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Neurodivergence Therapy

Difference is Not a Deficit. It’s a Way of Being.

Compassionate, anti-ableist therapy for children, teens, and late-diagnosed adults. At Nova Phoenix, we don't try to "fix" you—we celebrate how your mind works.

No wait list!
(905) 980-0632

Affirming Neurodivergent Support

At Nova Phoenix Counselling Services, we believe your brain’s unique wiring is a strength, not something that needs "fixing." We provide a neuro-affirming space for individuals navigating ADHD, Autism, and other neurodivergent experiences. Our approach moves away from traditional "compliance" models, focusing instead on helping you understand your sensory needs, manage executive functioning challenges, and advocate for yourself in a world built for neurotypical standards.

Our clinicians recognize that neurodivergence often intersects with anxiety and depression. We offer a safe, judgment-free environment where you don’t have to "mask" your true self. Whether you are seeking a formal diagnosis, processing a late-in-life discovery, or looking for practical strategies to thrive, we collaborate with you to build a life that honors your natural rhythm and authentic identity.
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How We Help

Strength-Based Approach

We focus on your unique talents and abilities rather than just "symptoms."

Anti-Ableist Therapy

We don't believe in "correction." We believe in understanding and accommodating your brain.

Practical Strategies

Providing tools for emotional regulation, executive functioning, and navigating a neurotypical world.
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Therapy on Your Terms: Accessible & Flexible Care

At Nova Phoenix Counselling Services, we believe that getting help shouldn't be another source of stress. We’ve removed traditional barriers to care by offering diverse therapy formats that adapt to your lifestyle and comfort level. Whether you prefer the energy of a face-to-face meeting or the convenience of your own couch, we have an option for you:
  • In-Person Sessions: Visit us for traditional, one-on-one support in a safe and welcoming environment.
  • Secure Virtual Therapy: Connect with your therapist from anywhere in Ontario through our private, encrypted video platform.
  • Walking Therapy: For those who find movement helpful, these outdoor sessions combine the benefits of nature with clinical support.

Neuro-Affirming Therapy: Embracing Your Authentic Self

At Nova Phoenix Counselling Services, we view neurodivergence as a natural way of being, not a deficit to be corrected. Whether you are a parent seeking support for a child or an adult navigating a late-in-life discovery, we provide a safe, anti-ableist space grounded in clarity and compassion.
Our specialized support includes:
  • Children & Youth: Decades of experience supporting kids and teens with ADHD, Autism, ODD, and learning disabilities. We move away from "compliance" and focus on strengths, self-understanding, and tools that actually fit their lives.
  • Late-Diagnosed Adults: Specialized care for those who have spent years "masking" their struggles. We help you unmask and process your identity with kindness and validation.
  • Family Guidance: Support for families who feel exhausted or discouraged. We help replace confusion with clear answers and practical strategies for daily life.
  • Strengths-Based Approach: We celebrate your unique wiring, focusing on self-advocacy and sensory needs rather than trying to fit you into a neurotypical mold.
Here, we believe your difference deserves understanding and respect. We are here to help you or your child reconnect with confidence and thrive in a world that often feels overwhelming.
 

Affirming Neurodivergence: Difference, Not Deficit

At Nova Phoenix Counselling Services, we believe that neurodivergence—including ADHD, Autism, ODD, and learning disabilities—is a different way of being that deserves understanding, not correction. We provide a neuro-affirming space where you don’t have to "mask" to fit in.
Our approach focuses on:
  • Support for Children & Teens: With decades of experience, our psychotherapists help youth navigate a world not always built for them. We move away from "compliance" and focus on building self-understanding, anti-ableism, and practical daily strategies.
  • Adults & Late-Diagnosis: Many people spend years exhausted from masking their struggles without knowing why. We specialize in supporting those navigating a late-in-life ADHD or Autism discovery, helping you process your identity with compassion.
  • Empowering Families: If you’re feeling discouraged or confused after years of searching for answers, we provide the clarity and tools your family needs to move forward with confidence.
  • Strengths-Based Care: We view your unique brain wiring as a strength. Our goal is to help you build a life that respects your sensory needs and honors your authentic self.
At Nova Phoenix, we meet you where you are with decades of expertise and a commitment to seeing the person, not just a diagnosis.

Support for Children, Teens, and Families

Many families come to us feeling exhausted or discouraged after years of searching for answers. Our psychotherapists bring decades of experience in supporting neurodivergent youth. We help children and teens move away from "masking" and "compliance," focusing instead on:
  • Strengths-Based Growth: Building confidence by focusing on what makes them unique.
  • Practical Life Strategies: Developing tools for daily life that actually fit their brain wiring.
  • Compassionate Clarity: Providing families with the understanding and support they need to thrive together.
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Adult Support & Late-Diagnosis Discovery

It is common for adults to discover their neurodivergence later in life, often after years of struggling with unexplained burnout or exhaustion. We offer specialized care for:
  • Unmasking & Identity: Helping you process your past and embrace your authentic self without judgment.
  • Executive Functioning: Strategies for energy management and organization that work with your natural rhythm.
  • Sensory Awareness: Understanding your sensory needs to create a more supportive environment.
At Nova Phoenix, we meet you where you are with compassion and decades of expertise. Your unique way of experiencing the world is respected and celebrated here.
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Why Choose Nova Phoenix?

