Kara Carder MSW, RSW is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. She also received a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Sociology and Child and Family Studies from the University of Guelph.

Kara has extensive clinical experience working with children, teens, young adults, and families impacted by mental health challenges, crisis situations, and traumatic life experiences, both in hospital settings and in the community. Kara works from a client-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach, and is experienced in the assessment and treatment of CPTSD/PTSD; ADHD; suicidality and self-harm; depression, anxiety/OCD/GAD; BPD; 2SLGBTQ+ issues, grief and family conflict. Kara utilizes an eclectic approach in her treatment and draws upon a variety of therapeutic modalities in which she has been clinically trained (e.g. Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Advanced Clinical Complex Trauma; Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT); Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT); Narrative Therapy; Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Her area of expertise is the assessment and treatment of psychosocial and emotional sequelae for individuals and their families coping with immediate and complex trauma.

“Therapy is about being heard, being seen, and learning how to make new choices – and knowing that you don’t have to do this on your own. I believe that everyone is the expert of their own experience and that through supportive relationships, we foster growth and understanding about ourselves that allows us the insight and ability to change. Together we’ll identify and tackle the obstacles keeping you from enjoying the life you envision for yourself and work towards building a life worth living.”

Liz Bilton is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto. She also holds a Bachelor of Social Work (Hons.) from York University (2010), a BA (Hons.) from the University of Toronto (2004) in Criminology and Political Science and a Graduate Diploma from McMaster University (2005) in Child Life Studies.

With over 20 years of experience working in mental health, Liz has supported children, families, and individuals in navigating complex emotional and psychological challenges. Trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), she takes a practical, evidence-based approach while tailoring support to each person’s unique needs.
Her work focuses on providing compassionate guidance, advocacy, and meaningful support to individuals experiencing mental health concerns. She believes in a strength-based approach, helping people recognize their resilience, build on their capabilities, and develop tools that enhance their overall well-being.
At the core of her practice is a commitment to improving quality of life, empowering individuals to move forward with confidence, and fostering lasting, positive change.

Liz Waisberg MSW, RSW, AccFM is a registered therapist with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto. She also holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Ryerson University. Liz has achieved certification in Solution Focused Counseling and uses an eclectic client centered approach when working with clients. Liz is also an accredited family mediator with the Ontario Association for Family Mediation. As a family mediator she provides compassionate, helpful counselling, and effective conflict resolution to individuals, couples and/or families who are looking to improve their ability to address issues such as challenging life transitions, life stressors, and grief.

Liz has extensive clinical experience working in hospital-based settings since 2001. She has worked as a registered social worker in the Emergency Department and in Mental Health settings working with children, adults and families. Liz has also worked in the mental health field providing support and crisis intervention to individuals and families struggling with issues such as depression, anxiety, chronic pain and grief. Liz has worked with individuals and families to develop internal coping skills and achieve a better quality of life. She is committed to assisting and guiding individuals through the complex health care system to achieve outcomes that benefit them and their families.

Luca Ballarini, BA, MA, MSW, RSW is a Registered Social Worker with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, a Master of Arts Degree in Psycholinguistics and a Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Toronto. Prior to joining the Social Work Consulting Group in 2023, his professional experience included working as a Psychotherapist and as Crisis and Trauma Intervention Clinician with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Toronto Children’s Aid Society, Griffin Adolescent Centre, University Health Network and Mackenzie Health Hospital. He was also Manager of Operations at Ceridian LifeWorks Employee Assistance Program. In the late ‘90s, Luca pioneered the Mental Health Court Diversion Program, aimed at diverting clients diagnosed with a mental illness from the Criminal Justice System to the Mental Health System, with the goal of Rehabilitation and Treatment, rather than Criminalization and Incarceration. This program now exists at almost every courthouse in Ontario and across Canada.

He has attended extensive trainings and workshops in the areas of Crisis Intervention, Trauma, Emergency Psychiatry, Psychopharmacology, Addictions, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Meditation, and Clinical Hypnotherapy.

