Our Therapists
- Each therapist has completed thorough training in the areas of trauma, attachment, suicide assessment and intervention, and prevention.
- Therapists have also completed cross-disciplinary training in areas such as somatic therapies, play focused counselling, expressive arts, yoga, mindfulness etc,. and have strong awareness of how trauma and attachment impact the brain, mind and body.
- All approaches are evidence based or informed by current research and best practice standards.
- ATTCH Niagara therapists utilize Theraplay and attachment informed techniques to promote healthy attachments in family, foster, reconciliation, and adoptive relationships (see services page for further details).
- All of our therapists work from the same foundational trauma-specific approach and add in their own area of expertise.
Lori Gill, R.P., B.A., M.A., (Counselling Psychology), Certified Trauma Specialist, Consultant, and Trainer
Lori Gill is ATTCH Niagara's Clinical Director has vast experience working with all ages.
Lori Gill is the founder and lead trauma therapist of the Attachment and Trauma Treatment Centre for Healing (ATTCH) www.attch.org. She is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP), Certified Trauma Specialist (CTS), Consultant Supervisor, Psychology Professor. and former Trainer for the National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children (TLC). Lori maintains membership with the Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists (OACCPP) and has over 16 years of clinical experience working with children, youth, and adults. Lori has held various professional positions working with addictions, mental health, child welfare, access to services, school counselling, and eating disorders. Her breadth of clinical experience contributes to the trainings she provides that are rich with practical case examples. Lori is honoured to have received an Award of Excellence in 2014 for her contributions to the trauma field and to have been qualified as an expert witness in the fields of trauma, attachment, and reconciliation therapy. Lori is an engaging and sought after presenter who facilitates a variety of trainings and workshops across Canada and the United States.
Cassandra Gordon, MACP, RP
Clinical Supervisor, Senior Therapist, Neurofeedback Practitioner
Cassandra is experienced in working with all ages
Cassandra in a Senior Therapist with ATTCH Niagara. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from Brock University in Child and Youth Studies and Psychology and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Medical Sciences. Cassandra has completed graduate coursework in Child and Youth Studies. Prior to working with ATTCH Niagara Cassandra completed an 8 month student placement with ATTCH Niagara under the supervision of Lori Gill, RP, Founder and Clinical Director.
Cassandra has experience working with complex presentations of trauma including attachment and relational trauma, childhood abuse and neglect, sexual violence, human trafficking, sex workers, domestic violence, and addictions.
Cassandra has been working in the mental health field for approximately seven years. Cassandra has worked in community crisis mental health services, supervised access programs, and children’s foster care settings. Cassandra has worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families. This broad experience informs Cassandra’s therapeutic practice.
Cassandra's practice is integrative. In addition to the Integrated Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM), Cassandra draws from EMDR, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, parts work therapies and Play based therapies.
Cassandra has experience working with complex presentations of trauma including attachment and relational trauma, childhood abuse and neglect, sexual violence, human trafficking, sex workers, domestic violence, and addictions.
Cassandra has been working in the mental health field for approximately seven years. Cassandra has worked in community crisis mental health services, supervised access programs, and children’s foster care settings. Cassandra has worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families. This broad experience informs Cassandra’s therapeutic practice.
Cassandra's practice is integrative. In addition to the Integrated Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM), Cassandra draws from EMDR, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, parts work therapies and Play based therapies.
Martin Atanasovski, R.P., B.Sc. (Hons), M.A. (Counselling Psychology), Clinical Supervisor, Certified Trauma Integration Clinician (CTIC), Senior Therapist
Martin is experienced in working with all ages
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Martin joined our team as a student therapist under direct supervision of Lori Gill in May, 2019, and has been working with us since. He has earned a Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology and an Honours Bachelor degree in Science, specializing in psychology. Martin has completed training in our Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM) ® and is a Certified Trauma Integration Clinician (CTIC).
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Martin is a Registerd Psychotherapist, RP with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). He has also completed workshops with focus on trauma, attachment, and loss.
He is dedicated to a holistic integrative approach to provide clients with somatic, experiential, and evidence based treatments with a goal of integrating the mind and body as part of the healing process. Martin has experience working with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, emotion dysregulation, borderline personality disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, trauma, and attachment issues. Martin is fluent in English and Macedonian.
He is dedicated to a holistic integrative approach to provide clients with somatic, experiential, and evidence based treatments with a goal of integrating the mind and body as part of the healing process. Martin has experience working with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, emotion dysregulation, borderline personality disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, trauma, and attachment issues. Martin is fluent in English and Macedonian.
