Dr. Tricia Williams,
PhD, C.Psych, ABPP-CN
Executive Director
Tricia Williams, PhD
Dr. Williams received her PhD in Clinical Developmental Psychology at York University. She completed her Postdoctoral fellowships in health psychology at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and clinical neuropsychology at Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary. Dr. Williams is a board-certified Clinical Neuropsychologist and Paediatric Subspecialist through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). Currently, Dr. Williams is a Clinical Neuropsychologist and Health Clinician-Scientist at SickKids in the Division of Neurology. In her clinical role, she leads the Neonatal Neuropsychological services for assessment and consultation for children and families following neonatal brain injury and associated medical conditions. Dr. Williams also provides families ongoing consultation.
As a Health Clinician-Scientist, co-director of the NeuroOutcomes lab, and co-chair of the NeuroOutcomes Family Advisory Committee, Williams’ research focuses on neuropsychological outcomes following early brain injury and the importance of supporting the family in optimizing resilience. She is the principal investigator of the I-InTERACT-North project and the Parent Experiences project. Together with a multi-disciplinary team, a strong group of students and research staff, Dr. Williams’ research program aims to learn more about modifiable factors promoting resilience following early brain injury, and to identify modes of service delivery that will optimize neuropsychological outcomes.
Dr. Robyn Westmacott,
PhD, C.Psych
Co-Director
Robin Westmacott, PhD
Dr. Westmacott received her PhD in Psychology (Brain & Behaviour) from The University of Toronto. She completed Postdoctoral fellowships in the Stroke Program at Toronto Western Hospital and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). She trained in Paediatric Neuropsychology at SickKids and is currently a board-certified Clinical Neuropsychologist and Paediatric Subspecialist through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). Dr. Westmacott currently holds a position at SickKids as a Clinical Neuropsychologist with the Children’s Stroke program. In addition to clinical work, Dr. Westmacott is involved in teaching, supervision and mentorship of trainees, as well as clinical research. She is currently an associated professor in Paediatrics within the Faculty of Medicine at The University of Toronto and is an adjunct faculty member in the Graduate Psychology Program at York University. Dr. Westmacott’s research focuses on neurocognitive and mental health outcomes in children with a history of stroke and other neurovascular disorders.
Dr. Katia Sinopoli,
PhD, C.Psych
Co-Director
Katia Sinopoli, PhD
Dr. Katia Sinopoli received her M.Sc. in Neuroscience from the University of British Columbia and her PhD in Psychology from the University of Toronto. She is a licensed Psychologist with specialization in Neuropsychology (competency working with children, teens and adults). She currently holds a position as a Psychologist within the Department of Psychology and Division of Neurology at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Dr. Sinopoli’s research has focused on examining the neurocognitive outcomes of various brain disorders and injuries in children and youth (e.g. multiple sclerosis, NF1).
Dr. Renee Sananes,
PhD, C.Psych
Co-Director
Renee Sananes, PhD
Dr. Renee Sananes is a registered Psychologist in the Division of Cardiology at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Her clinical and research work focuses on assessment of neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants and children with congenital heart disease. Additionally, Dr. Sananes examines identifying factors that promote quality of life in families and children with congenital heart disease.
Dr. Naddley Désiré,
PhD, C.Psych
Co-Director
Naddley Désiré, PhD
Dr. Désiré received her PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology at Université de Montréal. She completed her Postdoctoral fellowship in Paediatric Clinical Neuropsychology at Alberta Children’s Hospital. Dr. Désiré is a Clinical Neuropsychologist at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in the Division of Neurology and Plastic Surgery. In her role, she is providing bilingual assessment and consultation services for children and families following neonatal brain injury and with congenital or neurological conditions. Dr. Désiré’s research interests focus on examining the neurocognitive and psychosocial outcomes in children and youth with acquired brain injuries and neurological conditions. At the NeuroOutcomes lab, she is currently collaborating with Dr. Williams on a clinical project investigating the feasibility and client satisfaction of a novel tiered tele-neuropsychological approach to delivering video-conferenced based screening assessments to children and families.
Dr. Rivky Green,
PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, Senior Therapist
Rivky Green, PhD
Rivky completed her PhD in Clinical-Developmental Neuropsychology in Dr. Christine Till’s lab at York University. Her clinical intervention interests are on prevention and management of neurodevelopmental disorders in children, including by optimizing parenting strategies for these children. In the NeuroOutcomes lab, Rivky is a senior therapist on the Surviving and Thriving and Stepping up to COVID-19 studies. Rivky’s assessment experience has focused on paediatric neuropsychological assessments for children with early brain injury with an emphasis on remediation. Her research focuses on examining the effects of prenatal exposures to environmental neurotoxins on childhood health outcomes. Rivky is also focusing on knowledge dissemination in the field of prenatal health and aims to apply her research and clinical background to optimize child health outcomes before insult occurs.
Dr. Bianca Bondi,
PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, I-InTERACT-North Therapist
Bianca Bondi, PhD
Bianca is a doctoral candidate in the Clinical-Developmental Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology programs at York University and she will be commencing her psychology residency at The Hospital for Sick Children in the fall. Bianca is excited to be joining the I-InTERACT Team as she is passionate about working with young children who have experienced neurodevelopmental risks. In her spare time, Bianca loves doing puzzles and spending time with her two godchildren.
