MSW, RSW, Partner

Tara is a Registered Social Worker with a Master’s in Social Work from Massey University in New Zealand, and has worked in mental health for over 17 years. Tara’s clinical experience spans hospital settings, outpatient teams, and family health clinics in both Hamilton and Auckland, where she has supported individuals and families through a wide range of emotional and life challenges.

Tara takes a warm, and holistic approach to therapy. She works with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, self confidence, grief and loss, parenting and family stress, relationship challenges, and the emotional weight that can come with major life transitions.

Depending on individual needs Tara will draw from a range of therapeutic modalities including a strengths based, and mindfulness lens and incorporating Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), along with other evidence informed modalities and interventions. Tara has completed CBT Level I & II for Depression and Anxiety Disorders and has obtained the CBT certificate from Laurier University.  She values a collaborative approach to therapy, and enjoys guiding individuals on their journey of personal growth and wellness. 

Tara's caseload is currently full. Please contact Erin, the Intake Coordinator, so we can match you with the best therapist that fits your needs.

M.Ed, RP, Partner

Megan Hope believes that learning to understand your emotions is the key to less anxiety and loneliness, and a life where you can feel at ease, confident and content. A registered Psychotherapist with a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology from the OISE/University of Toronto, Megan has worked in the field for 20 years. 

Having worked in a variety of settings, including hospital clinics and primary care teams, Megan now works with clients one-on-one to help them with a variety of issues. These include: anxiety (work-related and general); relationship issues; emotion regulation difficulties; boundaries; depression; grief; and family relationships. 

Her clinical approach includes cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), person-centred, emotion focused therapy (EFT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).In her two decades of working in this field, Megan has come to understand that no matter how stuck you feel, the experience of therapy can give you the opportunity to shift into a better place.

MC, RP, Partner

Lauren holds a Master's Degree in Counselling Psychology and is a Registered Psychotherapist with over 15 years of experience providing mental health support across various settings, including early intervention programs, youth justice, walk-in clinics, and family practice clinics. That breadth of experience has shaped the way Lauren works: with flexibility, warmth, and deep respect for every person’s story.

She is deeply committed to building strong, trusting relationships with her clients, fostering an environment where they feel safe, understood, and supported. Lauren's clinical interests encompass working with individuals and couples to address challenges such as anxiety, depression, grief, emotion regulation, boundaries, communication, family dynamics and self-esteem/self-worth. 

Taking a client-centered approach, Lauren emphasizes the importance of self-care and self-compassion as essential tools for personal growth. She integrates a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Self-Compassion, tailoring her methods to align with each client's unique needs and goals.

Lauren also provides consultation/ supervision services to Social Workers and Psychotherapists. Lauren believes in the value of supervision and the mutually beneficial learning that comes from case consultation. Lauren strives to create a collaborative and reflective environment for her supervisees.

MSW, RSW, Associate

Michelle is a Registered Social Worker. She has clinical experience in the areas of sexual violence, childhood abuse, intimate partner abuse/domestic violence, depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulties.

She has training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) as an evidence-based treatment for PTSD; Clinical Traumatologist training and certification from the Traumatology Institute (Canada); and training in CBT for the treatment of mental health difficulties from Wilfrid Laurier University. Michelle’s early training began in Social Work research, policy, and Anti-Oppressive Practice, which evolved into a focus on clinical work. Michelle provided counselling and psychotherapy for almost nine years at a Sexual Assault / Domestic Violence Treatment Centre in Ontario where she supported many individuals and families in healing from trauma.

In addition to her role at Locke Psychotherapy Group, Michelle currently works with post-secondary students by supporting each to address a variety of mental health difficulties and life challenges.

Michelle's caseload is currently full. Please contact Erin, the Intake Coordinator, so we can match you with the best therapist that fits your needs.

RSW, MSW, Associate

Annie is a graduate of the University of Toronto where she earned her Master of Social Work degree. As a Registered Social Worker, Annie has a complex understanding of the psychological and social factors that influence mental health and wellness. She has a strong passion to help promote secure, resilient individuals, as well as successful relationships between and within families. Annie uses a calm, welcoming approach, championing the journey and successes of those she’s working with.

With over 10 years of experience providing mental health services, Annie has had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including: schools, primary care, military operations, youth justice, private practice, athletics and sport organizations. 

