Ilana Tamari, B.Sc., D.C.S. (Psych)
Clinician in Private Practice
Focus on Custody and Access Matters
1278 St. Clair Ave West
2nd Floor, Unit 12,
Toronto, ON M6E 1B9
Phone: 416-953-9820
Curriculum Vitae
Ilana Tamari, B.Sc., D.C.S. (Psych)
Education
2001.2002
Extern Program, George Hull Centre, Family Therapy Program
George Hull Centre, Elizabeth Ridgely (Director) and Daniel Bogue (Faculty)
1991.1993
Master's Level Degree in Child Psychology, Assessment, and Counselling
Institute of Child Study,
University of Toronto.
1986.1990
Honours Bachelor of Science, Psychology and Linguistics
University of Toronto.
Profile
My practice aims to:
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Utilize the marriage of theory and practice.
Employ a systemic and holistic approach.
Incorporate a flexible approach to all situations.
Promote client and family centred interactions.
Utilize a sense of humour where appropriate.
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Value team approach as a way to best serve the client.
Compassionate and sensitive to the client's diverse needs.
Focus of Practice
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Completing Private Section 30 Assessments.
Mediating, arbitrating and coaching as part of Parenting Coordination for
high conflict families.
Mediating comprehensive Parenting Plans and MOU.
Completing Section 112 Reports pertaining to Custody and Access
Assessments for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer.
Assisting OCL counsel representing children pursuant to s.89.
Providing couple, family and individual therapy around divorce and
separation issues.
Providing counselling and case management to parents and their
children, who were struggling with major life issues and stressors.
Professional Experience
Clinician in Private Practice
2002-present
Private Practice
Toronto, Ontario
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Provides consultation to individuals and families who are dealing with
custody and access matters and other related issues.
Completes Section 30 custody and access assessments.
Mediates Parenting Plans and Memorandums of Undersatnding.
Provides education, coaching, mediation and arbitration as a Parenting
Coordinator.
Provides educational support and problem solving to parents around
separation and divorce issues and parenting coaching.
Provides therapeutic access to children who are estranged from one of
their parents.
Completes problem identification and intervention plans that are tailored
to each case and are in the best interests of the children.
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Panel Clinical Investigator
2002-present
Office of the Children’s Lawyer
Toronto, Ontario
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Responsible for conducting full and focused investigations and reports
pursuant to s. 112 of the Courts of Justice Act for proceedings before
the court in custody/access cases.
Provides assistance to counsel representing children pursuant to s.
89(3.1).
Responsible for assessing and advocating for the best interest of the
children.
Evaluates capacity of parents to meet the children’s needs and
interests.
Provides recommendations on all matters concerning custody and
access.
Assists parties to resolve their dispute where applicable with disclosure
and settlement initiatives.
Provides testimony for custody and access proceedings in Family Court.
Consultant- Preferred Provider
2004-2006
Warren Shepell (EAP Program)
Toronto, Ontario
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Provided supportive counselling to individuals, couples and families as
part of a brief counselling model.
Completed problem identification and intervention plan that was tailored
to each case.
Consulted with other mental health professionals and clinical managers
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Child and Family Clinician
1999-2003
Peel Children’s Centre
Mississauga, Ontario
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Provided individual, family and group counselling.
Provided to the Court a written assessment of children and their families
under Section 13 of the Young Offenders Act.
Formulated a treatment plan and made recommendations to the Court
for treatment of these children/families in the form of a report.
Liaison work with agencies, schools, probation officers, detention
centre, police, lawyers, etc.
Responsible for counselling of children and their families as part of a
multidisciplinary team, in a designated Children’s Mental Health Centre.
Oversaw the clinical needs of the adolescents in Section 19 classes.
Psycho/Educational Consultant
1999
York Region District School Board
York Region, Ontario
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Responsible for report writing and provided feedback and assessment
results to teachers, parents and other involved parties.
Responsible for conducting comprehensive psycho/educational
assessments for children and adolescents.
Clinician
1997-1999
Roberts Smart Centre
Ottawa, Ontario
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Provided individual, family and group counselling.
Provided case management for the adolescents and their families.
Responsible for a caseload of 17 moderately to severely conduct
disordered young adults, adolescents and their families as part of a
residential treatment facility designated as a Children’s Mental Health
Centre.
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Oversaw the clinical needs of young adults, adolescents and their
parents.
Communicated with various agencies and other professionals regarding
the client's needs and concerns.
Administered and interpreted Psycho/Educational assessments.
Workshop Leader and Facilitator
1997
Jewish Family Services of Ottawa-Carleton
Ottawa, Ontario
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Provided an interactive, professional development seminar for teachers
on adapting Howard Gardner’s Multiple Theories of Intelligence in the
classroom.
Traumatic Brain Injury Program Manager
Behavioural Therapist/Psychometrist
1995-1996
Columbia Rehabilitation Centre
Toronto, Ontario
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Supervised a multidisciplinary treatment team that provided
comprehensive rehabilitation to individuals, who sustained traumatic
brain injuries.
