Get to know us
The under-representation of Black therapists in the field of mental health, paired with ongoing discrimination when seeking support, disengages community members from mainstream organizations due to the lack of culturally affirming resources. In addition, long waitlists and access times further present barriers to reaching communal needs and life altering health education that would support Black-Canadians’ abilities to thrive. The Healing Sisters Circle aims to fill these gaps.
Amma Gyamfowa
Amma Gyamfowa is a Ghanaian-Canadian mental health therapist, registered social worker, community researcher, and writer. Engaged in the field of social work for the last ten years, her work has been rooted in supporting Black individuals, families, and communities across the Greater Toronto Area. Through her therapeutic work Amma is determined to create empowering holistic resources that strengthen Black communities’ ability to heal, thrive and connect. Amma is the Founder of Womanist Healing where she is currently accepting clients.
Chantal Gray
Chantal Gray is a Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist, and mental health educator. She is the co-founder of Winrose Oasis Services Inc.Her aim is to cultivate spaces of healing for children, youth, adults and families. She holds diverse experience facilitating groups, supporting individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief. Chantal believes in the importance of community care and aims to provide a space for each person she works alongside, to be seen, heard and supported on their journey. Chantal is the Co-Founder of Winrose Oasis Counselling where she is currently accepting clients.
Deshawna Dookie
Deshawna is a Trauma-Informed Social Worker, Therapist and Certified Yoga Instructor based in Toronto, Ontario. She is committed to diversifying the field of mental health through culturally informed trauma-sensitive interventions. She works in community spaces to respond to the culturally specific mental health needs of black folks through somatic practices such as breathwork, meditation, yoga and movement, and therapeutic interventions. She is the Founder of Black Lotus Mental Wellness, where she is currently accepting clients.
Dorothy During-Gibbs
Dorothy is a therapist, speaker and Founder of Ina Counselling Services. Dorothy's clinical practice encompasses an intersectional, Afrocentric, holistic, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, strength-based, evidence-based and family-centred approach working with youth and Black communities. Dorothy believes in fostering a supportive space that welcomes vulnerability, self-compassion and authenticity to all individuals, and that healing and growth can be found through human connection. Currently, Dorothy is not accepting new clients through Ina Counselling Services.
Francesca Serwaa
Francesca Serwaa is a Black psychotherapist focused on working with members of the Black community and the stigma associated with their mental health needs. She is a dedicated and non-judgmental clinician and has been committed to providing support to members of marginalized communities for over 8 years. Francesca's message of overcoming adversities is driven by her personal and professional experiences in the areas of grief, trauma, depression and addictions. Her transparency as it relates to her personal journey gives a face, voice and hope to those who’ve yet to recognize their emotional and resilient strength. Francesca is the Founder of Ignite Counselling Services where she is currently accepting new clients.
Marilyn Opoku
Marilyn Opoku is a Social Worker and Mental Health therapist. Marilyn is the founder of Ampara Counselling and Consulting Inc. Marilyn’s passion in the field of social worker stems from her lived experience of growing up in low income communities, where mental health was not a priority. Her lived experience combined with her education, enables her to deliver service from an anti-oppressive and anti-black racism framework. Her experience includes working with individuals, groups, children, youth and families. Marilyn is the Founder of Ampara Counselling where she is currently accepting new clients.