Education/Experience
Dr. Leah Hartman is a registered Clinical and Forensic Psychologist (supervised practice) with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She obtained her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from York University. Prior to her current role as a clinical and forensic psychologist in private practice, she received clinical and forensic training in a variety of settings, including the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, conducting both assessment and therapy with individuals who have severe and persistent mental illness, those who have been found Not Criminally Responsible (NCR) and those who committed sexual offenses. She has completed numerous forensic psychological assessments for clients in criminal domains, as well as provided treatment. Dr. Hartman is also skilled in the area of forensic/violence risk, cognitive, personality, and diagnostic assessments.
Dr. Hartman’s clinical approach draws on client-centred, cognitive behavioural, compassion-focused, and emotion-focused therapeutic modalities. Above all else, she aims to tailor treatment to each clients’ unique background, needs and preferences. Dr. Hartman places a strong emphasis on developing supportive and collaborative relationships with each of her clients by creating a safe, empathic, nonjudgmental space in which to explore life’s challenges. Dr. Hartman also strives to instill genuine hope in her clients and helps clients become more aware of and utilize their strengths to work towards achieving important life goals. Clients often comment that Dr. Hartman is warm, genuine, highly empathic and that they feel deeply understood and heard.