About Us

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Dr. Kristen McLeod is the founder of the Attune Trauma and Regulation Centre..

Dr. Kristen McLeod is a registered clinical developmental psychologist who received her MA and PhD from the University of Guelph. While in Guelph, Dr. McLeod worked in various clinical settings serving the needs of children and youth with complex mental health concerns. Dr. McLeod moved to Nova Scotia in 2007, where she spent her first five years working at the IWK Hospital, initially in residential treatment and then in outpatient treatment with children in the care of the child welfare system. After leaving the hospital in 2012, Dr. McLeod set up a private practice in Truro, Nova Scotia that specialized in trauma-based consultation and support to caregivers, and to helping children and youth recover from traumatic life experiences. Dr. McLeod has now returned to her old home and is looking forward to once again being a psychologist in Guelph. 

Much of Dr. McLeod’s focus is on better understanding the neurodevelopmental impact of trauma and neglect, and the challenges this impact creates for traditional methods of intervention and caregiving. A strong advocate of the need for trauma-informed care, Dr. McLeod provides regular workshops and trainings across Canada on developing trauma-informed approaches to diverse groups including early interventionists, early childhood educators, schools, medical and mental health professionals, and parents and prospective parents. 

(Please note Kristen McLeod is unable to see new clients at this time)

  Shadi Ramez has over 15 years of clinical experience working with parents and children in the areas of attachment, positive parenting and trauma. She has a particular interest in working with parents who are survivors of childhood trauma (emotional, physical, sexual, neglect, poverty, and parental conflict/divorce) who struggle with the impact of their childhood experiences in parenting  their own children. The bulk of her experience has been working with culturally diverse families. She runs various group including Circle of Security Parenting Group, trauma, anxiety and mindfulness groups.  Shadi offers individual and couples counselling as well as familial therapy, including offering parents home visits where through observation she provides practical parenting and relational feedback. 

Shadi has a Master's degree in Social Work from Wilfred Laurier University, is a certified Circle of Security Parent Educator and is trained in a variety of counselling modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and Emotion Regulation Therapy (ERG). She has done extensive training in trauma and attachment and continues to expand her learning in the field at Doctor Bruce Perry's Child Trauma Academy.

Shadi has been a regular guest on various TV and radio shows and has written several articles on attachment and parenting in different journals and media outlets. She is fluent in English, Farsi and Dari and has international experiences working with families impacted by war, genocide and political persecution

Erin Vivian has over 20 years of clinical experience supporting individuals in the areas of mental health and substance use. This includes outpatient community counselling, residential programs focused on trauma, anxiety, self-regulation and substance use.

Erin understands that unaddressed concerns such as anxiety, loneliness, trauma, depression, ADHD, social disconnection, loss, anger, stress and burnout can lead people to seek ways of coping that are less helpful in the long run when they don’t see other options. She believes in finding brave spaces to talk about how life can be difficult and believes everyone is doing the best they can, based on the experiences, resources and skills they currently have.  

Erin walks alongside her clients in their therapy journey, compassionately encouraging clients to address their concerns from a place of curiosity rather than shame in order to find alternative ways of coping. While Erin works with clients with a variety of presenting concerns, she is particularly passionate about working with clients who are using substances and would like to explore this in a non-judgmental way. She understands people engage in unhelpful coping for a variety of reasons, none of which are to have it take over their life.

As a Registered Social Worker, Erin is able to offer psychotherapy to her clients. Her 

eclectic approach to therapy allows for person-centred treatment aligning with your goals and needs. In addition to having her Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University, Erin has completed training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping), EMDR, and Solution Focused Therapy. 

Catherine Barlow has over 25 years experience counselling clients within hospitals and family health teams. She is a Psychotherapist with a Masters of Social Work degree (Registered Social Worker). She is also an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Michael DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University where she teaches first year medical students to be great Physicians. Catherine has extensive training in many therapeutic methods such as: cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative, mindfulness and solution focused therapy. Catherine is Certified in traumatic incident reduction (TIR) and a facilitator of life stress reduction techniques. She also uses EMDR (Eye movement desensitization reprocessing). Catherine is focused on providing the highest quality counselling to individuals and groups. She has a client centred approach that guides clients in addressing and releasing unwanted emotional or behavioural after-effects of challenging life events or traumatic incidents. (PTSD, grief and loss, assaults,accidents, relationship difficulties, sadness, disturbing memories, anxiety, guilt, low self esteem, job/career concerns, health issues, fear of the future and other painful experiences) Whatever the issue, Catherine's techniques seek to bring clarity to troubling personal issues.