Annie is currently available to work with individuals who have concerns related to: anxiety, depression, emotion regulation, stress management, self-esteem, gender and sexuality, parenting skills training, and children & youth with disordered eating patterns. Annie often brings a certified K9 friend to sessions. 

MSW, RSW, Associate

Anna has been providing psychotherapy in the area of trauma for twenty years.  She is aware that even though the memories of trauma cannot be undone, people can heal from their experiences and move forward in a more fulfilling way for themselves. Recognizing that PTSD can be debilitating, Anna works with her Clients to build coping tools, process, and understand the impact of their trauma.

Anna has her Master’s degree in Social Work and understands the importance of consistently building her therapeutic skills, with the latest, evidence based modalities, to optimize a person’s experience in therapy.  She has completed extensive training which includes, both Level One and Level Two of EMDR, CBT, DBT, and is currently in the process of being certified in Somatic Experiencing.  She has received her certification in Traumatology at the Traumatology Institute. 

Most of Anna’s therapeutic background has been working in the field of Intimate Partner Violence, sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, and domestic violence. She has extensive experience working with dissociation and specifically DID. Further, her experience working in oncology, palliation, and chronic medical illness, has given her a broader knowledge and appreciation of the impact they have in one’s life, and is able to provide a safe therapeutic space for a person to cope and understand their journey with these life experiences.

MA, RP, MTA, Associate

Matthew has a Master’s degree in Music Therapy and Counseling from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA and is a Registered Psychotherapist. He has spent three years working in an acute care mental healthcare setting working with a wide variety of presenting problems and populations.

Recently, Matthew has been providing individual therapy in a private practice setting to individuals in Ontario. Matthew has an interest in working with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, relationship problems, trauma, and anger management. Additionally, Matthew has an interest in working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Formally trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Matthew uses a strengths-based, person-centred approach that helps empower individuals to reach their goals. In the midst of a world that can frequently be isolating, Matthew’s person-centred approach provides a warm, safe space for clients to explore their emotions and build insight in connection.

PhD, MSW, RSW, Associate

Melissa is a Registered Social Worker and focuses her practice on supporting youth who are experiencing relationship challenges (e.g., with peers, siblings, parents, intimate or dating partners), as well as overwhelming emotions. 

She primarily practices from a cognitive-behavioural and emotion-focused perspective; she has advanced training in both of these approaches and in motivational interviewing. She has a special interest in supporting female athletes experiencing emotional and mental health challenges and related to this, she has a graduate certificate Sport Social Work from the University of Michigan. She also completed a PhD in Health Research Methodology at McMaster University.

In addition to her part-time role at Locke Psychotherapy Group, Melissa is a full-time Associate Professor and the Chedoke Health Chair in Child Psychiatry, within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University. She is Core Faculty Member of the Offord Centre for Child Studies, which is also at McMaster.

Melissa's caseload is currently full. Please contact Erin, the Intake Coordinator, so we can match you with the best therapist that fits your needs.

MSW, RSW, Associate

Susan completed her Masters of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University.  She has been working as a therapist for the past 18 years.  She worked at McMaster University, doing personal counselling with students, while carrying a part time practice of her own. Susan loves to work with issues such as stress, self esteem, and life transitions such as having children, parenting, adjusting to empty nesting, and relationship issues. She has training in and uses Self Compassion, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, Emotionally Focussed Therapy, Gottman and Solution Focussed therapy.

Susan offers counselling that can provide you with a different perspective and new tools for managing life’s challenges. In a relaxed and open-minded setting, she works with her clients to identify how you want to feel in your life.  Susan will develop a plan to achieve your goals and increase your well-being. She draws on both her professional and personal experience to help you identify your own strengths and find solutions that work for you, while honouring your experiences, feelings and beliefs.

Intake Coordinator

As our Intake Coordinator and the first point of contact at Locke Psychotherapy, Erin strives to create a welcoming environment, offering reassurance to those seeking help, addressing any questions or concerns they may have, and connecting them with one of our many therapists.

Erin has a Bachelor’s degree from McMaster University in the Psychology of Human Behaviour. Erin has years of experience in the mental health field working as a research assistant, intake coordinator, and case manager in various hospital settings, therapy clinics, and non-profit organizations.