Clinical & Forensic Social Work Services

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ABOUT MACKENZIE CLINIC

Experienced.
Committed.

Innovative, high-quality service you can depend on.

Mackenzie Clinic is a unique private group practice offering clinical, forensic and child legal services for individuals and families. We are comprised of highly trained social work clinicians and legal counsel each with decades of experience in various settings and different populations.

Our goal is to help you improve your overall wellness and life satisfaction by following the best clinical practices informed by the latest empirical research. Our professionals are client-centered and tailor their approach to meet your specific needs.

01.

Areas of Expertise

Specialized Forensic Services

Clinical Services

Legal Services

Training & Presentations

02.

Meet The Team

Shely Polak

Founder/Clinic Director & Senior Clinician

shely@mackenzieclinic.ca

Dr. Polak holds a Master of Social Work degree and a PhD from the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto. She is a registered social worker and has been awarded the designation of accredited family mediation (Acc.FM) by the Ontario Association for Family Mediation. Her mediation/negotiation training has included Harvard Law School’s Negotiation and Leadership Program.

Dr. Polak’s private practice provides specialized services related to families impacted by separation and divorce including: parenting plan evaluation (S.30 assessments), family mediation, reintegration therapy, voice of the child reports, parenting coordination, and therapeutic services for children and families impacted by divorce.

Her doctoral research focused on the practice of reintegration therapy for children who resist parental contact post-separation. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters on topics related to separated/divorced families involved with the court system. She is a frequent presenter at national and international professional and academic conferences in the area of high conflict separation/divorce and parent-child contact problems. Dr. Polak is a past speaker at the Family Law Summit, the Six Minute Family Law Lawyer, and the Association for Family and Conciliation Courts.

Dr. Polak was the recipient of the Nicolas Bala Award for Excellence in Children & Family Law in October 2016. She is a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers, Ontario Association of Social Workers, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and the Ontario Association of Family Mediators. She is Past President of the Board of Directors for the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Ontario Chapter.

 

Expertise

Family Law/Specialized clinical forensic services
Case Consultations
Expert Reports
Training/Continuing Professional Education

See attached CV

 

Shely Polak

Founder & Clinic Director

Diana Polak

Senior Clinician

diana@mackenzieclinic.ca
905.508.1967

Diana Polak is a former psychologist from her native country of Uruguay/Argentina. She completed a Master of Social Work degree from Wurzweiler School of Social Work, New York and has been practicing as a registered social worker for over 15 years. Diana has extensive clinical experience in the fields of mood disorders, mental health, marriage and couple’s counselling, domestic violence, and child protection.

Diana specializes in helping couples who are experiencing relationship distress, helping separated parents arrive at joint decisions with respect to their children. Diana’s approach to working with couples focuses on decreasing conflict and enhancing positive interactions within their relationship.

 

Expertise

Family/Law Forensic Services (mediation, parent coordination, reunification therapy, parenting plan assessments)
Marriage and Couples Therapy
Interpersonal Difficulties
Domestic Violence

See attached CV

 

Diana Polak

Senior Clinician

Ricardo Theoduloz

Senior Clinician

ricardo@mackenzieclinic.ca
905.508.1967

Ricardo Theoduloz has spent upwards of ten years in the field of child welfare. Ricardo’s skill in working with families experiencing conflict was gained through his years of involvement with the High Conflict Forum. The Forum aimed to enhance the awareness of the changes facing children and parents who were coping with post-separation conflict. This invaluable experience furthered Ricardo's understanding of the myriad of approaches to assisting these families, and the importance of a finding a child-centred approach including communication and collaboration with all involved parties.

Ricardo’s private practice assists families impacted by separation and divorce through individual counselling, parenting plan evaluations, parent coaching and supported access.

 

Expertise

Parenting Plan Evaluations
Voice of the Child Reports
Parent Coaching
Supervised/Supported Access

See attached CV

 

Ricardo Theoduloz

Senior Clinician

Marice Hart

Clinician

marice@mackenzieclinic.ca
905.508.1967

Marice is a clinical social worker who has more than ten years of experience working with children, youth and families with a focus on helping families navigate crises and challenging situations. Following the completion of a Master of Social Work degree at Carleton University, Marice's primary field of work was child abuse and neglect through her work at SickKids Hospital and a local child welfare agency. Through years of conducting investigations and extensive training, Marice has developed a deep understanding of the impacts of high conflict, exposure to conflict/violence, abuse, neglect, addiction and mental health issues on child and youth development and well-being. Her years of work with families experiencing significant post-separation conflict have provided Marice with the skills to help children and youth identify and communicate their preferences while working with parents to de-escalate conflict and develop skills for effective co-parenting. Marice's compassion and knowledge of child development theory, attachment theory and family systems theory serve as the foundation for her thorough assessments and strengths-based treatment and service plans.

