Meet Ian
Registered Social Worker / Psychotherapist in Markham, Ontario
Ian is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) and a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) as well as the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW) and the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP). Ian received his Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Social Work from York University, and an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Western Ontario.
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Ian has been working in the Mental Health, Addiction, Criminal Justice and Child Welfare sectors for over 18 years. Ian’s clinical skills have been supported by numerous clinical internships and training. Ian has helped individuals develop skills and access resources needed to increase their capacity to be successful. Ian believes in treating the whole person and tailors treatment to meet each individual’s needs and treatment goals.
Working with clients from diverse backgrounds, Ian provides professional and confidential counselling to address a number of issues such as anxiety, trauma, depression, anger management, and relationship problems. Ian has a passion for expanding his knowledge in evidence-based practice and has completed additional professional training in different therapeutic modalities.
Ian uses an eclectic approach of holistic, evidence-based techniques to teach clients how changing their thinking can change their behaviour and improve the outcomes of their lives. Ian uses his own narrative of resiliency to motivate and inspire others to recognize the growth and positives that can come from life challenges.
Blogs by Ian
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Educational Background:
Curriculum Vitae provided on request
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- First Nations Counselling: Eliminating the cost barrier
- Therapeutic Approach and Specialization
Any individual with a Status Card is entitled to free therapy. RTC (Recalibrate Therapeutic Services) collaborates with a program called NIHB. Through this program, Ontario residents with a Status Card may be 100% covered for 22 counselling sessions or more.
That means 22 hours of free mental health counselling per year. Per year. Enough time to build rapport, dig into an issue and begin to see progress. This benefit has been available for years, yet many within First Nations communities are surprised to learn of it. Many are surprised to learn that NIHB addresses not only physical health but also mental health.
An Indigenous person with a Status Card living in Ontario could begin therapy as early as next week. It starts with a phone call or e-mail. From there, I can assist you in navigating the system and taking care of the details.
Clients do not need a medical referral or a prescription. All they need is a Status Card.
I specialize in mental health treatment that will support clients in various stages of change. I operate from a multi-faceted/eclectic approach, which means that I integrate a variety of therapy techniques based on a client’s presenting needs. I believe that every client is different and that there is no one-size-fits-all model.
I have experience treating a variety of different clinical challenges such as:
- Coping Skills
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
- Procrastination
- Perfectionism
- Stress
- Attachment
- Self-Esteem
- Life Transition/Changes
- LGBTQIA+ Supports
- Substance and Addiction Support
- Conflict with the Law
- Sleep Difficulties/Disturbances
- Trauma
- School Challenges
- Relationship Challenges
- Family-Related Issues
- Parenting
- Children, Youth & Adult Mental Health
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Brandon Schiafone (Contract Therapist)
Brandon Schiafone is a registered social worker who received his Masters of Social Work from the University of Toronto, and his Bachelor of Behavioural Psychology from Seneca College. During his graduate education, he completed his practicum with Recalibrate Therapeutic Services, providing support to clients for over a year before being offered a contract with RTS. Being a completely blind practitioner, Brandon has developed a unique approach to an emotion-focused therapeutic framework, combining this with a task-oriented model that will emphasize the importance of establishing and working toward goals. He provides support to his clients while expanding upon their understanding that it is okay to be vulnerable and to practice self-expression. Brandon firmly believes that emotions should be our primary consideration, thus, he is enthusiastic about the acknowledgement of feelings and how they impact thoughts and behaviours.
He is passionate about helping people realize that there’s greatness inside themselves. As such, his focus is supporting individuals who have experienced trauma and those who have felt the impact on their sense of self-worth and self-esteem, including anxiety and depression. Additionally, he helps couples that are encountering rifts in their relationships find their way back to one another, strengthening their bond and guiding them toward a future in which they can feel fulfilled. As his personal development continues, Brandon will be pursuing training opportunities that will help him further his effectiveness in couples therapy, expanding his practice to help partners navigate infidelity and expand his expertise in how to provide service to those who may choose a less conventional relationship dynamic.
Brandon has spent the last two years as a volunteer for Victim Services of York Region, providing short-term crisis intervention support to those who have endured violent crime, domestic violence, sudden death of a loved one and other unexpected traumatic experiences.
In his spare time, Brandon maintains an avid reading and writing hobby, where he enjoys works of fiction, particularly in the psychological thriller genre. He also boxes, delivers motivational speeches, and performs standup comedy.
Contact Recalibrate Therapeutic Services today to book your complimentary 30-minute discovery session and find out if Brandon is the right fit to work with you!
Brandon’s subsequent session rates are as follows:
| Service | 55 Minutes | 85 Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Therapy | $100 | $120 |
| Couples Therapy | $130 | $150 |
| Family Therapy | $155 | $175 |
Volunteer
Jordan Chong
Jordan Chong holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University. Following the completion of his degree, he continued to pursue his passion for mental health through work as a Residence Counsellor and as a volunteer Crisis Responder. He is currently working toward a Master’s in Social Work and is gaining valuable experience as a volunteer at Recalibrate Therapeutic Services in support of this goal. Jordan aspires to become a psychotherapist so he can help clients access meaningful support systems and empower them with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to overcome personal adversity and build resilience. He is deeply passionate about guiding individuals through difficult periods in their lives and finds it especially rewarding to see people regain their sense of self after experiencing mental health struggles.
Currently, Jordan works with adolescents aged 12 to 19 at an international boarding school, where he provides both day-to-day support and psychoeducational counseling to students. He also serves as a volunteer Crisis Responder with Kids Help Phone, offering real-time support to individuals experiencing distress related to depression, suicidal ideation, isolation and various forms of abuse. Through these roles, Jordan has developed strong skills in active listening, empathetic engagement, cognitive restructuring, ethical communication, and solution-focused problem-solving. Outside of his professional and volunteer efforts, Jordan enjoys playing volleyball, rock climbing, hiking, and cooking.
Jordan currently contributes blog posts to the Recalibrate Therapeutic Services website, where he shares insights on relevant mental health topics. His writing is grounded in peer-reviewed research, and he is grateful to every reader who takes the time to engage with his work.
Pursuing his Master’s Degree
For clients experiencing a financial barrier that limits access to therapy sessions, further fee reduction can be discussed. – Call to inquire
Serving across Markham, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Whitby, Oshawa, and all over Ontario.