Our Team
About Us
Dr. Laidlaw & Associates provides individual and group treatment to adults 19 years of age and older. We work with various population groups including first responders (e.g., Police, Firefighters, Paramedics, Correctional Officers, and Military Personnel). Primary issues include depression, anxiety, and reactions to trauma and abuse (e.g., Acute Stress, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Occupational Stress Injury). Therapeutic models include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Mindfulness.
Dr. Laidlaw is a Clinical, Counselling, and Rehabilitation Psychologist with extensive experience in providing psychological services.
Her areas of specialization include critical incident stress, posttraumatic stress, and psychological difficulties of first responders. Dr. Laidlaw provides individual treatment to adults aged 19 years and older, utilizing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, and Brief Psychotherapy. She also conducts pre-employment personnel selection assessments for emergency services and offers personality, intellectual, developmental, and ...
Katie Chown is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and a professional member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology with a Minor in Religious Studies from McMaster University, and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology Degree from Yorkville University. In addition, Katie is a Certified Trauma Professional (Levels I & II).
Katie brings a breadth of experience from her work in academic and healthcare settings as an educator, counsellor, and clinical technician.
These roles have informed her deep appreciation for the mind-body ...
Justine Fram is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and is a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She has a Master of Arts Degree in Counselling
Psychology from Yorkville University, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies with a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies.
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Justine provides treatment to adults who have experienced trauma or challenging life transitions, grappling with crisis, or needing support in relation to emotional/psychological health. She works collaboratively with clients, making personalized treatment plans to ...
Oliver Vertes is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Psychotherapists of Ontario. He has extensive clinical experience working with adult populations, with a focus on first responders and their complex needs. In addition to his undergraduate, and graduate work, he has completed additional training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Existentialism, trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, Critical Incident Stress Management, and a variety of other life transitional issues.
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As a psychotherapist, he is heavily influenced by existentialism and in defining your values to live a meaning driven life. Although he focuses on ACT and Existentialism, he ...
Rachel Spekking is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Criminology, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. She has over 10 years of experience working in policing in Ontario.
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Rachel provides client-centered therapeutic interventions to address the unique emotional and psychological challenges faced by clients. She believes effective treatment is dependent upon building a therapeutic relationship that can support clients to gain deeper self-understanding, self-growth, and to ...
Julia McAdam
BSc, BHSc(OT)
Julia McAdam is a Registered Occupational Therapist, Psychotherapist with over 25 years of clinical experience supporting individuals through recovery, growth, and resilience building. Her experience includes supporting first responders, as well as individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma and chronic pain.
Julia’s clinical practice is grounded in trauma-informed care, with a focus on addressing post-traumatic stress, moral injury, and workplace-related psychological injuries. Julia draws upon evidence-based therapeutic models, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) ...
Krisandra Einboden is a Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She holds a Master of Social Work Degree with the University of Windsor and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of Guelph.
With nine years of experience in law enforcement, Krisandra has developed an important understanding of crisis intervention, resilience, and the complexities of trauma. Her recent transition into a career in firefighting has further deepened her understanding of high-pressure. environments and reinforced ...
Pam joined Dr. Laidlaw & Associates in April of 2021 as the Office Administrator. She supports all aspects of day-to-day office operations. She brings a wealth of administrative and interpersonal skills acquired over a decade-long career in a variety of roles.
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Pam holds an Associate of Science Degree from Lake Superior State University. She takes pride in her work, completing responsibilities in a professional and timely manner while maintaining a mature, gracious, and approachable presence. Meticulous and detail-oriented, Pam is adept at managing priorities and ensuring the smooth functioning of the office.
Jennifer joined Dr. Laidlaw & Associates in August of 2023 on a part-time basis. Jennifer provides essential support to staff while overseeing confidential record management.
She supports the practice by ensuring a welcoming, organized environment for clients.
Ornella joined Dr. Laidlaw & Associates in January of 2022. Ornella is part of the administration team and is responsible for assisting in the day-to-day duties in the office.
Olivia joined Dr. Laidlaw & Associates in May of 2025 as a Research Student. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Criminology from Western University and is in the process of continuing her education through graduate studies in counselling psychology.
In her role, Olivia supports the practice by conducting literature reviews, analyzing current research, and developing training material for peer support initiatives with first responders. She contributes to the team’s work by translating research into practical resources that enhance mental health awareness and resilience.
Katrina volunteered with Dr. Laidlaw & Associates in the summer of 2025, supporting the teams’ research initiatives.
She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Sociology at Queen’s University.