PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
Children, Youth, and Adults
Dr. Dessy Marinova
Clinical & School Psychologist
Toronto
PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
Children, Youth, and Adults
Dr. Dessy Marinova
Clinical & School Psychologist
Toronto
About Me
My Background
I am a Clinical and School Psychologist practicing in Ontario, Canada. I enjoy working with children, adolescents, adults, and their families.
Over the past 30 years, I studied and trained in Europe and Canada. In 1996, I earned a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Sofia University. I also received clinical training in Germany and Switzerland in the mid-90s.
I earned my Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of Waterloo in 2008. I trained and worked in various mental health and school settings, including the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Sick Kids Hospital, Toronto District School Board, and Cognitive and Interpersonal Therapy Centre in Toronto. I received more advanced training in the treatment of OCD through the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) .
I am a registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO), a member of the Ontario Psychological Association, and the International OCD Foundation.
I provide the following services:
Psychotherapy
Up-to-date, evidence-based treatment for anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and OCD-related disorders — as well as relationship difficulties, insomnia, stress, life transitions, and grief.
Parent Consultations & Family Therapy
Sometimes the most effective way to help a child is to work with their family. Sessions bring parents and children together to make sense of what's happening at home or at school and to build practical approaches everyone can use, drawing on several therapeutic models tailored to each family's needs.
Common reasons families reach out: escalating behaviour at home, school refusal, worry that's shaping family decisions, sibling conflict, or adjusting after a life transition.
Assessments
Psychological and psychoeducational assessments for children, adolescents, and adults presenting with learning, attention, self-regulation, and mental health difficulties. Each assessment concludes with a written report setting out clear findings and concrete recommendations you can bring to a school, university, or another clinician.
Assessments can clarify: learning disabilities, attention difficulties, giftedness, anxiety and mood concerns, and eligibility for school or university accommodations.
Workshops
Workshops for parents, educators, and mental health professionals, available online or in person and adapted to your group's size and schedule.
- Educators — supporting students with anxiety and depressive disorders in the classroom; promoting educator mental health and wellness
- Parents — helping children develop emotion-regulation skills, cope with developmental transitions and school challenges
Professional Consultation
Peer consultation for practicing clinicians, and mentorship for early-career clinicians developing their skills in treating OCD and frequently co-occurring conditions — including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, trauma, anxiety and depressive disorders, and relationship difficulties.
My Approach
In my work with clients, I design integrative, individualized, evidence-based treatment plans using techniques from acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, and emotion-focused, relational, and psychodynamic approaches. I use exposure and response prevention therapy to treat obsessive-compulsive disorders. I endeavour to keep up to date with cutting-edge research and practice by continuously attending professional workshops, seminars, and peer consultation groups.
I am passionate about working with children, adolescents, adults, and their families, and I strive to create a warm and supportive environment that helps them develop psychological flexibility and optimize their mental health.
I am an optimistic, warm, and creative problem-solver by nature, which people I work with find helpful when dealing with stressors beyond their control. I view therapy as a personal growth process that enables individuals to understand how their life circumstances and personal strengths and weaknesses may have hindered or reinforced the shaping of their sense of self. I work collaboratively with my clients to create an individualized treatment plan that aligns with their goals and values. A good treatment plan enables individuals to learn and integrate meaningful daily practices that help them live in line with their values while successfully dealing with various life challenges.