Read her complete bio: click here.

Hello, my name is Lianne Dybenko. I am a nutritionist and a member of the Ordre des diététistes du Québec, specializing in the treatment of eating disorders for the past 14 years. Eating disorders have interested me enormously since my youth, which is what directed me to the BACA team which I joined at the beginning of my career, in 2001. I had the privilege to participate in the development of the multiple facets of BACA: the clinical aspect through the outpatient, intensive and residential programs; the educational aspect, through the training programs that I run, the supervision that I provide and the training of interns that we welcome; as well as the management of our nutritional guidelines and the proper functioning of our team.

Driven by my professionalism as well as a deep desire to learn and to specialize, I have participated in many training courses, symposiums and conferences on mental health and eating disorders across Canada and the United States. Passionate about psychology, I continue to educate myself by means of certificates in mental health and by multiple hours of supervision primarily targeting comorbidity complexes often related to eating disorders (personality disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders and substance abuse). As I believe in ongoing training, I am also a member of organizations such as ANEB and the Academy for Eating Disorders.

During my years at the BACA Clinic, I developed my expertise by working in residential and day programs, by hosting several groups and by overseeing many individual and family nutritional follow-ups. I have also run several professional training courses on the nutritional approach for people who suffer from eating disorders. Currently, my duties include the clinical supervision of nutrition, overseeing group meals, as well as outpatient nutritional follow-ups in all their forms.

I find the work I do with my clients to be very rewarding and stimulating. My experience coupled with my empathetic, warm, gentle and reassuring approach encourages confidence and facilitates the journey of my clients toward a better relationship with their body and with food. For me, it is a privilege to work with the BACA team and especially with my clients.

Before joining the team at BACA in 2017, I served for seven years as the Medical Lead for the Cornell Healthy Eating Program (CHEP) at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. I am an American Family Medicine physician, holding active medical licenses from the Collège des Médecins du Québec since 2015, and from the state of New York since 2007.  I am Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine since 2003. I earned my Medical Doctorate in Family Medicine from the Yale School of Medicine, and completed my Family Medicine Residency at Brown University. 

My medical practice has consistently focused on providing compassionate, patient-centered care to at-risk populations.   Over the years, I have sought training and developed additional expertise within Family Medicine on topics including healthy eating /eating disorders, sexual health, adolescent health, as well as vulnerable populations, including sexual minorities, incarcerated people, and individuals with substance use disorders.

In addition to my MD, I earned a BS in Psychology from MIT, a Masters in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I am a trained doula, and I received certification in Medical Acupuncture from Harvard Medical School.  Each of these pursuits has informed my practice, and has enabled me to approach every patient as a whole person above all.  

Eating disorders are bio-psycho-social illnesses that can strike at the very core of who we are.  Recovery is Possible, and my patients have taught me over the years that Recovery is Beautiful, and it’s worth striving for. At BACA, my goal is to support each person on their individual recovery journey toward healing, and wholeness.  

I obtained my Master of Science in Psychology from Binghamton University, State University of New York and completed all doctoral coursework. Throughout graduate school, I received a solid background in research, in assessments using semi-structured diagnostic interviews, and in the delivery of cognitive-behavioral treatments, particularly cognitive therapy for depression. During my time there, I treated adult patients with moderate to severe unipolar depression in the Binghamton Mood Disorders Institute using cognitive therapy, I worked with a heterogeneous client population for four years in the Binghamton University Psychological Clinic, and I had practicum experiences on the inpatient units at the Greater Binghamton Health Center where I was able to assess and treat severely mentally ill children and adults in both individual and group settings.

I returned to Montreal to complete my clinical internship at the Douglas Hospital Eating Disorders Program where I received extensive training in the treatment of eating disorders. I was also fortunate enough to begin my career there as I gained many valuable experiences over the next 4 years working in the Intensive Adolescent Program and the Eating Disorders Program (adult).

