Child & Adolescent Psychologist
* Accepting clients for Assessment services
* Current availability for virtual therapy
Dr. Petra Gyles
Registered Psychologist, Clinic Owner
Dr. Petra Gyles, C. Psych is a Clinical & School Psychologist specializing in child and adolescent populations.
She completed her Ph.D. at McGill University. Dr. Gyles has 15 years experience working in various school systems, as well as work experience in clinical/rehabilitation outpatient and private practice settings in Toronto, Montreal, and remote rural and First Nations communities.
Her research and publications have examined inquiry-based learning, giftedness, resilience, intrinsic motivation, and specifically ‘Growth Mindsets’. She has shared her research contributions at conferences across Canada and North America. Dr. Gyles has taught graduate and undergraduate courses at various post-secondary institutions including the University of Toronto, McGill University, and Seneca College.
Dr. Gyles is a Registered Member with the College of Psychologists of Ontario.
Dr. Larissa Panetta
Registered Psychologist (Supervised Practice)
Dr. Panetta is a school and clinical psychologist who sees children and adolescents for assessments and therapy.
She has over a decade of experience working with a diverse range of youth (2-27), intersectional identities, settings (i.e., school, clinical, health), and presenting concerns. She uses a developmental, family systems, and diversity-informed lens to help her clients meet social and learning goals.
Dr. Panetta completed her Master’s and doctorate degrees in Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology at the University of Guelph. She has trained at the Maplewoods Center for Family Therapy and Child Psychology, the Toronto District School Board, the Psychological & Counselling Services Group, the Family Psychology Center, and the Royal University Hospital. She also has undergraduate degrees in psychology, public health, and education, and is a licensed teacher.
Dr. Panetta has a strong interest in supporting neurodiversity. She has extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and other neurodivergent disorders/developmental disabilities. She is passionate about bridging the gap in understanding between activist communities and the profession of psychology.
Dr. Panetta is registered with the College of Psychologists in Ontario as a Certified Psychologist (Supervised Practice)
Her work is overseen by Dr Petra Gyles.
Jessica Ellis
Psychological Associate (Supervised Practice)
Jessica is a Psychological Associate (Supervised Practice) working towards registration with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario under the supervision of Dr. Gyles. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Arts in Applied Psychology at Laurentian University.
Jessica has a wealth of experience working in the public sector providing psychological developmental assessment services to children, youth and their families. As well, she provides psychoeducational assessments assessing and supporting a range of learning, neurodevelopmental, and mental health areas.
Jessica is dedicated to providing a secure, engaging, and supportive therapeutic environment, with the aim of thoroughly understanding the individual strengths, needs, and goals of the clients she works with.
Jessica is registered with the College of Psychologists in Ontario as a Certified Psychological Associate (Supervised Practice). Her work is overseen by Dr Petra Gyles.
Tory White
Psychological Consultant
Tory offers counselling services to adolescents, with a focus on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy(CBT) and Mindfulness.
As a counsellor/therapist, she provides support in promoting healthy living
and overall wellness among adolescents. She provides guidance and support in navigating a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationships, and self-perception. Tory has a particular interest in emotional intelligence and executive functioning skills, recognizing their increasing importance in today’s world. She is passionate about empowering individuals to develop these skills to enhance their well-being and cope with life’s challenges.
Currently, Tory is completing the EdD (School Psychology Field) program at the University of Toronto and is working towards registration with the College of Psychologists of Ontario as a School Psychologist. Tory's unwavering commitment is to provide therapeutic and restorative experiences that are uniquely tailored to the needs of each individual, ensuring they feel heard,
understood, and supported.
Tory's work philosophy is rooted in these experiences and a value system that emphasizes empathy, understanding, and respect for each individual’s unique journey. She believes in the power of therapy to transform lives and is dedicated to supporting adolescents on their path to wellness.
Marlena Williams
Registered Psychotherapist & Psychometrist
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Marlena is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) who received her M.A. in Counselling Psychology from McGill University. Her experience across clinical, research, and remote settings, alongside a background in psychoeducational/ ADHD assessments, has helped to shape a fuller, more well-rounded understanding of each client she works with. She supports children and teens navigating anxiety and perfectionism, OCD, self-concept and interpersonal difficulties, ADHD, and emotional regulation challenges.
Marlena aims to create a warm and supportive space where children and teens feel understood, comfortable, and able to be themselves. She often works closely with parents to support consistency and understanding at home, while also recognizing the importance of each young person’s privacy and sense of agency in the therapeutic process. Her approach is integrative and evidence-based, primarily drawing from cognitive-behavioural and person-centered frameworks. For children and teens with OCD, she uses Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
Across her work, the focus is on helping children and teens build practical coping strategies, strengthen confidence, and feel more in control in their day-to-day lives. Marlena uses developmentally appropriate and creative strategies to help children and teens stay engaged in therapy, and is passionate about helping families make sense of what their child is experiencing so they can feel more confident moving forward together.
