Quality Service, Qualified Staff
- Each of our therapists have completed thorough training in the areas of attachment, suicide assessment and intervention, and compassion fatigue.
- Therapists have also completed cross-disciplinary training in areas such as somatic awareness training, play therapy, art therapy, dissociation, yoga, Mindfulness and have strong awareness of how trauma and attachment impact and are treated accordingly.
- All approaches are evidence based or informed by current research and best practice standards.
- ATTCH staff utilize Theraplay informed techniques to promote healthy attachments in family, foster, reconciliation, and adoptive relationships (see services page for further details).
- All of our therapists do good work and work from the same foundational trauma-specific approach but each have their own area of expertise in addition to this. Intakes are reviewed by our clinical director in consideration of the client's unique needs and the therapist's style and specialized skills for assignment purposes. We take great care to assign a therapist that we view will be the best fit for the client seeking services.
Lori Gill, R.P., B.A., M.A., (Counselling Psychology), Certified Trauma Specialist, Consultant, and Trainer Lori is experienced in 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, and Trainer, for the National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children (TLC) and a former Psychology Professor. 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 positions 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.
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Brittany Fusarelli, MSW, RSW
Brittany is experienced in working with all ages
Brittany is a Certified Trauma Integration Clinician (CTIC) who is experienced in working with children, youth, and adults. Brittany offers combined experience working with domestic violence, sexual assault, crisis intervention, and trauma and attachment dysergulation. Brittany joined ATTCH in September 2017, as a student for her student placement, and obtained a Masters in Social Work through the University at Buffalo, specializing in trauma-informed care.
Brittany has a certificate in EMDR therapy, and is in process of becoming certified; in addition, Brittany has completed basic training in play therapy and has completed extensive training in trauma-specific treatment. Brittany is also trained in the Comprehensive Resource Model (CRM) a model that focuses on internal resourcing and attachment resources to disrupt the neurological fear loops created by trauma.
Brittany’s practice style is through a solution focused, client centered, trauma-informed lens; providing a safe, non-judgmental, and empathetic approach.
Brittany has a certificate in EMDR therapy, and is in process of becoming certified; in addition, Brittany has completed basic training in play therapy and has completed extensive training in trauma-specific treatment. Brittany is also trained in the Comprehensive Resource Model (CRM) a model that focuses on internal resourcing and attachment resources to disrupt the neurological fear loops created by trauma.
Brittany’s practice style is through a solution focused, client centered, trauma-informed lens; providing a safe, non-judgmental, and empathetic approach.
Cassandra Gordon, MACP Candidate, RP (Q)
Cassandra is experienced in working with all ages
Cassandra in an Intern therapist under the direct supervision of ATTCH founder, Lori Gill. Cassandra is a student in the final stages of the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree from Yorkville University. Cassandra holds 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 is a Master’s degree candidate in Child and Youth Studies, studying cognitive predictors of children’s anxiety.
Cassandra has been working in the mental health field for approximately five 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 therapeutic practice is informed by training in ATTCH’s Integrative and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM)®. Cassandra’s approach is also informed by DBT, CBT, mindfulness, addictions-care, and traumatology.
Cassandra aims to offer a holistic and safe space for clients to heal from the heavy emotions that weigh on them. Cassandra’s practice is grounded in empathy and meeting clients where they are at.
Cassandra has been working in the mental health field for approximately five 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 therapeutic practice is informed by training in ATTCH’s Integrative and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM)®. Cassandra’s approach is also informed by DBT, CBT, mindfulness, addictions-care, and traumatology.
Cassandra aims to offer a holistic and safe space for clients to heal from the heavy emotions that weigh on them. Cassandra’s practice is grounded in empathy and meeting clients where they are at.
Paige Schultze, Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counselling Candidate
Paige is experienced in working with all ages
Paige completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Brock University and is currently completing her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counselling from Niagara University.
Paige joined ATTCH as a student therapist, under the direct supervision of Lori Gill, in August 2021. Passionate about understanding the complexities of trauma, Paige started with ATTCH as a volunteer in October 2020, gaining experience working with children and their families. Paige also has experience working with neurodiverse individuals.
Paige is dedicated to a holistic and culturally competent approach to healing, explicitly trained in ATTCH's Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM).
As a therapist, Paige strives to help individuals heal and discover their true selves by guiding them to self-compassion, confidence and understanding. Paige is constantly evolving to suit the unique needs and preferences of each individual.
Paige joined ATTCH as a student therapist, under the direct supervision of Lori Gill, in August 2021. Passionate about understanding the complexities of trauma, Paige started with ATTCH as a volunteer in October 2020, gaining experience working with children and their families. Paige also has experience working with neurodiverse individuals.
Paige is dedicated to a holistic and culturally competent approach to healing, explicitly trained in ATTCH's Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM).
