Team Members Cheiyenne Fontanilla

Cheiyenne Fontanilla

Practicum Student; Clinical Psychology

Cheiyenne Fontanilla is a practicum student at OICBT, where she provides person-centred and anti-oppressive care grounded in evidence-based approaches. Under the supervision of Dr. Kathryn Sexton and Joseph Inhaber, Cheiy is actively involved in the Intensive Treatment Program, as well as the Emotions, Acceptance, and the Art of Coping group and the Mood and Anxiety stream, supporting clients through collaborative treatment. She believes that meaningful change begins with a strong therapeutic relationship and strives to create a warm, respectful, and non-judgmental space where clients feel safe and supported. Cheiy’s approach is shaped around each person’s goals, values, and lived experience.

Alongside her work at OICBT, Cheiy is completing her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Ottawa, where her research focuses on racial trauma and anti-oppressive care/training. Originally from Yellowknife, Cheiy completed a post-undergraduate internship with the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Integrated Service Delivery Program prior to moving to Ottawa. In this role, she worked as a Case Manager supporting high-risk adults facing complex needs. Outside of work, she enjoys playing pickleball, board games, cooking with loved ones, and reading!

Cheiy is currently offering both in-person and virtual services in English.

About Cheiyenne

Cheiy works primarily with adult populations (18+) and provides support in areas such as:

  • Mood Disorders (Depression, Bipolar)
  • Anxiety (Social, Generalized, Panic, Health, Agoraphobia, Specific)
  • Obsessive–compulsive and related disorders
  • Trauma- and stress-related disorders
  • AD(H)D/Difficulties with executive functioning
  • Interpersonal/Relational goals
  • Life Transitions
  • Health & Lifestyle goals (Balance, Burnout, Sleep, Nutrition, Exercise)
  • Motivational work
  • Diversity informed-care

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
  • Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
  • Exposure and Response Prevention
  • Schema Therapy
  • Mindfulness & Compassion based approaches

  • Admission Scholarship – Doctorate, University of Ottawa (2025-2029)
  • Ontario Graduate Scholarship – Master’s Program, Government of Ontario (2025-2026)
  • Yellowknife Community Scholarship, Yellowknife Community Foundation (2025)
  • Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (2024-2025)
  • Admission Scholarship – Master’s, University of Ottawa (2024)
  • Adolf Duesterhus STEM Scholarship, Yellowknife Community Foundation (2024)
  • Certificate of Academic Excellence, Canadian Psychological Association (2022)
  • Entrance Scholarship, University of Victoria (2017)

  • Internal Practicum – Centre for Psychological Services and Research (CPSR), University of Ottawa (August 2025–Present)
  • Case Conference – Centre for Psychological Services and Research (CPSR), University of Ottawa (May 2025–Present)
  • Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5) Training – School of Psychology, University of Ottawa (2025)
  • Becoming an Antiracist Clinician – School of Psychology, University of Ottawa (2025)
  • Racial Trauma Workshop – Dr. Monnica Williams, Somerset West Community Health Centre (2025)
  • Violence Prevention and De-Escalation Training – Government of the Northwest Territories (2024)
  • Trauma and Resilience: Trauma-Informed Practice Training – Mountain View Psychological and Counselling Services (2023)
  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) – LivingWorks (2023)
  • Standard First Aid and CPR/AED, Level C – St. John Ambulance (2023)
  • Supporting People Through Change: Assertive Engagement and Motivational Interviewing – The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (2022)
  • Housing First and Homelessness 101 Workshop – The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (2022)
  • Naloxone Administration Training – Toward the Heart (2022)
  • Psychological First Aid Training – Canadian Red Cross (2022)
  • Diversity and Inclusion – Government of the Northwest Territories (2022)
  • Understanding the Need for Fostering Respectful Relationships – Government of the Northwest Territories (2022)
  • The History of Colonization: Acknowledging the Past and Its Legacy – Government of the Northwest Territories (2022)
  • Stronger Together: Reconciliation in Practice – Government of the Northwest Territories (2022)
  • Why Does Everything Feel So Awful? Racial Trauma and Mental Health Workshop – University of Victoria Students’ Society (2022)
  • Tools for Change: Sexualized Violence Prevention Workshop – University of Victoria (2020)
  • Bringing in the Bystander: Bystander Intervention Workshop – University of Victoria (2020)

Publications

  • Williams, M. T., Madsen, J., Fontanilla, C. C., & Faber, S. (2025). Ensuring effective commitment to racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity in professional psychology graduate programmes. Canadian Psychology / Psychologie canadienne. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000447
  • York, S. K., Chim, L., Viczko, J., Nicoll, P., Fontanilla, C., Kasian, A., & Smart, C. M. (2022). Examining the relationships between adverse childhood experiences, student status, and exam performance in emerging adult undergraduates. Emerging Adulthood, 11(1), 162–174. https://doi.org/10.1177/21676968221119729  

 

Presentations

  • Fontanilla, C. C., & Williams, M. T. (2025, September). Racism in the Professional Workspace [Public Lecture]. Somerset West Community Health Centre, Ottawa, ON.
  • Fontanilla, C. C., Ortiz, D. L., & Costigan, C. L. (2023, June). Ethnic identity and colonial mentality among Filipinx Canadian adolescents: A qualitative exploration [Poster presentation]. Eighty-fourth Annual Canadian Psychological Association National Convention, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Fontanilla, C. C., Ortiz, D. L., & Costigan, C. L. (2022, April). Internalized oppression and ethnic identity: A qualitative study of colonial mentality in Filipino Canadian youth [Poster presentation]. Eighth Annual Making Waves in Psychology International Undergraduate Research Conference, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
  • Fontanilla, C. C., Nicoll, P. M., & Smart, C. M. (2021, May). Monitoring outcomes of Northern students’ resilience in isolated and secluded environments. [Poster presentation]. Toronto Metropolitan University’s Inaugural Canadian Stress Research Summit, Virtual Conference.

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