Our Team
Willow Tree Mind & Wellness Started as a Sister Duo!
Kristin and Andrea Bain are sisters born and raised in the Scarborough Bluffs area of Toronto. Together they want to bring mental wellness supports to children, youth and families in the Bluffs community! Both sisters also have a diagnosis of ADHD and offer a unique perspective into neurodivergent programming due to their personal and professional experience.
Founder & Clinical Director
Kristin Bain (She/Her) M.ADS, BCBA, RBA (Ont.)
Kristin is a Registered Behaviour Analyst and a Mindfulness Mental Health & Wellness Coach. She has a Master’s degree in Applied Disability Studies, specializing in the application of Behaviour Analysis from Brock University. Kristin has been providing evidence-based therapy services to children and youth with mental health challenges and neurodevelopmental disabilities such as Autism and ADHD for over 11 years. Kristin also provides Family consultation and parent coaching on a variety of topics. Kristin is an approved clinical supervisor of the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) core clinical services.
Kristin has attended extensive training programs, workshops, conferences, & continuing education in the areas of Positive Psychology, Cognitive Behavioural Therapies, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, Clinical Behaviour Analysis, ADHD, Neuroscience & Brain health. She has an education rooted in Behavioural Psychology and is passionate about using a trauma informed approach to create fun, creative & interactive programing that is evidence-based and effective for neurodivergent youth!
On her free time you can find Kristin exploring nature or traveling! She is often hiking, camping, or kayaking - usually with her dog by her side!
Co-Founder and Operations Management
Andrea is an Early Childhood Educator with 15 years of experience working with children in diverse environments, she is also a mother of two girls. Andrea has extensive experience developing curriculums using a play-based learning model to promote child development. She has experience supporting children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families in various communities throughout Toronto. Andrea has completed several trainings and workshops on mindfulness therapies, children’s mental health, self compassion, positive parenting, ASD and ADHD.
Andrea understands the challenges of raising children and the obstacles parents are presented with on a daily basis. She believes in using positive parenting strategies and is passionate about teaching other families how to develop mutual respect, encourage open communication and ultimately develop trustworthy family relationships!
On her free time Andrea is often out in nature with her family, or getting creative at home with one of her many hobbies!
Andrea Bain (she/her), ECE
Senior Therapist and Centre Manager
Jordana Rotenberg (she/her) Hons., B.A.
Jordana is excited to develop fun and engaging programs as a senior therapist at Willow Tree!
Jordana completed the Behavioural Science program at Seneca college and received her undergraduate degree from York University in Psychology. Jordana has conducted research focusing on the ways coping strategies can mediate stress experienced by parents of children with ASD. Jordana is currently completing a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology and Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto.
Jordana has over ten years of experience working with children and youth in a variety of roles including implementing Applied Behaviour Analysis based therapies for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit disorder (ADHD) and other behavioural challenges.
Jordana enjoys spending time with her family and her dog. She is always trying to learn new things by asking questions, researching, and gaining new experiences!
Social Worker and Clinical Lead
Safia Abdulle (she/her), MSW, RSW.
Safia is the Lead Child and Youth Therapist at Willow Tree Mind & Wellness. She is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work, a BA in Child and Developmental Psychology, and a certification in Autism and Behavioural Sciences. Safia is currently completing her PhD in Social Work at York University. Safia’s research and clinical interests have focused on better understanding how intersectionality impacts child, youth, and family mental health. Safia is passionate about supporting the socioemotional needs of children and youth with diverse dis/abilities, and uses client-centered, anti-oppressive, neurodiversity-affirming approaches in all her work. Safia has extensive experience in children’s mental health, child development, ABA therapies and play based therapies for neurodivergent youth. Safia provides direct therapy to children, and parent consultation as well as clinical supervision to the child and youth therapists at Willow Tree.
In her free time, Safia enjoys watching basketball and social strategy games, painting, and spending time with loved ones.
Child and Youth Therapist
Luluaa Attari, B.Sc.
Luluaa Attari (she/her) is the service coordinator and child and youth therapist at Willow Tree and the first point of contact for families entering service. She has experience working with children with autism in both clinical and home settings, where she has developed a deep appreciation for understanding diverse learning preferences and developing educational materials.
Luluaa is passionate about research, particularly in exploring how AI methodologies can be implemented to develop psychoeducational interventions for neurodivergent learners. She holds certifications in behavioral management, which equip her with a thorough understanding of behavioral functions and effective management strategies. Her primary goal is to bridge the gap between psychotherapy and excessive wait times, ensuring timely access to mental health services.
