Our Mental Health Professionals

Sarah Alderwick, MSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist

Sarah provides counselling to individuals facing a wide variety of emotional and psychological challenges in their lives. With compassion, caring and acceptance, Sarah’s strength lies in building strong therapeutic relationships with her clients.  She strives to support clients to draw from their inner strength and wisdom to help foster positive change in their lives. Sarah creates a safe and open environment to assist with a variety of challenges including anxiety, depression, interpersonal issues, domestic violence, grief/loss, and postpartum difficulties. She welcomes opportunities to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures and is LGBTTIQQ+ positive.

Sarah collaborates with each client, tailoring her approach to meet their therapeutic needs. Her practice draws from Narrative, Attachment, Feminist, and Cognitive-Behavioural Theories, and is Trauma-Informed. She is passionate about social justice and poverty reduction. She has worked in a variety of community settings and has extensive experience assisting clients to navigate the different social services, housing, and welfare systems.

She completed her Master of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University, is a Registered Social Worker in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Worker and Social Service Workers and is a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers.

Areas of Expertise

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Victoria Martindale, M.Ed., RP, CCC

Registered Psychotherapist

Victoria approaches her work with warmth, compassion, and empathy. She strives to create a safe space for her clients to process emotions, live in line with their values, and find meaning in their experiences. Victoria has experience working with youth and adults. She has a particular interest in working in areas of self-esteem, trauma, anxiety/panic, depression, grief/loss, and identity issues. Victoria is an LGBTQ+ positive counsellor and has past experience working as a counsellor in Post-Secondary School and private practice settings.

Victoria’s therapeutic practice is primarily influenced by a Narrative, Strengths-based, and Collaborative perspective. She also incorporates techniques from self-compassion, Mindfulness, Positive Psychology, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Victoria holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of Ottawa. She is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Victoria works at Jewish Family Services of Ottawa as part of The Counselling Group and The Walk-In Counselling Clinic.

Areas of Expertise

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Yara Tanios, M. Psych, RP (Qualifying).

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

As an empathic psychotherapist with a background in humanitarian work, Yara has had the privilege of witnessing the incredible strength of individuals in the face of life’s challenges and adversities. Her approach to counseling is person-centered, collaborative, evidence-based, and rooted in empathy and resilience, guiding individuals towards transformative personal growth. Key skills and qualities that define her practice include cultural competence, empathetic listening, multicultural awareness, and effective communication, along with language proficiency.

Being trilingual (Arabic, English, and French-speaking), she can bridge language gaps, ensuring that therapy is accessible to all. Yara strives to create a safe and inclusive space where individuals can express themselves freely without fear of miscommunication or judgment, allowing them to grow and find their own path to positive change. Yara is committed to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and celebrate their unique strengths and resilience.

Areas of Expertise

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Yasmine Benali, CCH, RP (Q)

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Yasmine is a compassionate and skilled Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and is a Certified Hypnotherapist, accredited by the National Guild of Hypnotists.

Specializing in trauma-informed and client-centered practices, Yasmine provides psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and youth, focusing on creating safe and supportive spaces for exploration, healing, and growth. Fluent in English, French, and Arabic, she ensures culturally sensitive and accessible care for clients from diverse backgrounds.

At JFS Ottawa, Yasmine is part of the Refugee and Vulnerable Newcomers (RVN) program, the Counselling Group, and the Counselling Walk-In Clinic (CWIC).

Yasmine integrates a range of evidence-based psychotherapy modalities to create personalized treatment plans, including:

  • Narrative Therapy, to reframe life stories and uncover personal resilience
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), to foster emotional regulation and mindfulness
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to address and shift unhelpful thought patterns
  • Logotherapy and Meaning-Centered Therapy, to explore purpose and meaning in life
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), to embrace life’s challenges and focus on values-driven living

When relevant, she integrates hypnotherapy with these modalities to provide a holistic approach to mental well-being.

With over 10 years of experience in the corporate environment, Yasmine brings a unique perspective to psychotherapy, helping clients navigate organizational stressors and enhance psychological safety at work. By combining her corporate background with therapeutic expertise, she offers practical tools and strategies to support individuals facing workplace challenges, including burnout, conflict, and career transitions.

Passionate about advocacy and social justice, Yasmine is dedicated to empowering her clients as they navigate both personal and societal challenges.

Areas of Expertise

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,