Stephanie Penta

MA, Doctoral Candidate

Stephanie is pursuing her PhD in Clinical Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). She previously completed her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at TMU and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Waterloo.

Stephanie has provided clinical services in hospital-based clinics across Ontario, including the OCD Outpatient Service at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, the Family Health Team at St. Michael’s Hospital, and the Community Psychiatry Clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. She also works in the Trauma and Recovery Research Unit at McMaster University, where she conducts psychodiagnostic assessments with first responders as part of two clinical trials. At FTPS, Stephanie offers assessment and treatment services for adults and adolescents with diverse needs.

Stephanie has assessed and treated individuals presenting with a wide range of psychological challenges, including OCD, OCPD, anxiety (generalized anxiety, social anxiety, health anxiety), specific phobias, trauma and PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, borderline personality disorder, body dysmorphia, and substance use. She has also treated concerns related to general worry, perfectionism, self-esteem, and difficulties managing emotions (e.g., anger, guilt, shame).

Stephanie has worked with individuals with a range of OCD concerns, including intrusive thoughts related to doubting, germs/contamination, harming oneself, sexuality, and feeling “just right,” and compulsions related to checking, cleaning/washing, repeating, hoarding, and mental rituals. She has also worked with individuals experiencing symptoms of body-focused behaviors such as skin picking and hair pulling.

In her practice, Stephanie takes an integrative approach to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) by drawing upon elements from other therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI).  Stephanie leverages warmth and compassion to ensure her clients feel safe, heard, and supported. She believes that treatment should be tailored to each person’s unique goals and values, and is firmly committed to facilitating her clients’ growth and development on their terms.

In addition to her clinical practice, Stephanie conducts research on substance use and related concerns, with specific interests in exploring risk factors and treatment for alcohol, cannabis, and opioid use. Stephanie has published her research in a variety of academic journals and has presented at national and international psychology conferences.

In her leisure time, Stephanie enjoys staying active through soccer, running, and acro yoga.