Meet Our Team

Shahrzad Hazrati (MA, MSW, RSW, RP) is the clinical director of the Better Life Counselling Center (BLCC). She earned her Masters of Social Work from Windsor University in Canada and is currently a Registered Social Worker. She also earned her Masters degree in psychology in 1997 and is currently a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Shahrzad Hazrati is a Clinical Social Worker and psychotherapist with years of experience in working with children, youth, adults, seniors, groups, and schools. She is a certified Cognitive Behaviour Therapist (CBT) and a member of the Canadian Association of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CACBT). She offers therapy in many different areas with a special interest and expertise in Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Shahrzad Hazrati provides student supervision for universities and colleges of social work, psychology, and counselling. She also provides professional supervision for psychotherapists and social workers.

Dr. Bagher Sanai Zaker (Ph.D., RP, NCC) is a registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Dr. Sanai has his Ph.D. from University of Colorado at Boulder (USA). He has served as a Professor of Counselling since 1979. He had also been Visiting Professor of Counselling at OISE, University of Toronto in 2006-2007. Dr. Sanai has been recognized as a National Certified Counsellor (NCC) by the American Counselling Association (ACA) since 1988, and also a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) since 2003. He is also a member of the Central Council of "Iranian Organization of Psychology and Counselling" (PCO) since 2003. He has been a founding member, and president of "Iranian Counselling Association" (ICA). He has also served as the chief editor of "Counselling Research Journal” since 1998. Dr. Sanai is the author and translator of 14 books and many articles on counselling and psychotherapy. He has practiced individual, group, marriage and family therapy in USA, Canada and Iran for 40 years.

Dr. Shahriar Moshiri (Clinical Psychologist) is a Registered Psychologist since 2005 in the province of Ontario. He is also a member of the Ontario Psychological Association. He has been practicing for over 22 years. He earned his Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Mumbai University in 1991 and subsequently completed his Ph.D in Clinical Psychology at the University of Mumbai in 1996. Dr. Moshiri incorporates the Rational Emotive Psychotherapy approach and Cognitive Psychotherapy through which he assists clients to understand and resolve psychological illnesses and to achieve a healthy state of mind. As a Clinical Psychologist in Ontario, Dr. Moshiri accepts all extended health coverages for psychological services. He provides individual and couples therapy in English and Farsi.

Bahar Partou (MA, RP) is a Registered Psychotherapist at Better Life Counselling Center (BLCC). She graduated with her Masters of Psychology from Iran and completed fundamental and advanced certificate course for "Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)" at University of Toronto in the OISE program. She combines CBT with Schema Therapy. She is currently an associate member of the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST). She also incorporates Existential Psychotherapy and Transactional Analysis (TA) along with utilizing mindfulness and Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) to provide warmth and supportive counselling to help individuals, couples and families deal with problems such as depression, anxiety, OCD, relationship difficulties, parental issues and culture shock. She is currently a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and a member in good standing of The Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists (OACCPP). Learn more about schema Therapy

Hossein Abdollahi Sani is a registered psychotherapist with medical background. He graduated from medical school in Iran and worked as a psychiatrist and psychotherapist for 12 years before starting his career in Canada. His education and experience at the Canadian Mental Health Association supported him to become a registered psychotherapist licensed by the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario (CRPO) in 2015. He is knowledged and skilled to work with clients with various issues like anxiety, depression, Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, behavioral problems, phobia, addiction, and family and relationship issues. He is also a public speaker who has delivered speeches about mental health and marijuana sponsored by different Iranian organizations in Toronto. His favorite approach in therapy is Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and Gestalt. However, he makes use of CBT, Psychodynamic, Mindfulness and Existential psychotherapy techniques for specific symptoms of clients. He accepts new clients and supervisions for new psychotherapist fellows. Learn More About Gestalt Therapy

Mohammad Molaei (MA,RP) is a Registered Psychotherapist at Better Life Counselling Center (BLCC) working as a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist. He graduated with Master of Psychology from Kharazmi University in Iran and is currently a candidate at Toronto Psychoanalytic Society and Institute (TPS&I). He has over a decade of experience with individual and group psychoanalytic psychotherapy, training and supervision, working with adults and adolescents, as well as couples and families to address a variety of psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, OCD, panic, relationship difficulties, self-harm, and suicidality. He is currently a member in good standing with The Association of Registered Psychotherapists and Mental Health Professionals (OACCPP) and a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Learn More About Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

Tatiana Klopina (PhD) is a Registered Psychotherapist at Better Life Counselling Center (BLCC). She is an internationally trained psychiatrist with more than 10 years of experience in psychotherapy. In 2008, Tatiana earned Ph.D. in Psychiatry in Russia. Tatiana has successfully completed comprehensive training in couples and sex therapy. She also has experience working with the youth and children. Furthermore, she has experience in resolving and treating cases regarding phobias, eating disorders and depression. By providing bio-psycho-socio-spiritual assessment (BPSS), she helps each client to meet their needs and preferences. Tatiana also relies on a confidential relationship which is mostly based on mutual trust. Finally, Tatiana believes that everyone deserves their own type of psychotherapy. Tatiana provides psychotherapy in both English and Russian.

