Psychology Services: Meet our team

​Melissa has worked with Psychologist Dr. Barbera, providing supervised psychology services since 2015. Melissa  is  a  Registered  Psychotherapist.  She has a Bachelors degree in Psychology as well as a Masters degree in mental health counselling with a number of years of experience providing counselling to others for concerns with anxiety, stress, depression, trauma & PTSD, social anxiety, low self-esteem, addiction, and workplace injury. Melissa attends much of the same clinical training as Dr. Barbera, including advanced EMDR, EFT, CBT, treating first responders, & IFS. Prior to beginning to practice as a therapist, Melissa spent nearly a decade working in the community, providing support to those in poverty by way of the Good Sheppard organization, as well as volunteering in crisis support with the sexual assault center of Hamilton. Melissa works with both adults & adolescents and has a passion to help individuals discover their true Selves by guiding them to self-compassion, confidence, and understanding. She is devoted to the individuals she works with which is evidenced by the healing that transpires in the therapy room. Outside of providing therapy, Melissa enjoy’s hiking with her husband, spending time with family & traveling in search of new destinations & cultural experiences. 

Marta Evans has worked with psychologist Dr. Barbera providing supervised psychology services since 2014. Marta is a registered Psychotherapist & Canadian Certified Counsellor with a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology. Marta has spent over 20 years assisting people in the mental health, cancer care, & healthcare fields & has experience in helping children, youth, adults and families with a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship difficulties, parenting, trauma, life changes, grief, and health issues. Marta has completed post-grad training in Narrative Therapy, Addictions, & trauma work such as EMDR & IFS. Marta believes that therapy should be centered on you and your goals, and collaboration and transparency are important values that she brings into the therapy room. Marta works with adults & adolescents.

Outside of the office, Marta is mom to two adult sons and two rescue cats. You can often find her buried behind a book, hiking in nature, or traveling to faraway places. In addition to the 5+ years that Marta has worked with Dr. Jennifer Barbera, she also runs her own private counselling & psychotherapy practice in Hamilton Ontario. 

Paula Boanta has worked with psychologist Dr. Barbera providing supervised psychology services since 2017. She was a previous graduate intern therapist. Paula is a bilingual therapist speaking both English & Romanian. She holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour & a Masters degree in Clinical/Counselling Psychology. Paula graduated in June 2019 & has been working as a clinical therapist since. She has experience assisting individuals with a variety of concerns such as anxiety, trauma, depression, OCD, social anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder & workplace injury. Paula also has experience with assessment & diagnosis. As a therapist, Paula provides a very empathic & supportive therapeutic relationship to explore & better understand oneself. Paula uses a variety of approaches including CBT, ACT, DBT, EFT, Mindfulness and Internal Family Systems. She has experience working with individuals referred through the WSIB and Veteran Affairs. Paula is currently completing her post-masters work towards registering as a psychological associate in supervised practice. Paula works with both adults & adolescents in Hamilton or online. Outside of the office Paula enjoys hiking in nature, traveling to new destinations, & drawing, which has been a passion of hers since childhood. 

Dr. Amanda Robinson joined Dr. Barbera's practice to provide psychology services in Hamilton in December, 2019. Amanda is a Registered Psychologist in supervised practice. She completed her Master’s & Ph.D in Clinical Psychology at the University of Windsor, in Windsor, Ontario. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of New Mexico. She has held positions as a therapist at the Centre for Psychological Services & Research at the University of Ottawa, the Ottawa Institute for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, on the inpatient treatment team at Windsor Regional Hospital, the Borderline Personality Disorder & Emotional Dysregulation program at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare – Tayfour Campus, Dr. Plotnick & Associates accident rehabilitation practice, Ahmad & Associates Neuropsychology Wellness Centre, the Psychological Services & Research Centre at the University of Windsor, the Anxiety & Mood Disorders team at St. Joseph’s Health Care London. Dr. Robinson was trained in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy through the programs offered by Dr. Linehan’s Behavioral Tech. She has experience in providing psychological services to clients in areas related to anxiety, depression, trauma a&abuse, personality disorders, emotion regulation, relationship difficulties, sexuality, sexual concerns, reproductive health, adjustment difficulties, life transitions, health concerns, & addictive behaviours. She takes a supportive and relational approach that integrates her training in modern psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, schema therapy, ACT, DBT, sex therapy, & mindfulness. Dr. Robinson's research on gambling disorder & addictive behaviours, & fibromyalgia has been presented at conferences, published in academic journals, & has received government-funded research grants.

Jenn Struth has worked as a therapist with Psychologist Dr. Barbera in Hamilton since June 2019. Jenn is graduating with a Masters degree in Psychology in June 2020.  Jenn is now providing supervised psychology services and completing her post-masters work towards registering as a Psychological Associate in supervised practice. As a therapist, Jenn likes to work collaboratively with her clients creating a safe, empathic, and nonjudgmental space to assist them in reaching their goals. Jenn prefers to fit the approach to the needs and personality of each individual client utilizing techniques from CBT, ACT, DBT, EFT, and Internal Family Systems. She has experience using these approaches to assist individuals with concerns such as depression, anxiety, stress, worry, panic, substance use, low self-esteem, and relationship conflict.

 Jenn works with adults, adolescents & couples.

Kim Friesen worked for over 10 years in the health care field as well as working in various capacities in a women’s transitional home. She completed a practicum placement as a therapist in psychologist Dr. Barbera's practice, where she provided supervised psychology services from September 2019 to April 2020. Kim  is  a  Registered  Psychotherapist (Qualifying).  She graduated with a Master’s degree in counselling and psychotherapy in June 2020. Previously she was an intern therapist at a counselling agency as part of her undergrad in Sexuality, Marriage and Family Studies. In addition, she has an Addictions Careworker Diploma through McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario.  As a therapist, Kim likes to work collaboratively with her clients creating a safe, nonjudgmental space to assist them to reach their goals. She prefers to fit the approach to her clients and uses CBT, DBT, EFT, Narrative Therapy and Internal Family Systems. She works with adults, adolescents & couples. 

Thomson Scarlett, completed his Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling and has worked with psychologist Dr. Barbera, providing supervised psychology services in Hamilton since 2014. Thomson has twelve + years counselling experience from working with psychiatric & dual diagnosed individuals, as well as individuals in a private practice setting. Thomson is a Registered Psychotherapist with the CRPO and a Registered Social Worker with the OCSWSSW. He has specific therapy and counselling experience assisting individuals with depression, stress, anxiety, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, communication skills, anger management, work adjustment issues & self-esteem. He works with adults. Thomson uses a combination of CBT, EMDR & IFS. He works in Hamilton and Etobicoke.

Samantha is currently completing her Masters degree in Psychology at Adler Graduate Professional school, and is in line to graduate by August 2021. Samantha completed her undergraduate degree in 2019, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, from the University of Western Ontario. As a new therapist, Samantha is motivated to provide a therapeutic modality that best fits the client’s needs and cultivate a warm, supportive therapeutic environment. She is working under the supervision of psychologist Dr. Barbera C. Psych in Hamilton Ontario.  Samantha can provide counselling and therapy for issues related to stress, works-life balance, low-mood, anxiety, low self-esteem,  relationship conflict, decision conflict and sleep disruption and trauma. Samantha uses a combination of CBT, ACT, DBT & mindfulness, as well as an EFT & IFS informed approach.​​ Samantha  works with adults, adolescents & couples. Available for supervised psychology services starting in September, 2020.