Our Therapists

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). 

Julia Sage MSW, RSW

Julia is a registered social worker and psychotherapist with over 15 years of community mental health experience. She currently operates a solo private psychotherapy practice where she supports adults (ages 18+) with anxiety disorders and OCD. She enjoys working with folks who experience health and death related fears as well as those who identify as highly sensitive to their body sensations and emotions. Her primary approach to therapy is cognitive behavioural, with experience and training in a variety of evidence-based therapies (e.g., Exposure and Response Prevention, Prolonged Exposure, Behavioural Activation, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). She also has significant training in mindfulness-based interventions which she incorporates in her work with clients.

Julia received her MSW from McGill University and her HBSW from Lakehead University. Her masters’ project focused on the impact of adverse childhood events on women’s experiences of aging. She has extensive experience working in various roles in community mental health including crisis services, working with persons with severe and chronic mental illness, seniors' mental health, and 1-1 psychotherapy with adults with mood and anxiety issues. She was active in initiating development of a mindfulness group for caregivers of persons with dementia and/or mental illness and co-facilitated groups over several years where she experienced the power of witnessing people connect with others who share similar challenges in life.

Julia is a continually learning and growing her skills and knowledge. She is an active member of the Association of Contextual Behavioral Science’s OCD Special Interest Group as well as a member of the International OCD Foundation. She is invested in supporting connection among individuals with OCD within the community.

Nathalie Freynet, Ph.D., C.Psych

Dr. Nathalie Freynet works at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre as a clinical psychologist and clinical consultant for the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program and the 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),  inference-based cognitive behavioural therapy, cognitive processing therapy, and prolonged exposure. She also uses elements of other evidence-based approaches including emotion focused therapy (EFT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), schema therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) when these could best help clients achieve their goals. Dr. Freynet also offers psychodiagnostic assessments. 

She is actively involved in the teaching and training of mental health professionals. She is a Clinical Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa, and has taught graduate level courses. She also offers clinical consultation, training, and supervision of students, residents, and other mental health professionals in clinical settings. She is 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. 

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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). 

Mary Oldford-MacIntosh, MSc OT Reg

Mary Oldford-MacIntosh is an OT in good standing order with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) and holds a membership with the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. Her practice is based out of ModernOT.

Mary enjoys working with clients individually and within group settings.  She provides health counselling and psychotherapy services for clients presenting with variety of health concerns, including mood and anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, and return-to-work concerns. 

Mary graduated with a Master of Occupational Therapy from McMaster University in 2003 and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Mount Saint Vincent University in 2001. She has worked as an occupational therapist for 19 years in Canada and Ireland. The focus of her career has centered on working with clients living with mental illness.  She has worked across the continuum of mental health care settings, providing assessment and treatment to clients in hospitals, private health clinics, and community-based settings.  This has allowed her to receive specialized training and practice in cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused brief therapy.

Sandra Eckersley, MSW, RSW

Sandra Eckersley is a registered Social Worker who works as a therapist in the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program through the Cornwall Community Hospital. She also provides individual treatment for adults in her private practice. 

Sandra enjoys treating OCD, PTSD, panic, agoraphobia and GAD. She uses cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), Behavioural Activation (BA), and other CBT therapies as her primary approach. She also brings in other complementary approaches to help clients to meet their goals.

Sandra has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Carleton University. She has obtained additional intensive training in the delivery of structured Cognitive Behavioural Therapies.