment and that family members have a significant role in the healing journey.
It takes courage to ask for help and I provide a safe, non-judgemental space to support you. If you are ready for some help, you are worried about your child’s mental health, or you are experiencing your own stress or mental health challenges, you’ve come to the right place.
Naturopathic Doctors
Michelle McKee ND
Hi, I’m Michelle, a licensed Naturopathic Doctor at Rooted in Counselling. I’m the CEO/founder of an online program: The Energized Motherhood Method and I also see students at the wellness centre at Lakehead University, Orillia Campus.
I’m very passionate about supporting others on their journey to better health. It’s a privilege to be able to spend so much time with clients – to hear their stories, to get a thorough understanding of their symptoms and goals, and to discuss treatment options in great details.
I love what I do and very much believe in ‘walking the walk’ and strive to live a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
Please note Dr. McKee ND will be on maternity leave starting February 15th, 2024. While she is off, Dr. Heather Robinson ND will be covering her virtually. Be sure to stay tuned for Dr. McKee’s ND return date!
Heather Robinson ND
Heather Robinson is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor passionate about stress and energy management, healthy, happy periods and mental health. She believes that at the crux of many health concerns is stress and is on a mission to help guide women through conquering their stress so they can sleep well, balance hormones (thyroid, cortisol, sex hormones) and be able to show up and enjoy their lives as they should. As someone who has had chronic stress most of her life as well as seen it come through in varying forms in most of her patients, she has developed protocols to help conquer that stress in a sustainable way.
Dr Heather uses modalities such as nutritional counselling, supplementation,Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as motivational interviewing and holistic counselling to provide a truly holistic assessment and treatment plan that works for you.
Dr. Heather Robinson received her undergraduate degree in Honours Psychology from the University of Ottawa. She continued her studies at The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto where she underwent 4 years of study with 1200 hours of clinic practice as an intern at the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic, Queen West Satellite Clinic and Brampton Civic Hospital. She has been working in the UK for the last year at a functional medicine clinic supporting patients with chronic, complex health concerns and can run specific testing to get to the root of your concerns to create a tailor-made plan (blood work, DUTCH hormone testing, stool testing etc).