OUR TEAM

Dr. Bhatia is a graduate of McGill University and the founder, clinical director, and a clinical psychologist at Bhatia Psychology Group. Dr. Bhatia has over 10 years of clinical experience working in numerous settings including schools, university counselling centres, rehabilitation centres, inpatient and outpatient clinics in local hospitals. Dr. Bhatia works with both adults and couples relying on a collaborative approach that is evidence-based. Additionally, Dr. Bhatia has extensive experience as an independent medical examiner conducting psychological assessments, and medical-legal assessments.

Dr. Bhatia has published several scholarly articles and book chapters on psychotherapy, emotional well-being, and mental health. He has offered many presentations and workshops at various national and international conferences. Additionally, he has guest lectured and conducted research in the Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy Research Program at Harvard Medical School where he has been involved in psychotherapy research and training in Affect Phobia Therapy.

*Available at Bhatia Psychology Group – Richmond Hill and Toronto clinics.

Jeff Duke is a Registered Social Worker who completed his Master of Social Work program at Wilfred Laurier University. Jeff has over eight years of clinical experience in a variety of clinical settings including university counselling centres, a psychiatrist’s private practice, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s distress/support telephone line, and active rehabilitation clinics. Additionally, he has also provided services as a psychometrist for Independent Medical Examinations and psychological evaluations.

 

Jeff specializes in working with adult individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction issues, and relationship concerns. He believes that mental health and addiction concerns can occur for many reasons including, grief, job stress/loss, family tensions, social discomfort, tensions in close relationships, etc. It is important to him to help people understand why they feel the way they feel and reduce the stigma around mental health issues. He uses a collaborative, eclectic, client centred approach to his work with clients in whatever role he fills at Bhatia Psychology Group.

*Available at Bhatia Psychology Group – Richmond Hill, Toronto and Whitby clinics.

Lisa Santa-Maria Barbagallo is a registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She received her M.A. in Counselling Psychology from McGill University and completed graduate training at Concordia University where she worked with a diverse population of students for over 10 years. Ms. Santa-Maria Barbagallo continues to treat a wide range of presenting issues including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, transitional issues and managing work-life balance.

 

As a psychologist, she enjoys working collaboratively with her clients, providing them with tools and skills to help them overcome the personal challenges that face them. She views wellness from a holistic perspective and aims to help individuals by looking at all aspects of their life and focusing on building personal strengths. Her approach is eclectic with a focus on CBT, incorporating elements of emotion-focused and mindfulness-based therapies.

*Available at Bhatia Psychology Group – Toronto clinic.

Aanchal Rai is a Registered Psychotherapist, with a Masters in Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto. She has over 10 years of experience in providing therapy and counselling to adults and youth suffering from a range of psychological problems. These include (but not limited to): depression; anxiety; relationships issues; post-traumatic stress disorder; childhood trauma; domestic abuse; obsessive compulsive disorder; eating disorders; pain disorders; bereavement; parenting and family concerns. She also conducts psychological assessments for people who have experience trauma related to motor-vehicle accidents and various other life changing situations.

Ms. Rai has previously worked at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto and with clients suffering from domestic abuse. She works with adults, youth and couples, age 16 and over and is fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi. Additionally, she has published scholarly articles and a book based on extensive research in the field of multicultural counselling.

*Available at Bhatia Psychology Group – Richmond Hill clinic.

Shelly Buckingham holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Dalhousie University and a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. She is a member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario, registered as a Psychological Associate. She has over fifteen years of experience working with children, adolescents and their parents on a wide range of concerns. These include difficulties with mood, anxiety, attention, behaviour, relationships and school-adjustment concerns.  Shelly is experienced in providing psychological assessments as well as individual counselling with children and adolescents.  She uses a client-centred and strengths-based approach to her treatment, drawing from a variety of modalities including Mindfulness therapies, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

 

Most recently, Shelly has worked in the Psychological Services Department at the Durham District School Board in addition to Private Practice. At the school board, she has provided assessment, staff consultation and counselling for children and adolescents with a wide range of needs.  For the past two years, Shelly has also served as an Adjunct Clinical Supervisor for the School and Clinical Child program in the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development at the University of Toronto, Ontario.  Prior to working with the school board, she was employed by a community mental health agency where she provided assessment and counselling for youth and their families.

*Available at Bhatia Psychology Group – Richmond Hill clinic.