Bianca is our registered dietitian and sports nutritionist. As a registered dietitian, Bianca is fully qualified to counsel clients on a multitude of different health conditions requiring nutritional interventions, and she has the knowledge and experience to provide sports nutrition support to clients. Bianca earned her Bachelor of Applied Nutrition and Master of Applied Nutrition at the University of Guelph. During her time at the University of Guelph, Bianca gained multiple educational experiences related to sports nutrition, with a practicum placement within sports nutrition, and additional courses and projects that grew her sports nutrition knowledge. Bianca has presented education sessions for sports teams including soccer players, swimmers, and figure skaters. She also has experience coaching individuals in achieving changes in body composition and improving sports performance and recovery. With many years of counseling experience within weight management and chronic disease prevention and management, Bianca has provided many clients with support on multiple nutrition-related conditions.
Bianca is a strength training enthusiast that enjoys weight training for muscle hypertrophy and functional stability. Bianca’s passion for weightlifting was the initial spark in her interest in sports nutrition. Her knowledge in sports nutrition began initially as a means to yield her own personal performance improvements, muscular adaptations, and recovery improvements. However, as she furthered her experience within nutrition counseling, she became very enthusiastic about integrating her love for sports nutrition with her love for nutrition counseling.
Bianca prides herself on her ability to coach clients through behaviour change difficulties and provide a nutritional service that yields results. Bianca works together with her client to provide tailored nutritional services that help them look and feel stronger and healthier with their goals at the heart of each nutrition intervention.
Co-Owner & President
Mental Performance Consultant
MSc Sport & Exercise Psychology
Robert is our mental performance consultant here at Mindset First. Robert has obtained his Bachelor of Science in Psychology through Roberts Wesleyan College and his Masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology through the University of Portsmouth. Robert has over four years of experience working with children and adults of all ages. Robert has extensive experience working with recreational, amateur, semi-professional, and professional athletes. Some of the sports that Robert deals with include hockey, tennis, golf, volleyball, soccer, baseball, gymnastics, basketball, swimming, softball, triathlon, curling, boxing, muay thai, skiing, wall climbing, and many more.
Robert’s philosophy puts the well-being of the athlete first. Robert strongly believes that if the individual does not express genuine happiness and satisfaction, performance will not be present. Each individual client is seen as unique, and therefore each plan is tailored and created to the specific needs of the client. Roberts approach looks to provide individuals with tangible tools that not only pertain to sport but also every day life.
Robert entered the field of sport psychology due to his own personal experiences as an elite tennis player. As a successful former D2 athlete, Robert was able to hold the second highest winning record in the university’s history. Although this may seem like an incredibly wonderful and fulfilling success, the process and psychological battles consistently fell short of providing happiness. Robert spent years enduring performance anxiety, low self-confidence, low self-esteem, poor self-talk, and a lack of emotional regulation in addition to the paralyzing fear of making mistakes. After his four years of collegiate tennis, Robert went on to complete full time on the Futures Tour for the duration of one year. During this time frame, Robert endured his most challenging and emotionally draining psychological battles, unfortunately driving him to the end of his own limits.
Due to his experiences, Robert’s mission is personally driven. It is his goal to make sure that every individual who utilizes his services will never need to endure the same hardships that he has had to. It is Robert’s goal to provide individuals with the necessary tools and support in allowing them to perform at their optimal best while genuinely being happy, content, and proud of themselves and their achievements.
Registered Social Worker
Masters of Arts in Counselling and
Psychology
Victoria is our counsellor and psychotherapist here at Mindset First. Victoria has obtained her Bachelor of Social Work through Ryerson University and her Masters of Arts in Counselling and Psychology through Yorkville University. She has over four years of experience working with children, adults, and seniors with mental health difficulties and extreme life stressors, both on an individual and group basis. Common issues that Victoria has worked with include depression, anxiety, addictions, eating disorders, PTSD, trauma, behavioural difficulties, anger and stress management, marriage hardships, divorce, grief, self-esteem, and many more.
Victoria’s philosophy looks to treat each individual as unique, and utilizes a collaborative approach in developing individualized treatment plans. She has been described as non-judgemental, transparent, and gentle in her approach. Victoria has advanced training in narrative therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, and solution-focused therapy. Common modalities that she uses include the biopsychosocial model, the strengths-based perspective, psychodynamic framework, and more.
Victoria entered the field as a social worker and counsellor based on her lived experience of anxiety, depression, and disordered eating. She received years of counselling to better deal with these difficulties, recognizing how life-changing it can be to work through problems in a counselling setting. Her priority is to assist individuals who access her services through encouragement and instilling hope and positive self-regard. Victoria has success in helping clients recognize their own strengths and capabilities, and assisting them to utilize these in working towards change.
RMT
Registered Massage Therapist
Reiki Master
BSc Physical Education
Gabriel is our senior Massage Therapist with over twenty years of experience. He is performing a large spectrum of massages including, but not limited to, Therapeutic Massage, Swedish Massage, Sport Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Breast Massage, Infants Massage, and Deep Tissue Massage. Gabriel also provides Trigger-Point Therapy, Active Release Technique (ART), Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Myofascial Release Technique, Hydrotherapy, Joint Mobilization and Remedial Exercises. Being a holistic practitioner, Gabriel also offers to our patients CranioSacral Therapy, SomatoEmotional Release, Reiki, and Reflexology.
A high level of understanding of the human body combined with extended practice in his field makes Gabriel not only an exceptional therapist but also a healer.
Gabriel has completed a University Degree with a Bachelor in Health and Physical Education and Sport.Gabriel has also obtained his CranioSacral Therapy Certificate from the Upledger International Institute. Gabriel is one of the few CranioSacral Practitioners in Canada who has been able to obtain this certificate from the Upledger Institute itself, as they are the founding fathers of CranioSacral Therapy.
Gabriel is trained to improve athletic ability leading to increased endurance, resistance, and speed in order to reach peak performance. Although Gabriel has had extensive experience working with athletes, he is well known for his phenomenal results working with individuals searching for every day relief. As a massage therapist, Gabriel has put all of his knowledge into his practice in order to create the best treatment for his patients. Helping the body to heal itself it’s the foundation of his treatment.
Gabriel has been practicing Karate for nine years and he has a black belt with first degree in that discipline. When he doesn’t have his hands on the body, he has his mind on the soul. Gabriel’s passion for music, sports, and writing complements the balance between his work and his leisure time. As a husband and father, he has a very deep connection with his family. As a new author, Gabriel is very proud of his accomplishment, publishing his first book titled: ”Pieces of Heaven”.
Dr. Michael Malatesta has always been interested in the health care field and has been working and volunteering alongside several health care practitioners for the past 10 years. During this time he realized that his true passion lies within Chiropractic Care. After having graduated from York University with a specialized Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology, Michael attended the well-known Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College completing a doctorate degree in Chiropractic.
Dr. Michael helps treat injuries using a variety of techniques and skills such as soft tissue therapy and muscle release therapy (MRT), along with mobilization and adjustments. These forms of therapy bring the joint past its natural range to achieve optimal functional and mechanical stability.
Regular chiropractic treatment is recommended as part of a routine preventative care and maintenance program. Dr. Michael practices an evidence-based approach, using past effective clinical decisions, up-to-date research findings and best evidence guidelines. Dr. Michael not only treats his patients hands-on, but also educates his patients to be an active part of their treatment plan. He is enthusiastic about helping you meet your health and wellness goals!
