MindSteps Psychology
Welcome to MindSteps Psychology
We provide psychological assessments and evidence-based psychotherapy. Our services are available in-person and online, supporting individuals in Waterloo and across Ontario.
Our Approach
At MindSteps, we believe in a balance between acceptance and change. Our name reflects this balance: 'Mind' represents our commitment to helping clients be mindful, promoting awareness and understanding of their present experience. 'Steps' symbolizes the journey we embark on with our clients, supporting them as they take steps that move them closer to their personal values and goals.
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MindSteps Psychology offers evidence-based care for children, adolescents, and young adults. We provide tailored assessments and treatments for various concerns, in a warm, supportive, and collaborative environment. We strive to involve caregivers from the beginning, recognizing their crucial role in the wellbeing of their children. Moreover, we offer parent consultations, aiming to support families through comprehensive care.
Meet the Team
Dr. Sol Pound, Ph.D., C. Psych.
Clinic Director and Psychologist
I am a Registered Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, with over 10 years of experience. I am registered to work with children, teens, adults, and families.
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I am passionate about working with children, teens, and young adults. I value their curiosity, honesty, unique perspectives, creativity, and openness to growth. It is incredibly rewarding to connect with them and support their journey as they begin to understand themselves better, build stronger relationships, and take meaningful steps toward their values and goals.
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I hold a Master’s and Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology from Western University, as well as an Honours B.Sc. from the University of Toronto. My clinical training has taken place in a variety of settings, including hospital clinics, community mental health centres, public schools, university counselling services, and private practices. I have developed extensive experience in providing assessment and treatment for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, OCD, depression, selective mutism, body-focused repetitive behaviours (e.g., skin picking and hair pulling), emotion regulation difficulties, relationship challenges, as well as social, emotional, and learning difficulties related to neurodivergence such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism.
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In addition to my role as Clinic Director at MindSteps, I am an adjunct faculty supervisor at the University of Waterloo and a member of the International OCD Foundation and the Ontario Psychological Association. I engage in regular professional training and peer consultation to stay at the forefront of evidence-based care. As a parent of two school-aged children, I also draw insights from my own parenting journey.
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As a psychologist, I bring warmth and understanding to every session to foster a safe and supportive environment. I provide individual therapy as well as caregiver consultation. My approach is integrative and collaborative. For individual therapy, my primary orientation is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and I utilize other interventions as needed, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). When providing caregiver consultation and coaching, my primary approach is Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT).
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I am committed to helping young people and their families find a path forward that aligns with their values and goals, builds confidence, and enhances overall quality of life.
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I currently focus my practice on working with children, teens, young adults (post-secondary students), and their families.
Meet the Team
Dr. Sarah Bacso, Ph.D., C. Psych.
Psychologist
I am dedicated to helping individuals better understand their challenges and strengths, empowering them to find the best path forward in their mental health journeys. With a focus on creating a safe and supportive environment, I use evidence-based approaches tailored to each person's unique needs. My goal is to foster personal growth and resilience, helping clients gain insight and confidence as they navigate their mental health and well-being.
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I am a psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario to work with children, teens, and adults. I focus my work in providing diagnostic and psychoeducational assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. I provide assessments for a wide range of concerns, including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, learning disorders, and mental health difficulties. My goal is to offer clients informative feedback and applicable recommendations based on my assessments to support them in their personal development.
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I also provide clients with evidence-based psychotherapy. I offer therapy to children, teens, and adults, as well as parenting consultations. I strive to create a safe, open, and welcoming space where individuals can work through the unique challenges they face. During initial sessions, I work to create a treatment plan focused on the client’s goals. I primarily use CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) to address client needs and also draw from ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) and EFFT (emotion-focused family therapy). I have experience treating a wide range of presenting problems, including depression, anxiety, OCD, emotion regulation issues, and social skills difficulties.
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I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph and my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Waterloo. During my training, I worked at the Centre for Mental Health Research and Treatment, Lutherwood Children’s Mental Health, the Upper Grand District School Board, and Grand River Hospital. Since my graduation, I have been working in private practice.
Meet the Team
Anna Zavadskaya
Administrative Assistant
I am the administrative assistant at MindSteps Psychology. I am passionate about applying my organizational skills and a compassionate approach to support our practice. My goal is to ensure the seamless operation of the office, allowing our psychologists to focus on delivering top-quality care to our clients.
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I manage appointment scheduling, patient communications, and the maintenance of confidential records. I strive to provide a welcoming atmosphere, helping clients feel comfortable and supported from their very first contact. I am committed to fostering a positive and supportive environment.
Our Credentials
How Psychologists Are Different from Other Mental Health Professionals
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Becoming a psychologist in Ontario takes years of specialized training to ensure they can provide high-quality mental health care. It starts with completing a university degree, followed by graduate studies in clinical psychology, usually leading to a Ph.D. Psychologists train under the scientist-practitioner model, meaning they learn to integrate scientific research with clinical practice. They also engage in ongoing professional development, staying up to date with the latest research on human behaviour, brain development, and therapeutic interventions.
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To become registered, psychologists must meet the requirements set by the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario. Along the way, they gain hands-on experience through supervised placements and internships, learning how to tailor proven therapies to meet each person’s unique needs. Psychologists are committed to monitoring and assessing progress, allowing them to provide evidence-based care that supports meaningful change. This in-depth training gives them the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundation needed to offer excellent mental health care. Finally, Psychologists are uniquely qualified to make and communicate mental health diagnoses, including ADHD, ASD, OCD, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and many others.