He is also the father of a young man who has been diagnosed with a major mental illness and hospitalized several times. In an unexpected turn of events, he found himself on the other side of the Social Work profession, becoming the one in need of reassurance and hope. He experienced firsthand what it is like to be in the middle of several ongoing mental health crises, and to be the one in need of help. This has made him a much more understanding, compassionate and empathic clinician. He has made it his mission to advocate for his clients, and to work towards destigmatizing mental illness, reducing shame, and educating people about the reality that no one is immune from illness, whether it is physical or mental. “The brain is an organ, just like the lungs, the heart or the liver, and it can just as likely get diseased.”

In his spare time, Luca enjoys spending time with friends, family and dogs, travelling, studying new languages, hiking, playing tennis and pickle ball, watching foreign movies, reading, playing cards and chess, riding motorcycles, and engaging in ongoing personal and spiritual development.

“Social Work, like no other profession, motivates me and affords me the opportunity and privilege to serve my fellow human beings and to make a difference in their lives, to teach and learn from each other, and to feel integral part of the human family, with all its greatness and all its challenges.

Lynne Harford MSW, RSW is a registered therapist with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Glendon College-York University. Prior to her university studies, Lynne pursued a career in business and received a Marketing Administration Diploma from Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology. In 2013, Lynne achieved her designation of Art Therapist graduating with an advanced diploma in Art Therapy from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute.

Lynne has had an extensive work history in both the private and public sectors. Prior to joining The Social Work Consulting Group in 2008, she was employed at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) where she spent five years providing clinical social work services to children and their families in the Trauma Program. Throughout her career, Lynne has been an active member in the larger community participating in various committees as well as presenting at a number of community based, insurance and legal conferences. Other areas of specialization in which Lynne has focused and devoted her practice to include, acquired brain injury in children and youth, acute and chronic illness, domestic violence, separation/divorce and issues related to grief and loss. Lynne is both a therapist and advocate who is committed to enriching the lives of children and adults in the aftermath of physical and emotional trauma.

Marissa Sylver MSW, RSW is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto. She also earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Western Ontario. In addition, in 2013, Marissa received her Diploma from the Canadian College of Homeopathic Medicine.

Marissa began her career at The Catholic Children’s Aid Society in 1998. She has extensive experience working with adolescents and their families. She excels at conflict resolution and crisis management. She has also developed an expertise in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Marissa joined The Social Work Consulting Group in 2015. She has attended extensive trainings and workshops in the areas of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Trauma.

Marissa has a passion for helping others and is deeply committed to the well-being of her clients. She brings a strong understanding of and respect for a collaborative approach. In addition to working with her clients from a family systems perspective, she is skilled at working with a variety of support professionals in order to promote individualized solutions aimed at facilitating positive change.

“Helping people overcome their struggle is what attracted me to social work. Watching someone evolve and regain a piece of themselves is one of the most rewarding things you can experience, not just at work but in life. I learned this first-hand, growing up with a younger brother who has special needs. I saw how much of a difference I could make helping him navigate his day to day struggles all the while nurturing his overall confidence and well-being. Knowing that my work can have such an impact is what drives me every day as a Social Worker “

Meghan Jones MSW, RSW is a Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist with a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. Her Master’s Degree included a specialization in working with children and families. Meghan received her Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Criminal Justice and Public Policy from the University of Guelph.

Prior to joining the Social Work Consulting Group, Meghan gained valuable leadership experience as the Director of Social Work at a specialized child, adolescent, and family psychology clinic. In this role, she managed and mentored a team of social workers while also serving as a field instructor for both the University of Toronto and Toronto Metropolitan University. Her professional history also includes foundational experience as a Family Services Worker at the York Region Children’s Aid Society.

Meghan has extensive clinical experience in providing specialized counselling and support to children, adolescents, and adults dealing with severe and persistent mental health concerns. Her practice is focused on addressing a wide array of social, emotional and mental health challenges, including mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, addiction, depression, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), school refusal, and suicidal ideation.

Committed to delivering evidence-based care, Meghan has completed extensive training and workshops in a variety of key therapeutic modalities. Her specialized training encompasses Trauma-Informed Care, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Play Therapy, Crisis Management, and Brainspotting (Phase 1).

Meghan is a dedicated advocate committed to the well-being and recovery of her clients, particularly those navigating the aftermath of physical and emotional trauma. She utilizes a collaborative and non-judgmental approach, which focuses on identifying and leveraging the inherent strengths of each individual and family. Meghan considers it a unique privilege to walk alongside clients as they pursue personal growth and healing.