Jonathan DiSanto, RP (Q), MACP
Jonathan is experienced in working with all ages
Jonathan has a Master of Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and also has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Brock University and developed an interest in the field of Psychotherapy throughout that time. Prior to working with ATTCH Niagara Jonathan completed an 8 month student placement with us under the supervision of Lori Gill, RP, Founder and Clinical Director.
Jonathan has grown in his understanding of the mind and the complexities of mental health throughout completing his graduate program and volunteering with adults struggling with various mental health issues.
Jonathan has taken interest in different therapeutic approaches, specifically cognitive-behavioural models and values the importance of considering the whole person when working with clients.
As a student therapist, Jonathan is trained in ATTCH's Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM) and uses this in his work along with working to help the client feel heard and understood.
Jonathan has grown in his understanding of the mind and the complexities of mental health throughout completing his graduate program and volunteering with adults struggling with various mental health issues.
Jonathan has taken interest in different therapeutic approaches, specifically cognitive-behavioural models and values the importance of considering the whole person when working with clients.
As a student therapist, Jonathan is trained in ATTCH's Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM) and uses this in his work along with working to help the client feel heard and understood.
Amanda Bonin, Trauma Counsellor
Amanda is experienced in working teens and adults
Amanda is a trauma counsellor, certified in ITATM processing. She has an undergraduate degree in Specialization Psychology, her goal is to obtain a Master's in Counselling Psychology/Psychotherapy in the near future. Amanda has completed an a mentorship program with us under the supervision of Lori Gill, RP, Founder and Clinical Director.
Amanda is passionate about helping others heal from past traumas and move towards living in a more grounded and embodied manner. Amanda has been working at ATTCH since February 2023 and continues to support clients with a trauma-informed approach to treatment. Amanda offers a safe and welcoming environment in which clients are given the space to express themselves and heal. When Amanda is not counselling, she enjoys being active and being in nature
Amanda is passionate about helping others heal from past traumas and move towards living in a more grounded and embodied manner. Amanda has been working at ATTCH since February 2023 and continues to support clients with a trauma-informed approach to treatment. Amanda offers a safe and welcoming environment in which clients are given the space to express themselves and heal. When Amanda is not counselling, she enjoys being active and being in nature
Samantha McLean, Trauma Counsellor and Neurofeedback Practitioner
Samantha is experienced in working with all ages
Samantha has been with ATTCH Niagara since October 2023 and a graduate of the Social Service Worker Program at Niagara College. Samantha has worked in the social work field since 2019 and often volunteers her time at local outreach agencies and shelters. Homelessness, poverty, and addictions have been a passion of hers and she strives to make a difference in vulnerable populations and her community.
She is practiced and knowledgeable in cognitive behavior therapy and solution-focused therapy and is fully trained in the Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model. Samantha uses an anti-oppressive lens in all her work and recognizes the importance of an inclusive and empathetic atmosphere.
Samantha also has an extensive knowledge of our community agency partners through her work as a team advocate with the YWCA Niagara Region. As an advocate, Samantha has supported womxn through self-determination in a variety of circumstances, including housing, employment, intimate partner violence, and emotional healing.
Prior to working with ATTCH Niagara Samantha completed an 8 month student placement program with us under the supervision of Lori Gill, RP, Founder and Clinical Director. Samantha is trained in the Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM) and uses this in her work with clients. Samantha is also trained in Infra-Low Neurofeedback.
She is practiced and knowledgeable in cognitive behavior therapy and solution-focused therapy and is fully trained in the Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model. Samantha uses an anti-oppressive lens in all her work and recognizes the importance of an inclusive and empathetic atmosphere.
Samantha also has an extensive knowledge of our community agency partners through her work as a team advocate with the YWCA Niagara Region. As an advocate, Samantha has supported womxn through self-determination in a variety of circumstances, including housing, employment, intimate partner violence, and emotional healing.
Prior to working with ATTCH Niagara Samantha completed an 8 month student placement program with us under the supervision of Lori Gill, RP, Founder and Clinical Director. Samantha is trained in the Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM) and uses this in her work with clients. Samantha is also trained in Infra-Low Neurofeedback.
Rina Johnson, Somatic Therapist
Rina is experienced in working with all ages
Rina is a graduate of Kelowna College with specialization in Psychotherapy and a graduate of York University with a BA in Sociology. She is a Certified Trauma Integration Clinician (CTIC) and holds certification in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy (ISTT) at The Embody Lab. Prior to working with ATTCH Niagara Rina completed an a mentorship program with us under the supervision of Lori Gill, RP, Founder and Clinical Director.
Rina has broad experience working in the nonprofit sector with children, youth and elderly who experience social equity issues and struggle with mental health and wellbeing.
She holds certifications in various therapeutic modalities focusing on trauma healing, somatics and basic training in play therapy and sand tray therapy.
