Meet The Team
Dr. Melissa Lieberman
Founder & Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Melissa Lieberman is a registered clinical psychologist working with children, adolescents and their families. She has worked for over 20 years in both private practice and in several hospitals within the greater Toronto area. Dr. Lieberman developed and lead the "COPE" program at the Hospital for Sick Children (HSC), delivering specialized care for children under the age of 13 with eating disorders.
Dr. Melissa Lieberman provides assessment, consultation and treatment for a wide range of psychological issues including; eating disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, divorce, loss, and other emotional difficulties which can limit quality of life during childhood and adolescence. She uses a variety of therapeutic techniques including Family-Based-Treatment for Eating Disorders (FBT), Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). She is a certified FBT therapist with many years of training.
Dr. Melissa Lieberman received her Ph.D. at Concordia University in Montreal. She was the recipient of the Governor General Gold Medal Award for her research in the area of peer pressure, cliques and the development of eating difficulties in teens. She is a registered psychologist in good standing with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She maintains an evidenced based practice using therapeutic techniques shown to be effective in providing symptom relief and changes in long-term behaviour. She is passionate about working with children, teens and their families and providing them with the best care possible.
Dr. Jennifer Mullane is a Registered Psychologist with 18 years of experience working with school-aged children, adolescents, and families. She specializes in the assessment and treatment of anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and depression. She uses evidence-based treatments and incorporates creative strategies to make therapeutic material meaningful for all ages. She uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Attachment-Focused treatment approaches, as indicated for the presenting concerns. She also offers Family Based Treatment (FBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (e.g., CBT-E, CBT for ARFID) for eating disorders.
Dr. Mullane received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Dalhousie University. She has trained and worked in outpatient clinics, private practices, schools, and three pediatric hospitals including the Hospital for Sick Children, the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, and Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary.
Dr. Pereira is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. In the last 15 years, she has worked with children, adolescents, young adults, and families in hospital, school, and private practice settings. Dr. Pereira specializes in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and other issues affecting emotional well-being. Her therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing on evidence-based treatments such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT, CBT-E), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) strategies, and family-based treatment (FBT) for eating disorders. Dr. Pereira works collaboratively with her clients to ensure treatment aligns with their goals.
Dr. Pereira received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Toronto and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children (Eating Disorders Program). She is a staff psychologist in a hospital's eating disorders program in the GTA. Aside from her intervention work, Dr. Pereira is involved in research evaluating eating disorder treatment outcomes. She is also an Adjunct Member of the Graduate Program in Psychology at York University.
Dr. Jasmine C. Mahdy completed her PhD in the Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology program at the University of Guelph. She has completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids) in Toronto, Ontario and an internship at Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, Alberta, specializing in child and adolescent clinical and health psychology.
Dr. Mahdy has experience doing assessment and intervention with children, adolescents, and young adults presenting with a variety of concerns, including depression, anxiety, behavioural challenges, emotion dysregulation, suicidality, self-harm, adjustment and coping with chronic illness/pain, eating disorders, trauma, relationship issues, and stress management. She has been trained in evidence-based therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, FBT for eating disorders, dialectical-behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, as well as attachment and psychodynamic approaches.
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Her research is in the area of nonsuicidal self-injury and is focused on reducing stigmatizing responses towards people who self-injure. In her work, Dr. Mahdy aims to take an open and empathic approach to understanding a person’s experiences so that an applicable and focused plan for treatment can be implemented.
Ms. Heather Harding is a registered Social Worker in good standings with Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and the Alberta College of Social Work. She received her Bachelor degree in Social Work from Thompson University and her Masters of Arts in Counseling from Gonzaga University. Heather currently works at Alberta Children’s Hospital as a Clinical Supervisor, in private practice and has over 20 years of experience specializing in individual, couples and family therapy.
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Her primary areas of interest include parenting and family relationship struggles, attachment throughout the lifespan and emotional regulation.
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She has received professional training in Parent-Child Attachment Relationships, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Gottman Couples Therapy, Emotion Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) and Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) and Bowen Family Therapy. She is a Certified Circle of Security Facilitator and Connect Parent Group Facilitator and Trainer.
She is committed to be authentic and transparent throughout the therapy process and is dedicated to explore the challenges or patterns keeping you stuck and disconnected.
Ani Merzaian is a dedicated and experienced Registered Dietitian specializing in nutrition management for children and adolescents with eating disorders. She holds both a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Master of Health Science in Food and Nutrition from Toronto Metropolitan University and is in good standing with the College of Dietitians of Ontario.
Ani’s background includes managing nutrition for adult patients across a range of medical specialties, including general medicine, cardiology, neuro-stroke, geriatrics, and eating disorders. Her extensive experience has provided her with a comprehensive skill set for optimizing and managing nutrition in complex clinical settings. In recent years, she has focused her expertise specifically on eating disorders in children and adolescents.
As a Clinical Dietitian at North York General Hospital, Ani works across inpatient, outpatient, and day hospital programs for children and adolescents with eating disorders. She is committed to the belief that food is a powerful tool for unlocking potential rather than limiting it. Ani is passionate about educating patients and their families, offering clear, actionable information to support informed decision-making regarding nutritional care.
Her dedication to empowering others through knowledge and her extensive expertise make her a valued resource for families navigating complex nutritional needs.
Rachel is an experienced Registered Dietitian with a passion for empowering individuals to achieve a balanced relationship with food and their bodies. In her practice, Rachel strives to help patients and families navigate health misinformation, particularly as it relates to nutrition and normal growth and development. She received her Bachelor of Applied Science from Toronto Metropolitan University and completed a paediatric-focused dietetic internship through Hamilton Health Science at McMaster Children's Hospital.
Currently, Rachel works in a publically-funded adolescent eating disorder program as a Clinical Dietitian. Additionally, she serves as an eating disorder Clinical Educator for dietitians in Ontario. She is a strong advocate for access to trauma-informed, evidence-based care. She has received dietitian-specific training in a variety of therapeutic modalities including: family-based therapy, dialectic behavioural therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy.
Kimberley holds a Bachelor of Human Ecology - Family Social Sciences degree from the University of Manitoba and is also a certified Child Life Specialist. She has worked in a variety of settings with children and families in healthcare, education, and social services. These experiences have provided her with the opportunity to build successful and meaningful relationships with children and families within a family-centred care philosophy.
Kimberley enjoys connecting with families and providing information in a warm, welcoming and empathetic manner. She values being the first point of contact for many families and assisting them throughout their time with the COPE clinic.
Kimberley is a prairie girl at heart, originally from Winnipeg, and enjoys spending time with her husband and young daughter.