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.

Bagher Sanai Zaker (Ph.D., RP, NCC) is a registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Bagher 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. Mr. Sanai was recognized as a National Certified Counsellor (NCC) by the American Counseling Association (ACA) in 1988, and also a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) in 2003. He has also been a member of the Central Council of "Iranian Organization of Psychology and Counselling" (PCO) since 2003. He had been the founding member, and twice president of "Iranian Counselling Association" (ICA). He had also been a founding member of "Counselling Research Journal” in 1998 and its chief editor for 17 years. Mr. Sanai is the author and translator of 16 books and many articles on counselling and psychotherapy. He has practiced individual, group, marriage and family therapy in USA, Canada and Iran for 45 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

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 (Ph.D., OACCPP, APA, RYT, RP) is a qualifying registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. He earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Mumbai University. He has over 30 years of experience in clinical counselling, psychotherapy and mental assessments of Adults and Adolescents in the field of Education, Family, Mental Problems and Illnesses (Minor and Major), Quit Smoking, Eating, Sleep, Communication, Sexual, and Gender Identity Disorders. Mr.Ahmadi is also a Registered Yoga Therapist and Instructor from America and Canada Yoga Alliance (CYA-RYT Gold) with vast successful experience in treating Neurological Migraine and Relieving Physical Pain, and Somatoform Disorder. His main approach is Hypno-Cognitive- Behavioural Psychotherapy, but he also employs other therapeutic approaches such as Hypnotherapy,Yoga therapy, Mindfulness and Deep Relaxation Techniques in English and Farsi. Mr. Ahmadi at BLCC Center accepts most private insurances for counseling and psychotherapy.

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. CP | RP) is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She is the Child and Youth Mental Health Program Coordinator at the BLCC. She works with children from birth to age 18, and with their families. Farnia uses Watch, Wait and Wonder approach for infants, and art and play therapy with children and youth. She uses evidence-based relational psychodynamic practices with her child and youth clients to help them better understand and manage their feelings and unique challenges.These include anxiety, depression, phobia, and other adjustment issues relevant to family, school, and peer relationships. Parents/Caregivers often experience different parenting challenges across their child’s development. Farnia provides supportive therapy, developmental and relational guidance and psychotherapy with parents/caregivers individually, or with them and their infant or child present. She helps them overcome their own distress as a parent/caregiver and, more importantly, empowers them to improve their communication strategies with their children and youth
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.

Lia Khalili is a Qualifying Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She has a master of psychology and a bachelor of speech therapy, and has practiced individual and family therapy for over 10 years. She offers therapy in many different areas related to the mental health of children, adolescents, and families. Lia developed specific programs for children with ADHD, learning disorders, and autism. Her play based approach put children at ease resulting in greater cooperation which supports the children in meeting treatment goals. Rather than simply addressing superficial issues, Lia believes in treating the roots of problems, especially in anxiety and depression disorders. By adding speech therapy experience, she can improve children's academic and cognitive skills. Lia is the author and translator of books and articles on psychotherapy with children, and adolescents. Lia offers workshops for parents and caregivers on various topics related to positive playful parenting. She also provides group workshops for children and adolescents on topics like anger management, mindfulness, self-confidence enhancement, relationship building, and attention boosting.

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