Meet the AWC Grief Support Team

Expertise grounded in compassion, connection, and clinical excellence.

Skilled Grief Support

Each therapist on our team brings unique expertise and approaches, including modalities such as play therapy, dignity therapy, and trauma-processing approaches such as EMDR and Deep Brain Reorienting.

At AWC we have the capacity and skill to support the vast range of needs that arise in grief. From supporting young children and families elders and complex organizations, we provide tailored care at any point in the lifespan.

Across our team our approach is:
  • Neuro-Affirming: We center and respect individual neurodivergent experiences and needs.
  • Trauma-Informed: We move beyond talk therapy to address how the body and mind hold distress.
  • Specialized in Nervous System Support: Our therapists are trained in advanced modalities including EMDR, IFS, DBR, and Somatic Experiencing to provide skilled, and comprehensive care.
  • Collaborative: Beyond individual care, we support the learning needs of professionals and organizations to build grief-literate systems and communities.
AWC Grief Support

Meet The Founders

Andrea and Colleen first began working together at a small not-for-profit supporting children’s grief through Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. Early on, they connected over a shared commitment to supporting children, youth, and families navigating serious illness, end of life, and life after the death of someone close to them. That shared passion, shaped by clinical experience and daily encounters with grief, became the foundation for their work together.

Meet the AWC Team

AWC Grief Support
Swetha Sindhu
(she/her)
Client Coordinator (Intake and Education requests)

Swetha works with: Individuals navigating grief
Additional specializations: 
Administrative support and resource connection
Language: 
English, Malayalam and Hindi
Location: 
Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes. Intake is open!

AWC Grief Support
Esther Rhee Carnat
(she/her)
Registered Social Worker, Strategy & Partnership Lead

Esther works with: Children, Teens, and Adults
Additional specializations: 
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Trauma exposure, Children's mental health
Language: 
English
Location: 
Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
No 

AWC Grief Support
Aly Bird
(she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist

Aly works with: Young Adults, Teens, and Adults
Additional specializations: 
Partner Loss, EMDR (EMDRIA Certified), Sudden and/or Unexpected Death, Traumatic Grief
Language: 
English
Location: 
Toronto & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients:
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Ami Armagost
(she/her)
Registered Social Worker

Ami works with: Children, Youth, Parents, and Families
Additional specializations: 
Traumatic Grief, EMDR, CBT, IFS, Art and Play-Based Approaches, Child Development and Neurodiversity.
Language: 
English, Japanese
Location: 
Toronto & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Aviv Bialy
(she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist

Aviv works with: Adults, Parents, and Individuals with illness
Additional specializations: 
EMDR, Attachment-focused, Trauma-informed
Language: 
English
Location: 
Virtual 
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Ceilidh Eaton Russell
(she/her)
Certified Child Life Specialist

Ceilidh works with: Children, Young People, Parents , and Caregivers
Additional specializations: 
Therapeutic play, creative communication strategies
Language: 
English
Location: 
Guelph, ON & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
No

AWC Grief Support
Christine O’Rourke
(she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), Counselling Intern

Christine works with: Children, Youth, Adults and Caregivers
Additional specializations: 
Mindfulness, body and somatic practices, spiritual/existential perspectives, integrated approach informed by IFS, CBT, ACT, and CFT.
Language: 
English
Location: 
Toronto (East end) & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Charlotte Coffey
(she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Charlotte works with: Children, and Youth
Additional specializations: 
Navigating school, academics and supports
Language: 
English
Location: 
Toronto & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients:
No

AWC Grief Support
Chelsea Anne Alex (she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Chelsea works with: Children, Youth, and Young Adults
Additional specializations: 
Neurodiversity, Art & Play based therapy, Narrative Therapy, Strength-based approach
Language: 
English
Location: 
Toronto & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients:
No

AWC Grief Support
Claire Montgomery (she/her)
Registered Social Worker

Claire works with: Individuals, and Families
Additional specializations: Narrative Therapy, CBT, EMDR, EFT (Emotion Focused Therapy)
Language: English
Location: Toronto (East End) & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: Yes