In her free time, she likes expressing herself through various forms of art like painting, or reading about mental health wellness to keep advancing in the field.
Social Worker
Eshe Facey-Meade (she/her), MA (CYC), MSW, RSW
Eshe (she/her) is a Registered Social Worker with the OCSWSSW, and holds a MSW from York University and a master’s degree in Child and Youth Care from Toronto Metropolitan University. She has been working with children, youth and families for the past 10 years in a variety of social services settings including, residential homes, homeless prevention programs, community centres and school/afterschool programs. She looks forward to developing therapeutic programs for children and youth that are skills-building, mindfulness enriched, and fun!
Eshe enjoys writing short stories in her free time, and hopes to publish children’s books aimed at helping parents and children engage in difficult conversations.
In September 2024 Eshe will be starting the first year of her PhD in humanities, studying the childhood cultures.
She also loves spoiling her two turtles Ham and Cheese, and spending time with her friends and cousins.
Social Worker
Victoria Polese (She/Her), BSW, RSW
Victoria Polese (she/her) is a social worker and child and youth therapist at Willow Tree. She has a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from York University and is a Registered Social worker with the OCSWSSW. She has experience learning about children with autism from her educational background and from living with her three and sixteen year old nephew who have autism. Victoria is most passionate about providing children with the skills they need to love themselves and to navigate the issues that arise as they grow! She is excited to do this through creating a safe and fun space for children to explore their interests, identity and skills.
On Victoria's free time, you can find her going to the gym, journaling, or reading. She enjoys working on self-love and learning new and healthy ways of being expressive.
Child & Youth Therapist
Tracy Lee (she/her), Hons., B.A.
Tracy is a Child & Youth Therapist that has an Honours B.A. in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour with a Specialization in Music Cognition and Concurrent Certification in Applied Behaviour Analysis from McMaster University.
She has experience working with children and youth as a Piano Teacher and a Teaching Assistant for music therapy classes at McMaster University. She also has research experience in music cognition and child development in which she spearheaded a study regarding children’s ability to express emotions via music!
In addition to music being a large part of her life, Tracy likes to read and spend time with her dog!
Social Worker
Sherelle Schoburgh (She/ Her), MSW, RSW.
Sherelle is a Registered Social worker that holds a Master of Social Work degree (MSW) from the University of Windsor. She also obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A) in Child and Youth Care. She has over 5 years experience working with children, youth, and adults. She has experience doing one on one counselling with individuals well as group counselling, working in school boards, and as a program facilitator. Sherelle enjoys providing support, guidance and understanding for individuals to share their experience, while she supports them on their individual journey. Sherelle is eager to support children and youth to develop coping mechanisms, grounding techniques, and assist in achieving their goals. She utilities various modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy. In Sherelle’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends, family and traveling to new places.
Supervised Instructor Therapist
Anjali Joseph (she/her)
Anjali Joseph is a supervised instructor therapist at Willow Tree. She holds a certificate in
Autism and Behavioral Science and has a Master’s degree in Social Work from India. She is passionate about supporting children with developmental needs, using her education and experience to create engaging and meaningful opportunities for growth. Anjali is committed to fostering a safe, supportive environment where children can develop new skills and build confidence as they navigate their unique journeys.
She loves to read and If not at Willow Tree, you can find her at the nearby library!
Registered Social Worker
Zeba Shameem Tayabee, MSW, RSW.
Zeba (she/ her) is a Registered Social Worker who holds Masters of Social Work degree from York University. Within the last 10 years, Zeba has worked in a variety of roles with individuals, families and communities that have historically been left out of mainstream care services. Zeba is passionate about finding ways to support and advocate for people to access services to enhance positive well-being and quality of life.
Zeba’s work is informed by a strengths-based and client focused approach which fosters therapeutic relationships to promote change. Zeba is eager to work with youth and families to provide personalized support through multiple modalities to meet individual needs.
During her free time, Zeba enjoys playing with her young daughter, and indulging in hobbies such as baking, writing, or travelling.
Volunteers
Volunteer Program Assistant
Gökçe “Gaia” Merdan,
Gaia is a volunteer program assistant at Willow Tree. She is also a Registered Yoga teacher and has a passion for mindfulness and the mental wellness of children and youth! Her personal journey has taught her that the difficulties she has endured throughout her life were hidden blessings. She resonates with the saying “The wound is the place where the light enters you”. Gaia is on a mission to share her light by spreading positivity and kindness by helping others along the way!