Oversaw the clinical program on a day to day basis.
Marketed the traumatic brain injury program to potential referral
sources.
Administered, scored and provided feedback of neuropsychological
assessments for adolescents and adults.
Co-wrote neuropsychological assessment reports.
Continued to develop and implement the head injury program.
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Clinical Coordinator
1993-1995
Neurologic Rehabilitation Institute of Ontario
Mississauga, Ontario
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Liaised with medical and legal professionals and insurance companies.
Standardized reporting formats, edited all outgoing reports and chaired
clinical/team meetings and case conferences for a staff of ten
therapists.
Responsible for staffing and supervising clinical team.
Psychometrist
1993-1995
Neurologic Rehabilitation Institute of Ontario
Mississauga, Ontario
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Administered neuropsychological assessments of children, adolescents
and adults who had sustained a brain injury.
Co-wrote neuropsychological assessment reports.
Provided feedback to families and other health professionals.
Devised case-by-case treatment plans.
Provided supportive and educational counselling.
Group Therapy Leader
1992-1994
Integra Foundation
Toronto, Ontario
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Co-led therapy sessions for groups of learning disabled adolescents at
a Children's Mental Health Centre as part of an adolescent treatment
team.
Co-led assessment groups for learning disabled adolescents.
Provided support and focus on social and emotional development to
female and male learning disabled adolescents.
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Psychology Intern
1992-1993
Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario
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Administered and interpreted psychological assessments of
developmental delayed pre-school children as part of a multidisciplinary
team.
Conducted a pilot research study of Romanian adoptees.
Provided counselling to parents.
Membership/Other
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Member of FDRIO
Gold sponsor for a two day FDRIO conference for family lawyers,
judges and law students. March 13 – 14, 2014
Member of the AFCC, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts,
2007 - present.
Member of the AFCC Ontario Chapter of Family and Conciliation
Courts, 2009 – present.
Member of the High Conflict Forum, monthly meeting, 2007 – present.
Peer consultation with Dr. Barbara Fidler, on Parenting Coordination
and High Conflict families (monthly meetings), 2007 - present.
Lectured to Bar and Bench in Israel for 2011 and 2012
Initiated the High Conflict Forum with the Family Court Justice Philip
Marcus, Jerusalem, Israel, 2011, 2012
Presented with OACCPP President’s Award for Distinguished Volunteer
Service from the Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors,
Psychometrists and Psychotherapists, November 7, 2009.
Certified Member of the Association of OACCPP, Ontario Association of
Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists, 2002 present.
Chair of the Professional Conduct Committee of the OACCPP, 2007 2010.
Director at large of the Association of OACCPP, 2006 - 2010.
Board member on the Ethics and Governance and Risk Management
sub-committees, 2006 - 2010.
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Member of Advisory Committee to Supervised Access Programs of York
and Peel Regions, 2008 - present.
Jewish Family Institute Advisory Committee, 2006 - present.
Initiated and continued active member of peer support group for panel
members for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer, 2002 - present.
Mentor to CHAT Alumni, to assist with their career and professional
development, 2009 - present.
Contributing segments to GLOW, Canada’s Beauty and Health
Magazine, on parenting issues, December 2006, May 2007, March
2009, and May 2010.
Advanced Courses/Seminars
Workshops/seminars related to custody and access and child development:
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Arbitration course with Mr. Philip Epstein, Toronto 2014
Mr. Jon Graham, guest lecturer through AFCC, regarding
Australia’s new initiatives in Family Law, February 2015
Facing the Future: Challenges for the Children’s Lawyer: Child
development. Jean Clinton, psychiatrist, guest speaker. April 27th,
2010
Make Room for Daddy: Clinical and Legal Challenges for Fathers in
the Family Justice System: Attachment. Principal Speaker Diane
Benoit, M.D., FRCPC. April 6th, 2011.
Guest Lecturer for Hilary Linton, Riverdale Mediation, at “Screening for
Power Imbalances including Domestic Violence in Family Mediation and
Arbitration”, October 2010 and April 2011.
AFCC Ontario Chapter Second Annual Conference, the Future of
Family Law, October 15 and 16, 2010. Attended workshops: Children’s
Statements, Asessment Practice Issues and Risk Management, The
Future of Medation and Aribtraion, The Family Law Rules, What is
‘normal’ in Custody and Aceess: Should there be presumpstions (of
Joint Custody)?
"New Ways for Families: Advanced Training", full day workshop, William
A. Eddy, LCSW, Esq., April 29th, 2010
"It's all your Fault! Managing High Conflict People within a Legal and
Clinical Context", full day symposium, William A. Eddy, LCSW, Esq.,
April 28th, 2010.
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"Alienation: Implications for Assessment and Treatment", full day
symposium, Dr. Leslie Drozd and Dr. Nancy Olsen, April 23rd, 2010.