Given my research background, I believe in using evidence-based treatments focused on making concrete changes in thoughts and behaviours. By exploring their individual goals and motivations, and meeting my clients at their level of change, I use a collaborative approach to developing their treatment plan in order to be able to best guide them through the recovery process.

Sample publications:
Grassia, M., & Gibb, B.E. (2009). Rumination and lifetime history of suicide attempts. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 2, 400-406.

Grassia, M., Gibb, B.E. (2008) Rumination and prospective changes in depressive symptoms. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 27, 931-948.

I have a PhD in professional psychology. My initial specialization was in organizational psychology; a field for which I have developed an expertise in diversity management. Thanks to this specialization I am able to take into account the influence of culture on our modes of interaction, our styles of communication, our representations of the world and our concept of disease. It is therefore a priority for me to respect cultural differences and to take them into account in my interventions.

In addition to being passionate about my consulting work with companies and my work in clinical psychology, I have added to my professional knowledge an expertise in the treatment of eating disorders, a problem that has interested me for many years. These two fields of practice fulfill the psychologist in me.

When treating eating disorders, one of my priorities is to adapt my approach and the tools to be used to the person with whom I am working. I believe that despite the similarities encountered in eating disorder symptoms, each person is unique and deserves to be recognized and understood in the context of their own personal history. I see the therapeutic process as a team effort. We are able to find effective solutions through the exchange of our respective knowledge. I believe in speaking frankly, while making a point to respect the pace of each individual.

I am passionate about my work and keeping my knowledge up to date is a priority for me (reading, training, etc.).

Je m’appelle Catherine Moquin et je suis nutritionniste, diplômée de l’Université de Montréal depuis 2010. C’est mon intérêt pour les troubles alimentaires et les relations complexes à la nourriture qui m’a amenée à compléter ma formation professionnelle. Je me suis d’ailleurs spécialisée dans ce domaine en réalisant une maîtrise qui a permis de valider une intervention de groupe auprès de femmes souffrant de trouble alimentaire.  

Je suis membre de l’Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec et je pratique en clinique privée depuis le début de ma carrière en mettant à profit mon expertise pour le traitement des troubles alimentaires de toutes sortes, des problèmes reliés au poids et de la préoccupation excessive à l’égard de l’alimentation et du corps. Passionnée et rigoureuse, je suis toujours à l’affût de formations de perfectionnement afin d’approfondir mes connaissances.  Que ce soit sur la nutrition qui est en constante évolution, sur les troubles alimentaires et les enjeux reliés, sur l’alimentation en pleine conscience ou tout ce qui y est relié de près ou de loin, j’assiste à diverses conférences et colloques afin que mes interventions soient toujours les plus adaptées. 

Parallèlement à ma pratique clinique, mon vif intérêt et ma conviction pour la prévention des problèmes reliés au poids et à l’image corporelle m’ont amenée à travailler pour l’organisme ÉquiLibre. J’ai la chance d’offrir des formations destinées aux professionnels de la santé afin qu’ils puissent intégrer une approche axée sur les habitudes de vie et favoriser le développement d’une relation saine à la nourriture et au corps auprès de leur clientèle. 

Mon parcours professionnel m’a aussi amenée à travailler en psychiatrie à l’Hôpital Charles-LeMoyne. Depuis 2015, c’est à l’équipe de l’Institut universitaire en santé mentale Douglas que je me suis jointe comme nutritionniste clinicienne. Une fois de plus, j’ai la chance d’aider les gens qui ont des enjeux psychologiques affectant leur alimentation de différentes façons. Je prends toujours le temps de discuter avec les patients afin de bien saisir leurs enjeux et trouver la meilleure voie pour optimiser leurs comportements alimentaires. Par ailleurs, j’ai agit à titre de nutritionniste en pédopsychiatrie, à l’Unité des troubles alimentaires pour adolescents, ce qui a vraiment permis de bonifier mes interventions auprès des jeunes souffrant de troubles alimentaires et leur famille.

