Meet our Therapists

Karen Hurley Psychotherapist in Mississauga

Karen Hurley Psychotherapy Associates are a dedicated team of experienced mental health professionals with expertise in various issues for adults, couples, families, children and adolescents. Each professional associate in their field of practice, psychology, marriage and family therapy, and social work is highly trained and qualified and brings their own expertise and specialization in distinct areas of practice.

Karen Hurley

MSW, RP, RSW, RMFT
Karen practices from a belief that psychotherapy is an exploratory process of getting to know ourselves in a more enriched and deepened way. We conduct our lives through a self-and-world view we have constructed from our subjective experience of struggles, losses and triumphs. In therapy we become aware of entrenched patterns of interaction in our relationships that may prevent us from enjoying our life to the fullest.

Most transformative processes usually take place through a difficult or painful experience that often activates a need for change. For some, the desire of relief from distress or confusion: for others, the quest for understanding and creation of new meaning in their lives. Sometimes we are prompted by a sense that we don’t want to feel this way anymore or a need to do something different. It is often then, that we experience the catalyst to become more aware of how we are living our lives and desire to make changes for a healthier sense of well-being.

After attaining a Master of Social Work degree at University of Toronto, Karen completed post -graduate training including studies in couples therapy at Harvard Medical School, emotionally focused therapy, (EFT) and insight-oriented psychoanalytical therapy.

Karen is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist (RMFT) and a clinical fellow with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and the Ontario Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (OAMFT). She is an associate of Nicole McCance, of McCance Psychology, registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario.

Karen is also a member of the Canadian Society for Clinical Hypnosis - Ontario Division (CSCH-OD) and registered with the National Guild of Hypnotists as a Certified Hypnotherapist.

MaryAnne Terry

Facing life’s challenges is difficult and complicated at the best of times. There are issues that feel overwhelming and seem to threaten our very sense of self. Taking the time to take care of yourself, your mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual well-being has never been more important.

My goal is to help my clients establish a sense of calm and confidence in the midst of challenge. I want our time together to give you the hope and skills to heal yourself and find meaning and purpose in both the struggles and the journey to personal growth.

I take a discovery approach in understanding who you are and any patterns that challenge your sense of happiness and self. We will work together to develop strategies tailored to your individual needs for facing life as your authentic self. With me, it will feel conversational as I believe we experience life in terms of relationships. We are social beings, and we need one another as we navigate our relationship with ourselves, others, and the world around us. You can expect some ‘homework’ or ‘thought-work’ in between sessions – it takes time and effort to build new skills in life. Therapy is a dynamic and flexible process, with your concerns guiding the process.

I am a Registered Psychotherapist and hold a Master of Counselling Psychology, as well as a Certified Life Coach. I have worked in business, schools and religious environments and have enjoyed working with diverse populations and age groups. I practice a collaborative and interactive approach to therapy that uses a holistic psychodynamic overview and frame, with the supporting principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT). I also liberally draw from other modalities if they might benefit the client’s individual needs.

Areas of practice and experience:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Issues of identity, sexuality and sense of self and self-esteem
• Sleep, emotional and hormonal disturbances, and dysregulation
• Behavioural Issues – addiction, ADHD, Social Anxiety
• Life Transitions – developmental ages and stages, parenting and aging
• Relationship Issues and Dynamics – pre-marital counselling, couples and family counselling
• Stress – management and regulation strategies and coping techniques

Client Focus:
• Individual adults and emerging adults (ages 15 and upwards)
• Couples and family relations

Treatment Approach:
• Psychodynamic Framing and overview
• Cognitive and Dialectical Behavioural Therapeutic strategies
• Attachment-Based and Emotional Focused Therapeutic principles of relationship

Paris Vassel

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

We all face changes and challenges in our lives, and seeking therapeutic support to navigate those is a positive step towards a happier, healthier life. Together we will discover and enlist your strengths and resilience and develop new skills and strategies to find your best way forward; enabling you to embrace personal growth, address issues and concerns, form better relationships, make decisions, and face transitions towards a better life. I will walk beside you to heal past issues, loss, and trauma to foster health, peace, and personal fulfillment.

