Our Team
About Us
Dr. Laidlaw & Associates provides individual and group treatment to adults 19 years of age and older. We work with various population groups including first responders (e.g., Police, Firefighters, Paramedics, Correctional Officers, and Military Personnel). Primary issues include depression, anxiety, and reactions to trauma and abuse (e.g., Acute Stress, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Occupational Stress Injury). Therapeutic models include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Mindfulness.
Dr. Laidlaw & Associates
Dr. Laidlaw is a Clinical, Counselling, and Rehabilitation Psychologist with extensive experience in providing psychological services.
Her areas of specialization include critical incident stress, posttraumatic stress, and psychological difficulties of first responders. Dr. Laidlaw provides individual treatment to adults aged 19 years and older, utilizing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, and Brief Psychotherapy. She also conducts pre-employment personnel selection assessments for emergency services and offers personality, intellectual, developmental, and vocational assessments. In addition, Dr. Laidlaw is a registered provider for several organizations, including the Salvation Army, Blue Cross, and Veterans Affairs Canada. She is a member of several professional associations, including the Ontario Psychological Association and the Canadian Psychological Association.
Dr. Laidlaw holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts Degree in Human Development (combined Psychology, Kinesiology, and Sociology) from Laurentian University, Sudbury. She also has a certificate in Trauma Counselling for Front-Line Workers from the Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, Toronto. Dr. Laidlaw furthered her education by earning a Master of Education Degree in Counselling Psychology and a Philosophy Doctorate Degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto. She is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario and has completed training in Group Crisis Intervention from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation in Buffalo, NY.
Oliver Vertes is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Psychotherapists of Ontario. He has extensive clinical experience working with adult populations, with a focus on first responders and their complex needs. In addition to his undergraduate, and graduate work, he has completed additional training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Existentialism, trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, Critical Incident Stress Management, and a variety of other life transitional issues.
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As a psychotherapist, he is heavily influenced by existentialism and in defining your values to live a meaning driven life. Although he focuses on ACT and Existentialism, he integrates perspectives and practices from other modalities, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Solution Focused Therapy.
Oliver works out of both our Burlington and St. Catharines offices and, in addition to in-person, he offers telephone and video sessions.
Krisandra Einboden is a Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She holds a Master of Social Work Degree with the University of Windsor and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of Guelph.
With nine years of experience in law enforcement, Krisandra has developed an important understanding of crisis intervention, resilience, and the complexities of trauma. Her recent transition into a career in firefighting has further deepened her understanding of high-pressure. environments and reinforced her commitment to fostering genuine human connection. Krisandra approaches therapy with empathy, compassion, and a commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment. She understands the importance of active listening, empathy, and genuine engagement in the therapeutic process.
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She integrates evidence-based therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), tailoring therapy to meet the unique needs of each client.
Justine Fram is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and is a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She has a Master of Arts Degree in Counselling
Psychology from Yorkville University, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies with a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies.
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Justine provides treatment to adults who have experienced trauma or challenging life transitions, grappling with crisis, or needing support in relation to emotional/psychological health. She works collaboratively with clients, making personalized treatment plans to facilitate their healing and growth. She believes the therapeutic relationship can support clients to gain deeper self-understanding and learn new skills to promote personal growth. You can expect her to be supportive, calm, non-judgmental and trauma informed. Models she incorporates in her work include Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Person-Centred Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, and Attachment-based Therapy.
Rachel Spekking is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Criminology, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. She has over 10 years of experience working in policing in Ontario.
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Rachel provides client-centered therapeutic interventions to address the unique emotional and psychological challenges faced by clients. She believes effective treatment is dependent upon building a therapeutic relationship that can support clients to gain deeper self-understanding, self-growth, and to develop strong coping strategies through being actively engaged in the therapeutic process.
She provides an integrative approach to treatment of adults 19 years of age and older who are experiencing challenging life transitions, critical incident stress/trauma, operational stress, or needing support regarding their emotional/psychological health. Models that she finds helpful include, but are not limited to, Person-Centered Therapy, Narrative Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Rachel is also Eagala certified for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
Julia McAdam
BSc, BHSc(OT)
​Julia McAdam is a Registered Occupational Therapist, Psychotherapist with over 25 years of clinical experience supporting individuals through recovery, growth, and resilience building. Her experience includes supporting first responders, as well as individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma and chronic pain.
Julia’s clinical practice is grounded in trauma-informed care, with a focus on addressing post-traumatic stress, moral injury, and workplace-related psychological injuries. Julia draws upon evidence-based therapeutic models, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and exposure-based approaches, adapting these frameworks to meet the needs of each client.
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She provides a safe and collaborative space where individuals can explore their experiences, process difficult emotions, and build meaningful strategies for moving forward.
Ornella joined Dr. Laidlaw & Associates in January of 2022. Ornella is part of the administration team and is responsible for assisting in the day-to-day duties in the office.
Katrina volunteered with Dr. Laidlaw & Associates in the summer of 2025, supporting the teams’ research initiatives.
She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Sociology at Queen’s University.
Pam joined Dr. Laidlaw & Associates in April of 2021 as the Office Administrator. She supports all aspects of day-to-day office operations. She brings a wealth of administrative and interpersonal skills acquired over a decade-long career in a variety of roles.
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Pam holds an Associate of Science Degree from Lake Superior State University. She takes pride in her work, completing responsibilities in a professional and timely manner while maintaining a mature, gracious, and approachable presence.
Meticulous and detail-oriented, Pam is adept at managing priorities and ensuring the smooth functioning of the office.
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Jennifer joined Dr. Laidlaw & Associates in August of 2023 on a part-time basis. Jennifer provides essential support to staff while overseeing confidential record management.
She supports the practice by ensuring a welcoming, organized environment for clients.
Olivia joined Dr. Laidlaw & Associates in May of 2025 as a Research Student. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Criminology from Western University and is in the process of continuing her education through graduate studies in counselling psychology.
In her role, Olivia supports the practice by conducting literature reviews, analyzing current research, and developing training material for peer support initiatives with first responders. She contributes to the team’s work by translating research into practical resources that enhance mental health awareness and resilience.