Our Team
Lorie Walton
OWNER & ONTARIO REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Lorie Walton is the Founder and Lead Therapist of Family First Play Therapy Centre Inc, in Bradford and Burlington, Ontario, Canada, a centre focused on assisting children and families dealing with attachment, trauma and emotional and developmental issues. Family First has provided therapeutic support and services to children and families since 2000.
Lorie is an Ontario Registered Psychotherapist, a Certified Child Play Therapist Supervisor and a Certified Theraplay® Therapist Trainer Supervisor. She has extensive training in working with adopted and foster care children who experience attachment-related issues and trauma. Along with her private practice in Canada, Lorie is a Certified Theraplay Trainer and Teacher. She has been a part of the Theraplay® Institute’s International Training team for almost 20 years and became the Executive Director of Theraplay® Canada in 2020. (www.theraplaycanada.ca) She has the great honour and privilege of bringing Theraplay®, Sunshine Circles and Group Theraplay® training, supervision and support to professionals, families and communities across Canada. She has also been an active board and registered member of the Canadian Association for Child and Play Therapy (CAPT). She has held positions such as Board President (from 2005-2010), Editor of Playground magazine (2004 to current) and Membership Chair (5 years) to help grow Play Therapy across our great nation.
Dr. Dillon Browne
CONSULTANT & CLINICAL SUPERVISOR
Dr. Dillon Browne is a registered member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario, the Canada Research Chair in Child and Family Clinical Psychology, and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Browne completed his B.A. Hons. in Psychology at the University of Guelph and his MA/Ph.D. in School and Clinical Child Psychology at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. For Doctoral Internship and Clinical Postdoctoral Fellowship, Dr. Browne studied and practiced in the Child Trauma Research Program at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he gained expertise in Child-Parent Psychotherapy, play therapy, and family therapy.
As a clinical psychologist, Dillon works exclusively with children, adolescents, and families. For over a decade, Dillon has provided assessment and therapy services to young people of all ages who struggle with anxiety, depression, behavioural difficulties, ADHD-related challenges, learning difficulties, school refusal, and other common challenges. He is also versed in providing trauma-informed services to children and families who have experienced traumatic events. Depending on the nature of presenting concern, Dillon may work with children and parents together, children alone (most commonly with older adolescents), parents alone, or entire families. In other words, he provides various services, including individual therapy for children (with parental involvement), parenting support, and family therapy. Dillon primarily relies on cognitive behaviour therapy when working with children. However, he also provides conjoint (dyadic) therapy with parents and children, including those under 6. For families who are experiencing relationship difficulties, he primarily utilizes both structural and emotion-focused family therapy.
Dr. Browne will be working with Family First in a consultative and supervisory role and providing psychoeducational and socioemotional assessments for children. Please visit his website for more details on services.
www.drdillonbrowne.com
Our Therapists
-
Meaghann Walton
CERTIFIED PSYCHOMESTRIST, SUNSHINE CIRCLES FACILITATOR & TRAINER (QUALIFYING)
Meaghann Walton is a trained Psychometrist working under Dr. Browne’s supervision to administer psychoeducational assessments at Family First. Meaghann obtained her Bachelor of Arts at Western University and her Master of Science of Education at Medaille College. She completed her Psychometrist Certification in September 2022, and joined the Family First team that year. Meaghann is an OCT teacher with specialist additional qualifications in Reading, Mathematics, Kindergarten and Librarianship. Meaghann is working towards specialist qualifications in Writing and holds additional basic qualifications in Intermediate History. In addition to her work as a teacher, Meaghann is working on certification to be a Sunshine Circles facilitator and trainer. Sunshine Circles is a structured, play therapy-based program used in classrooms across Canada and around the world.
Meaghann’s experience working with a variety of populations creates a low-stress and comfortable assessment environment for students. She is passionate about providing assessment services that serve to assist families in better understanding their individual child’s strengths and needs cognitively, emotionally and academically.
-
Michelle Baer
REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Michelle is a Registered Psychotherapist and Canadian Certified Counsellor. She has an MA in Creative Arts Therapy (2008, Concordia University) specializing in Drama Therapy. In 2015, she completed post-graduate training in Levels 1-3 of Play Therapy (CAPT). Michelle has over 15 years of experience working with children and youth ages 3-17 years in a variety of settings including a pediatric hospital, community counselling centre, children’s mental health agency, and since 2020, virtual teleplay services from the comfort of your own home!
She has expertise in working with anxiety, neurodiversity, 2SLGBTQ+ children, youth and families, and using nondirective and directive techniques incorporating CBT, Sandplay, puppets, yoga and mindfulness, and expressive arts experiences.
Michelle is a creative, playful therapist passionate about supporting children and families in sharing their stories, witnessing, validating and guiding them through the process of healing, growth and change. She is so excited to be joining Family First in 2022!
-
Anna Sgambato
REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKER
Anna is a registered Social Worker and graduated with a Master’s in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University, in 2007. She has been working with children, youth, adults and families in community-based services, for most of her adult life. Anna continues to be curious and inspired by the strength, creativity and resilience of people of all ages, when faced with a wide range of challenges.