Je suis reconnue pour ma sensibilité et mon empathie ainsi que par mon humour bien dosé qui permet d’alléger certains moments difficiles du rétablissement. Je sais adapter mes interventions autant auprès des adolescents et de leurs parents, qu’auprès des adultes. Selon moi, le travail en interdisciplinarité est la clé du succès pour le rétablissement et je suis reconnaissante de faire partie d’une équipe aussi complète, compétente et chaleureuse que celle de la clinique BACA. 

Au plaisir de vous rencontrer et de vous aider! 

Hello, my name is Gilda Corpadean Delaunay. I am a dietitian-nutritionist, member of the Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec, with over 20 years of professional experience. My professional journey led me to develop solid competencies in several areas of practice, such as hospital inpatient nutrition services, individual and group nutrition counselling and workshops in outpatient settings, for chronic disease management and prevention, healthy lifestyle education, and general nutrition services. In recent years, I shifted my focus toward nutritional therapy for weight and body image issues and eating disorders.

My strong interest in the treatment of eating disorders was certainly fuelled by my passion for exploring the many facets of our relationship with food, seeing it as an important part of ourselves and a key constituent in attaining overall good health and wellbeing. It was enhanced by my interest in understanding the psychological, cultural and social aspects of food-related behaviours. I developed an integrative approach to nutrition counselling, as I encourage my clients to explore their concerns related to food, in body, in mind, and their interactions with the world.

It is essential for me to develop a helping relationship with my clients based on empathy, authenticity, and trust. Understanding and addressing my clients’ possible distress and most pressing concerns allows me to gently yet decisively guide them to implement positive changes, to move toward recovery with higher motivation and confidence. I put emphasis on identifying together strategies to overcome even the hardest challenges, finding solutions that are tailored to specific individual needs.

I find my profession rewarding through its ongoing learning process, the many opportunities for training and for consolidating my expertise. I participate regularly in training programs, courses and conferences, which I consider a vital and stimulating part of my work. I am a professional member of the organization Équilibre, accredited to offer their weight management program, and a Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor.

At the BACA clinic, it is a pleasure and a true privilege for me to work with the wonderfully competent and dedicated professionals in our team. Certainly, the most rewarding part is my privileged work with clients, a rich human experience that nourishes my passion and commitment to my work every day.

I look forward to meeting you!

My name is Caitlin O’Hara and I have had the pleasure of working at BACA since August 2020 as a therapist. More specifically, I am a supervised psychologist, awaiting my license by equivalence to the OPQ.

I hold an Honours Bachelor’s degree in psychology from McGill University and completed my Ph.D. in psychology at King’s College London (U.K.). For my Ph.D., I gained both clinical and research experience in the understanding and treatment of eating disorders. My doctoral research thesis focused on whether altered motivation and reward function contribute to the development and maintenance of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. More recently, I completed a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at McGill University. During this time, I completed a one-year practicum at the Psychoeducational and Counselling Clinic at McGill and a one-year internship in the Eating Disorders Continuum (adult program) at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute in Montreal.

I have a longstanding passion for research and working with people who suffer from eating disorders that, in part, stemmed from an early interest in better understanding the role of neurobiology and reward in the development and maintenance of symptoms. As someone who works in this field, I understand and cannot ignore that the interactions between mind, body, behavior, and interpersonal factors are complex, but this is what draws me to the work – I feel challenged and rewarded by this each day. As such, eating disorder treatment is integrated, holistic, and multidisciplinary, and this is what the BACA clinic embodies so well. I feel privileged to be able to learn from my colleagues who bring different perspectives and expertise to our care. When we work from this team-based approach, we are able to better help our clients find the strength within to return to their best level of mind-body functioning. I truly enjoy helping our clients develop the courage to face their fears, cultivate self-compassion, and accept a natural body weight, in part, by committing to wholesome mind-body strategies that will support full recovery.

I work primarily on a one-on-one basis with my clients. People with eating disorders can often feel conflicted towards treatment. I therefore feel passionate about creating a space that feels warm, non-judgmental, and collaborative, and that communicates respect, empathy, and trust. Given that our clients can often arrive into treatment feeling alienated, distressed, and isolated in their illness, group therapeutic work is another passion of mine. Although sometimes daunting at first, working in a group setting can provide our clients with the crucial opportunity to be heard and seen by others who share similar experiences, helping them to understand that they are not alone.

