Our Therapists

Dr. Claggett Woods, Dr. Freynet, and Dr. Peterson are independent clinical psychologists that provide specialized, evidence-based care for a variety of psychological disorders.

Caitlin Claggett Woods, Ph.D., C.Psych

Dr. Claggett Woods is a clinical psychologist who currently provides comprehensive assessment and individualized treatment for adults. Her practice primarily focuses on OCD and related disorders (BFRBs, hoarding disorder, body dysmorphic disorder), panic disorder and agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD. Her primary approach to therapy is cognitive behavioural, with experience and training in a multitude of evidence-based therapies (e.g., Exposure and Response Prevention, Prolonged Exposure, Habit Reversal Training, Behavioural Activation, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy).

Dr. Claggett Woods received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts, completing clinical placements at McLean Hospital's OCD Institute (OCDI) and the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (CARD) at Boston University. She completed her pre-doctoral residency at Rogers Behavioral Health in Wisconsin, with a special focus on the treatment of severe OCD and PTSD. Dr. Claggett Woods also developed and directed an intensive outpatient program for OCD and anxiety-related disorders. She is an adjunct professor with the University of Ottawa, and provides supervision and training to clinical psychology graduate students, community-based clinicians, and clergy.

Dr. Claggett Woods is a member of the faith-based task force with the International OCD Foundation. She is also actively involved in research, with a current focus of exploring the identification of OCD amongst faith leaders.

Dr. Claggett Woods is a director of Changing Minds, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to addressing barriers to accessing evidence-based mental health care in the Ottawa area (changingmindscanada.org).

Contact: 613-413-2889

Nathalie Freynet, Ph.D., C.Psych

Dr. Nathalie Freynet is a clinical psychologist who works at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre as a psychologist and clinical consultant for the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program and Frontline Wellness Program. She also provides individual therapy and diagnostic assessments to adults in private practice.

She has a particular interest in treating OCD, PTSD, as well as anxiety and mood disorders (e.g. generalized anxiety, panic, agoraphobia, social anxiety, health anxiety, specific phobias, depression, bipolar disorders). She also offers therapy to help manage distress related to tinnitus.

Dr. Freynet uses cognitive behavioural therapy as a primary approach, with experience and training in exposure response prevention (ERP), cognitive processing therapy, and prolonged exposure. When these could best help clients achieve their goals, she uses other evidence-based approaches including emotion focused therapy (EFT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), schema therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Dr. Freynet also offers psychodiagnostic assessments.

She is actively involved in the teaching and training of mental health professionals. She is a part-time professor at the University of Ottawa, and offers clinical consultation, training, and supervision of students, residents, and other mental health professionals in clinical settings. She is also involved in community initiatives aimed at increasing mental health literacy and facilitating access to resources.

She completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Ottawa.

Elle offre aussi des services en français.

Contact: 613-981-9228


Mandisa Peterson, Ph.D., C.Psych

Dr. Peterson is a clinical psychologist currently working in private practice at the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. She completed her doctoral degree at the University of Ottawa and her Pre-doctoral Residency at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre.  Her doctoral dissertation focused on identifying predictors of treatment outcome in CBT for depression. 

Dr. Peterson’s practice focuses on diverse adults experiencing a wide range of psychological issues, including: mood (depression and bipolar disorder), anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, trauma-related disorders, misophonia, insomnia, grief and loss, racial discrimination, and adjustment disorders. She has a particular interest and experience working with individuals with forensic backgrounds. Her primary approach to therapy is cognitive behavioural and she has experience and training in a number of evidence-based approaches, including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Exposure and Response Prevention. She is dedicated to establishing a safe and open therapeutic environment and working collaboratively with clients to meet their individual needs. 

In addition to evidence-based psychotherapy, her practice involves psychodiagnostic assessment, consultation, training, community outreach, clinical supervision, and research. She is a Clinical Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa and supervises doctoral students in clinical psychology and other mental health professionals. She is also committed to continuing program development and evaluation in the community. Dr. Peterson is the co-founder and director of Changing Minds, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to addressing barriers to accessing evidence-based mental health care in the Ottawa area (changingmindscanada.org).


Contact: 613-820-9931 x240