Decades of Experience

Our psychotherapists bring years of specialized expertise in supporting neurodivergent youth and families.

Empowerment Focus

We help you move from feeling "broken" to feeling empowered by your unique way of being.

Identity Affirmation

We celebrate neurodiversity as a natural and valuable part of human life.

Meet the Therapist

A compassionate therapist smiling warmly outdoors, ready to support your healing.

Zoe Sisson (she/her)

Zoe is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) completing her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology with a Minor in Anthropology from Western University. Her clinical experience spans youth mental health in live-in treatment settings as well as crisis intervention across local and national services supporting both youth and adults. In these roles, she has supported individuals navigating emotional dysregulation, family conflict, and complex life experiences.
Zoe specializes in working with youth and young adults as they navigate life transitions, identity development, relationships, and emotional challenges. Her approach is trauma-informed, relational, and client-centred, integrating evidence-based modalities to support meaningful and sustainable change. She focuses on building practical skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, while fostering insight and self-understanding.
Zoe is dedicated to building strong therapeutic relationships and creating a safe, respectful, and non-judgmental environment where clients feel supported in exploring their experiences. Her background in crisis work has strengthened her ability to remain grounded, responsive, and attuned in high-intensity situations.

She recognizes that periods of transition, particularly in adolescence, can feel overwhelming, and works collaboratively with clients to meet them where they are, supporting growth at a pace that feels manageable and empowering. Zoe values therapy rooted in trust and collaboration, helping clients develop tools and insights that translate into their everyday lives.

Zoe integrates elements of the following modalities into her practice:
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
• Narrative Therapy

A welcoming and professional female therapist smiling in a circular headshot.

Tia Van Fleet (she/her)

Tia is a Registered Social Worker with more than 15 years of experience supporting children, youth, adults, and families. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology (minor in Indigenous Studies) and a Bachelor of Social Work. Her career spans frontline, clinical, and community-based roles, supporting individuals navigating mental health challenges, addictions, system involvement, and complex life circumstances.

A significant portion of her career has focused on children and youth in residential, treatment, and community settings, where she works closely with parents, foster and adoptive families, as well as young people impacted by attachment disruptions and complex emotional or behavioural needs. She is skilled in building trust with even the most guarded children and creating spaces where caregivers feel informed, supported, and free from judgment.

Alongside her work with children and youth, Tia brings over a decade of experience supporting adults across crisis, acute care, forensic, domestic violence, and independent practice settings. Through her work in first responder mental health roles, she has developed a strong commitment to supporting this population, grounded in firsthand understanding of frontline culture, cumulative trauma, operational stress, and the unique barriers that can make seeking support difficult.

Early in her career, Tia worked with Indigenous communities through domestic violence agencies and in public education. With several family members who are Status First Nations, this work is both professionally and personally meaningful. It has shaped her ongoing passion for supporting Indigenous individuals and families in a way that is respectful, relational, and culturally responsive.

Tia has completed formal university-level training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, with additional training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, somatic and nervous system-based approaches, attachment-focused modalities, and specialized caregiver support frameworks. She is a registered member of the Canadian Association for Play Therapy and will begin advanced play therapy training this year, further integrating play-based approaches into her child and youth work.
Drawing on experience across child and youth care, adult mental health, first responders, and culturally informed practice, Tia combines extensive clinical knowledge with a deeply relational approach. She supports individuals and families through complex challenges, offering compassionate, skilled, and culturally sensitive guidance that empowers clients to build resilience, find clarity, and move forward with confidence. Her practice is grounded in trust, respect, and evidence-informed approaches, ensuring clients feel heard, understood, and supported throughout their care.
Siobhan Kenny

Siobhan Kenny (she/her)

Siobhan is a Registered Social Worker with a Bachelor and Masters degree in Social Work. Siobhan has worked with families, individuals and children over the last 8 years. Siobhan is also a Métis individual and a mother of two children.
Siobhan is a dedicated and compassionate social worker who wants to foster change in the individuals and families she works with. She works from a client centered approach which focuses on the goals and values that you want to achieve.  She also enjoys working with children on emotional regulation, mental health and well-being, and navigating parental separation.

Siobhan is patient, non-judgmental, and extremely knowledgeable of resources that can support you and your family. Siobhan also has lived experience in managing family addiction, high conflict families, financial and housing stress, as well as loss of a parent and bereavement.