 

Expertise

Parenting Plan Evaluations
Voice of the Child Reports
Adult/Child Counselling

See attached CV

 

 

Marice Hart

Clinician

Jessica Furman

Clinician

jessica@mackenzieclinic.ca
905.508.1967

Jessica Furman is a clinical social worker with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Social Work from McMaster University and Ryerson University. Jessica has been practicing social work for over 15 years and has worked as a clinical therapist in diverse settings including children's mental health settings and social service community settings.

Jessica has specialized knowledge and experience working in and alongside the child welfare system. She has experience running group programs for women and children exposed to domestic violence, as well as child focused groups for parents and children experiencing anxiety. Ms. Furman is a licensed “Caring Dad’s” facilitator with experience running groups for fathers with a history of domestic violence with a focus on parenting post-separation and divorce.

Jessica also worked in the priority access for child welfare program while working in children’s mental health, providing therapeutic intervention for families with complex needs.

Jessica offers client-centered therapy using an attachment-informed and trauma-informed lens. Working from an attachment-informed lens means Jessica values relationships and connection. Working from a trauma-informed lens means Jessica understands how your history and lived experiences impacts your beliefs, values, and attitudes. Jessica utilizes various modalities to help you make meaning of your experiences. including: Narrative, Cognitive Behavioural, Solution-Focused, Brief Solution-Focused Therapy and Mindfulness approaches.

Jessica has lived and worked all over the world including Sweden, Israel, Ireland and Finland. She enjoys traveling and spending time with family.

 

Expertise & Services Provided

Family Therapy
Individual and Child Therapy
Parent Counselling for Fathers

See attached CV

 

Jessica Furman

Clinician

Maytal Michaelov

Clinician

maytal@mackenzieclinic.ca
905.508.1967

Maytal is a registered clinical social worker who brings 10+ years of experience working with children and families. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a Master’s degree in Social Work and is an accredited family mediator and parenting coach.

Maytal’s primary area of focus is dispute resolution and supporting clients in high conflict situations, separation, and divorce. She has always worked to prioritize the voice and perspective of children through her work in child protection and has extensive experience working with children at different developmental stages. Maytal has led investigations of child abuse and neglect, specializing in creating agreements that set the groundwork for productive and child-focused post-separation family relationships.

In addition to her direct work in child welfare, Maytal brings expertise in delivering clinical services and coaching to support individuals and couples in high-conflict situations.

Maytal is fluent in English and Hebrew. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with friends, family and her dogs. She also has a passion for musicals and theater.

 

Expertise

Family Mediation
Parent Coordination
Voice of the Child Reports

See attached CV

 

Maytal Michaelov

Clinician

Daniela Shulman

Clinician

daniela@mackenzieclinic.ca

(905) 508-1967

Daniela Shulman is a clinical social worker with a Masters degree from the University of Toronto. Daniela is passionate about working with children, teens and their families and has over 10 years of clinical experience working in a variety of settings such as health care, children's mental health, child welfare and schools.  Daniela uses collaborative and strength-based approaches to support her clients. She uses evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, ACT, narrative therapy, play therapy, art therapy and attachment based interventions. Daniela is fluent in Hebrew, Russian and English. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

 

Expertise

Family Therapy
Individual Child Therapy
Parenting Support

See attached CV

 

Daniela Shulman

Clinician

Alana Weinberg

Clinician

alana@mackenzieclinic.ca

(905) 508-1967

Alana Weinberg is a social worker with degrees in Social Work from Ryerson and Dalhousie Universities. Alana has been practicing social work for over 12 years and has worked as a clinical therapist in diverse settings.

Alana has specialized knowledge in child, adolescent and adult mental health and has extensive experience working therapeutically with youth and families who are involved in the child welfare and/or children’s mental health systems. She has participated in developing and delivering curriculum for families and children experiencing divorce and separation. Alana is experienced in facilitating therapeutic groups for varying populations to assist with emotional regulation to address a number of mental health challenges.