As a therapist, Paige strives to help individuals heal and discover their true selves by guiding them to self-compassion, confidence and understanding. Paige is constantly evolving to suit the unique needs and preferences of each individual.
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.
Paige Schultze, Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counselling Candidate
Paige is experienced in working with all ages
Paige completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Brock University and is currently completing her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counselling from Niagara University.
Paige joined ATTCH as a student therapist, under the direct supervision of Lori Gill, in August 2021. Passionate about understanding the complexities of trauma, Paige started with ATTCH as a volunteer in October 2020, gaining experience working with children and their families. Paige also has experience working with neurodiverse individuals.
Paige is dedicated to a holistic and culturally competent approach to healing, explicitly trained in ATTCH's Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM).
As an intern therapist, Paige strives to help individuals heal and discover their true selves by guiding them to self-compassion, confidence and understanding. Paige is constantly evolving to suit the unique needs and preferences of each individual.
Paige joined ATTCH as a student therapist, under the direct supervision of Lori Gill, in August 2021. Passionate about understanding the complexities of trauma, Paige started with ATTCH as a volunteer in October 2020, gaining experience working with children and their families. Paige also has experience working with neurodiverse individuals.
Paige is dedicated to a holistic and culturally competent approach to healing, explicitly trained in ATTCH's Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM).
As an intern therapist, Paige strives to help individuals heal and discover their true selves by guiding them to self-compassion, confidence and understanding. Paige is constantly evolving to suit the unique needs and preferences of each individual.
Leigh Staats, BSW, MSW Candidate
Leigh is experienced in working with all adults
Leigh Staats identifies as indigenous from the Six Nations community and settler ancestry. Leigh holds a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) with honors from McMaster University. Leigh is nearing the completion of her Master of Social Work (MSW) in Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency at the University of Toronto. Leigh is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Worker and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and is an approved provider for Mental Health Counselling through Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB).
Leigh primarily provides support to the Adult population. Leigh has extensive experience working with Indigenous people in both urban and rural settings as a front service provider and management in the field of Mental Health & Addiction and Health and Wellness. As a Trauma Therapist, Leigh incorporates the Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model as the foundation for healing from traumatic events, as well as mindfulness and the incorporation of Indigenous approaches to assist in achieving wellness.
Leigh primarily provides support to the Adult population. Leigh has extensive experience working with Indigenous people in both urban and rural settings as a front service provider and management in the field of Mental Health & Addiction and Health and Wellness. As a Trauma Therapist, Leigh incorporates the Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model as the foundation for healing from traumatic events, as well as mindfulness and the incorporation of Indigenous approaches to assist in achieving wellness.
Nardin Iskander, MCC (Candidate)
I am a student of Masters in Christian counselling Psychology at Canada Christian College, Whitby, Ontario. I have a medical background as I have graduated from Medicine school, Cairo, Egypt. when I came to Canada, I loved to pursue my career as a counsellor and a mental health worker in order to help those in need to understand their thoughts and feelings and be able to deal with their traumatic experiences through walking in the right path towards hope and self-acceptance. I believe in working collaboratively with my clients to create individualized treatment plans that are tailored to meet their needs, and resolve the issues that they are facing in their lives, and I have a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw upon.
I am in the process of completing my training in trauma at the Attachment Trauma Center and has completed training in ATTCH's Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM).
I have experience working with people suffering from depression and anxiety. I also have experience in family counselling, especially families with kids with special needs like Down Syndrome and Autism spectrum Disorder. My main therapeutic approach is cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person Centered Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy. I also incorporate elements from other models such as mindfulness and Acceptance Commitment Therapy when needed. My ultimate goal is to empower clients to take control of their lives, and to promote meaningful change in their lives and they could reach a sense of self-fulfillment.
I am in the process of completing my training in trauma at the Attachment Trauma Center and has completed training in ATTCH's Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM).
I have experience working with people suffering from depression and anxiety. I also have experience in family counselling, especially families with kids with special needs like Down Syndrome and Autism spectrum Disorder. My main therapeutic approach is cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person Centered Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy. I also incorporate elements from other models such as mindfulness and Acceptance Commitment Therapy when needed. My ultimate goal is to empower clients to take control of their lives, and to promote meaningful change in their lives and they could reach a sense of self-fulfillment.
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 reception@attch.org
Our Medical Psychotherapy Partners
Sean Robb & Kaleigh Alkenbrack
Sean & Kaleigh provide support around:
Mental Health and Cognitive Challenges following Stroke;
Living with Concussion;
Coping with Dementia;
Building a Life after Brain Injury;
Coping with other Neurological Disorders (e.g., MS, ALS, etc.);
Figuring out where challenges are present.
Mental Health and Cognitive Challenges following Stroke;
Living with Concussion;
Coping with Dementia;
Building a Life after Brain Injury;
Coping with other Neurological Disorders (e.g., MS, ALS, etc.);
Figuring out where challenges are present.
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