AWC Grief Support
Diane Biggs
(she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist, Clinical Lead, Clinical Supervisor

Diane works with: Children, Youth, and Families
Additional specializations: 
Traumatic grief, recent traumatic experiences, perinatal grief, bereaved parents, EMDR (EMDRIA Approved Consultant), DBT, CBT, SFBT, clinical supervision, EMDR consultation
Language: 
English
Location: 
Durham Region & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients:
No

AWC Grief Support
India Burton
(she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist

India works with: Children, Teens, Adults,  and Caregivers
Additional specializations: 
Narrative Therapy, CBT, Mindfulness-based approaches, Trauma-informed care, Acquired Brain Injury
Language: 
English
Location: 
Caledon & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
No

*Currently on parental leave

AWC Grief Support
Jenn (Jennifer) O’Connor
(she/her)
Registered Social Worker, Clinical Supervisor

Jenn works with: Individuals, Young People, and Parents
Additional specializations: 
EMDR (EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Consultant-in Training), DBT, CBT, Mindfulness
Language: 
English
Location: 
Kitchener-Waterloo & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Joelle Therriault
(she/her)
Registered Social Worker, Clinical Supervisor

Joelle works with: Young people, Adults, Couples, and Families
Additional specializations:  
IFS (Internal Family Systems), Narrative Practice, CBT, DBT, Trauma Integration
Language: 
English
Location: 
Toronto & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Kate Cook
(she/her)
Registered Social Worker

Kate works with: Adults, and Older Adults
Additional specializations: 
Gerontology, Palliative Care, End-of-life support, Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)
Language: 
English
Location: 
Virtual 
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Kiera Vanderlugt
(she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Kiera works with: Children, Youth, and Adults
Additional specializations: 
Neurodiversity, Creative and play-based modalities, Attachment-focused
Language: 
English
Location: 
Toronto (East End) & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Kimberley Brawley
(she/her)
Registered Social Worker

Kimberley works with: Children, Youth, Adults, Couples, and Families
Additional specializations: 
Deep Brain Reorienting, Palliative care focus, Trauma-informed, Attachment-based
Language: 
English
Location: 
Guelph & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Kindra Lewis
(she/her)
Registered Social Worker

Kindra works with: Adults, Older Adults, Caregivers, and Health Care Workers
Additional specializations: 
Deep Brain Reorienting, Brain-Spotting, IFS, Attachment and trauma-informed practice
Language: 
English
Location: 
Ottawa & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Kourtney Richardson
(she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist

Kourtney works with: Individuals, Families, and Caregivers
Additional specializations: 
EMDR, ACT, IFS, Grief Recovery Specialist® Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Language: English
Location: 
Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients:  
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Lisa-Marie Salas
(she/her)
Psychologist

Lisa-Marie works with: Adults, and Young Adults
Additional specializations: 
Traumatic Grief, CBT, Compassion Focused Therapy, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Narrative therapy
Language: 
English, Spanish
Location: 
Currently Accepting New Clients: 


AWC Grief Support
Liz Siydock
(she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), Child Life Specialist

Liz works with: Young Adults, Adults, Parents and Families
Additional specializations: 
Sudden unexpected death, Compassion Fatigue, Early Childhood Education, Traumatic Grief
Language: 
English
Location: 
Mississauga & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients:
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Michelle Germain 
(she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Michelle works with: Adolescents, Adults, and Families of Transgender Kids
Additional specializations: 
Grief Recovery Method Specialist (GRM), Narrative Therapy, FIT Program (Families in Transition), End of Life Doula
Language: 
English, French
Location: 
Toronto & Virtual (Ontario)
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Nathalie-Roze Fischer
(she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist

Nathalie-Roze works with: Diverse grievers, Individuals with ADHD, and Gender-expansive identities
Additional specializations: 
Thanatology, Arts background, Eco-grief, Traumatic bereavement (suicide, overdose, homicide loss), Pet loss
Language: 
English
Location: 
Toronto (East End) & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Nicola Elbro
(she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist, Education Lead, Clinical Supervisor