(Catherine is unable to see new clients at this time) 

Dayle aspires to provide a safe space for all clients to share and process their stories and experiences while feeling heard, accepted, and better understood. A member of the Oneida First Nation, Dayle strives to incorporate multicultural sensitivity and an anti-oppressive framework into her practice. She currently works with clients of all ages experiencing a variety of concerns including stress, depression, anxiety, burnout, grief/loss, self-esteem concerns, life transitions, as well as parenting and relationship issues. A Registered Psychotherapist (RP), Dayle holds a BA in Philosophy (2002) and an Honours BA in Psychology (2018) with a minor in Child & Family studies, both from the University of Guelph. She received her MA in Counselling Psychology (2021) from Yorkville University and certification in Telehealth Counselling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (2020). She has additional training in working with Indigenous Peoples, those coping with the psychological impact of chronic health concerns, and those who consider themselves Highly Sensitive (HSPs). As working with the mind-body connection is a passion of Dayle’s, she is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) with Yoga Alliance. Dayle works from an attachment-informed therapeutic lens, with an integrative approach, supporting clients with a variety of psychotherapeutic tools and skills from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Compassionate Inquiry, Narrative Therapy, as well as self-compassion and mindfulness-based strategies. 

Liz believes that healing comes through relationship.  She has a casual, direct approach and is committed to helping her clients feel emotionally safe to express and process their struggles and concerns.   

Liz has over 15 years experience in varying roles in child welfare.  She has worked in counselling settings with individuals, couples and families, and in a hospital setting. Liz’s diverse background and extensive training and education allows her to choose from various therapeutic modalities as useful for her clients.  This includes cognitive behaviour, narrative, solution focused and emotionally focused therapies.  She works from a trauma informed lens and has training in childhood sexual abuse, loss and grief, depression, anxiety, high conflict child custody and access, and in parenting foster and adopted children.  She has knowledge of mental health issues and family struggles related to the complexities substance misuse. 

 Liz’s background in social justice and awareness of social inequities related to mental health, addictions, poverty, 2SLGBTQI+ and race lead her to be chosen as an anti-oppressive practice trainer for the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies.  As well, she was a community educator explaining the Child and Youth Services Act to teachers, counsellors, day care and health care workers.  

Liz’s passion is working with couples and parents.  She specializes in counselling seeking to make their relationship work.  Liz also provides guidance and planning to separated parents who are experiencing custody and access disputes regarding their children. 

Liz practices from an attachment perspective to bring clarity and skills to her clients to move forward in a mindful, healthy way for all involved.  She is a mature, seasoned, professional who recognizes that trauma affects people in various ways and impacts each stage of life differently.   Liz has enough of her own rich life experiences that she can confidently address her clients needs with sensitivity and calm. 

Rachel works with our clients to answer questions, schedule appointments, and a variety of tasks to keep the practice running smoothly. Rachel worked for many years in the animal healthcare field, including managing a busy veterinary practice. She is very enthusiastic to bring her skills and experience to the Attune Centre.  Rachel holds a diploma in Animal Healthcare from Sheridan College, has completed a Human Relations for Management certificate through Conestoga College, as well as Business Management training through the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association.  Her volunteer experience includes co-facilitating a parent outreach group, where parents support other parents, and volunteering with an outreach children and youth program.

Since 2019 Kerri has been gaining knowledge in the field of Trauma Informed Yoga and works to provide a safe space for adults, teens and children to develop their mind/body connection through yoga. 

Kerri is certified as a RYT-200 with Yoga Alliance completing her 200 hour certificate with Natasja Payne Yoga. She has taken 20 hours of Trauma Informed Yoga Training with David Emerson, 40 hours of Restorative Yoga with Andrea Peloso, 95 hours of Kids Yoga Teacher Training with Young Yoga Masters and 100 hours of Warrior Kids through YogaFit. 

Kerri has 15 years experience working in administration, as a Scheduling Coordinator in the health field and with a National Museum. She holds a Certificate in Applied Counselling and Teaching English as an Alternate Language.