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 almost 10 years of experience providing therapeutic interventions to individuals, couples, families, and groups experiencing a range of clinical issues including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, addiction, disordered eating, and trauma.
Ayla’s areas of expertise include the treatment of psychological trauma/PTSD; 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 experience childhood abuse/neglect and other forms of psychological trauma.
Ayla believes in the importance of authenticity, warmth, and compassion in her work. She uses an attachment and trauma-informed lens in her work, working collaboratively with clients to understand the ways in which their past experiences have influenced how they relate to themselves, others, and the world; develop new and more fulfilling ways of engaging in the world; and helping them achieve a sense of agency, safety, and fulfillment in their lives and relationships.
Ayla is skilled in providing a range of evidence-based approaches, having completed specialized training in a number of approaches including Attachment Focused Therapy, The Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals, Couples, and Families, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). 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 currently pursuing Certification in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, as well as Certification in EMDR.
As Director of Clinical Training and Professional Development at the practice, Ayla created and oversees the Student Institute in collaboration with Dr. Hiseler and Dr. Kelly. She supervises the MSW and Master of Counselling/Psychotherapy practicum students, as well as mentors new clinicians in the practice to support their adjustment to private practice and explore opportunities to develop their clinical interests and skill sets. Ayla also enjoys providing consultation to health professionals in the community. She is qualified to supervise Registered Social Workers as well as Registered Psychotherapists and is currently completing a Professional Certificate in Clinical Supervision from Wilfrid Laurier University. Ayla is passionate about teaching and fostering others’ development. We at the practice love watching her teach in group settings as well as watching her present on her areas of expertise!
”We don’t have to do it all alone. We were never meant to.”
– Brene Brown