The bravery I witness in my clients on a day-to-day basis is indescribable. Know that it is never too late to seek help, that you are not alone, and that you did NOT choose to have an eating disorder. Your eating disorder has offered an effective coping strategy in a time where one was needed, and that is not something to feel ashamed of. Dispelling the shame, blame, and secrecy of eating disorders by opening yourself to vulnerability, empathy, and support can be critical for the recovery process.

My name is Sarah Racine and I am a licensed social worker, sexologist and psychotherapist.

Wanting to work with a team of professionals prioritising recovery in a warm, welcoming environment is what led me to join the BACA team in 2020. Before joining the BACA team, I interned and worked at the Eating Disorders Clinic for the Douglas mental health Institute. This experience in a research-based environment focused on best-practices contributed to the development of my intervention skills and my interest for eating disorders and body-image related issues. I truly believe in the complete recovery from an eating disorder by acquiring better emotion regulating and coping skills, but also by learning to cultivate a more positive image of yourself. I am trained in cognitive behavior therapy and systemic approaches. I am also trained in EMDR therapy for the treatment of traumatic experiences. I have been working with victims of sexual violence since 2014 in multiple settings (community organizations, hospital and CLSC). These experiences helped me acquire a better understanding of gender-based violence and have contributed to my ability to work within a feminist and trauma focused framework. As part of the requirements for my master’s degree in social work, I created and led a support group in collaboration with ANEB for individuals who are currently struggling with an eating disorder but have also been victims of sexual violence in the past. My interests for trauma and its consequences in conjunction with eating disorders bring me to contribute to more specialised research and services.

My different professional experiences bring me to prioritise the establishment of a therapeutic alliance and a respectful and equal environment. You are the expert of your own life, and your own personal experience needs to be recognized. I strive to offer a welcoming, empathetic and non-judgemental support as well as a safe space where you will be able to discover your strengths and explore your difficulties. I recognize the complexity of the different problems one can face in life but most importantly, the possibility of working through them.

Please know that you are not alone and that you are stronger than you think. You deserve to live a fulfilling life that brings you joy.

I look forward to working with you!

My name is Megan Knoll. I am a registered psychologist with the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec. In 2020, I completed my PhD in Counselling Psychology at McGill University. At McGill, I studied how to improve the movement of research into practice. In my research and practice, I am dedicated to improving the art and science of therapy. 

Clinically, I specialize in eating disorders, personality disorders, and emotion regulation. I have trained at the McGill University Counselling Center, the Eating Disorders Program at the Douglas Institute, as well as the Personality Disorders Program, the Anxiety Disorders Program, and Complex Care at the Allan Memorial Institute. 

I take an integrative, collaborative, and evidence-based approach to therapy. I have training in a variety of clinical orientations including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, Compassion Focussed Therapy and psychodynamics. I draw from these different orientations to help my clients work on goals that are important to them.

Angie Ross, Somatic Therapist, started working at BACA in May 2022. She was presented with an opportunity to do her internship at BACA in September 2021. Working in a multidisciplinary team that operates from a philosophical premise of care, respect, and feminism is what kept her there. She began her journey as a dancer and yoga instructor before deciding to focus on the therapeutic elements of movement. Afterwards, she completed a master’s in Drama Therapy at Concordia University. It is always an honor for her to hold space and support clients as they share their stories. She loves helping clients connect to their bodies and alchemize difficult emotions, as well as helping them understand their nervous system and how movement can aid in their journey to recovery. Angie is particularly passionate about all somatic therapies, such as focus-oriented therapy and somatic experiencing. She also loves the expansiveness of using metaphors, symbols, and imagery found in drama therapy as well as dance/movement therapy. Lastly, she wants to tell those considering seeking help for an eating disorder that, as one of her mentors would say, “Intention-Attention-Action.” You don’t need to have it all figured out for recovery to be possible. Pay attention to the first step, then act on it.