Dr. Rachael Lyon,
PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, I-InTERACT-North Therapist
Rachael Lyon, PhD
Rachael is a doctoral student in the Clinical-Developmental Neuropsychology Psychology program at York University. She completed her master’s in Clinical-Developmental Psychology in 2019. Rachael has trained at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) with the Epilepsy Surgery Program and Epilepsy Classroom, at Toronto Western Hospital with the Tourette Syndrome Neurodevelopmental Clinic and at the York University Psychology Clinic where she has gained experience working with children, youth, and families with a variety of presenting concerns. She has also received training through her long-standing involvement in clinical research at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Rachael has experience delivering a number of evidenced-based treatments, including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), parenting programs (e.g., The Incredible Years), DBT, and play-based therapy.
Marin Taylor
Clinical Research Project Manager
Marin Taylor, BA (Hons)
Marin completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University, and she worked in the Clinical Research Centre at SickKids before joining the NeuroOutcomes lab in 2023. She assists with research on parent-child relationships and interventions for youth mental health, including the I-InTERACT-North program.
Jana El-Sabbagh
Clinical Research Project Assistant
Jana El-Sabbagh, BSc
Jana graduated from York University with a degree in Specialized Honours Psychology. Prior to joining the NeuroOutcomes lab, she worked on research projects related to concussions and head injuries sustained from sports and electric vehicles. She also focused on the impact of community water fluoridation on IQ development. Currently she assists with research on parent-child relationships and interventions for youth mental health, including the I-InTERACT-North program.
Matthew Andres
MA
Psychometrist
Matthew Andres, MA
Sarah Cunningham
BA (Hons), OCT
Family Advisory Committee Co-Chair
Sarah Cunningham, BA (Hons), OCT
Sarah was first introduced to the Neonatal Neuropsychology Department at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in 2014, after the birth of her daughter. She now proudly holds the position of co-chair of the NeuroOutcomes Family Advisory committee, speaking to the importance of family supports, highlighting resiliency, following initial diagnoses.
Patricia Arseneau,
B.Ed., MA
Psychometrist
Patricia Arseneau, MA
Dr. Ali Taradash,
PhD
I-InTERACT-North Therapist
Ali Taradash, PhD
Dr. Ali Taradash received her PhD in Clinical Developmental Psychology from York University in October, 2007. Her research focused on romantic relationships in adolescence and their links with psychosocial functioning. While completing her clinical requirements for the PhD, she completed her clinical training at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Dr. Taradash has training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), parent-child therapy, play-based therapy, as well as the I-Interact-North program.
Dr. Dragana Ostojic-Aitkens,
PhD, C. Psych
I-InTERACT-North Therapist
Dragana Ostojic-Aitkens, PhD, C. Psych
I am a clinical neuropsychologist affiliated with the Division of Cardiology. I wanted to join the I-InTERACT program because I think it is important to increase access to intervention services for our vulnerable patients and families. I am mother of two young girls.
Dr. Claire Champigny,
PhD
I-InTERACT-North Therapist
Claire Champigny, PhD
Claire is a pediatric neuropsychologist and post-doctoral fellow at the Hospital for Sick Children. She is excited to be joining the I-InTERACT Team as a therapist because she is passionate about improving the well-being of children with complex medical needs both in-hospital and at home with their families. In her spare time, she loves to play with her toddler, eat French pastries, and explore cafes around the city.
Samantha Feldman,
MSc, MA
I-InTERACT-North Therapist
Samantha Feldman
Samantha is currently in her third year of pursuing a PhD in Clinical-Developmental Neuropsychology at York University. Her research interests primarily revolve around social cognition and social-emotional development following pediatric stroke. In terms of clinical experience, Samantha has undergone training in neuropsychological assessment within the Stroke and General Neurology programs at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Additionally, she has actively collaborated with children and their families, delivering evidence-based interventions within the Tourette Syndrome clinic at SickKids.
Carly Goodman,
MA
I-InTERACT-North Therapist
Carly Goodman, MA
Carly is entering the first year of her PhD in the Clinical Developmental Neuropsychology program at York University and is passionate about optimizing outcomes in children at neurological risk through early intervention. Outside of her PhD, Carly enjoys Pilates, exploring the world, and indulging in her passion for interior design.
Leila Kahnami,
MA
I-InTERACT-North Therapist
Leila Kahnami, MA
Leila is in her third year of her PhD studying Clinical-Developmental Neuropsychology in Dr. Mary Desrocher’s lab at York University. Throughout her education and clinical experience, Leila has seen the positive effects of parental engagement, inspiring her to delve deeper into this field. She is thrilled to join the I-InTERACT-North team, where she looks forward to broadening her skills and applying her passion hands-on and hopes to positively impact families’ lives. In her free time, she enjoys connecting with nature through her favourite activity – camping.
Hiba Al-Akeem,
MA
I-InTERACT-North Therapist
Hiba Al-Akeem, MA
Hiba Al-Hakeem is a second-year PhD candidate in Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Windsor. Hiba enjoys working with children and their families and looks forward to supporting families by building meaningful connections through I-InTERACT. During her free time, she likes going on runs and trying out different group fitness classes!