About Us

What is Mindset First

We wholeheartedly believe that people have the right to be happy and feel good. Our goal is to help each of our clients reach their full potential and a greater level of overall life satisfaction. With every session, we strive to make a positive difference, helping our clients work their way through optimization, recovery and maintenance of cognitive and emotional well-being.

It takes great courage to make the first step towards change. If you are ready to call us, great! If you are not yet ready to call, we invite you to browse through our website and read more about us and our work.

Our office is located in Vaughan, Ontario; we also serve the Greater Toronto Area, York Region, and South Simcoe. We are experienced in providing services over the phone or on virtual platforms to both local and out of area clients.

We serve clients in the following areas:

  • Vaughan
  • Toronto
  • Maple
  • Thornhill
  • Richmond Hill
  • Markham
  • Woodbridge
  • Concord
  • Kleinburg
  • Bradford
  • Newmarket
  • Aurora
  • New Tecumseth

Meet Our Team

Robert Beer

Co-Owner & President
Accredited Member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association

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 mental performance consulting 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 mental 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 compete full time on the Futures Tour for the duration of one year. During this time frame, Robert endured his most challenging and emotionally draining mental 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.

Victoria Pacitti

Co-owner, Registered Psychotherapist & Registered Social Worker

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 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. She has been described as non-judgemental, transparent, and gentle in her approach. Victoria has advanced training in narrative therapy, emotion-focused therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, and solution-focused therapy.

“My philosophy is to see you and your experience as unique. Together we will work to untangle the intricate web of conscious and unconscious thought patterns, feelings, and experiences that you feel are preventing you from reaching your full potential. I entered the field as a social worker and therapist based on my lived experience of anxiety, depression, and disordered eating. I received years of counselling myself to better deal with these difficulties, recognizing how life-changing it can be to work through problems in a therapy setting. My priority is to assist you through encouragement, validation and instilling hope and positive self-regard. I have been successful in helping clients recognize their own strengths and capabilities, and assisting them to utilize these in working towards change. I look forward to working with you on your journey.”

Mirelle L’ Estrange

MSW, Registered Social Worker

The world is full of uncertainties, and life sometimes throws in a few extra curve balls. If you feel like it is more difficult to cope, feel like your proverbial tank is running on empty, or perhaps your perspective has shifted to a glass half empty approach, these may be signs that it is time to reach out for support.

Exploring options for therapy is a step in the right direction, and although this may be a daunting and overwhelming task, it suggests that you may be ready.

My goal is to meet you along your journey. Whether you are dealing with anxiety, depression, suicidal ideations, life transitions, grief, loss or issues with self-esteem, coping strategies can help to decrease negative symptoms. Finding a safe and non-judgemental space to share your concerns can also help.

You are the expert of your life. By working from a person-centered approach, I will help you identify strengths, overcome barriers and develop a personalized treatment plan so that you can achieve your goals.

Lesley Reiner

MSW, Registered Social Worker

Navigating life transitions can be difficult and we often feel alone or isolated in doing so. You are not alone. By reaching out for support you are taking the first step towards restoring and enhancing your quality of life.

Lesley takes a client-centered, non-judgemental approach with individuals and families. She uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Self-Compassion, Shame Resilience, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness in her counselling. Her warm, supportive demeanor provides a safe and welcoming environment allowing individuals to build strength and resilience to reframe their thinking and create a more balanced and fulfilled life.

Lesley has extensive experience working with individuals and groups, with a specific focus on:

Anxiety, stress and depression; Women’s mental health; Self-Compassion; Shame resilience; Coping skills; Grief and loss; and more.

Lesley earned her bachelor and master’s degrees in Social Work at the University of Waterloo. She is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Millicent Owusu

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all endeavour. It is a very personal journey and should be customized to your own situation, strengths, personality, and goals. As you navigate through the challenges life throws at you, we will focus on making therapy customized to YOU to work towards achieving a positive change.

I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). I have my Master’s in Counselling Psychology and hold a BA in Sociology. I am certified in ASIST suicide prevention and provide support to a diverse clientele varying in age and presenting concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress, suicidal ideation, trauma, relationship issues and more. I work from a holistic and integrated approach, including Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), strength-based and person-centred interventions. With an emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and inclusivity, I strive to support clients by helping them develop goals and strategies to improve their quality of life.