*Services offerts en français seulement.*

Je m’appelle Anne-Gaëlle et je suis travailleuse sociale, membre de l’Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec depuis 2018. Je suis également supervisée en tant que candidate au permis de psychothérapie.

C’est mon intérêt pour la clientèle, le travail d’équipe et une plus grande liberté dans ma pratique qui m’a amenée à me joindre à l’équipe de BACA en mai 2021

J’ai acquis mon expérience clinique en milieu communautaire et hospitalier de 2014 à 2021. Depuis 2018, je travaille auprès de personnes ayant des enjeux sur le plan alimentaire, de l’image corporelle et du perfectionnisme. J’ai été formée aux meilleures pratiques dans le traitement des troubles de l’alimentation et j’ai contribué à la rédaction d’articles sur le sujet à la clinique des troubles de l’alimentation de l’Institut Douglas en santé mentale de 2018 à 2021. Mon intérêt pour les personnes souffrant d’un trouble alimentaire n’a cessé de grandir depuis.
Explorer les liens entre les relations sociales, la personnalité et l’environnement de la personne dans le développement de ses difficultés afin de l’aider à prendre un pas de recul est ce qui me passionne le plus dans mon rôle. Je me sens privilégiée d’avoir accès aux différents parcours de vie et de pouvoir contribuer aux changements que la personne souhaite apporter.

À toutes les personnes souffrantes, cessez de vous demander si vous êtes “assez malade” pour obtenir de l’aide; si vous vous posez la question c’est que vous en avez besoin.

*Services offerts en français seulement. *

J’ai le plaisir de me joindre à l’équipe BACA en qualité de psychologue, membre de l’Ordre des Psychologues du Québec. J’ai complété la majeure partie de ma formation en France, j’ai ensuite effectué un processus d’équivalence afin de pouvoir pratiquer ici. Je suis détentrice d’une maîtrise en psychologie clinique et de la recherche.

J’ai le privilège d’accompagner les personnes en individuel et en famille dans ce qu’ils vivent à travers la maladie du trouble alimentaire. J’ai à cœur que la thérapie soit et reste un espace de collaboration : vous êtes la personne qui vous connaissez le mieux et je suis convaincue que vous êtes le meilleur guide pour nous aider à comprendre ce qui vous arrive.

Passionnée par mon travail, j’ai à cœur de continuer ma formation pour trouver de nouvelles manières de vous accompagner. Mon approche intégrative se base sur la théorie de l’attachement, l’approche centrée sur les émotions et l’approche existentialiste-humaniste.

Je suis également formée en trauma et à la thérapie EMDR, une thérapie qui a pour objectif de vous aider à “digérer” les évènements de votre vie non résolus, les expériences douloureuses “bloquées”. J’ai envie de chercher avec vous en rencontre l’approche et les outils qui vous feront le plus de sens, à la lumière du travail sur la relation thérapeutique, dans l’ici et maintenant.

Le travail thérapeutique est un processus de changement de sa manière de se percevoir, de réguler ses émotions et d’être en relation avec les autres. C’est une démarche courageuse et engageante, je ferai de mon mieux pour créer un espace particulier sécuritaire, dénué de tout jugement et rempli de compassion pour vous aider à vous déposer.

Je crois sincèrement au rétablissement du trouble alimentaire, et j’ai envie de vous accompagner à vous découvrir, mieux vous comprendre, réduire votre détresse et vous aider à trouver un équilibre.

