About the practice

Care that meets you where you are

Therapy at Optima is a partnership: a safe, warm space to slow down, be honest, and begin to heal.

Three people laughing together while looking at a tablet

Our registered therapists draw on evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches and tailor every treatment plan to your story, culture, and goals. There's no one-size-fits-all here, only care that's genuinely yours.

Whether you're navigating anxiety, healing from trauma, strengthening a relationship, or supporting your child, we're here to walk alongside you.

✦
Trauma-informed
Safety and trust first.
✦
Inclusive & affirming
Every identity welcome.
✦
Personalized plans
Built around you.
✦
Culturally sensitive
Care that honors context.
Our team

Meet our therapists

Registered professionals who bring experience, warmth, and cultural understanding to every session.

Tara Syed

Tara Syed, MSW, RSW

Clinical Director | Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist

With over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and families across the Greater Toronto Area, Tara is passionate about creating a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where clients feel genuinely heard, understood, and empowered to heal.

As a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), Tara works with children, adolescents, adults, and families facing a wide range of emotional, behavioural, and life challenges. She believes that every person's story is unique and tailors therapy to meet each client's individual needs, goals, and strengths.

Tara has advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Family Therapy. Her trauma-informed and collaborative approach helps clients process difficult experiences, build resilience, and develop practical tools for lasting growth and well-being.

Whether you are navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship concerns, parenting challenges, or significant life transitions, Tara is committed to walking alongside you with empathy, warmth, and evidence-based care.

Areas of practice
AnxietyDepressionSelf-harm BehavioursSuicidalitySelf-esteemSocial Skills & RelationshipsParenting & Parent CoachingAttachment IssuesTrauma & PTSDGender IdentityADHD & ADDAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)Anger ManagementGrief, Loss & BereavementLearning DisabilitiesSchool-Related Challenges
Languages
EnglishUrduHindiGujarati
Mansureh Khatam

Mansureh Khatam, MSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist

Mansureh is a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life's challenges. She believes that healing begins in a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to move forward.

She holds a Master of Social Work in Clinical Social Work from the University of Toronto and is a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). Mansureh provides trauma-informed therapy using evidence-based approaches, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based interventions.

Mansureh has extensive experience supporting clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, grief, workplace stress, and perinatal mental health concerns, including prenatal and postpartum depression and anxiety. She is committed to helping clients build resilience, strengthen self-compassion, and create meaningful, lasting change.

Areas of practice
AnxietyDepressionAnger & AggressionSelf-esteemRelationship ChallengesWorkplace StressAttachment IssuesTrauma & PTSDADHD & ADDFamily ConflictGrief, Loss & BereavementPrenatal & Postpartum Counselling
Languages
EnglishFarsi
Nabila Al-Dobaye

Nabila Al-Dobaye, MSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist

Nabila is a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist with extensive experience supporting youth and adults. Drawing on more than a decade of experience across community mental health, primary care, education, and settlement sectors, she brings a deep understanding of the diverse experiences and challenges that shape people's lives. Her clinical work is rooted in a humanistic, client-centred philosophy.

Nabila's approach is grounded in the understanding that meaningful therapy begins with a trusting and authentic therapeutic relationship. Therapy is guided by your values, goals, and lived experiences, so the work reflects what matters most to you. Your experiences are honoured, your perspective is respected, and each session is thoughtfully tailored through an integrative, trauma-informed approach to support greater self-understanding and help you develop practical strategies to navigate life's challenges with confidence and resilience.

Areas of practice
Anxiety & DepressionTrauma & Complex TraumaGrief & LossLife TransitionsRelationship ChallengesRefugee, Newcomer & Cross-Cultural ExperiencesWork-Related Stress & BurnoutSelf-esteem & ConfidenceIdentity Exploration & Personal GrowthEmotional Regulation & Coping Skills
Languages
EnglishArabic
Kajan Thevendran

Kajan Thevendran, MSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist

Kajan is a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist with over 10 years of experience supporting individuals facing mental health, addiction, and behavioural challenges. He believes in creating a safe, compassionate, and culturally sensitive environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives.