Karen Kumar
Psychological Consultant
Karen is a PhD student in clinical psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), where she also completed her MA. She holds an MEd in Developmental Psychology and Education from the University of Toronto. Her clinical experience includes assessment and psychotherapy across a range of settings, including St. Michael's and SickKids Hospitals, private practice, and clinical trials in TMU's Sleep and Depression Lab. Prior to her studies in clinical psychology, Karen worked as a counsellor for the Provincial Demonstration School Board, closely working with youth, their families and educators to deliver intensive reading interventions to students and develop their social-emotional skills.
Currently, Karen provides assessment and psychotherapy to children and adolescents under the supervision of Dr. Gyles at the clinic. She has worked with clients from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and neurodevelopmental backgrounds (e.g., LDs, ADHD, ASD, FASD), and has experience with a wide range of presentations, including anxiety and mood disorders, OCD, trauma, eating disorders, health conditions, sleep difficulties, and school and interpersonal stressors. Her approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), with integration of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT). Karen tailors her therapeutic approach to be warm and engaging, fostering a supportive environment where each person feels seen and empowered to grow.
Alongside her clinical work, Karen conducts research on sleep and insomnia interventions for adults. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, playing and listening to music, staying active, and experimenting in the kitchen.
Sevval Cinar
Psychometrist
Sevval completed her BSc in Health Sciences, with minors in Biology and Psychology, and her MA in Developmental Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University. She has started the combined MA/PhD program in School and Clinical Child Psychology at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto, in Fall 2026.
Sevval has worked as a psychometrist with preschool- and school-aged children and youth presenting with neurodevelopmental differences, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, and developmental disabilities, as well as mental health challenges.
As she pursues training to become a school and clinical child psychologist, Sevval is committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents through collaborative, evidence-based assessment and intervention with children, families, educators, and interdisciplinary teams.
Allison Horsley
Psychological Consultant
Allison is a Ph.D. student in the School and Applied Child Psychology program at Western University. She completed her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education at Laurentian University, followed by a Master’s degree in School and Applied Child Psychology at Western University.
Allison has experience conducting psycho-educational assessments to support children and youth in understanding their unique learning profiles. She strives to create a space where children and youth feel comfortable, understood, and supported. Her background as a teacher has allowed her to work with students with diverse needs and abilities, and she is committed to fostering inclusive, supportive learning environments where all students can thrive.
Through her work in both clinical and school board settings, Allison has seen how much children can grow when they feel encouraged and believe in their own abilities.
Sarah Bjornson
Psychometrist
Sarah is a doctoral candidate in the Clinical Developmental Psychology program at York University. She completed her Master's degree in Clinical Developmental Psychology at York in 2024 and her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology at the University of Regina in 2018.
Sarah has completed clinical training through the Toronto District School Board, the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), and the York University Psychology Clinic. She has previous experience as an Applied Behaviour Analysis interventionist and an elementary educational assistant.
Sarah's doctoral research focuses on understanding quality of life for children with intellectual disabilities in the context of the education system. Her passions are in supporting children with complex neurodevelopmental conditions through assessment and consultation.
Laura Elliott
Office Manager
Since joining Dr. Petra Gyles and Associates in May 2024, Laura is responsible for the overall coordination of a broad range of services/resources that allow the organization to operate efficiently.
Laura’s biggest passion is to see children thrive in their uniqueness, build confidence and feel supported in their challenges. Laura works remotely for our clinic but is available during all our office hours to assist both new and current clients find the support they need for their families.
Previously, Laura worked as the Executive Director for a children's arts charity in Kelowna, BC and was responsible for the day-to-day operations, staff management, creative direction, event planning and strategic planning. Laura was the 2013 recipient of the Central Okanagan Arts Foundation Community Arts Award for excellence in education and innovation in the arts.
Laura also has a Human Service Worker diploma from Okanagan College and has 20+ years experience working with children and adults with a range of diverse abilities both in a home and community setting. In her free time, Laura facilitates movement/dance classes for children and adults on the autism spectrum.
Dr. Gyles specializes in therapy for children and teens targeting depression, anxiety, academic anxiety, OCD, perfectionism, trauma, school struggles, and social issues. She uses evidence-based practices and takes a cognitive-behavioural therapy approach, with aspects of positive psychology, mindfulness, emotion focused, and narrative therapy approaches incorporated into treatment.
Dr. Gyles provides psychological, psychoeducational, and neurodevelopmental assessments for preschool and school-age children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Developmental Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, ADHD, behavioural issues, social-emotional issues, and diagnostic assessments for mental illness. She completed specialized training at the University of Michigan for Autism Spectrum assessment (e.g., ADOS-2, ADI-R).