In addition to clinical work, Dr. Frank served as a research consultant to the department of psychiatry at the Jewish General Hospital for over 15 years. She has published many articles in academic journals and three chapters in scholarly books. Some of these publications were research studies on personality disorders and divorce. Her most recent publication, entitled Understanding Yourself and Your Relationships: Notes From a Therapist’s Desk was written primarily for therapists and focuses on reflective papers based on clinical observations.
Dr. Frank’s primary therapeutic orientation is psychodynamic, an approach that encourages clients to examine the reasons for repetitive behavior patterns, to appreciate their contributions to these patterns, and to explore the motives of significant others. Dr. Frank values transparency in her supervisory style and her warmth and humour makes her a pleasure to work with.
Dr. Frank is a current member of L’Ordre des Psychologues du Québec (Permit #00996-68).
Dr. Alina Kao is a licensed clinical psychologist specialized in couple therapy, reproductive health issues, and the treatment of sexual difficulties such as low sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, premature or delayed ejaculation, difficulties with orgasm, and genital/pelvic pain. She also has expertise treating a variety of general areas such as depression, anxiety, stress management, chronic pain, coping with illness, relationship issues, difficult life transitions, low self-esteem, as well as personal growth and development.
Dr. Kao received her Ph.D. from McGill University. She is on staff in the Psychology Department of the McGill University Health Center (MUHC), and is affiliated with the Sex and Couple Therapy Service, the Schizophrenia Tertiary Service, and the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Service of the Allan Memorial Institute. During the course of her training and career, she has worked in university settings, general hospitals, mental health hospitals, as well as a private multidisciplinary pain clinic.
Her therapy orientation is integrative and evidence-based. She draws from several approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Systemic Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to develop a customized treatment to meet the specific needs of each individual or couple.
Dr. Kao is a current member of L’Ordre des Psychologues du Québec (Permit #12094-12).
Dr. Lewkowski is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in evidence-based psychotherapy, primarily cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). His approach starts with the assumption that as humans we are all imperfect, and he works with clients to use their own, as well as new, coping skills to adjust to ongoing challenges.
Dr. Lewkowski has significant experience addressing perfectionism, depression, social anxiety, panic, phobias, obsessions and compulsions (OCD), insomnia, trauma, anger management, stress management, life transitions, and family relationships. He strives to make therapy an active process and to keep therapy sessions time-limited to increase results for efforts.
Dr. Lewkowski gained his experience working as a clinical psychologist in the city’s major hospitals and in private practice performing psychological assessments and doing therapy with adolescents and adults. He is fully bilingual in French and English.
Dr. Lewkowski is a current member of L’Ordre des Psychologues du Québec (Permit #10926-07).
Dr. Jeff Anyan received his Ph.D. from Concordia University and is a licensed clinical psychologist. He has trained in various settings including private practice, universities, hospitals as well as specialized mental health clinics. Over the course of his training, he has worked and studied in Montreal, Toronto, and Europe.
Dr. Anyan has extensive experience working with diverse problems including depression, anxiety, and trauma. In addition, he works with issues related to the self, such as identity, life’s transitions, stress and burnout. He also works with issues related to interpersonal relationships, including difficulties in developing and maintaining relationships, and attachment styles.
Acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness meditation, and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) form the cornerstone of Dr. Anyan’s therapeutic approach. Yet he understands that each person has individual needs, so his treatment plans are tailored for each client. He offers open discussion and a warm environment in which clients feel accepted and supported throughout the process.
Dr. Anyan is a current member of L’Ordre des Psychologues du Québec (Permit #13548-19).
Dr. Michael Benibgui is a licensed clinical psychologist with 20 years experience who received his Ph.D. from Concordia University and additional postdoctoral training at Columbia University.
He spent 12 years in New York City directing clinical trials and government-funded community mental health programs treating co-occurring disorders / dual diagnoses (mental health disorders combined with substance use disorders) in underserved populations, such as LGBTQ+, People Living with HIV, and homeless individuals.
Subsequently, Dr. Benibgui was a founding member of the first group private practice in Manhattan offering services and training in Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy for the treatment of aforementioned disorders, primarily working with executives in high performance / high stress environments within the financial sectors.
He utilizes a personalized integrative approach, combining Psychodynamic Therapy and other Evidence Based methods, including Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness-Based Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in order to tailor treatment to the needs of his clients, all the while nurturing the creation and maintenance of a strong therapeutic alliance. His style is conversational, interactive, and at times appropriately humorous.
Dr. Benibgui currently specializes in working with people struggling with mood and anxiety disorders, OCD, compulsive behaviors (sex addiction, alcohol / substance abuse, eating disorders, and other risk behaviors), kink and other expressions of alternative sexuality, work / life and relationship stressors and borderline personality disorder.
He has specialized training and conducted research studies serving the LGBTQ+ population, including individuals seeking guidance and support for gender confirmation surgery.
Dr. Benibgui is one of only a few psychologists in Canada offering Psychedelic Integration Therapy for those seeking insight into their experiences, and relief from anxiety and other mood disorders.
Dr Benibgui is a member of l’Ordre des Psychologues du Quebec (Permit #10314-04), and licensed in New York State (License #019286).
We welcome applications from Ph.D. candidates and licensed psychologists year round. Applicants can send their CV with a letter of intent and 3 reference letters to drwendywood@gmail.com.
For external practicum students who are following Match Day in February, please submit your application before December 1st. Following receipt of your application, we will contact you shortly after to set up an interview (typically in person). If you have questions about our program or application process, please contact Dr. Wood at drwendywood@gmail.com.
We look forward to hearing from you!
We look forward to working with you!
