Silya Shenassa, MSW, RSW is a Social Worker who joined OICBT in 2021. She provides both individual and group therapy services to individuals 16+ experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, BPD, ADHD and eating disorders. Silya obtained her master’s degree from Wilfrid Laurier University where she was trained in Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Crisis Intervention and Trauma Informed Care. She went on to complete further professional training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) and Narrative Therapy.  Silya works from a client-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed perspective that recognizes the client as the expert of their own life experience. Her goal is to help her clients develop coping tools, overcome challenges and build a life that is fulfilling and meaningful to them. Silya is registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).   


Contact: 613-820-9931 x235

  • Silya Shenassa works with clients 16+ within the following area of focus:

    • Mood Disorders (Depression, Bipolar, Post-partum)

    • Anxiety (Social, Generalized, Panic, Health)

    • Substance Misuse/Addiction

    • Eating Disorders (Restriction, Anorexia, Bulimia, Bingeing, Purging)

    • Grief/Loss

    • Life Transitions

    • Women’s Sexual Wellness

    • Interpersonal/Relational goals

    • Health & Lifestyle goals (Balance, Burn-out; Sleep, Nutrition, Exercise)

    • Motivational work

    • Existential queries (Self-Actualization, Self-Concept/Esteem, Meaning, Purpose, Spirituality)

    • Diversity informed-care

  • Silya Shenassa works to incorporate multiple therapeutic approaches to best suit her clients’ needs. These include:

    • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

    • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    • Mindfulness & Compassion based approaches

    • Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)

    • Motivational interviewing

    • Schema Therapy

    • Introduction to Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, DBT Centre of Vancouver, 2020

    • Narrative Therapy Practice Training, Vancouver School for Narrative Therapy, 2020

    • DBT Skills, Behavioural Tech: Taught by Dr. Marsha Linehan, 2021

    • Level 1: Fundamentals of CBT, Wilfrid Laurier Continuing Education, 2021

    • Essentials of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Level 1, Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, 2021

    • Essentials of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Level 2, Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, 2021

    • EFT: Attachment Science in Practice, Psychwire: taught by Dr. Sue Johnson, 2021

    • Motivational Interviewing, Psychwire: Taught by Dr. William Miller and Dr. Stephen Rollnick, 2021

    • ACT for beginners, Psychwire: taught by Dr. Russ Harris, 2022

    • ACT for grief and loss, Psychwire: taught by Dr. Russ Harris, 2022

    • Conducting Effective and Adherent Individual DBT Sessions, DBT Centre of Vancouver, 2023

    • Trauma, Healing and Illness in a Toxic Culture, University of British Columbia Continuing Professional Development: Dr. Gabor Mate, 2024

    • CBT for Trauma, Psychwire, 2024