Kassandra Smalley

Therapy for Maternal Mental Health, ADHD & Autism

MACP, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), BASc, CYC

Book a Free Consultation with Kassandra

I support adults navigating anxiety, relationship patterns, and life transitions, with a focus on maternal mental health and neurodivergent individuals, including ADHD and autism. My approach to therapy is attachment-informed and trauma-aware, helping clients better understand long-standing patterns and build more supportive ways of relating to themselves and others.

My path into this work has not been linear, but it has always been rooted in a deep respect for people’s lived experiences and a belief that support should be compassionate, accessible, and human.

Over the past decade, I have worked across schools, treatment centres, social services, and medical settings. These experiences shaped my understanding that emotional well-being is influenced not only by individual experiences, but also by relationships, environments, and access to care.

Early in my career, I was drawn to working with children and youth. That work gave me a lasting understanding of how early emotional environments, especially those marked by stress, inconsistency, or unmet needs, can shape how we relate to ourselves and others later in life. Today, that foundation informs my work with adults who notice long-standing patterns such as anxiety, people-pleasing, self-doubt, or difficulty with closeness.

I also have a strong respect for neurodiversity and experience supporting neurodivergent individuals, including adults with ADHD and autism. Many people I work with have spent years adapting or masking in environments that were not designed with their needs in mind. My approach is affirming and individualized, focused on reducing stress and supporting more authentic ways of relating rather than trying to change who someone is.

Alongside this work, I have developed a growing focus on maternal mental health, including pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenthood. These changes can bring profound emotional shifts, identity changes, and nervous system overwhelm. Therapy can provide space to process these transitions with compassion and support.

Since completing my Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology, I bring an integrated clinical lens to my work grounded in attachment-informed and trauma-aware practice, while remaining practical and accessible. Therapy with me is collaborative, paced, and responsive. I value emotional safety, reflection, and developing insight that can be applied meaningfully to everyday life.

At its core, my work is about creating space, space to slow down, make sense of your experiences, and move forward with greater clarity and self-trust, especially during times of stress, transition, or change.

I also believe meaningful care includes attention to access and equity. Limited sliding-scale spots are available for individuals on fixed incomes during select days and times.

  • My approach to therapy is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in a deep respect for lived experience. I work from an attachment-informed and trauma-aware lens, with an understanding of how early relationships, ongoing stress, and broader systems shape emotional wellbeing across the lifespan. Therapy with me is paced and responsive, creating space to slow down, build insight, and explore patterns such as anxiety, people-pleasing, self-doubt, or difficulty with closeness. I offer affirming, individualized support for adults, including neurodivergent individuals, with a focus on emotional safety, self-understanding, and developing more authentic and sustainable ways of relating to yourself and others.

    • Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)

    • Attachment-based

    • Cognitive Behavioural (CBT)

    • Culturally Sensitive

    • Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

    • Emotionally Focused

    • Family Systems

    • Humanistic

    • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

    • Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)

    • Motivational Interviewing

    • Person-Centered

    • Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)

    • Strength-Based

    • Trauma Focused

    • Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology

      Yorkville University — 2025

    • Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) in Family and Community Social Services

      University of Guelph — 2023

    • Social Service Worker Diploma

      Humber College — 2023

    • Child and Youth Care Advanced Diploma (High Honours)

      Seneca College — 2020

  • Trauma, Attachment & Parts Work

    Training focused on trauma-informed and attachment-based psychotherapy.

    • An Attachment Focused Approach to Trauma and Loss | NICABM | George Faller & Leanne Campbell | 2026. 3 hours

    • 2-Day Intensive Trauma Treatment Certification Workshop | PESI | Arielle Schwartz, PhD | 2025. 12.5 hours

    • Getting Creative with Parts | PESI | Lisa Ferentz, LCSW-C | 2025. 4 hours

    • Emotionally Immature Parents and the Impact on Adult Children | Leading Edge Seminars | Dr. Lindsay Gibson | 2025. 3 hours

    • Trauma-Focused School Counseling | Mental Health Academy | Dr. Mark Brackett | 2025. 1 hour

    • Polyvagal Meets Attachment-Centered Play Therapy | PESI | Dr. Stephen Porges & Clair Mellenthin | 2025. 1.5 hours

    Suicide Risk, Self-Harm & Crisis Assessment

    Training related to suicide prevention, risk assessment, and crisis support.

