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OUR TEAM
The TLC Team is experienced, dedicated, talented and friendly.
Rachel Purcell, B.A., B.Ed., OCT
Educational Director
Rachel is a passionate and talented educator and clinician. Rachel has a Bachelor of Arts Honours Psychology received from the University of Windsor in 2008, a Post Graduate Certificate in Autism & Behavioural Science received from George Brown College in 2009, and a Bachelor of Education received from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in 2011. Rachel is an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) who worked in the public school system for 4 years before opening TLC. Rachel takes great pride in creating and implementing fun and engaging programs and lessons for a wide range of learners. Her enthusiasm as an educator, as well as her friendly and professional nature, allow her to build strong connections with her clients, and their parents and family members, as well as with her colleagues and the team she leads. In her free time, Rachel likes to cook and bake, watch documentaries and reality TV, and spend time with her family.
Benjamin Purcell
Director of Operations
Benjamin is a Certified Instructor in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) with the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), and is Certified in First Aid & CPR with St John Ambulance. Benjamin has over 20 years experience working with children and adolescents, including 7 years experience as a Child & Youth Worker (CYW) working with adolescents with challenging behaviours in a centre-based setting. Benjamin spent 10 years managing a health care clinic. Benjamin's out-going nature, as well as his relaxed kindness, help him to gain the trust and affection of all clients and parents. Benjamin studied History and Economics at Concordia University, completed the Massage Therapy diploma program at Sutherland Chan, and completed a college diploma program in Business
Administration from Durham College. Outside of work, Ben enjoys listening to music and spending time with his family.
Michael Vonella
Director of Business Development
Michael is a well respected community leader, with deep roots in Windsor-Essex. As a member of the Board of Directors for the Via Italia BIA, Michael promotes TLC's development and connection within our neighbourhood and our city as a whole. Michael takes pride in creating initiatives for our clients to connect with their community. Michael's hard-work, dedication to his team, and conscientious nature, make him a valued and dependable leader. Michael obtained an Honours Degree in Communications from the University of Windsor in 2002, and went on to work as the National Sales Manager for Sentoco Plastics from 2004-2008, and then National Sales Manager for Umbro Canada from 2009-2019. Outside of his work at TLC, Michael enjoys spending time with family and friends, and doing yoga.
Dr. Tim Baker, C. Psych.
Clinical Supervisor
Dr. Tim Baker has been registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario since 1996. He has been providing psychological assessments and interventions in southwestern Ontario for over 30 years. For the past two decades, his practice has focused on developmental disabilities. Dr. Baker served as Associate Clinical Director of the southwest region of the provincial autism treatment program for six years. For the last 10 years, he has supervised a Ministry of Education treatment classroom for students with ASD that has a special focus on the transition to school. In his free time, Tim enjoys playing tennis, travelling, and spending time with his family.
Safia Abdulle, MSW, RSW
Clinical Social Worker
Safia Abdulle is a passionate, dedicated, neurodiversity-affirming clinician who enjoys building authentic connections with her clients. Safia is currently pursuing her PhD in Social Work at York University. She is also a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Safia obtained a Masters in Social Work in 2019, a B.A. in Developmental Psychology in 2015, and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Autism & Behavioural Science in 2016. Safia has worked with our organization for 8 years, during which time she gained experience providing direct services to our learners, facilitating social peer groups, and leading the delivery of programming. Now, Safia provides virtual counselling services for socioemotional needs and is passionate about using client-centred, anti-oppressive, neurodiversity-affirming approaches for our learners. In her free time, Safia enjoys watching basketball or social-strategy games, as well as making the perfect homemade iced coffee.
Danila Boyes, B.A., M.Ed., BCBA Senior Clinician
Danila Boyes is an experienced and thoughtful clinician who has dedicated many years to teaching a wide range of learners. Danila graduated from the University of Windsor in 2014 with a B.A in Developmental Psychology and in 2015 received a Post-Graduate Certificate in Autism & Behavioural Science from St. Clair College. Most recently Danila graduated from Arizona State University with a Masters of Arts in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis (2022) and became a BCBA in March 2023. Danila has been an integral part of our organization since 2017, during which time she has developed her skills as an Instructor Therapist, Junior Clinician and Senior Therapist. Through her work she has learned to adapt her engagement and teaching strategies to each client. For Danila, the most rewarding part of her work is seeing clients succeed in their programming and learn skills to be more independent. In her free time Danila enjoys cooking and baking, reading a good book, and camping.
Ilena De Menech, B.A., M.Sc.
Senior Clinician
Ilena De Menech is a dedicated clinician with many years of experience providing services to a wide range of learners. With a consistent focus on increasing her skills and education, Ilena obtained a B.A. in Psychology and Family and Social Relations from The University of Windsor in 2013, a Post-Graduate Certificate as a Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA) from Lambton College in 2014, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Autism & Behavioural Science from St. Clair College in 2017, and a Master of Science in Psychology with focus on Child and Adolescent Development from Capella University with distinction in 2023. Ilena has worked with our organization for 7 years, during which time she has had the opportunity to increase her knowledge and experience in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). For Ilena, the most rewarding part of her work is seeing her clients learn and reach their full potential, and she enjoys finding different ways to teach clients with many different learning styles. During her free time, Ilena enjoys baking and reading. Ilena’s professional goal is to become a Psychotherapist.
Urmi Soni, B.Sc., M.Sc.
Senior Clinician
Urmi Soni is a compassionate and talented clinician who enjoys teaching new skills to clients that would make their lives more engaging and independent. Urmi was born and raised in India, where she completed her Bachelor of Science (major in genetics) in the year 2017 and a Master of Science in clinical psychology. In 2021, Urmi decided to move to Canada to explore different opportunities and gain more perspective. Once in Canada, Urmi received a Post-Graduate Certificate in Autism & Behavioural Science in the year 2022. Urmi has been with our organization since 2022 during which time she has honed her skills as a successful therapist and clinician. In her free time, Urmi finds contentment in learning about coffee, listening to podcasts, and watching sitcoms.
Purvaja Patil, B.A.
Junior Clinician
Purvaja Patil is a highly skilled and talented therapist with incredible clinical initiative and organizational skills. She has had great success working with a wide range of learners from preschool to adolescent learners and finds the most joy in connecting with her clients and witnessing their growth and progress firsthand. Purvaja was born and raised in India where she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Mumbai University. Pursuing her passion to make a difference in people’s lives, she decided to move to Canada in 2021. Her decision to move to Canada was inspired by a series of enriching life experiences, including volunteering at local community centres, engaging in various clinical internships and seeking new opportunities for personal and professional growth. Once in Canada, Purvaja received a Post-Graduate Certificate in Autism & Behavioural Science from St. Clair College in 2022. She has been with our organization since 2022 during which time she has developed into an incredible therapist and an integral part of our clinical team. In her free time, Purvaja enjoys exploring different styles of art, trying out new restaurants and reading books about human behaviour. She finds solace in maintaining her fitness through workouts and engaging in mindfulness practices such as yoga and meditation.
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