Dr. Best completed his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Following completion of his Ph.D. he completed his clinical residency at the Aaron T. Beck Center for Recovery Oriented Cognitive Therapy under the mentorship of Dr. Aaron T. Beck, developer of cognitive behavioural therapy. Following completion of this residency training, Dr. Best joined the Graduate Department of Psychological Clinical Science at the University of Toronto where he supervises and trains graduate students in the delivery of cognitive behavioural therapy. Dr. Best is director of the Therapeutic Interventions for Psychosis lab which conducts research to improve the effectiveness of CBT for psychosis. Additionally, Dr. Best is Director of the Clinical Research and Evaluation Center at the University of Toronto, an interdisciplinary research centre focused on improving psychotherapy for a broad range of difficulties. Dr. Best has experience treating a wide range of issues from a cognitive behavioural approach including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety, phobias, personality disorders, relationship difficulties, stress, work performance, and grief. Dr. Best’s speciality is working with people experiencing serious mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, and bipolar disorder to reduce symptoms, distress, and help people recover so that they can live the life they want to live. Dr. Best also has a particular interest in working with first responders, as well as members of the Royal Canadian Mountain Police and Canadian Armed Forces. ​

Dr. Best is an active psychotherapy researcher who is currently conducting multiple large-scale clinical trials of psychotherapies for serious mental health conditions. He has published countless research articles and book chapters on serious mental health conditions and is actively involved in improving treatment approaches. He is a Diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy and is Certified by the Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies. He is a Review Editor for the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, newsletter editor for the Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies, and serves on the executive committee of the North American Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis Network.

Dr. Best completed his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. F... Read More

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Dr. Aya Cheaito is an assistant professor at Concordia University in Edmonton and a clinical associate at the Canadian Centre for CBT. She received her PhD from the University of Vermont with a concentration in clinical and developmental psychology. During her residency at The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, she worked at the Operational Stress Injury and Neuropsychology clinics. Dr. Cheaito focuses on assessing and treating trauma with veterans, refugees, and torture survivors. She works primarily from a cognitive behavioural framework and provides evidence based therapies, including Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure to help people recover from trauma. Dr. Cheaito also provides cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis for individuals who are experiencing psychosis. Dr. Cheaito is fluent in English, French, and Arabic and provides services in all three languages. Her research focuses on the underlying structural brain changes accompanying emotion dysregulation as well as idioms of distress among marginalized populations.

Dr. Aya Cheaito is an assistant professor at Concordia University in Edmonton and a clinical asso... Read More

Taylor Gaunce is a Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO) and Licensed Counselling Therapist (CCTNB) who specializes in evidence-based approaches to mental health care, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). She received her Doctorate in Counselling and Psychotherapy from Yorkville University. Taylor blends academic expertise with clinical experience to support individuals facing anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, bipolar disorder, and psychosis among other presenting issues. ​

Taylor’s therapeutic approach is rooted in CBT and supported by additional training in trauma-informed and attachment-focused interventions. This approach allows for a uniquely tailored, client-centered approach that addresses both symptoms and underlying patterns of thoughts and behaviours. In addition to providing CBT for a variety of presenting concerns, Taylor provides Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Taylor has expertise working with first responders, veterans, and active service members of the armed forces and RCMP. ​

In addition to clinical work, Taylor is involved in counselling education and mental health advocacy, contributing to the growth of the field through instruction and ongoing professional development. Taylor is committed to providing culturally responsive and ethically grounded care, with a particular focus on accessible and effective support for diverse and underserved populations.

Taylor Gaunce is a Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO) and Licensed Counselling Therapist (CCTNB) w... Read More

Dr. Shamblaw completed her doctoral training in clinical psychology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. She is currently completing her supervised practice under the supervision of Dr. Sara Caird. Dr. Shamblaw completed her clinical health psychology residency at the University of Manitoba with a focus in women’s mental health (including perinatal health, women’s trauma, and chronic pain).​ Dr. Shamblaw has experience treating depression, anxiety, trauma- and stress-related disorders, and mental distress due to physical illness. She has a particular interest in working with adults who have experienced trauma, including those with histories of childhood trauma, as well as women navigating the prenatal and postpartum periods. Concurrent to her work at the Canadian Centre for CBT, Dr. Shamblaw is a staff psychologist with the Operational Stress Injury Clinic at The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, where she provides services to members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Dr. Shamblaw works from a cognitive-behavioural approach integrating mindfulness, self-compassion and acceptance techniques as needed.

Dr. Shamblaw completed her doctoral training in clinical psychology at Queen’s University in King... Read More

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