If you are experiencing trauma, depression, anxiety, stress, or feeling stuck, I will work with you collaboratively to facilitate resiliency and mitigate problems by developing coping strategies.

Yechezkel Magid

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Yechezkel is a counsellor and Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario having earned his Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. He is passionate about helping his clients through their various concerns whether they be related to anxiety, depression, childhood/complex trauma, relationship struggles, or the general stresses of journeying through life. He is uniquely skilled in integrating various therapeutic methodologies in his practice to find the best-suited approach for each individual client.
  
“My approach to psychotherapy is guided by a deep sense of empathic understanding, compassion, and respect for each individual’s unique life experiences, challenges, and needs. Whether you are looking for counselling through life transitions, relationships, and life stressors, or you are seeking therapy for emotional and mental health concerns, I aim to assist you in finding relief, healing, and a better quality of life. I work collaboratively with my clients to determine the best approach to their therapy, whether it be a practical and solution-based approach or a more in-depth and trauma-informed process. In my practice, I strive to create a safe and non-judgmental space where you can, at your own pace, feel comfortable sharing your story and learn new and effective ways toward leading a more satisfying and empowered life.”

Michael Szendrei

M.Ed. Counselling Psychology, B.Sc. Psychology, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) 

You are taking one of the first steps in your healing journey, and what an honour it is that you are considering me to help you on it. My approach to therapy is collaborative in that I work with you as an equal partner to bring greater awareness and change in your life. 

I work from a person-centered, mindfulness perspective in all methods with individuals. Such methods include those from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Somatic Psychotherapy, Emotionally-focused Therapy (EFT) and Strength-Based Therapy (SBT). In all cases, I aim to tailor these methods to your needs and create a supportive and nonjudgemental environment to explore together with you. 

I have experience working specifically with depression, anxiety, stress, grief and loss, coping, infidelity, shame, and anger. 

So, how do we get stuck, and how do we get unstuck? I believe in empowering individuals to harness their strengths and resilience, and embark on a journey of self-discovery. Whether that be cultivating mindfulness, the mind-body connection, or building on the inherent strengths you have, I am ready to navigate life’s challenges together with you.  

Alexandra Unitas

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) 

Alexandra Unitas MA, RP(Q) is a licensed mental health counsellor with a genuine passion for supporting individuals on their journey toward emotional well-being and personal growth. With several years of experience in the extended healthcare field, she brings a compassionate and empathetic approach to psychotherapy, fostering a safe space for healing and self-discovery.
 
Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of working with diverse individuals facing a range of challenges. Some of which include anxiety, depression, life transitions, and navigation of relationships with family, partners, friends, community, etc. 
 
Her therapeutic approach is grounded in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), mindfulness training, narrative therapy, and internal family systems (IFS). She believes in the power of collaboration, and together, your needs and unique aspects of your journey can be explored together. Her goal is to empower her clients with the tools and insights needed to navigate life’s challenges and embrace positive change in a judgment-free space. 

Stephanie Guerra

Mental Performance Consultant

Stephanie completed her undergraduate degree, majoring in both Kinesiology and Psychology at York University. Combining these degrees, Stephanie continued her studies at the University of Ottawa where she obtained a Masters in Human Kinetics specializing in Intervention and Consultation in Sport & Exercise Psychology.
 
Stephanie is a Mental Performance Coach and Professional Member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association. She has a wealth of experience working with athletes of all ages and competition levels from recreational through to international level across a variety of different sports. Through mental skills training and a client-centered approach, Stephanie counsels athletes to increase awareness and enhance performance by customizing individual strategies for success. With her coaching, athletes are able to develop invaluable mental skills they will use in sport and beyond. 
 
As a lifelong athlete, Stephanie uses mental skills in her own life while playing soccer and hockey. It was during her youth sport career that Stephanie developed a passion for the mental side of sport and sought out to be the mental performance coach she wish she had while growing up.

