Meet the Mental Health Team

 Christina Headshot

Dr. Christina Spinelli, R. Psychologist (she/her)

Christina is a Chinese-Italian psychologist who earned her PhD in Counselling Psychology in 2023. She is passionate about supporting emerging adults as they navigate life and career transitions, manage perfectionism, anxiety, or depression, process trauma and grief, and explore their identity and relationships.

Christina views therapy as a genuine collaboration rooted in humility, trust, curiosity, and humour. Her trauma-informed approach is depth-oriented and attuned to intersectionality. By integrating psychodynamic therapy and existential themes with mindfulness and compassion, she supports clients in understanding their core patterns and values as well as empowering their agency.

Christina is available to support any FoMD learner, following a referral from an advisor in the OAW office.

Hansen Headshot

Dr. Hansen Zhou, R. Psychologist (he/him)

Hansen is a Registered Psychologist who completed his PhD in Counselling Psychology from the University of Alberta in 2021. He focuses his practice on treatment of mental health, especially anxiety disorders. He strives to build trust and collaborate with his clients while utilizing a practical, pragmatic, and evidence-based approach to help them.

Hansen primarily practices from a Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy perspective with specialization in exposure-based techniques.

Hansen is available to support post-graduate learners (medical residents and fellows), following a referral from an advisor in the OAW office.

ruchelle headshot

Ruchelle Mendes, R. Psychologist (she/her)

Ruchelle Mendes is a Registered Psychologist who earned her Masters in Counselling
from City University of Seattle in 2019. She uses an integrative, warm and collaborative
approach with her clients. She is passionate about supporting adults experiencing
anxiety, life transitions, grief, relationship concerns, OCD, trauma and depression.

Ruchelle uses theories and techniques based in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy,
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy,
Solution Focused Therapy, Attachment Theory and Exposure Response Prevention.

Ruchelle is available to support any FoMD learner, following a referral from an advisor in the OAW office.

Issues for which you may seek referral for one-on-one psychological support:

  • Mood disorders (Depression, bipolar disorder, etc.)
  • Anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, phobias
  • Trauma, sexual abuse/assault, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Eating disorders and disordered eating
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Sexual orientation, identity and gender expression
  • Stress management and burnout
  • Critical incidents and vicarious trauma
  • Self-harm and emotion regulation
  • Relationships and family concerns

Treatment Modalities

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Exposure and Response Prevention (EXRP)
  • Prolonged Exposure (PE)
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Humanistic
  • Mindfulness
  • Gottman method (couples therapy)