Lightwell’s Founders
Dr. Kate Peplinskie
C. Psych.
Dr. Kate Peplinskie
(She/Her/Hers) C.Psych.
Dr. Kate Peplinskie, C. Psych. is Lightwell’s co-founder. She is a clinical and rehabilitation psychologist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in psychological assessment, with expertise in trauma-informed, medico-legal evaluations. Her assessment work is grounded in clinical rigor and cultural sensitivity.
In addition to her assessment practice, Dr. Peplinskie is experienced in providing therapy. 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 to practice in Ontario and Saskatchewan.
Katherine Hollerer
C.Psych.
Katherine Hollerer
(She/Her/Hers) C.Psych.
Katherine Hollerer, C. Psych. is Lightwell’s co-founder. She is passionate about providing inclusive, defensible, trauma-informed medico-legal evaluations. She is skilled at integrating multiple sources of information – clinical interviews, standardized testing, and complex file review – to ensure her evaluations provide meaningful insights into each individual’s psychological functioning.
In her therapy practice, Katherine helps individuals achieve fulfilling lives that align with their core values. Her style is active, collaborative, and goal-oriented, supporting clients to examine their behaviours, better understand their motivations, and forge a path toward real change. She is experienced in treating a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, OCD, and PTSD.
Katherine has trained in diverse settings, including hospitals, community agencies, and private practices, both in Canada and the United States. She draws from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and has completed extensive trauma-focused training.
She is registered as a psychologist in Ontario and Nova Scotia.
Psychological assessment is our passion – delivered with rigor, compassion, and humanity.
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 obstacles, not in the absence of adversity.
Our careers began in finance and journalism, but through our growth and experiences in these industries, it became apparent that Psychology is our calling. 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 works in the field, but also revealed the gaps in how psychological assessments are typically carried out. Too often, the process can feel inaccessible, impersonal, or overwhelming.
As the pace of modern life accelerates, individuals are facing greater demands and increased difficulty accessing mental health services in traditional ways.
At Lightwell, we specialize in psychological assessments that are clinically rigorous, trauma-informed, and defensible. Our reports provide invaluable insights that support sound clinical and legal decision-making, helping clients, healthcare providers, insurers, and legal professionals move forward with confidence.
Delivered virtually, our services combine the convenience of technology with the warmth and compassion of human connection. We are honoured to help clients gain clarity and direction through evaluations that are trauma-informed, respect cultural diversity, and meet the highest professional standards.
Our Team
Dr. Iris Antonopoulos
C.Psych.
Dr. Iris Antonopoulos
C.Psych.
Dr. Iris Antonopoulos, C.Psych., is a clinical psychologist who works collaboratively with individuals and couples by drawing on their capacity for growth. She uses evidence-based methods, including CBT, EFT, mindfulness, and self-compassion in her approach. She is trained in conducting psychological assessments with clients who present with a variety of clinical concerns, and enjoys helping them to gain greater self-understanding through this process. She is registered to practice in Ontario.
Dr. Gagan Shergill
C.Psych.
Dr. Gagan 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.
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.
Dr. Denise Ma
C.Psych.
Dr. Denise Ma
C.Psych.
With more than 10 years of experience in the area of clinical psychology, Dr. Denise Ma, C.Psych., provides evidence-based and trauma-informed assessment and intervention to children, adolescents, and adults. She works with clients who face various challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and complex trauma. She also teaches trauma-informed somatic yoga principles.
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. Daniel Schellenberg
C.Psych.
Dr. Daniel Schellenberg
C.Psych.
Dr. Schellenberg has more than 10 years of experience in clinical and forensic psychology. He provides evidence-based, trauma-informed assessment and treatment for adolescents, adults, and older adults. His practice supports individuals facing a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, and complex trauma. Dr. Schellenberg is committed to delivering compassionate, objective, and effective care that promotes understanding, resilience, and positive change.
Dr. Simone Cunningham
C.Psych.
Dr. Simone Cunningham
C.Psych.
Dr. Cunningham is a clinical and forensic psychologist with a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Queen’s University. She has worked in a wide range of settings, including community mental health clinics, family health teams, private practice, inpatient units, correctional facilities, and military environments. Dr. Cunningham provides evidence-based assessment and treatment for individuals experiencing mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, suicidality, personality disorders, psychotic and schizophrenia-spectrum conditions, and neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. She is dedicated to fostering a safe, collaborative environment where individuals feel respected and supported.