Au plaisir de vous rencontrer et de vous entendre,

Hello,

I am Stéphanie Desmecht. I completed my clinical doctorate at the University of Sherbrooke (D.Ps),
with a specialization in children and adolescents. As part of my doctoral thesis,
I studied the experience of motherhood in women with or without an eating disorder (ED).
During this period, I completed a doctoral internship at the Adolescent Medicine
unit of Ste-Justine Hospital, with adolescents suffering from severe ED. After my
studies, I worked in child psychiatry at Charles LeMoyne Hospital with children and adolescents with
severe and persistent mental health disorders, before joining the BACA clinic team in 2023. My therapeutic approach is integrative. I practice the psychodynamic approach and use tools from the 2nd wave cognitive-behavioral approach (cognitive-behavioral therapy) and 3rd wave
(mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy).
I view eating disorders in young people using a developmental approach. According to this vision,
an eating disorder is a sign of an impasse in the expected development of
the adolescent and therefore has a function. This is what we will focus on in therapy,
better understand the function of the ED and resolve this developmental impasse. To achieve this, I
work with adolescents and with their parents.

Recovery from an ED is a long journey, often marked by pitfalls. It is trying, for
young people, for their parents and their siblings too. They say that it takes a village to raise a child. I
sincerely believe that we also need a village to heal from an ED. I will be happy
to join you in forming a community against eating disorders.

My passion is to help dismantle diet culture and help people have a better relationship with food and their body. My services are meant to help people that are struggling with overeating, disordered eating, dieting, poor body image, and feelings of guilt and shame around food. Coaching is meant to help people recover and learn to cope in everyday life by providing tools and strategies to help get you back to trusting your body and food.

Passionate about therapy, I first completed a one-year internship in secondary school, where I was able to support adolescents in their difficulties with body image and gender identity. , sexuality and romantic relationships. Then, I continued my training as part of a one-year internship in a clinic specializing in sexology. There, I worked with adult clients dealing with addiction issues, eating disorders, sexual dysfunction, relationship difficulties and transition journeys. Every day, I have been deeply inspired by the resilience and courage of my clients.

I consider that sexuality and relationships are mirrors of human functioning and that the interaction of these spheres of life with the relationship to food and body image is non-negligible. I am happy to be part of the BACA clinic team to work on developing physical, sexual and relational well-being in people living with an eating disorder.

In the therapeutic approach, I consider the client to be the expert of their experience. Having a respectful, warm, caring and flexible approach is at the heart of my practice. I want to work as a team with my clients towards achieving goals that make sense to them. I hope that, together, we can aspire to promote their health and well-being in various areas of their lives.

Executive Assistant to the Director at Baca Clinic since September 2021. I hold a certificate in administration from the Université du Québec à Montréal. My professional journey ranges from being a buyer for an IT product reseller to being a housekeeping manager within the healthcare network.

My creativity, open-mindedness, ability to adapt to change, and work ethic are assets that the founder saw in me to support her in her daily tasks at the clinic. Our shared interests in great leaders like Oprah, Brené Brown, and Mel Robbins inspire us to develop multiple projects together to showcase this wonderful multidisciplinary clinic. The human values that each team member brings, along with the welcoming and warm environment, ensure that work is done smoothly and joyfully. What I love most about the clinic is seeing the progress in each client’s recovery. The smile and light in their eyes confirm it.

Hi,

My Name is Colleen and I joined the BACA Clinic’s team in April 2022. I have known Tania, the founder, for several years and I have always been amazed to see the incredible things she does to help people. As I was looking for a change, a way to give back more than what I already do, I was offered to join the clinic’s team . I am a God feared, entrepreneurial, happy person who loves to laugh and bring sunshine into people’s lives. I saw this opportunity as a way to contribute, in my own way, to BACA’s mission.

The journey of the clinic’s clients reminds me of the metamorphosis of a butterfly. When our clients arrive at the clinic they are like caterpillars – blindly wandering in the unknown. We then cocoon them with support, specialized treatments and teach them skills to cope. They take all this information and start to look inwards, applying all these tools to their lives. A transformation starts to happen right before our eyes. I love to see when the smile returns to the clients faces. To me, this is an indication that they are on the road to recovery. Then, when they are ready, a beautiful butterfly emerges and spreads its wings. They are stronger than when they started and better equipped to face life with the reassurance that they got this.

When you enter the clinic you will see my smiling face and receive a warm welcoming greeting.