Alana has training in the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, suicidal ideation and self-harm, parent/child conflict, trouble at school, parenting, and general coping with stress at home and at work. She uses evidence-based approaches such as CBT and DBT, as well as elements of narrative therapy, emotion focused therapy, emotion, focused family therapy, solution focused therapy and motivational therapy. Her work is grounded on the principles of attachment, trauma and neurobiology. Her approach is a balance of acceptance and change; ensuring client-centricity while challenging clients to move towards transformation. Alana will work with you to tailor a treatment program that meets your needs.

Outside of work Alana enjoys taking adventures with friends, family and her dog.

 
Expertise and Services Provided

Family Therapy
Individual and Child Therapy
Parenting Support

See attached CV

 

Alana Weinberg

Clinician

Erin Powley

Erin has been working as a clinical social worker for over 10 years. She has experience in various settings including hospital emergency departments, inpatient mental health units, sexual assault and violence services, correctional facilities, and child welfare. Erin has worked with families involved in the court system experiencing parent-child contact problems post-separation. She has received training by leading experts in the field on managing parent-child contact problems. Her career has been multifaceted and has included working with individuals and couples, facilitating groups, and providing support and psychoeducation to families. Erin expertly selects therapeutic approaches and treatments to empower her clients by fostering self-awareness and teaching skills that can change problematic thinking patterns and behavioural responses.  Erin draws from a variety of treatment modalities including DBT, CBT, brief solution-focused therapy, trauma focused, family systems, and culturally sensitive therapy.  She works within an Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression framework.

 

Expertise

Individual and Child therapy
Parental support and psychoeducation
DBT
Voice of the Child Reports
Multi-Faceted Family Therapy

See attached CV

 

Erin Powley

Jennifer Gottesman

jen@mackenzieclinic.ca

(905) 508-1967

Jen Gottesman is a social worker with a Masters Degree in Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University in New York.  Jen has been practicing social work for over 20 years; she has worked as a clinical social worker, group worker, student supervisor, and program coordinator, in a variety of settings. 

Jen provides supportive counselling around healthy relationships, separation & divorce, parenting, self-identity & life transitions. Jen has specialized knowledge in domestic violence, including working with women and children who have experienced violence in their homes, families and relationships. 

Jen utilizes evidence-informed practices in her work with clients. Using a strength-based perspective to support her clients, Jen believes that each individual is an expert of their own life. Her goal is to empower individuals to live their life as they want to live.

 

Areas of Expertise

Parenting Support
Family Therapy
Individual Therapy for Teens & Adults
Domestic Violence

See attached CV

 

Jennifer Gottesman

At Mackenzie Clinic We’re Here To Help

03.

Work With Us

If you are interested in employment with Mackenzie Clinic, please submit your curriculum vitae with a cover letter. We are looking forward to working with you!

For internship opportunities please contact admin@mackenzieclinic.ca

04.

Fees

Fees will vary from $180-$450 per hour depending on the clinician and the specific service provided. Your extended health care benefits plan may fully or partially cover the fees for service. Please check your benefits plan, under ‘counselling services’, for information regarding coverage for services provided by a “registered social worker” or “registered mental health professional”.

You will be provided with a receipt to submit to your insurance company. Mackenzie Clinic will not bill your third-party health insurance. Payment is accepted in the form of EMT, personal check, or credit card unless specified in advance of service.

Clinical Services
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Clinical services (e.g., psychotherapy) are billed based on a 55-minute clinical hour. Payment is requested in full at the time of service. Mackenzie Clinic does not communicate with or bill any third party (insurance) carriers.

Court-related (forensic) services
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Court-related (forensic) services (e.g., mediation, parenting coordination, parenting plan evaluation) are billed based on a 60-minute hour. Payment is either due in full at the time of service and/or is deducted from retainer funds held against anticipated costs. These details are clarified in advance of service provision as part of a Service Agreement that your clinician at Mackenzie Clinic will prepare specific to the proposed service.

05.

Contact Us

To request service from Dr. Polak, prospective clients are asked to email shely@mackenzieclinic.ca. Legal counsel can contact Dr. Polak directly to inquire about specific services and availability for service.

As of February 1st 2023, Mackenzie Clinic will be located at 400 Bradwick Drive Suite 207 Vaughan, ON