Dessy Marinova, PhD

Narrative of Services:

Dr. Dessy currently works at TDSB and Cognitive and Interpersonal Therapy Centre (CITC) in Toronto. At CITC, Dr. Dessy provides psychological assessments, psychotherapy as well as parent consultations and counselling. Dr. Dessy has experience with children, adolescents and young adults who present with mood/anxiety issues, OCD, learning disability, and ADHD. Dr. Dessy utilizes integrative and individualized treatment drawing from evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, solution focused, mindfulness, exposure and response prevention, and acceptance and commitment therapy. Approximately 5-10% of practice cases present with OCD and related disorders.

Facilities accessible by clients of all mobility levels: No

Training Description:

Dr. Dessy Marinova is a clinical and school psychologist who obtained her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of Waterloo in 2008. Dr. Dessy received her clinical training at the CAMH, Sick Kids Hospital, and TDSB. She is a member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario. Dr. Dessy has 7 years experience treating children, adolescents and young adults with OCD. Dr. Dessy has attended several workshops on OCD related disorders including BTTI in Toronto (2017), completion of a consultation case with a member of the IOCDF Scientific/Clinical Advisory Board, and the APA Annual Convention in Toronto (2015).

Diversity Statement:

Dr. Dessy has also special interest in working with first generation immigrants who struggle with their adaptation to Canada as well as inter-generational family conflict related to acculturation issues.

As part of her graduate studies, Dr. Dessy conducted research with recent immigrant families from Eastern Europe and China. She attended graduate courses that focused on acculturation processes as well as explored scientific literature on the dynamics of parent-child relationship in first and second-generation immigrants in North America. Dr. Dessy’s PhD thesis in psychology was entitled “Dynamics of Parent-Child Relationships and Conflict in Chinese, Eastern European and European Canadian Families.” In her current clinical practice, Dr. Dessy continues to work with first generation immigrants who experience relationship stresses related to adjustment issues and different rates of acculturation within families.