Guest Speaker at the Jewish Family Institute, For the Good of the
Children, “10 Lessons Learned from a Child Custody Consultant”,
October 9, 2009.
Improving Your Interviews with Children, Interviewing about
Preferences, Domestic Violence and Alienation and Estrangement, a full
day workshop, Mindy F. Mitnick, Ed. M., M.A., Licensed Psychologist,
Minneapolis, May 2009.
How Family Conflict Affects the Developing Brain, Dr. Jean Clinton,
Psychiatrist, AFCC Ontario Chapter Inaugural Event, April 2009.
Tug of War: A Judge’s Verdict on Separation, Custody Battles and the
Bitter Realities of Family Court, Mr. Justice Harvey Brownstone, AFCC
Ontario Chapter Inaugural Event, April 2009.
Improving the lives of Children and Families in Conflict, AFCC Ontario
Chapter Inaugural Event, April 2009.
“Smoke Screen or Fire?”, Allegations of Domestic Violence and Child
Sexual Abuse in High Conflict Divorcing Families, A Symposium for
Mental, Legal, and Child Welfare Professionals Struggling to Create
Greater Collaboration, Peter G. Jaffe, Ph. D., C. Psych., University of
Western Ontario, Centre for Research and Education on Violence
Against Women & Children and Mindy F. Mitnick, Ed. M., M.A.,
Licensed Psychologist, Minneapolis, full day symposium, November
2008.
Completed 30 hour course in Family Law of Ontario, with Hilary Linton,
LL.B., LL.M., Acc. FM., Lawyer, Arbitrator, May 2008 (3 days).
High Conflict Divorcing Families: Practical Strategies to Prevent
Alienation, A Symposium for Mental Health and Legal Professionals,
Matthew J. Sullivan Ph.D., November 9, 2007.
Parenting Coordination: Part II Advanced Applications, Dr. Barbara
Fidler, Ph.D., Acc. FM and Linda Chodos, MSW, RSW (full day),
October 20, 2007.
Parenting Coordination: Part I Foundation of Parenting Coordination, Dr.
Barbara Fidler, Ph.D., Acc. FM, Linda Chodos, MSW, RSW (full day),
October 19, 2007.
Parenting Coordination: Overview of Family Law (3 hour seminar),
Hilary Linton, LL.B. (ADR), October 18, 2007.
Divorce and Children’s Adjustment, Current Research and Implications
for Practice, Joan Kelly, Ph.D., April 16, 2007 (full day).
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Divorce Poison, Clinical and Legal Considerations, working with
Families of Alienated Children, Richard Warshak, Ph.D. and Panel
Discussion to Follow, April 26, 2006 (full day).
Gerard Klein, Ph.D., C. Psych, Psychologist, How to Manage Your
Child’s Anger: A Positive Approach to Anger Management, November
2005.
Symposium. Working with High Conflict Families of Separation and
Divorce: Best Practice Approaches for Professionals, April 6 & 7, 2005.
Jerome Price, M.A., Working Strategically with OCL (Office of the
Children’s Lawyer) Clients, November 5, 2004.
Jerome Price, M.A., Caught in the Crossfire: Strategic Approaches with
High Conflict Families, November 4, 2004.
Jay Pryor, Ph.D., C. Psych. One day workshop. Supporting Children
and Parents Through Family Change, November 2003 (one day
workshop).
Dr. Stephen Hucker, Forensic Psychiatrist, Child Molesters, 2002.
Additional Training:
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OACCPP Annual Conference, Panel Discussion on Strategic Private
Practice Development, November 5, 2009.
Barbara Coloroso, Parenting and Teaching with Wit and Wisdom,
Raising children to be responsible, resourceful, caring individuals,
through Jewish Family Institute, November 2008.
DSM Overview and its Practical Application, Dr. David Teplin, Psych.
D., C. Psych. Oak Ridges Medical Centre, October 26, 2007.
Life Coaching: Skills, Techniques, Practices seminar, Dr. Patrick
Williams, Ed. D., MCC, Founder and CEO of The Institute for Life Coach
Training, October 26, 2007.
Cognitive Therapy for Depression workshop, Dr. Greg Dubord, M.D.,
Director Toronto Centre for Cognitive Therapy, October 25, 2007.
Advanced Cognitive Therapy Tools Workshop, Dr. Greg Dubord, M.D.,
Director Toronto Centre for Cognitive Therapy, October 2006.
Extern Program, George Hull Centre Family Therapy Program, George
Hull Centre, Elizabeth Ridgely(Director) and Daniel Bogue (Faculty),
2001-2002.
Dr. Diane Benoit, Attachment Workshop, 2002.
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Training for TAPP.C assessment, Peel Arson Prevention Program in
assessing fire setting risk for children, 2002.
Wraparound Facilitator Training, (Case Management Training), 2001.
CAFAS Training and Certificate Reliable, (Symptom identification
Certificate), 2001.
COPE Leader Training (Parenting workshop), 2000.
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