Our Team
Garion
Sparks-Austin
BSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist
Garion Sparks-Austin Social Work Professional Corporation
Director of Co & Associates
Hello!
My name is Garion and I am the Founder of Co & Associates. My journey from birth to where I am today has been filled with joy, challenges and personal growth. I was born somewhere in Seoul, South Korea in the early 80’s and adopted shortly thereafter by my parents.
I grew up, followed the path I thought I was supposed to and wound up in a completely different spot than I had ever envisioned. I became a wife, a mother, a divorcee and a survivor.
Most importantly, I have become a Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist.
I have worked for over 17 years in the social services sector, assisting clients navigate through a variety of issues: mental/emotional health; separation and divorce; parenting issues; substance use/addictions; trauma; domestic violence; self-efficacy & self-esteem; life transitions and redesigning their lives.
Through my personal and professional experiences, I have developed strong clinical skills with a trauma lens, working from an anti-oppressive and anti-racist practice perspective.
My work is client led and casual while engaging in a mutual dialogue. Working together means we will have raw, genuine and deliberate engagement.
I want to normalize an ongoing dialogue regarding emotional health and to help make emotional health check-ins a regular habit. This reduces the somewhat invisible isolation that presides and creates safety in vulnerability, discovery and self-development.
I have always been passionate about helping others, building community and creating a safe space for connection and engagement.
I look forward to working with you.
Credentials
Bachelor of Social Work, Ryerson University
Registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
Member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers and Canadian Association of Social Workers
Level One: Fundamentals of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - Wilfred Laurier University
Stephanie
Maza
MPsy, RP (Qualifying)
Psychotherapist
Meet Stephanie Maza!
Stephanie is a Psychotherapist with many years of experience working as a mental health clinician in various clinical settings and practices a range of treatment modalities.
She brings with her extensive education and training in psychology, psychotherapy and counseling, and crisis intervention. Stephanie has a passion for helping her clients through the various impacts life can bring. Through a collaborative client-therapist relationship, Stephanie helps individuals heal emotional wounds, build resiliency and work towards their goals to live a life full of happiness, fulfillment, and purpose
Connect with Stephanie through her website. Click Here.
Credentials
Stephanie is a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP).
Stephanie has a Bachelor of Social, Applied Human Science with an emphasis in psychology Post Graduate Certificate in Concurrent Disorders Professional training in CBT, DBT, Trauma, Crisis Intervention and Mental Health Assessments.
She is currently completing her Masters of Psychology.
Taylor
Morgan
BSc(Psych) & CYCP
Junior Associate Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Meet Taylor Morgan!
Taylor Morgan is a graduate of the University of Toronto Mississauga and Humber College. Having degrees in psychology and child and youth care, Taylor has developed a level of understanding necessary to provide quality and holistic mental health support to a wide variety of clientele.
Taylor demonstrates empathy and compassion towards everyone she meets. These qualities allow her to build trusting and supportive relationships with her clients. Having worked with children and youth in Ontario and across the world in Tanzania, she has become adept at working with different cultures and has developed a passion for learning from and working alongside clients in all walks of life.
Taylor strongly believes that her clients know themselves better than anyone and are their own best resource when it comes to therapy. She sees therapy as a joint journey, where the therapist and client combine their skills and knowledge to create long-lasting solutions.
As a student therapist, she is currently learning and working under the supervision of qualified psychotherapists at the Toronto Centre for Psychotherapy and Counseling Education. Outside of work and school, Taylor loves a good novel and long hikes with her dog.
Taylor is available in the evenings and works individually with children and adults.
Credentials
Affiliate member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP)
Graduate of the University of Toronto Mississauga and Humber College.
Haadiya
Saleem
H.B.Sc
Junior Associate Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Meet Haadiya Saleem!
Haadiya Saleem is a graduate of the University of Toronto. Having double-majored in psychology and human biology, Haadiya understands the critical link between mental and physical health. She completed her undergraduate journey with courses based around developmental and clinical psychology with a passion for working with youth patients. Haadiya is an affiliate member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP).
Haadiya is compassionate towards all backgrounds and walks of life, having experienced a wide variety of cultures firsthand with her residences in seven countries. This allows her to create an empathetic relationship with her clients to initiate an insightful conversation and fully understand client concerns.
Her experience with youth patients in the past has allowed her to relate better to their emotions and provide a warm environment to ensure their comfort. She is presently researching the role culturally adapted therapy can play in assisting with depression, anxiety, and addiction for those of South-Asian origin.
She will be working under the guidance and supervision of Stephanie Maza and Garion Sparks-Austin as a student therapist. Her goal is to work alongside her clients to ensure a safe and comfortable environment and equip them with the right mechanisms to manage, address, and overcome their challenges. The ultimate goal is to initiate the path toward healing.
Outside of work, Haadiya values the time she is able to spend with her family and friends as well as painting.
Credentials
Affiliate member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP).
Haadiya is a graduate of the University of Toronto. Having double-majored in psychology and human biology.
Amy
Vorstadt
B.A.
Junior Associate Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Meet Amy Vorstadt!
Amy Vorstadt is a graduate of the University of Guelph who has taken a variety of courses in relation to sociology and psychology. With an abundance of experience through volunteer opportunities, like being a certified Crisis Responder for Kids Help Phone, she has the passion and knowledge to provide support to those around her.
Amy strives to break the stigmas associated with mental health and therapy. She welcomes clients with a warm heart and enjoys building long-lasting relationships that will promote raw, honest, and thought-provoking conversations. By providing a safe and comfortable environment, Amy wants to hear about the good, the bad, and everything in between to help her clients grow emotionally and work towards their individualized goals.
Amy is an affiliate member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals working under the supervision and guidance of certified Psychotherapist and Social Worker, Garion Sparks-Austin.
In her spare time, Amy enjoys being a dog mom and she loves spending time with her family. Amy is a forever student; she enjoys taking additional courses through various institutions that will help to strengthen her role as a mental health professional.
Credentials
Affiliate member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP).
Amy Vorstadt is a graduate of the University of Guelph who has taken a variety of courses in relation to sociology and psychology.
Sarah
Katarincic
Junior Associate Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Meet Sarah Katarincic
My name is Sarah and I am so glad you are here! I aim to create a genuine and mutual trust, for an environment that feels safe and comforting, while progressing towards your goals. My years of education and vast experiences have brought me to where I am today.
I am currently working with children, teens, and adults, with a universal goal of finding happiness and purpose through the good and the difficult times that life throws at us. Let’s talk!
I graduated from the University of Guelph with Honours in Psychology and completed a Master of Science in Forensic Psychology from Arizona State University. I am currently an affiliate member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP) and working under the supervision of Psychotherapist and Social Worker, Garion Sparks-Austin.
Credentials
BA Honours Psychology, Co-op
MSc Forensic Psychology
Affiliate Member, Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP)