“Registered Psychotherapists (RPs) are Members of a self-regulated profession and as such have special duties and responsibilities to the clients they serve, to their coworkers and to their regulatory college”
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– the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
From the CRPO:
“Psychotherapy is primarily a talk-based therapy and is intended to help people improve and maintain their mental health and well-being….Psychotherapy occurs when the Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and client enter into a psychotherapeutic relationship where both work together to bring about positive change in the client’s thinking, feeling, behaviour and social functioning. Individuals usually seek psychotherapy when they have thoughts, feelings, moods and behaviors that are adversely affecting their day-to-day lives, relationships and the ability to enjoy life.“
Meet The Team
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Ria Guifarro
Registered Psychotherapist, M.A., B.A.,
Executive Director
Ria has over thirteen years of experience working with individuals who are struggling with addiction and emotional regulation, in different agencies within the GTA. She has provided anger management and relapse prevention for groups, individuals, and now couples, as well as program and collaborative team development.
Ria now fulfills her role as executive director at JFT, in addition to psychotherapy. She integrates her personal and professional experiences with her academic understandings to provide clients and colleagues alike with respect, equality, trust, and empowerment.
Andrew - Registered Social Worker
Andrew is a Registered Social Worker with a Master's in Social Work and a BSc in Psychology. Andrew has worked extensively with people who have experienced mental health and substance use concerns, interactions with the legal system, poverty, and marginalisation. Andrew provides support to the administrative team at Just for Today, where he enjoys drawing on his experience and skill set to collaborate with a committed and compassionate team.
Genelle Ewart
Genelle Ewart provides two separate roles within JFT. She is the Senior Intake Coordinator and an Anger Management Facilitator. Genelle graduated from Centennial College’s Community and Justice Services program with 10 years of experience in group counselling and couples and family therapy. She carries certifications in Suicide prevention, The Anxiety Release Protocol (ARP) and specializes in anger management, domestic abuse, relapse and addiction prevention programs. Genelle provides and maintains the appropriate levels of safety and security to ensure the comfort and success of our clients.
Brittany Tracey
RP, EMDR trained, MACP, BA Hon
Brittany has been working at JFT since 2021. At JFT her current role is to help facilitate group therapy sessions for both the men’s and women’s anger management programs, as well as co-facilitates JFT's relapse prevention program.
Why she loves her role:
I have always wanted to be a psychotherapist as I am passionate about the mental health field. It is an honour to be able to provide a healing space to someone during their darkest times. As a psychotherapist, my role is to provide a safe and non-judgmental space so that clients can feel seen and heard while navigating challenging times in their lives.
Stephanie Cunti
Stephanie Cunti holds a diploma in Community Work from George Brown College and a bachelor’s degree in International Development from York University. She began as a student at Just For Today in 2008 moving onto program facilitation and currently supporting the administration team. Her work in the field outside of Just for Today has included additional harm reduction supports, housing and eviction prevention services, homelessness outreach support, drop in programming, and case management. She currently holds a position as Coordinator of Outreach and Community Services at a downtown Toronto faith based organization.
“I enjoy my work in this field as I am continuously challenged with new circumstances and cases that require me to stay informed, resourceful, patient, and empathetic. The work is dynamic and wide-ranging – one day requiring residential support and coordination of clinical services while another may require meal prep and distribution for hundreds of community members. In my work at Just For Today I have always been supported and encouraged to develop my skillset as it relates to program development, facilitation, personal learning, and data management. These skills have strengthened my capacity in all roles I’ve held in the field. This is a cohesive team I am grateful to be a part of”.
Danielle Chippie, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist
Danielle Chippie is a group facilitator and a therapist for individual counselling sessions. She is a Master's - level Social Worker and Psychotherapist who facilitates group and individual sessions. Danielle has been serving with JFT for 7 years.
Her specialties are relapse prevention, anxiety, self-esteem, and emotional regulation. Danielle uses a variety of therapy models, such as DBT, CBT and ACT. Danielle works from a harm-reduction and trauma-focused lens to assist clients in reaching their therapy goals. Danielle provides clients with goals to help them navigate their emotions, identify unhelpful patterns and cultivate healthier habits.
Danielle's passion for therapy stems from her empathy and desire to collaborate with clients as they work through and learn to manage their emotional pain by discovering healthier coping skills. Danielle is excited to bring hope to your situation by fostering meaningful change.
Daniela Violo (She/her) M.A, RP
Daniela Violo (She/her) M.A, RP
Daniela Violo is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). On her educational journey, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. As a professional, she strongly believes in healing and personal growth through safe and meaningful human connection. Therefore, in her role as a psychotherapist, she offers a safe, caring, and non-judgemental space for clients to be and learn about themselves so they can move towards the life they want to live. Through a trauma lens and collaborative therapeutic relationship, Daniela helps clients understand the issues that brought them to
therapy, discover and expand their strengths, develop self-directed goals, and identify ways to achieve them.
Daniela specializes in supporting adults, seniors, and couples challenged by various difficulties such as emotion dysregulation, anxiety, depression, trauma, low self-esteem, relationship issues, and addictions. She uses an integrative approach to therapy combining different therapy modalities in which she obtained training (e.g., CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR, Compassionate Inquiry, EFT, and Gottman’s Method) to suit the client's individualized needs
and preferences. Daniela offers services in English and Portuguese.
Karla Marie
Karla Marie is an intake coordinator and administrative assistant at Just For Today, where she supports clients and welcomes them on their journey to personal growth and emotional wellness. Her diverse academic background includes Business Management with majors in both Accounting and Marketing, as well as training in Medical Administration. This unique blend of expertise allows her to bring a well-rounded, compassionate, and strategic approach to her work in mental health and client support.
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Why she loves her role:
Throughout my career, including previous roles, I have consistently found purpose and fulfillment in assisting clients and seeing the positive impact of our work together. I am passionate about helping others, and I strive to create safe, empowering spaces where people feel heard, valued, and motivated to take positive steps forward.
Alexis Locker
Alexis Locker has 12+ years of experience in the addictions and mental health field, where she uses a trauma-informed lens to support clients through their goals and recovery.
Alexis is passionate about working with people who experience emotional dysregulation and strives to work with individuals, couples, and families to learn strategies to support solution-focused goals.
Alexis believes that positivity, openness to learning, and accountability are key factors in a successful therapeutic relationship.
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Dahlia Vionnet
Dahlia Vionnet is a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive informed, client-entered counsellor and group facilitator. Her academic background is in critical race theory and Buddhism, psychology and mental health. She practices at the intersection of transformative justice and mental health, seeking to empower people with agency and skills that help reduce suffering. Although Dahlia is interested in and utilizes various therapeutic modalities, she specializes in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. Within this framework, she weaves principles of mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance, to best fit the client’s objectives and needs. Dahlia has worked in the field of mental health for the past 3 years as a counsellor, and many more as a peer support within a DBT group. Her personal experiences with mental health and its various challenges give her insight into recovery and emotion regulation that enables her to connect deeply with clients. Dahlia can also provide therapy in English, French, or Spanish.
As a counsellor at JFT I look forward to the groups I facilitate each week, as they carve the space and time for vulnerable conversations and healthy interdependency. Working with clients individually enables this dynamic to be deeper and the insights for discussions are multiplied. Witnessing my clients’ progress in their reflection is the most gratifying part of my professional life, and I strive to provide as much support as possible for each client to reach their objectives.
