Meet the Team

Dr. Jemma Helfman, PsyD., C.Psych. 

Dr. Jemma Helfman has worked with children, adolescents and their families for more than 15 years.  Dr. Helfman believes that early intervention is key to success, whether that be giving children and adolescents specific strategies and skills, skilling up their parents to better help their children through difficult times, or both.  Dr. Helfman takes an individualized approach to interventions, based on her assessment and formulation of why the concerns are presenting.  Dr. Helfman is a thoughtful and empathic practitioner.  When meeting with children individually, she uses games and activities to make the sessions engaging and fun.

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Dr. Helfman draws on a wide range of therapeutic approaches to inform her interventions.  These include behavioural theory, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), systemic theories and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).  Dr. Helfman is trained in the Incredible Years Parenting Program and in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).  She trained in Selective Mutism with Dr. Aimee Kotrba and has worked as a counsellor at Confident Kids Camp, Michigan for three summers.  Dr. Helfman has specific trainings and experience in selective mutism.  She thoroughly enjoys working with children, adolescents, their families and schools to develop their “brave talking”.

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Dr. Helfman completed her doctorate in clinical psychology in London, England and has since worked in the United States and Canada.  She has worked in the National Health Service in England, Community Mental Health in the United States and now works in private practice in Canada.

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College of Psychologists of Ontario Registration Number: 5685

Tracy Fabri, M.A.. (under supervision)

Senior Therapist

Tracy is a doctoral student in the Clinical Developmental Psychology program and lifespan Neuropsychology stream at York University. She has received clinical training in comprehensive psychoeducational and neuropsychological assessment for children and adolescents at the York University Psychology Clinic and The Hospital for Sick Children.  

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Tracy has received training and has experience in the treatment of Selective Mutism and various social-emotional concerns. Tracy works under the supervision of Dr. Helfman in the context of 1:1, group, and parent-based intervention. Tracy also facilitates groups for children with Selective Mutism and was a teacher at the 2021 Confident Kids Camp in Toronto.

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Tracy understands and appreciates the vital role that family and school play in a child’s development and works within a consultation model where appropriate, to include caregivers and educators in a child’s treatment plan.

Tracy continues to seek additional training in CBT, DBT, EFT, and other modalities, to ensure her clinical practice is evidence-based and will best meet the needs of her clients.

Elizabeth Wanstall, M.A. (under supervision)

Senior Therapist

Elizabeth is a doctoral student in the Clinical Developmental Psychology program at York University. She has received clinical training in the Tourette Syndrome Neurodevelopmental Clinic at Toronto Western Hospital, the Better Behaviours Service at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and the York University Psychology Clinic. Elizabeth currently works under the supervision of Dr. Jemma Helfman in the context of delivering one-on-one and group interventions to children, parents and families. She aims to create a safe, collaborative and non-judgemental environment to support her clients in meeting their therapeutic goals. 

Elizabeth is fluent in English and French, and can offer services in both languages. 

Lauren Goldberg, M.A. (under supervision)

Senior Therapist

Lauren is a doctoral student in the School and Clinical Child Psychology Program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. She earned her Bachelors degree with Honours in Psychology in 2015 from York University. Lauren has received clinical training at the OISE Psychology Clinic and the Toronto District School Board in comprehensive and psycho-educational assessments for children. She has received additional clinical training at Thriving Minds Behavioral Health Treatment Center in the United States in the treatment of Selective Mutism, and associated parent training. Lauren currently works under Dr. Jemma Helfman’s supervision conducting one-on-one and group intervention work with children diagnosed with Selective Mutism and their parents. She strives to create a safe and supportive therapeutic environment for her clients through empathy and collaboration.

Marette Abdelmaseh, M.A. (under supervision)

Junior Therapist

Marette is a doctoral student in the Clinical-Developmental Psychology program at York University. She has received clinical training at the Child Development Institute, The Mood and Anxiety Clinic at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and the York University Psychology Clinic. Marette works under the supervision of Dr. Jemma Helfman, delivering interventions to children and their families. She has also worked as a counsellor at Confident Kids Camp in 2021 and 2022. Marette strives to create a warm therapeutic environment for clients and families to work collaboratively on reaching their goals.

Sabrina Brodkin, M.A. (under supervision)

Junior Therapist

Sabrina is a Master's student in the School and Clinical Child Psychology program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. She also obtained a Master's degree in Developmental Psychology and Education from Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) and holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Syracuse University.

Sabrina has received clinical training in comprehensive psychoeducational assessments for children and youth at the OISE Psychology Clinic. Additionally, she is currently working for the TDSB conducting assessments, consultations and interventions with students, teachers and parents. This summer, Sabrina received training in the treatment of Selective Mutism and she worked as a counsellor at the 2022 Confident Kids Camp in Toronto. She aims to create a warm and welcoming therapeutic environment and looks forward to working collaboratively with clients and their families to reach their goals.

Emily Cowan, M.A. (under supervision)

Junior Therapist

Emily is a doctoral student in the School and Clinical Child Psychology program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. She has received clinical training in comprehensive psychoeducational and socioemotional assessments for children and youth at the OISE Psychology Clinic and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). She has also received clinical training in the treatment of children with Selective Mutism, and she worked as a counsellor at the 2021 and 2022 Confident Kids Camps in Toronto. Emily aims to foster a warm, supportive, and collaborative environment to assist clients and their families in meeting their therapeutic goals.