Nicola works with: Individuals across various life stages, Families, and Professionals
Additional specializations: 
EMDR, ITATM (Integrative Attachment and Trauma Treatment Model), Mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, IFS
Language: 
English
Location: 
Toronto & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Nikki McCallum
(she/her)
Registered Social Worker

Nikki works with: Children, Youth, Adults, and Families
Additional specializations: 
Creative expression (Art/Play), EFT, CBT, DBT, Narrative Therapy, Child and Youth Care Practitioner
Language: 
English
Location: 
Sudbury & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Petra Kovacs
(she/her)
Registered Social Worker

Petra works with: Children, Youth, Parents, and Adults
Additional specializations: 
Serious illness, First responders
Language: 
English
Location: 
London (Ontario) & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Rebecca Brown
(she/her)
Registered Social Worker

Rebecca works with: Adults, Children, and Teens
Additional specializations: 
Certification in Crisis Response (ICISF), EMDR, CBT, Narrative Therapy, Equine Assisted Therapist (EAGALA); Trauma, Specializes in working with First Responders and Health Care Professionals
Language: 
English
Location: 
London & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Ruby Randall
(she/her)
Registered Social Worker

Ruby works with: Children, Youth, Parents, and Adults
Additional specializations: 
IFS, Play-based interventions, Narrative Therapy, Trauma-informed care
Language: 
English
Location: 
Toronto & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Sara Handler
(she/her)
Registered Social Worker

Sara works with: Children, Youth, Adults, and Parents
Additional specializations: Community-based mental health treatment (children, adolescents, and families), Neurodiversity (ADHD, ASD), Trauma-informed practice
Language: 
English
Location: 
Toronto & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Simone Kurup
(she/her)
Registered Social Worker

Simone works with: Children, Young Adults, and Families
Additional specializations: 
Adolescent and Young Adults, Cancer, Sickle Cell Disease, MAID, CBT, ACT, Narrative Therapy, Creative Arts-based interventions
Language: 
English
Location: 
Toronto & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Sonia Cacciacarro
(she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist

Sonia Cacciacarro works with: Individuals, Caregivers, Families, and Parents
Additional specializations: 
Somatic, Parts Work, EMDR
Language: 
English, Italian
Location: 
King City & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Sonia Comiré
(she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist

Sonia works with: Adults, Children, and Families
Additional specializations: 
Traumatic grief, serious illness, chronic pain, end-of-life concerns, CFT, EMDR, mindfulness and somatic practices
Language: 
English, French
Location: 
North York (Toronto) & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Stephen Ashley
(he/him)
Registered Psychotherapist

Stephen works with: Individuals, Caregivers, and Families
Additional specializations: 
ACT, CBT, DBT, IFS, Narrative Therapy
Language: 
English
Location: 
Markham & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Tracy Crick-Butler
(she/her)
Registered Social Worker

Tracy works with: Adults, Children, and Families
Additional specializations: 
EMDR, Narrative Therapy, CBT, DBT, Sandplay Therapy
Language: 
English
Location: 
London (Ontario) &Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

AWC Grief Support
Tracy Woloshyn
(she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist

Tracy works with: Adults, Youth, and Families
Additional specializations: 
DBR (Deep Brain Reorienting), PGT (Prolonged Grief Treatment), TIST (Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment), ITATM (Integrative Trauma & Attachment Treatment Model), EOL (end-of-life) psychotherapy, MAID (medical assistance in dying) support
Language: 
English
Location: 
Toronto & Virtual
Currently Accepting New Clients: 
Yes

Interested in Joining Our Team?

If you are an experienced, compassionate therapist seeking to join a collaborative and supportive professional environment, we invite you to connect with us. Our team is made up of psychologists, social workers, and psychotherapists who are grounded in encouragement, clinical insight, and professional excellence. Please note that we review expressions of interest quarterly.

Email: opportunities@awcgrief.com

We are grateful to collaborate with these organizations in supporting individuals, families, and communities through grief.

AWC Grief Support
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AWC Grief Support
AWC Grief Support
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AWC Grief Support
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AWC Grief Support