 

Siobhan utilizes CBT, DBT, solution focused and meditation strategies, just to name a few of her approaches. Siobhan is eager to help clients become their best self through empowerment and exploration of self-awareness. 

Thomas Tom

Thomas Tom (he/his)

Thomas is a Registered Social Worker. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Social Work from Christ University in Bangalore, India. After moving to Canada as a student, Thomas completed post-graduate programs in Community and Social Service Management at Conestoga College and in Autism and Behavioural Science at Niagara College.

Thomas is a dedicated and compassionate social worker, deeply committed to creating positive change in the lives of the individuals and families he serves. With over four years of experience, Thomas has worked with individuals, couples, youth, and families in a variety of community and mental health settings, including hospitals, group homes, and addiction centers. He is skilled in several therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Informed Care, and Crisis Intervention.

Thomas has a particular interest in working with South Asian men, individuals who have immigrated to Canada for studies and work, and those navigating the complexities of cultural identity. Having personally experienced the challenges of transitioning to a new country, he understands the unique struggles faced by immigrants and is passionate about supporting them in overcoming these obstacles.

In addition to his professional expertise, Thomas is fluent in English and Malayalam, and has the ability to communicate in Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada. His multicultural background and linguistic abilities allow him to connect with a diverse range of clients, ensuring that they feel seen, heard, and supported in their therapeutic journey.

Thomas also recognizes the importance of spirituality and cultural practices in individuals' well-being. He values the integration of cultural and spiritual aspects in therapy, which helps clients find meaning, strength, and resilience as they work through their challenges.

Tsarina Smith

Tsarina Smith (she/her)

Tsarina is pursuing her Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. She has her bachelors of honours in Sociology with a minor in women and gender studies.
For the past 7 years, Tsarina has been working with those experiencing homelessness in Hamilton, ON. During this time, she became familiar with the large gaps that exist within the system and decided to further her education to further support those in need. This work has created a solid foundation for Tsarina, where she has built skills working with those in crisis, experiencing complex situations as a result of situations outside of one’s control.

Tsarina has experience working with those struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, identity concerns, systemic injustices, and criminally involved individuals.

Tsarina strives to practice from anti-oppressive, non-judgemental, compassionate, and trauma-informed framework. Her hope is to continue to provide safe spaces in which people are able to feel empowered to improve themselves and the world around them.

Tsarina has begun some training in CBT and DBT. She has an eclectic approach including aspects of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Person-centered Therapy.

Neurodivergence: Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Neuro-affirming care" actually mean?

Neuro-affirming care means we don't see ADHD, Autism, or learning differences as "broken" versions of a neurotypical brain. We don't try to "fix" you or train you to act neurotypical. Instead, we validate your lived experience, help you understand your unique sensory and cognitive needs, and focus on building a life that accommodates your natural wiring.

Can you help if I suspect I have ADHD or Autism but don't have a formal diagnosis?

Absolutely. Many people seek therapy while in the process of self-discovery or while waiting for a formal assessment. We provide a safe space to explore these traits, process your history of "masking," and implement practical strategies immediately—regardless of whether you have an official piece of paper.

How do you support children who are struggling with "behavioral issues" or ODD?

We look beneath the surface. Often, what looks like "defiance" or "behavioral issues" is actually a response to sensory overload, communication barriers, or unmet needs. Our approach focuses on co-regulation, nervous system safety, and helping parents understand their child’s unique "language" rather than using punishment-based compliance.

My child/teen is already exhausted by school; will therapy just be "more work"?

We understand "autistic burnout" and "ADHD fatigue." Our sessions for youth are designed to be low-demand and high-connection. We meet them where they are—whether that’s through play, shared interests, or simply sitting together in a low-sensory environment. We focus on building self-esteem, not adding more tasks to their plate.

How can therapy help an adult who was diagnosed late in life?

Late diagnosis often brings a mix of relief and grief. We help you navigate the "re-framing" of your life—looking back at past struggles through a new, kinder lens. We focus on "unmasking" (learning to be your authentic self) and finding specific tools for executive functioning that actually work for a neurodivergent brain.

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Our Locations

Nova Phoenix Counselling Services

148 1/2 Welland Avenue, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2R 2N6

905-980-0632

Nova Phoenix Counselling Services

5679 Main Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario, L2G 5Z3

905-980-0632

Nova Phoenix Counselling Services

70 Seventh Street, Welland, Ontario, L3B 5B7

905-980-0632

Nova Phoenix Counselling Services

203-1038 Garner Road West, Ancaster, Ontario, L9G 3K9

905-980-0632

Nova Phoenix Counselling Services

 136 Gilmore Rd, Fort Erie, ON L2A 2M2, Canada

905-980-0632

Nova Phoenix Counselling Services

534 Brant St, Burlington, ON L7R 2G8, Canada

905-980-0632

Nova Phoenix Counselling Services

430 Hazeldean Road, Suite 227, Ottawa, ON K2L 1T9, Canada

905-980-0632

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