He holds a Master of Social Work from York University and has extensive experience providing clinical assessments, crisis intervention, case management, individual and group therapy, and treatment planning. Kajan understands the stigma surrounding mental health in many communities and is committed to helping clients build a healthier relationship with themselves while developing practical skills to navigate life's challenges.

His therapeutic approach is collaborative, flexible, and tailored to each individual's goals, drawing from evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Narrative Therapy, and Strengths-Based Therapy. Whether you're managing anxiety, addiction, life transitions, or relationship with technology, Kajan is dedicated to helping you take meaningful steps toward lasting well-being.

Areas of practice
AnxietyDepressionSelf-esteemSubstance Use & AddictionSmoking CessationGambling AddictionTechnology Use (Video Games, AI, Social Media & Internet)Immigration & Cultural AdjustmentGrief & LossStress ManagementMen's Mental HealthHealth-Related ConcernsLife TransitionsSchool-Related ChallengesSocial IsolationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Relapse PreventionADHD & ADD
Languages
EnglishTamil
Jasneet Mann

Jasneet Mann, MSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist

Jasneet Mann is a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist who works with clients to understand what is getting in the way and find realistic, practical ways to move forward. She pays close attention to each person’s individual circumstances rather than applying the same approach to every case.

Jasneet holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto and is registered with the OCSWSSW. She brings a culturally responsive lens to her practice and has experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds. She speaks English, Punjabi and Hindi. Much of her clinical background is with autistic children and adolescents, including those with developmental disabilities. She has supported concerns such as emotional regulation, self-esteem, social relationships, school-related challenges, and life transitions. This work has included assessments, individualized care planning, and crisis intervention across hospital and community settings.

Her approach draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and a trauma-informed, strengths-based lens. She uses these together depending on what a client needs, whether that is building coping strategies, developing social skills, managing stress, or working through family conflict or a difficult transition.

Areas of practice
Emotional RegulationSelf-esteemSchool-related ChallengesLife TransitionsCultural and Identity ConcernsFamily ConflictStress ManagementADHD & ADDAutism
Languages
EnglishPunjabiHindi
Anju Nair

Anju Nair, MSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist

Anju Nair is a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist with over 10 years of experience supporting children, youth, adults, seniors, and families through life's challenges. She has extensive experience working in mental health and addictions, supporting women experiencing violence, Indigenous communities, and individuals navigating complex emotional and social challenges. She is passionate about creating a safe, compassionate, and culturally sensitive environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives.

Anju holds a Master of Social Work specializing in Medical and Psychiatric Social Work and a postgraduate certificate in Canadian Social Work Practice from Toronto Metropolitan University. Her diverse professional background includes community-based mental health services, individualized care planning, and case management. She draws on evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Informed Care, Strengths-Based Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy, tailoring her approach to each client's unique needs, strengths, and goals.

Her therapeutic approach is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and respect for each individual's lived experiences. She is committed to helping clients develop healthy coping strategies, strengthen emotional resilience, build self-confidence, and navigate life transitions with dignity and independence. Fluent in English, Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam, Anju brings a culturally responsive perspective to therapy and strives to ensure that clients from diverse backgrounds feel understood, supported, and empowered throughout their healing journey.

Areas of practice
Anxiety & DepressionMental Health & AddictionsTrauma & StressSelf-esteem & ConfidenceEmotional Regulation & Coping SkillsLife TransitionsWomen's Mental HealthDomestic ViolenceSeniors' Mental HealthChildren & Youth Mental HealthFamily ChallengesSocial IsolationCultural Adjustment
Languages
EnglishTamilHindiMalayalam
Affiliated With

Members & verified professionals

Ontario Association of Social Workers
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
Verified by Psychology Today
Book a free consultation