In order to thoughtfully connect with individuals, couples and families, Anna is warm, attuned and down-to-earth. Her style is influenced by her skills and experience in a range of modalities that are attachment and trauma informed, as well as play and mindfulness based. It is important to Anna to gain a good understanding of what it is that brings you to therapy. She wants to ensure that you are getting the most from your time, while valuing your input and being respectful of your pace. In addition to including play, laughter, and new perspectives in your work with Anna, her hope is that you will feel welcome, accepted and energized.
-
Jenna Dollin
REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKER
Jenna is a registered Social Worker with a Master’s in Social Work-Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency from the University of Toronto. Jenna is a trauma-informed, holistic therapist who uses an eclectic approach to meet each client’s unique needs.
Jenna has supported individuals and families in diverse settings including shelters for the unhoused, remote northern communities, and in hospice. She incorporates directive and non-directive techniques including sand tray, puppets, clay, bibliotherapy, and mindfulness. She has completed her Foundational training in Theraplay and is working towards her Intermediate level.
Jenna provides a warm, non-judgmental space for all clients. She utilizes a collaborative, strength-based approach to assure clients and families feel supported throughout treatment.
-
Stacy Keenan
REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKER
Stacy is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She received her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Toronto in 2009. Stacy has provided therapeutic support to individuals and their families in hospital and community-based settings. She has experience working in areas of mental health, crisis intervention and trauma and substance use. Stacy is a holistic therapist who uses a mix of therapeutic approaches with directive and non-directive tools to support clients in meeting their goals.
Stacy takes an empathetic, strengths based and collaborative approach to therapy with clients and their families. She is passionate about creating a comfortable and safe environment that supports and empowers clients to address their needs and concerns and improve their overall well-being.
-
Lexia Ramjitsingh
REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKER
Lexia Ramjitsingh is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and a Theraplay Intern with the Family First Team. Lexia achieved her Master of Social Work from York University in 2023. Throughout Lexia's post-secondary career, she has worked with children, youth, and families in a wide range of sectors such as education, low-income, developmental and mental health. Her passion lies in mental health and supporting Family First clients on their journey allows her to enrich that passion.
Lexia has a client-centered and anti-oppressive approach which is partnered with further approaches and modalities based on the client's unique needs. She wants to ensure a strong rapport is built with clients to foster a healthy relationship of trust and openness.
-
Cassandra Teaca
REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST (QUALIFYING)
Cassandra is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with a passion of helping children, families and youth. She has an MA in Counselling (2022, Yorkville University). Currently, Cassandra is in a post-graduate training in Theraplay. She has worked with neurodivergent children for most of her career and their families.
Her expertise is in working with clients with anxiety, depression, neurodiversity, children, youth, families and utilizes a collaborative approach to sessions. Techniques used are geared towards Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness techniques.
Cassandra is empathetic, playful and creative regarding the support of children and their families. She understands how it may be difficult to discuss certain aspects that are hurtful and, in turn, validates the emotions and aiding through the process of growing and healing. Cassandra creates a safe space for clients and families alike.
-
Gagan Gill
REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKER
Gagan Gill is a registered social worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Gagan earned his social work honours at Lakehead University and his Master's in Education from Vancouver Island University. As a former teacher, Gagan understands the complexities of classrooms and how those challenges can manifest into unwanted behaviours in children. He has spent many years working with children on the spectrum, teens and adults entangled in the criminal justice system, individuals from heavily impoverished communities, and children affected by intergenerational trauma.
Gagan is well-versed in working with clients of varying backgrounds and is dedicated to walking alongside clients as they develop their unique identities, boundaries, and self-worth. He is client-centric, uses humour, warmth and authenticity to build rapport with the people he sees and seeks to help families understand one another.
-
Erica Nagy
Doctoral Student | Clinical Psychology
Erica completed her undergraduate training in Psychology at the University of Guelph, her Master’s degree at York University, and is currently a PhD student in Clinical Psychology at Fielding Graduate University.
Erica has worked with a variety of institutions including Homewood Health Centre and on the Mental Health Support Team with the York Regional Police. Erica has spent many years as a Crisis Intervention Counsellor and has training in a wide-range of evidence-based modalities including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.
Support Staff
-
Samantha Walton
OFFICE MANAGER & GENTLE SLEEP COACH
Samantha joined our Family First team in January 2020 as our certified Gentle Sleep Coach. She has over a decade of experience working as an Early Childhood Educator and decided to further her learning and become a certified Gentle Sleep Coach, trained under The Sleep Lady’s methods. She will work with you individually to create the best sleep coaching program for your family.
Samantha is also our office manager at Family First. She is responsible for client inquiries, scheduling appointments, processing payments, and overseeing all tasks that makes Family First a top-notch service within our community.
-
Sierrah Hamilton
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR & SUNSHINE CIRCLES FACILITATOR
Sierrah joined the Family First team in the beginning of 2022 as an office administrator. She is responsible for managing client intake requests, scheduling appointments, processing payments and other administrative tasks. She works closely with all members of the team to ensure our clients have a positive and seamless experience with us.
Sierrah is currently pursuing a Specialized Honours BA in Psychology at York University, working towards becoming a Clinical Psychologist. She has completed training in Theraplay Level One & Sunshine Circles and has facilitated Sunshine Circles interventions at Family First. She loves working the incredible therapists here and contributing to children and youth’s well-being.