About Nina
Nina is a doctoral psychology intern whose approach is grounded in collaboration, empathy, and an understanding of each client within the broader context of their life. Her clinical experience has exposed her to a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, personality-related difficulties, emotion regulation, and the impact of challenging or marginalizing environments. Nina has a particular interest in supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ clients and individuals who find themselves caught in emotional patterns that are no longer serving them. Nina shares,
For Nina, therapy is about more than reducing symptoms. It is about helping clients develop the confidence and capacity to navigate difficult emotions, make meaningful changes, and create lives that reflect what matters to them.
Her work recognizes that therapy cannot remove every challenge a person faces, but it can help clients develop new ways of responding to those challenges while creating greater room for joy and fulfillment.
Nina describes her therapeutic style as warm, collaborative, and empathetic. She seeks to understand clients’ reactions within the context of their experiences rather than viewing them in isolation. This includes considering how relationships, identity, culture, previous experiences, and broader social systems may influence the difficulties a client is experiencing.
Clients can expect Nina to come to sessions prepared, engaged, and willing to adapt when something is not working. Her approach integrates Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and the Unified Protocol, as well as training in LGBTQ+ Affirming CBT. She particularly values approaches that offer practical strategies while helping clients develop greater acceptance of difficult emotions and move toward a life that is more closely aligned with their values. She explains,
As therapy progresses, improvement may include symptom relief, but Nina also pays attention to the small changes that make everyday life different. A client may advocate for themselves when they previously stayed silent, tolerate an uncomfortable emotion without becoming overwhelmed, or accomplish something that had felt impossible a few weeks earlier. She shares,
In the first session, Nina focuses on understanding what has brought the client to therapy, how their concerns are affecting their life, and what they would ultimately like to change. She will also explore the client's life outside of therapy including the experiences and environments that may contribute to their difficulties as well as the strengths and resources that help them cope.
Ultimately, Nina hopes clients leave therapy knowing not only that change occurred, but that they have the capacity to create change again.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Modalities:
2SLGBTQIA+
Special Populations:
Anxiety
Depression
Emotion Regulation
Grief
Stress
Trauma
Personality Disorders
Areas of Focus:
Doctor of Philosophy, Clinical Psychology (in progress) - Queen’s University
Nina’s clinical experience spans a broad range of settings, from student counselling services to forensic inpatient care. She has worked with clients experiencing anxiety and depressive disorders, significant trauma histories, personality-related difficulties, and emotion regulation concerns, as well as individuals navigating challenging social environments and marginalizing systems. She has a particular clinical interest in working with 2SLGBTQIA+ clients and providing care that considers the impact of identity, culture, environment, and systemic experiences.
Nina’s training also includes extensive psychological assessment experience, including psychodiagnostic, forensic and risk assessment, and cognitive and learning disability assessment. As a doctoral psychology intern, Nina remains closely engaged with current psychological research and receives ongoing supervision from a Clinical Psychologist at Centre Wellness. She describes one of the benefits of working with a doctoral trainee is the combination of clinical support, flexibility, and immersion in current research.
Nina’s training also includes extensive psychological assessment experience, including psychodiagnostic, forensic and risk assessment, and cognitive and learning disability assessment. As a doctoral psychology intern, Nina remains closely engaged with current psychological research and receives ongoing supervision from a Clinical Psychologist at Centre Wellness. She describes one of the benefits of working with a doctoral trainee is the combination of clinical support, flexibility, and immersion in current research.
