Our Team

Rafia Irum holds an M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology and is a graduate in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). She is certified in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT), and Art Therapy (ART). With a strong academic background and nearly a decade of professional experience, Rafia brings both deep clinical knowledge and practical expertise to her work.

Her experience spans psychological testing, diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions, including CBT and counselling for adults facing challenges such as depression, anxiety, stress, and adjustment difficulties. In addition, she has extensive expertise in the field of ABA, working for almost 10 years with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and other developmental disorders.

Rafia has successfully provided therapy in a variety of settings, including one-to-one sessions, group programs, and counselling for parents and families. She has supported children struggling with low self-esteem, difficulties forming friendships, experiences of bullying, and emotional regulation challenges. Through her compassionate and evidence-based approach, many of her clients have gained the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to live successful and fulfilling lives.

Rafia is passionate about empowering both children and adults to reach their full potential. Her unique combination of clinical psychology training, ABA expertise, and counselling skills makes her a trusted professional for families seeking comprehensive support.

Dr. Sherman is highly skilled in delivering personalized, evidence-based interventions for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD) and a broad range of developmental challenges. With a particular focus on enhancing communication, social competence, emotional regulation, and fostering independence, he integrates his extensive expertise in autism therapy to provide comprehensive support tailored to each child’s unique needs. His clinical practice draws upon a diverse repertoire of therapeutic modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Brainspotting, Art Therapy, Anger Management, Addiction Support, and specialized child-centered clinical interventions. Fluent in both English and French, Dr. Sherman is able to engage effectively with families from diverse backgrounds, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity in care, he provides rigorous oversight to ensure that individualized behavior intervention plans are thoughtfully designed and implemented, enabling children to thrive within a structured, supportive, and compassionate environment.

Munazza Tahir is an experienced clinician, educator, and researcher specializing in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), cognitive accessibility, and disability studies. She holds a Ph.D. in Community Psychology from the University of Ottawa, with a Microprogram in Evaluation of Social and Health Programs and Policies, and is a Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA Ont.) and Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). Her career spans leadership roles in clinical practice and community-based research. For over 15 years, Dr. Tahir has provided clinical oversight within the Ontario Autism Program, including supervisory roles at Mackenzie Health in York Region and Simcoe County, Grandview Children’s Centre in Durham Region and Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa. Dr. Tahir has developed and delivered ABA-based curricula and workshops and led interdisciplinary teams supporting individuals with cognitive disabilities. She emphasizes evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive ABA practices, rooted in her experiences as a woman of colour in the South Asian community. In parallel, she conducts research involving parents with intellectual disabilities and has coordinated inclusive research projects, supervised student clinicians and researchers, and produced several peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and policy briefs. Her work is driven by a commitment to excellence in ABA and advancing accessibility and inclusion within clinical services, education, and research.

Mariceli has spent years working with children and still finds herself inspired by their creativity and resilience every day. As the center’s Coordinator and a Behaviour Therapist, she’s passionate about helping kids grow their confidence by celebrating all achievements. She comes with a background supporting children with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and those from low-income communities. With experience in hospital, center-based, and home settings, plus over seven years as a teacher’s assistant and tutor, Mariceli has supported children ages 5–12 in subjects like Mathematics, Science, English, French, and Spanish Language Arts. She is dedicated to support the growth, learning, and positive development of every child she works with.

I completed my Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology in University of Ottawa in 2019. Since then, I’ve been working in the ABA field with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I started as a Behavioural Therapist and gained experience in running programs and de-escalating behaviours. I am currently a Senior Therapist supervising therapy sessions and working on implementing individualized support plans tailored at social, emotional, and behavioural skills. I’ve always been passionate about working with children aiming to support their overall development and well being. 

Samantha Berardesca is a registered speech-language pathologist with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) and a certified member of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC). Samantha is the Clinical Director of TalkInc Speech, Language, & Voice Therapy – a private practice clinic serving families across Ontario.

Samantha received her Master of Music Education from Columbia University and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Dalhousie University. She has clinical experience working with adults and children in the areas of articulation and phonology, developmental language, cleft palate, voice, stuttering, traumatic brain injury, and aphasia across a variety of clinical settings – including private practice and the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).

Samantha is dedicated to delivering creative and effective speech, language, and voice therapy and continues to train in evidence-based programs such as PROMPT and PECS, while staying current with developments in the field of communication. Samantha welcomes the opportunity to work with you on your communication needs!

Ella Beaudry is a dedicated behavioural therapist with a passion for helping individuals develop the skills they need to thrive. Ella has completed the 40-hour Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT) training, allowing her to implement evidence-based behavioural interventions that support meaningful change in the lives of children, adolescents, and their families. She has extensive experience teaching children a variety of academic subjects, while also supporting their development in emotional regulation and social skills. Ella’s approach is grounded in the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), working closely with clients and clinicians to create structured, individualized programs that promote growth, independence, and confidence with the goal to empower clients and support their long term well-being. In addition to her clinical work, Ella is currently pursuing her degree in Psychology at the University of Ottawa. This academic foundation deepens her understanding of human behaviour and continues to inform her therapeutic practice.

Shalini has spent the past six years working with children, and she’s still convinced she learns just as much from them as they do from her. As an ABA therapist, she’s passionate about helping young people uncover their strengths — one step, one skill, and one joyful moment at a time. She has a special love for working with children and youth with special needs, tailoring her approach to celebrate what makes each client unique. Through compassionate and personalized support, Shalini empowers her clients to build communication, social, and daily living skills — cheering them on as they gain confidence, independence, and the occasional well-earned bragging rights. She’s a big believer in the magic of small victories and loves collaborating with families to make sure every bit of progress (no matter how tiny) gets the celebration it deserves. High fives, dance parties, or bunny-approved fist bumps, all victories welcome. Outside of sessions, you’ll likely find Shalini winding down with her very spoiled pet bunny (who may or may not think he’s the real therapist) or laughing with friends about life’s latest adventures. Whether she’s guiding a child through a new challenge or finding joy in the everyday, Shalini brings heart, humour, and a deep belief that every step forward is something worth smiling about.