Candor Psychology & Psychotherapy

Team Contact::

Carol Anne Austin, M.Ed, C.psych:

Carol Anne (she/her) is a clinical and counselling Psychologist and the founder of Candor Psychology & Psychotherapy. She provides Psychological Services for a wide variety of concerns such as, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress, assertiveness, family-of-origin concerns, histories of trauma, relationship difficulties and sexual difficulties.

Carol Anne utilizes evidence-based therapy modalities in her practice including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion-Focused Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Systemic Sex Therapy, Gottman Method Couple Therapy, Emotion Focused Couple Therapy, and Guided Imagery interventions. She welcomes feedback throughout the therapeutic process to ensure her clients feel the strategies they are implementing feel most beneficial to their progress.

She has a specialization in sexual health and has completed the University of Guelph’s Intensive Sex Therapy Training program. She works with individuals and couples of all genders, sexual orientations and relationship configurations. She uses an inclusive, anti-oppressive, sex-positive, LGBTQ2IA+-positive/queer-affirming, trauma-informed, harm-reduction set of values in her work.

She aims to create a supportive environment which fosters the development of trusting, consistent and collaborative therapeutic relationships with each of her clients. Her style is compassionate, warm and energetic with a touch of light humour.

Carol Anne received a Master’s of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto (OISE), has a Master’s of Arts in Psychology with a research focus in Human Sexuality from Carleton University, and is a registered member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario.

Anastasia Assuras, MCP, RP:

Anastasia (she/her) provides Psychological Services with individuals and couples under the clinical supervision of Carol Anne Austin, M.Ed, C.Psych. and is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She received her Master of Counselling Psychology (MCP) from Adler University in Vancouver, BC, and is trained in individual, couples, and family psychotherapy.

Anastasia offers therapy for adults and couples experiencing difficult life transitions, emotional challenges, mental health issues, family of origin processing and relationship concerns. She has worked closely with clients experiencing mood and anxiety disorders (i.e. depression, health anxiety, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic), personality disorders, trauma and other mental health challenges. Anastasia has a strong background working with families affected by behavioural and substance addictions as she strives to facilitate healing and recovery. Anastasia's goal is to create an atmosphere for growth and internal wisdom in a non-judgmental, open therapy environment.

Anastasia delivers evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Gottman Method Couples Therapy in her practice. She works collaboratively and transparently with clients to determine their specific needs and customizes treatment to align with their goals.

Brad Garrison, M.Ed, RP, CCC:

As a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), Brad (he/him) provides psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, and relationships of all types. He received a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology with a collaborative specialization in Sexual Diversity Studies from the University of Toronto. He is a graduate of the Addictions Careworker diploma program at the University of McMaster, and has completed the University of Guelph’s Intensive Sex Therapy Training program. He is also a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and a full professional member of the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH).

Brad works with a variety of issues that bring folks to therapy, including stress, anxiety, low mood, trauma, substance use, self-confidence, relationship concerns and sexual difficulties. He has particular skill in providing support to improve relationship quality and work to create deeper sexual connections. Relationships concerns he has worked with extensively include improving communication, deepening intimacy, fostering the friendship at the core of the relationship, addressing intimate partner violence, healing from infidelity and addressing sexual problems. Brad has significant experience working with members of LGBTQ2IA+ communities on a wide array of concerns including personal identity and coming out, relationship challenges, sexual difficulties, PNP, gender dysphoria and affirmation, living with or affected by HIV, and the psychosexual impacts of substance use.

Drawing from various psychotherapeutic styles, Brad offers evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), solutions-focused brief therapy (SFBT), dialectical-behaviour therapy (DBT), and cognitive processing therapy (CPT). He also offers emotionally-focused and Gottman method couples therapy as well as sex therapy. Brad works from a client-centred, trauma-informed, sex- and kink-positive, and anti-oppressive framework and strives to foster a therapeutic environment that is warm, honest, and supportive of his clients’ personal goals. Brad’s style is friendly and collaborative. He believes that laughter can be an essential part of the therapeutic process and invites his clients to bring their playfulness and sense of humour to their sessions whenever possible.