Psychologists

Psychologists

Psychologists and psychological associates are registered under the authority of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and the Psychology Act, 1991. As members of the College of Psychologists of Ontario, Psychologists and Psychological Associates must meet rigorous professional entry requirements, adhere to prescribed standards, guidelines and ethical principles and participate in quality assurance activities to continually update and improve their knowledge and skill.

Below you will find brief profiles of our psychologists and psychological associates. For additional information or to make a referral, please contact:

Based in London

Sarah Vernon-Scott, Ph.D., C. Psych.

Psychologist

Sarah

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Psychologist Sarah Vernon-Scott Ph.D., C.Psych joined Brainworks in September 2007. Her interest in rehabilitation was sparked in her undergraduate years during a co-op placement at a vocational counselling centre. There, as an employment counsellor Sarah worked with individual clients to facilitate their return to work. “Hearing people’s stories of frustration, sadness, grief and loss about their jobs and all the needs that having a job meets helped me to understand that having meaningful activity (paid work or otherwise) in one’s life was really a necessity for mental health.” And it was this realization that led her to consider areas of psychology that could incorporate this understanding into clinical practice. Sarah was thrilled to discover psychologists play an important role in rehabilitation.

Sarah’s client centered approach to therapy reflects the client focused values of Brainworks, “No one knows the client’s life and needs better than the client, no matter how much professional knowledge one has. The key is to use that professional knowledge to work towards the goals that the client has, not to tell the client which goal he/she should pursue. The goal is to support the client’s growth in self-efficacy.” Sarah believes teaching clients to be successful and building on success is a vital part of her work. “If you teach clients how to be successful and give them every ounce of credit for that success (because they deserve it), they are more likely to learn that they have what it takes to succeed in the future.”

Sarah’s warm demeanor has made her recent connection with fellow staff at Brainworks an instantaneous one. That same warmth brings comfort to her clients. A previous supervisor said of Sarah, “She has an easy, professional manner that allows patients to feel comfortable and at ease while describing their highly personal and distressing feelings and symptoms to someone that they didn’t know.” As the psychologist at Brainworks, Sarah has set a professional goal to maintain excellence in clinical skills and to remain at the forefront of innovation for the treatment of Brainworks clients.

Sarah has significant experience working with those who are living with the effects of brain injury and chronic pain. This includes experience in the area of chronic pain management. As a valued member of an interdisciplinary Chronic Pain Management Program, Sarah provided assessment, consultation, and cognitive-behavioural treatment for patients who live with chronic pain due to injuries; including motor vehicle accidents.

Sarah has received several awards and distinctions throughout her career. Her resume includes research contributions and she continues to enhance her skills with on-going professional development. Sarah is registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario and her Professional memberships include:

London Regional Psychological Association

Canadian Psychological Association

Sarah is a committed professional but she is also a loving wife to her husband, Sean. The two enjoy time together spoiling their pets, Bear and Tiger. In her down time Sarah enjoys working out, participating in a book club, singing in the choir and relaxing to music. She’s a huge fan of the Food Network and likes to entertain her loved ones with great meals.

Based in London

Nidaa Khalil, Ph.D., C.Psych.

Psychologist (Supervised Practice)

Nidaa

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With over 15 years of experience in counselling, assessment, intervention, treatment and teaching, and a Ph.D. in Psychology, Dr. Nidaa Khalil is a highly skilled, educated, and valued member of our Brainworks psychology team working to help those living with an acquired brain injury, chronic pain or other serious condition. Currently, she is working under the supervision of Arden McGregor.

Among Dr. Khalil’s many achievements:

  • Several years of experience in Cognitive Therapy & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focussed Brief Therapy, and a certificate in Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT)
  • Experience counselling individuals, couples, families and groups in a variety of settings, and assisting clients suffering from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Extensive substance abuse and addictions training, including HIV and special needs counselling, and helping those affected work through the associated stigma and discrimination
  • As information referral coordinator and case manager in a community mental health setting, assisted those with mental health issues and provided them with informational support to enhance their lifestyle
  • Certification and comprehensive training in suicide intervention
  • As professor and head of the Early Education psychology department at Al-Sadik Teachers’ College in Beirut, Lebanon, taught courses in psychology, counselling and research methods
  • In addition to excellent communication skills in English, fluent in writing and speaking Arabic; culturally sensitive and respectful in her extensive work with immigrants from several different backgrounds
  • Highly driven to work closely with clients and treatment team members to maximize each client’s potential and their rehabilitation efforts

In her approach to psychological therapy, Dr. Khalil is very flexible and dynamic, implementing a variety of methods and techniques to offer the most comprehensive short and long-term treatment options to best fit each client’s individual needs and conditions. In this way, she is able to build strong therapeutic relationships with her clients, facilitating their treatment and recovery process.

Based in Muskoka

Arden McGregor, M.A., C. Psych. Assoc., CBIST

Executive Director / Psychological Associate


Arden's Bio

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A native of Toronto, Arden received her Bachelor of Arts degree (Specialized Honours in Psychology) from York University where she received scholarships and achievement awards. Following receipt of her Master of Arts in Psychology from the University of Toronto, Arden moved to London in 1991 to begin her career in psychology with a focus on brain injury. Following a progressively responsible career in various capacities in the local hospital system, primarily in brain injury, Arden worked for a while in the private sector before launching Brainworks in August 2003. In addition to providing clinical supervision to the staff, Arden also offers psychological assessment and treatment for clients with brain injury, chronic pain and behavioural disorders.

Arden is a member of the College of Psychologists and a certified brain injury specialist and trainer. She has given countless presentations to professionals in brain injury, rehabilitation and behavioural intervention and many presentations to client and family groups. She maintains memberships in over half a dozen professional associations and was a founding partner of Camp Dawn.

Arden and her husband, also a member of Brainworks team, have four children, who are actively involved in music and sports activities.

  • Arden McGregor, M.A., C. Psych. Assoc., CBIST