About Us
Dr. Kate Peplinskie
C. Psych.
Katherine Hollerer
C.Psych.
Our Story
We’re mental wellness experts, who understand the act of balancing business ownership, children, aging parents, athletic and social pursuits, and the myriad of challenges that arise each day.
Though life can feel overwhelming, we aim to embody Jon Kabat Zinn’s sage advice: you can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf. Thriving happens in spite of the obstacles, not in the absence of adversity.
We are passionate about helping Lightwell’s clients to find their power, whatever issues they may be facing.
Our careers began in finance and journalism, but through our growth and experiences in these industries, it became apparent that Psychology is our calling. We are helpers at heart. Combined, we have close to 30 years of clinical experience in the mental health sphere, in hospital settings and private practice.
Our time on the front lines has given us a firm understanding of what’s working in the field, but has also highlighted the gaps and inadequacies in how psychotherapy and assessments are typically carried out. As the pace of modern life continues to increase, individuals are feeling more and more overwhelmed by the number of demands placed upon them. These factors have made it hard for people to access mental health services in a traditional setting.
Our overarching vision is to give our clients an effective, accessible, and inspiring experience. Despite being a digital offering, we aim to provide our services with warmth and compassion so that our clients feel safe and well-supported throughout the process. The skilled work of our passionate team provides proof that transformation is possible.
Our Team
Gina Wareing
RSW
Gina Wareing
(She/Her/Hers) RSW
Gina Wareing, RSW, is a holistic therapist, who brings a thoughtful presence, and an honest style of communication to each session. Many of her clients are unsure how to break their unhealthy patterns, but are eager for change. Gina employs strengths-based, clinically proven methods to help them face difficult truths, tap into their innate resilience, and craft a sustainable plan for the future.
She has more than 15 years of experience in the mental health field, working with adults, children, and families. She is a warm, compassionate therapist, who is skilled at addressing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and substance use concerns.
Dr. Gagandeep Shergill
C.Psych
Dr. Gagandeep Shergill
C.Psych
Dr. Gagandeep Shergill, C.Psych., is a registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) and College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). She specializes in individual therapy and couples counselling. Her therapeutic style is warm, active, and collaborative. Though lasting change takes time and patience, Dr. Shergill provides her clients with tools they can apply, throughout the therapy process, to help them enjoy emotional relief.
Dr. Shergill sees clients for a wide variety of concerns, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, insomnia, trauma, relationship difficulties, work stress, conflict resolution, and substance use issues. She welcomes clients of all sexual orientations, genders, and religious and racial identities, and invites conversations about how they experience their identities both inside and outside of therapy.
She employs Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Gottman Method. She has trained in a variety of clinical and community agency settings.
Katherine Hollerer
C.Psych.
Ms. Katherine Hollerer
(She/Her/Hers) C.Psych.
Katherine Hollerer, C. Psych. Assoc., is passionate about providing inclusive, evidence-based, trauma-informed care. For the last 15 years, she has helped individuals to achieve fulfilling lives, which are aligned with their core values. Her therapeutic style is active, collaborative, and goal oriented. She helps her clients to examine their behaviours, better understand their motivations, and forge a path toward real change. She is skilled at treating an array of clinical concerns, including anxiety, depression, OCD, and PTSD.
Ms. Hollerer has trained in various settings, including hospital, community agency, and private practice, both within Canada and the United States. She has experience with numerous treatment modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). She has also completed several trauma-focused programs. She is registered as a Psychological Associate with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She is Lightwell’s co-founder.
Dr. Kate Peplinskie
C. Psych.
Dr. Kate Peplinskie
(She/Her/Hers) C.Psych.
Dr. Kate Peplinskie, C. Psych., is a clinical and rehabilitation psychologist, with close to 15 years of experience. She aims to create a space where each client feels safe, valued, and truly heard. She is skilled at treating a range of concerns, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.
Dr. Peplinskie is particularly adept at helping her clients to process their trauma, so they can once again feel at ease in their bodies and in their lives. She gently explores traumatic memories, emotions, and embodied sensations, at her clients’ pace. She understands that contextualizing her clients’ reactions, as well as their unhealthy relationship patterns, is a crucial component of trauma work.
Dr. Peplinskie is dedicated to helping her clients to learn, grow, heal, and achieve their full potential. She employs Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapy, somatic-based therapy, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). She completed her doctoral studies at the University of Toronto, and is registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She is Lightwell’s co-founder.
Pamela Plain
RSW
Ms. Pamela Plain
(She/Her/Hers) RSW
Pamela Plain is a Registered Clinical Social Worker with over 17 years experience in the field. She has worked in a variety of settings, including on community mental health teams and inpatient psychiatric units. More recently, Pamela is focused on providing virtual short and long term therapy to clients in British Columbia and Ontario.
Pamela has specialized training and experience in CBT, DBT, and Existential Psychoanalysis. Her clients describe her style as highly relational, knowledgeable, and empathetic. She is very client-centred and has a flexible schedule, including evening and weekend appointments.
Daniel Young
RSW
Mr. Daniel Young
(He/Him/His) RSW
Daniel Young, RSW, is an experienced clinician, who infuses the therapeutic journey with humour and compassion. He helps his clients to forge meaningful goals, and to move toward more purposeful ways of living. Daniel is a Social Worker registered in both Ontario (OCSWSSW) and British Columbia (BCCSW).
He specializes in individual therapy and couples counselling. Daniel draws from and utilizes various approaches seated in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), the May Method, the Gottman Method, and Solution Focused Brief Therapy.
Daniel sees clients for a wide variety of concerns including stress management, anxiety, depression, trauma, work/school stress, relationship communication, conflict resolution, apologies and forgiveness. He welcomes clients of all sexual orientations, genders, religious and racial identities and is experienced with inter-racial & inter-cultural relationships as well as the immigrant experience.