Tharsika Tharmasrirajah

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
MA., Counselling Psychology., ., BA.Hons Psychology & Certificate in Rehabilitation Services (YSR)
  • Specialization: Counselling psychology
  • Clientele: General, with a focus on overcoming life challenges
  • Approach: Client-Centered, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Adlerian Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Strength-Based Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Approaches
 
In life’s journey, we encounter numerous challenges, each demanding adaptation to stressors and transitions. As we explore your unique story together, my approach is one of warmth & empathy, providing a safe and non-judgmental space where your vulnerability can unlock hidden thoughts and emotions. Guided by a holistic framework that embraces diversity, our alliance is built on mutual respect and trust. Through self-reflection, we work towards cultivating empowerment and resilience, nurturing a deeper understanding and acceptance of yourself. My heartfelt goal is to support you in overcoming obstacles, sharing experiences, and finding purpose in life. Together, we’ll uncover limiting beliefs, develop coping skills, and utilize evidence-based techniques to foster positive change, ultimately nurturing self-awareness and enhancing your overall well-being, enabling you to become the best version of yourself.
 
Therapeutic Modalities: Cognitive-and Dialectal Behavioural Therapy (DBT/CBT), Gottman Method (Couples), Existential, Emotion-Focused, Narrative, and Strength-Based Therapies. Additionally, I value Mindfulness-Based Approaches that emphasize exploration and bring awareness to uncomfortable thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. 
 
Areas of Focus: Anxiety, Depression, Stress Management, Chronic Illness/Pain, Trauma, Grief/Loss, Relationship Challenges, Self-Worth/esteem, Life Transitions & more!
As you navigate through your thoughts, feelings and inner experiences, new ways to being become evident. No matter the motivations behind seeking therapy, I commend your bravery and strength in embarking on this journey toward healing. Rest assured, I am dedicated to standing by your side as you pursue growth, development and self-fulfillment. 

FAQ

Therapy:

Our services are not covered by OHIP, however, therapy is covered by most extended health benefit plans. At Mindset First, we have both psychotherapists and social workers, two professional memberships that are often covered through benefits. Please contact your benefit provider to verify coverage. Psychotherapy and Mental Health Services are also considered a medical expense tax credit by Revenue Canada. Any fees not covered by your benefits can be claimed on your income tax return.

Mental Performance Consultancy:

Mental Performance Consulting/Counselling sessions are not covered under OHIP or extended health benefits. If your plan includes a Health Care Spending Account, our services are sometimes considered an eligible medical expense defined by Canada Revenue Agency and may be claimed on your income tax return.

The field of mental performance consulting is meant to assist athletes and/or performers enhance their mental game and increase resilience, confidence, and well-being. Just as work and effort is needed to heighten your physical game, the same work and effort is needed in developing your mental game. A mental performance consultant works to unpack challenges within an athlete that is potentially affecting their performance and full potential. With the use of guidance, building awareness, and tools, you will form the habits that shape your behaviour as a successful athlete!
Typically sessions take place in a one-on-one format, or in a group setting with a team, parents or staff.

It is the process of working with a therapist to resolve challenging feelings, thoughts, beliefs, behaviours, somatic responses and more. Through conversation and therapeutic relationships, therapy is used to relieve emotional distress and mental health challenges. Our professionally trained practitioners help clients to examine, gain insight, and improve a variety of areas of their lives. Although it may at first feel difficult or scary, the benefits of successful therapy can truly be life-changing.

Although there are many reasons why individuals, couples, families, athletes/performers, coaches and teams reach out, here are some of the most common:
– Develop self-confidence
– Cope with adversity
– Increase mindfulness and relaxation
– Manage difficult thoughts, emotions, and behaviours
– Develop positive self-talk
– Set goals and work towards a positive future
– Work through difficult relationships
– Better manage stress and pressure
– Increase motivation, drive, and focus

Although people can begin to feel some relief after the first session, there is no prescribed time frame or a number of sessions, as everyone is unique and has different goals. For specific concerns, clients often see success within 6-10 sessions. For more complex difficulties or situations, clients typically come as long as needed. Having a safe space to talk openly about your thoughts, feelings, and difficulties and feel genuinely heard can be incredibly healing.

We respectfully ask that all individuals provide us with 24 hours’ notice if you cannot attend your appointment. Failure to do so will result in being charged a no-show fee, which is equal to the full see of the session. We ask clients to understand that 24 hours is hardly enough notice to provide the timeslot to someone else in need of support.

Yes, we offer a complimentary 15 minute phone consultation where we discuss your present concerns, what type of support you are looking for, and to answer any questions you may have.

Taking The First Step

Seeking or recognizing that you need help is a big leap to take. We make taking the next steps easy. Contact us today to set up and appointment and see how we can help.