Julia Falzarano is the founder of Willow Tree Wellness & Psychotherapy, where she provides compassionate, evidence-based therapy for children, teens, adults, and families across Ontario. With over 10 years of clinical experience, Julia specializes in supporting anxiety, ADHD & ASD, grief and loss, emotional regulation, self-esteem, perfectionism, and family relationships.

Before founding Willow Tree, Julia spent six years working with TARGet Kids!, Canada’s largest paediatric health, development, and nutrition study, where she contributed to clinical research focused on early childhood well-being. This experience deepened her understanding of the connection between physical, emotional, and developmental health, insight she now integrates into her therapeutic work.

Her approach blends Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Narrative Therapy, and directive play-based strategies. Julia’s sessions offer a safe, collaborative space to slow down, explore emotions with curiosity, and build the skills to move through life’s challenges with confidence and self-compassion.

Julia holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto, an Honours Bachelor of Social Work from Lakehead University, and a Bachelor of Health Studies from York University. She is completing advanced training in grief and bereavement through Wilfrid Laurier University.

Outside of therapy, Julia loves running half-marathons, practicing yoga, and spending time outdoors. She finds joy in creative expression through journaling, acting, and gardening, and you can often find her curled up with her dog, Wellington, a cozy blanket, and a good book.

Mariel offers a calm and compassionate space for youth and adults navigating anxiety, trauma, depression, self-esteem challenges, relationship concerns, and major life transitions. She has a particular gift for connecting with teens, helping them feel heard and supported as they navigate the complexities of growing up. She blends evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, SFBT, and Narrative Therapy within a trauma-informed and culturally responsive framework.

Before joining Willow Tree Wellness & Psychotherapy, Mariel worked with Help Clinic Canada and the Distress Centres of Greater Toronto, where she supported individuals in crisis and facilitated community workshops to enhance mental health awareness and resilience. Her background in advocacy and community organizing also informs her intersectional, strengths-based approach to care. Mariel has experience working with adult grief and loss.

Mariel has completed 80 hours of accredited training in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Levels 1 & 2 through the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario. Her experience includes applying structured mediation models to real-world interpersonal and family conflicts, with a focus on communication, collaboration, and equitable outcomes.

Mariel believes that healing begins with understanding, helping clients explore the roots of their thoughts and emotions while building practical tools for growth and balance. Her goal is to help clients reconnect with their values, deepen self-compassion, and move through life’s transitions with clarity and confidence.

Sharmeen offers a compassionate, grounding presence for children, adolescents, and families navigating trauma, grief, and complex life transitions. Her approach is trauma-informed, attachment-based, and culturally safe, helping clients feel seen, supported, and empowered through life’s most difficult seasons.

With extensive experience across frontline and community settings, Sharmeen has supported families through child protection work, grief support with the Office of the Chief Coroner, and youth programming focused on mental health, domestic violence, and healthy relationships. She has also contributed to policy and research initiatives focused on reproductive justice, mental health, and housing accessibility.

Fluent in English, Urdu, and Hindi, Sharmeen brings cultural humility and inclusivity to every session. She believes that healing begins with safety, curiosity, and connection, and that every family deserves a space where they can grow stronger together.

Mikayla Johnson (MSW, RSW) is a Registered Social Worker who supports children, teens, young adults, and families navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, health-related stress, identity development, and major life transitions. Mikayla has over 5 years of experience as an RSW and an additional 5 years as a Social Service Worker.

Mikayla brings a warm, grounded, and client-centred presence to therapy. She creates a safe, collaborative space rooted in compassion, cultural humility, and anti-oppressive practice, helping clients feel understood and supported during overwhelming or uncertain moments.

Before joining Willow Tree, Mikayla worked across hospital and community mental health settings, including Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Lakeridge Health, and LOFT Community Services. In these roles, she provided crisis intervention, psychosocial assessments, counselling, discharge planning, and system navigation for individuals and families with complex needs. She has also offered culturally responsive counselling to diverse youth and families, including Black-identifying youth through community-based programs.

Mikayla integrates evidence-informed approaches such as CBT, mindfulness-based strategies, emotion-focused work, and trauma-informed practice. She is especially skilled in supporting clients coping with medical challenges, sudden changes, relational stress, and pressures tied to school, family, or identity.

She believes deeply in empowering clients, building emotional insight, strengthening coping skills, and reconnecting them with their inner resilience. Her work is guided by the belief that healing happens through connection, safety, and not having to navigate hard things alone.

Areas of Focus:
• Anxiety, stress, and overwhelm
• Depression and low mood

• Emotional regulation and self esteem building
• Trauma, crisis, and emotional dysregulation

•Grief and loss associated with chronic illness
• Chronic health conditions & rehabilitation-related stress
• Family dynamics and parenting support
• Identity, self-esteem, and life transitions
• Culturally responsive care

Mikayla holds a Master of Social Work (Mental Health & Health specialization) from the University of Toronto, with training in CBT, ASIST suicide intervention, and psychotherapy support with teens.

Outside of work, Mikayla is known for her reflective nature, love of learning, and commitment to creating equitable, supportive spaces for young people and families.

Description Virtual Therapist at Willow Tree Wellness & Psychotherapy

Ritushaa Rajendram is a Registered Social Worker who provides virtual support to children, teens, young adults, and families navigating anxiety, emotional regulation, trauma, school-related stress, identity development, and life transitions. She brings a calm, compassionate presence to her sessions and is known for her warm communication style, developmentally-appropriate approach, and ability to make young clients feel safe and understood.

Ritushaa’s practice is rooted in cultural humility, anti-oppressive values, and trauma-informed care. She believes therapy should feel collaborative and supportive, empowering clients to explore their emotions, strengthen coping skills, and build confidence in their ability to navigate challenges.

Before joining Willow Tree, Ritushaa gained meaningful experience across child and youth mental health settings, including Kinark Child & Family Services, York Region’s Integrated Wraparound program, and Big Brothers Big Sisters Toronto. In these roles, she conducted intakes and assessments, developed individualized care plans, supported family communication, and provided psychotherapy to children and teens using strengths-based and culturally responsive frameworks. She is skilled in risk assessment, safety planning, and guiding families through emotionally sensitive moments with clarity and care.

In her therapeutic work, Ritushaa integrates evidence-informed modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness strategies, trauma-informed interventions, and emotion-focused approaches. She is especially passionate about helping children and teens understand their feelings, build emotional regulation skills, and feel empowered in their relationships at home and school.

Ritushaa is fluent in English and Tamil, and is committed to offering accessible, culturally attuned care to diverse families across Ontario.

Areas of Focus:
• Anxiety, worry, and stress
• Emotional regulation skills
• Trauma, safety, and crisis support
• Parenting support & family communication
• School-related stress, transitions, and behaviour concerns
• Self-esteem, identity development, and confidence-building
• Support for culturally diverse families
• Child & teen virtual counselling

Ritushaa holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Toronto Metropolitan University and is currently completing her Master of Social Work at the University of Toronto (completion in April 2026). She integrates training in CBT, trauma-informed practice, anxiety management, and cultural humility, alongside additional training in cultural safety and anti-oppressive practice to support clients affected by discrimination or identity-based harm.

Outside of work, she enjoy’s trying new restaurants with friends and family.