    • Self-harm in Teenagers: The Spectrum from Nonsuicidal Self-Injury to Suicidality | SickKids CCMH Learning Institute | Marshall Korenblum, MD, FRCP©, Dip. Child Psych. | 2026. 6 hours

    • Understanding Youth Suicide Risk | Mental Health Academy | Dr. Jonathan Singer | 2025. 1 hour

    • Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) | Columbia Lighthouse Project | Kelly Posner, PhD | 2025.

    • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
      LivingWorks | 2018.

    Neurodiversity & Neuro-Affirming Care

    Training related to supporting neurodivergent clients, including ADHD and autism.

    • Affirming Play Therapy Approaches – The Agent of Change for Neurodivergent Kids | PESI | Robert Jason Grant, EdD | 2026. 1.5 hours

    • Neurodiversity Fundamentals | Mental Health Academy | Elaine Taylor-Klaus | 2025. 1 hour

    • Neurodiversity & Neuro-Affirming Counseling | Mental Health Academy | Dr. Emily Goodman-Scott | 2025. 1 hour

    • Autistic Children and Youth: Effective & Affirming Care | Leading Edge Seminars | Katy Albert, MEd | 2025. 6 hours

    Child & Adolescent Mental Health

    Training related to supporting children and adolescents.

    • Empowering Children Facing Cultural Trauma: Play Therapy Approaches to Build Resilience | PESI | Carmen Jimenez Pride & Catherine Denham | 2026. 2 hours

    • DBT for Adolescents (DBT-A) – Level 2 Accreditation | Association for Psychological Therapies (APT) | Online Modules | 2025. 18 hours

    • Adolescent Substance Use | Mental Health Academy | Dr. Amanda Giordano | 2025. 1 hour

    • The Purposeful Use of Daily Life Events (DLE)
      TransformAction Consultation & Training | 2019.

    Therapeutic Modalities & Clinical Skills

    Training in psychotherapy approaches and clinical interventions.

    • Recognizing and Treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder | Live Webinar CE Provider | Dr. Mia Nunez | 2026. 2 hours

    • Solution Focused Brief Therapy Certification – Level 1 | PESI | Elliott Connie, MA | 2025. 3.75 hours

    • Mindfulness Certification Course | PESI | Richard Sears, PsyD | 2025. 12 hours

    • Braving New Conversations: From Problem Solving to Deep Healing | PESI / Psychotherapy Networker | Jon Kabat-Zinn & Daniel Siegel | 2025. 2 hours

    • Permission to Feel | Mental Health Academy | Dr. Mark Brackett | 2025. 1 hour

    • Mental Health First Aid
      Mental Health Commission of Canada | 2021

    Family Therapy & Relational Work

    Training focused on systemic and family therapy.

    • EFFT Essentials – Emotionally Focused Family Therapy | ICEEFT | Gail Palmer & Jim Furrow | 2025. 24 hours

    • Restorative Practices
      International Institute for Restorative Practices | 2020

    Cultural, Equity & Social Context

    Training related to cultural awareness and equity in mental health care.

    • Aging and Mental Health: Health Equity, Diversity and Anti-Racism | CAMH – PSSP | 2026.

    • Utilizing a Multi-Tiered, Multi-Domain System of Supports | Mental Health Academy | Danielle Duarte | 2025. 1 hour

    • Village Key-ple | Mental Health Academy | Chanelle Joseph-Nwosu & John Nwosu | 2025. 1 hour

    Specialized Topics

    Training related to specific areas of practice.

    • Maternal Mental Health Certificate Training Course | Postpartum Support International | Live Webinar Series | In Progress (Feb–Jun 2026) . 18 hours at completion

    • Counselling Approaches to Grief and Loss | The Teaching Clinic | Bella Krieger | 2026. 1 hour

    • The Foundation of Sexual Wellness: A Holistic Approach | AASECT | Taylor McConnachie | 2025. 3 hours

    Ethics & Inclusive Practice

    Training focused on inclusive and affirming practice.

    • Self-Guided Foundational Safe Zone Training | Safe Zone Project | 2025.

    • Channeling the Potential of AI | Mental Health Academy | Dr. Carol Dahir | 2025. 1 hour

    • Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

      College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)

    • Professional Member

      Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)

    • Professional Member: EFFT Therapist

      International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)

    • Professional Member

      Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OACYC)