I have a vast array of personal and professional experience and qualifications to draw upon to help you face your unique situation, and to help you look forward positively and with confidence to achieve your unique goals in a manner that is consistent with your personal values. I work with adults, teens, couples, and families to develop a more positive perspective towards self and better relationships with others.
I practice using an integrative approach with techniques to help you address your past issues, cope with your immediate situation, and address your long-term needs.

I utilize my training in Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Developmental Model of Couples Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Emotionally Focused Family Therapy, Gottman Method Couple Therapy, Relational Life Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Solution Focused Therapy.

Michael Walecki

Michael is a Registered Psychotherapist who is compassionate and dedicated to providing therapy to adults and teenagers from diverse backgrounds in addressing their individual challenges. His therapy approach is deeply personalized, focusing on gaining profound insights for his clients' lives through exploration, dialogue, and non-judgmental listening.

He utilizes evidence-based methodologies, including Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFT) to help you understand your life experiences, setting the stage for transformative change. Michael also uses Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness to help you identify and modify your thoughts and behaviours so you can create tangible changes in your life that you can feel proud of.

By helping you reshape your personal narratives, teach you coping strategies, and helping you reclaim your distinctive strengths, I aim to provide psychotherapy services that orients you towards having a life filled with increased meaning and fulfilling relationships.

So, if you are seeking profound self-understanding and are motivated for transformative change, I am happy to help.

Jenn Ward

(she/her) RSW, BSW, MSW(C)

Jenn is a Clinical Social Worker registered with the Ontario College of Social Work (OCSWSSW). Jenn completed her Bachelor of Social Work at Toronto Metropolitan University (then Ryerson) and her Graduate work (MSW) Laurier University. Since 2006 Jenn has been providing support and care to the public and its First Responders via Distress Centers of Ontario; Canadian Mental Health Association, and Peel Dufferin and Ontario’s Emergency

Medical Assistance Team (EMAT)

As a seasoned Clinical Social Worker, Jenn brings both experience and a genuine commitment to fostering positive change in the lives of clients. Jenn’s practice is centered around creating a non-judgmental, kind, and direct therapeutic environment where individuals and couples can explore and navigate the complexities of personal growth. With a specialization in mental health, trauma/ grief and resilience, Jenn is passionate about supporting clients as they overcome challenges and build the necessary skills to achieve their desired goals. Jenn is well suited to support First Responders, Caregivers, Helping Professionals and their family members or intimate partners. Recognizing the unique challenges that these individuals face, she provides support to enhance their emotional resilience and overall mental health.

Therapeutic Approach
My primary goal in working with any client/s is that they feel safe and supported while we explore intervention and treatment together. Any work we do will focus on relationships- importantly – this includes your relationship with yourself. I support individuals and couples who are 18+. I practice from and anti-oppressive, strengths-based framework that is sex-positive. I work with clients in navigating challenges or improvement goals in relationships with friends, colleagues as well as “chosen” and biological family members. I work with couples and intimate relationships of all types, including relational dyads inclusive consensual non-monogamy. I am a proud ally of the

LGBTQ2+ Community / Qualifications/Advanced Practice Certification
I have an eclectic approach that aims to be client centered and utilizes elements of therapeutic modalities best suited to a client’s needs and goals. This may include elements of Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals, Families and Couples (EFT, EFIT, EFFT), Gottman Method for Couples, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Trauma-Informed Care, Strengths Based Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Cognitive Behavior Therapy.

Courtney Mann

RP, EFT, IFS, DBT

Everyone experiences life’s challenges differently, and my goal is to make sense of it together. I will strive to ensure that you feel heard, understood, and comfortable to express your needs and concerns. I am committed to using a dynamic and collaborative approach throughout the therapeutic process.

I have experience supporting individuals, couples, and families experiencing emotional and relational distress, grief/loss, anxiety, and depression. I aspire to help you cultivate greater awareness of yourself as well as your strengths while maximizing the resources and tools that are accessible to you.

Courtney is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She also holds memberships with the International Centre for Excellence in Emotion-Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) and the Canadian Counselling Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).

She holds a Masters in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. Courtney has also completed trainings in Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Mindfulness, Positive Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

Contact us directly at 416-723-9364 or click the contact us button and fill in our contact form.

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Karen Hurley
Psychotherapy
Associates

4315 Village Centre Court
Suite 201
Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1S2

Phone: 416-723-9364