Tania Zupanic (MSW, RSW) is an English and Portuguese-speaking Registered Social Worker who is receiving new clients. She graduated with a Masters degree in Social Work from York University. Tania was successfully trained to use multiple approaches in her therapies such as Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, and Solution-Focused Strength based therapy. Moreover, Tania has experience working as a trauma/addiction counsellor. She also has experience working with diverse and marginalized populations, which takes into account anti-racist and anti-oppression approaches. Her main areas of expertise are trauma, sexual abuse, depression, addiction and relationships. Additionally, Tania is a successful workshop facilitator.

Venus D. Benigno (RP) is a Registered Psychotherapist at Better Life Counselling Center who has over 20 years of international experience as a Psychiatrist from the Philippines. She has provided mental health care, assessments and psychotherapeutic treatment among diverse populations in the Philippines, the Fiji Islands, and the West Indies under the United Nations Volunteers-UNDP/MOH program. Venus also worked in the Eastern Caribbean region as an Associate Professor/Counsellor for All Saint’s University College of Medicine, teaching Behavioral Sciences. Venus practices client- centered therapy and her main approach is Psychodynamic therapy.

Saed Ahmadi (OACCPP, APA) is a clinical mental health counsellor and a Yoga Therapist (CYA-RYT Gold), with 30 years of experience in counselling. He completed his Bachelor’s, Master’s degree and Doctorate degrees (Ph.D) in Clinical Psychology at Mambai-Puna and Panjab Universities in India. He has experience helping people with a wide range of problems, including depression, anxiety, phobias, aggression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, negative thoughts, relationship and family issues, decision-making, self-esteem problems and sexual problems. His main approach is Hypno-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, but he also employs other therapeutic approaches such as eclectic style therapy, training in yoga, and training in relaxation techniques.

Sudharshana (Sudha) Coomarasamy (B.Ed, RP) is a Registered Psychotherapist in the province of Ontario. She has over 23 years of experience as a counsellor, including over 15 years of experience with Trauma Informed Counselling, focusing on interpersonal trauma including war trauma and refugee experiences. Sudha has experience working with couples, individuals and families, addressing depression, anxiety and panic disorders, bereavement, relationship challenges and parenting concerns. Sudha is also a trained bereavement counsellor. She incorporates Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, and Solution Focused Therapy modalities into her client-centered approach to therapy. Sudha provides therapy in English and Tamil.

Fataneh Farnia (Ph.D., M.Ed., RP) is a qualifying registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She works with children, youth, and their families. She uses evidence-based relational practices with her child and youth clients to help them better understand and manage their feelings and their unique challenges such as anxiety, depression, and other adjustment issues relevant to family, school, and peer relationships. Parents/caregivers often experience different parenting challenges across their child’s development. Farnia helps parents/caregivers overcome their own distress as a parent/caregiver and, more importantly, empowers them to improve their communication strategies with their young children. Learn more about Relational Therapy

Isabel Lopez (RP) is a Registered Psychotherapist with more than 10 years of experience in individual psychotherapy and group facilitation, working with youth, adults, and seniors. She has a postgraduate specialization in Humanistic Psychotherapy, group facilitation, and Gestalt Psychotherapy. Her main task is to support clients who are facing distress due to a traumatic event or a major transition in their life, such as unemployment, divorce, illness, significant loss, retirement, and immigration. She can also address issues related to mental health, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Her approach is client centered, brief, and goal directed based on client strengths. In her practice she uses evidence based approaches, such as Gestalt Psychotherapy and CBT. She also has a Certificate in Clinical Trauma Counselling. She offers her services in English, French, and Spanish.

Gabriela Arredondo is a Qualifying Registered Psychotherapist with more than ten years of experience in psychotherapy, mental health counselling and group facilitation. Gabriela has successfully completed a two-year comprehensive training program in sexuality and other certifications in couples and sex therapy. She also has experience working with people who have experienced trauma, life transitions, depression, anxiety, grief and bereavement, stress related to the immigration process and LGBTQIA+ issues. The approaches she utilizes are Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Client Centered and Humanistic-Gestalt psychotherapy. Gabriela believes that a trusting relationship that is transformative is great support for healing and personal evolution. She provides her services in English and Spanish.

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