Ayla is a Registered Social Worker in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). She draws from a broad knowledge base, having completed a Master of Social Work from Laurier University; a Master of Science in Family Relations and Human Development from the University of Guelph; and an Honours Bachelor of Arts from Western University, majoring in Psychology and Sociocultural Anthropology.
Ayla has experience providing treatment to individuals, couples, families, and groups experiencing a range of clinical issues including anxiety, depression and mood disorders, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, addiction, disordered eating, and trauma. Her areas of expertise include the treatment of psychological trauma including complex and simple PTSD, childhood abuse, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault; disordered eating; anxiety disorders; and couple and family relationships.
She works extensively with couples/families, First Responders (Police, Corrections, Paramedics, Fire Fighters, Veterans), and individuals who have experienced childhood abuse/neglect and other forms of psychological trauma. She also provides Clinical Supervision for new/practicing RSWs.
Ayla uses an attachment and trauma-informed lens in providing a range of evidence-based approaches, having completed specialized training in a number of approaches including Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Attachment Focused Therapy, The Gottman Method, and Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals, Couples, and Families. She has also completed training in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for the treatment of PTSD and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) for the treatment of Simple and Complex PTSD as well as for Veterans and First Responders.
Ayla is a vibrant, warm, and genuine individual. She takes a client-centered, resiliency-based, and trauma-informed approach, working collaboratively with clients to reach their identified goals, gain insight into the underlying causes that have contributed to their difficulties, and achieve a sense of agency and fulfillment in their lives and relationships. She is dedicated and passionate about the work she does and empowering others to achieve and do good in the world.
”We don’t have to do it all alone. We were never meant to.”
– Brene Brown