Rina's style of practice focuses on the relationship between the psyche and the physical body while drawing from various therapeutic styles such as Gestalt Therapy, Play Therapy and Somatic Therapy. She strives to empower individuals to build a healthy and loving relationship with oneself while focusing on the ability to hold multiple truths about their experiences with compassion; as well as, build the capacity to withstand the emotional and energetic charge that happens as a response to stress/trauma.
Rina has broad experience working in the nonprofit sector with children, youth and elderly who experience social equity issues and struggle with mental health and wellbeing.
She holds certifications in various therapeutic modalities focusing on trauma healing, somatics and basic training in play therapy and sand tray therapy.
Rina's style of practice focuses on the relationship between the psyche and the physical body while drawing from various therapeutic styles such as Gestalt Therapy, Play Therapy and Somatic Therapy. She strives to empower individuals to build a healthy and loving relationship with oneself while focusing on the ability to hold multiple truths about their experiences with compassion; as well as, build the capacity to withstand the emotional and energetic charge that happens as a response to stress/trauma.
Intern Graduate Students
In order to meet the meet for subsidized therapy we regularly mentor graduate students at ATTCH Niagara. We are a highly competitive placement site and receive a high volume of applications each term from across Canada allowing us to carefully select students that we know will be a good fit with our organization and the clients that we serve. Each student is fully trained in our Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM) ® and the breadth of techniques that we use. They complete a significant amount of reading, shadowing, and cofacilitation in the early stages of their placement which enhances their skill set and prepares them to provide quality trauma specific and wellness focused treatment. Students are only assigned clients when our clinical director, Lori Gill, views that they have a solid understanding of and effective ability to apply our approach. As a result, we fully support the great work each of our students provide! We are so pleased with their work that students are typically offered employment with ATTCH Niagara at the end of their placement. To date we have not hired outside of our former students as they already have the skills and knowledge we are looking for! It is truly an honour to watch the growth that occurs during their placement and to train others to engage in our treatment model.
Madison Jamieson, Master's in Clinical Health Counselling Candidate
Madison is experienced in working with all ages
Madison is a Master’s candidate in Clinical Mental Health Counselling at Niagara University. With a Bachelor’s degree in Honours Psychology from the University of Windsor. Currently completing her student placement with LGP under the supervision of Lori Gill, Madison is dedicated to helping individuals navigate their mental health challenges with empathy and professionalism.
Madison has previous involvement in the Center for Culture and Organizational Research, providing her with knowledge on understanding and addressing the many factors involved in social challenges. Madison is also engaged in community advocacy, evidenced by her participation in the WPS C.A.R.E.S grant project and volunteering for Niagara University’s “Take Back the Night” event.
At LGP, Madison aims to provide a supportive and safe environment for clients. Her genuine warmth and dedication to mental health advocacy are central to her approach as she continues to grow in her field.
Madison has previous involvement in the Center for Culture and Organizational Research, providing her with knowledge on understanding and addressing the many factors involved in social challenges. Madison is also engaged in community advocacy, evidenced by her participation in the WPS C.A.R.E.S grant project and volunteering for Niagara University’s “Take Back the Night” event.
At LGP, Madison aims to provide a supportive and safe environment for clients. Her genuine warmth and dedication to mental health advocacy are central to her approach as she continues to grow in her field.
Eva Jones, Master's in Clinical Health Counselling Candidate
Eva is experienced in working with all ages
No one should have to deal with their trauma alone. Join me as we work together to address your stressors in order to make your life a little "lighter".
Eva is a student intern with ATTCH Niagara under the supervision of Lori Gill. Eva is currently completing her Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health and Counselling at Niagara University.
Eva has a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Brock University, and experience working in ABA services, supporting neurodivergent children. Eva has completed training in the Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM).
Eva supports her clients based on a holistic and person-centred approach. She creates a safe space based on mutual trust and respect, in order to cultivate growth and understanding. Eva welcomes clients of all backgrounds, and is excited to continue to expand her counselling abilities through working with ATTCH Niagara!
Eva is a student intern with ATTCH Niagara under the supervision of Lori Gill. Eva is currently completing her Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health and Counselling at Niagara University.
Eva has a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Brock University, and experience working in ABA services, supporting neurodivergent children. Eva has completed training in the Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM).
Eva supports her clients based on a holistic and person-centred approach. She creates a safe space based on mutual trust and respect, in order to cultivate growth and understanding. Eva welcomes clients of all backgrounds, and is excited to continue to expand her counselling abilities through working with ATTCH Niagara!
Student Placements
We accept students year round. That said, students interested in completing placement with us are encouraged to apply early as we receive a high volume of practicum applications. Please complete the form below and send your cv to [email protected]
Administration and Support
Karen, Office Manager
Christie, Reception
Brandy, Marketing
Christie, Reception
Brandy, Marketing