Our Team

Monica Forst

Monica has been working as a health care professional for over 20 years. She has been a psychotherapist in private practice since 1997 and is the co-founder of Choices in Action Counselling Services. Specializing in Addictions and Childhood Trauma, Monica does individual and couples therapy. She currently facilitates a long-term group therapy for the Physicians Health Program and a long-term group therapy for women. Monica has facilitated group therapy programs for addictions, anger management and male survivors of childhood sexual and physical abuse.

Monica has received extensive training in Transactional Analysis and Psychodrama. A seasoned trainer and educator, she has presented on numerous psychotherapy issues for other health care professionals, both within the community and in other major cities in North America. She has presented on Transference/Countertransference, Attachment Theory, Male Sexual Victimization, Trauma and Resiliency, Vicarious Trauma and Psychodramatic Techniques.

Monica leads personal growth intensive weekend workshops for clients suffering from childhood trauma. These workshops are facilitated in a group therapy setting.

Monica Forst offers individual and group supervision that is recognized by the College of Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO).

Cost: $175 per hour.

Sara Panuccio

Sara has been working in the area of mental health and addictions since 2008, specifically with the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Care Centre. Her specialties are in substance use and concurrent disorders. She has expert knowledge and experience in using a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities including cognitive behavioural therapy, and dialectical behavioural therapy. She has also been trained in schema-focused therapy, transactional analysis, and motivational interviewing. The population served by Sara are youth and adults. She provides individual therapy.

Sara is a Registered Psychotherapist (Registration Number: 004640) and a Canadian Certified Counsellor (Membership Number: 10001412). Her services are covered by most extended health insurance plans.

Cost: $160 per hour.

Debbie Rubino

Meet Debbie Rubino. She is a new addition to Choices in Action Counselling Services, as she will be doing her student practicum with us for the next several months. She is currently completing her Masters degree in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University.

She has worked in the mental health field since 2017. Having worked for the past several years at the John Howard Society, Debbie has acquired expertise working with men and women of all ages. She is keen to expand her knowledge in treating addictions, anger management, trauma, emotional regulation, and daily coping. She has a holistic approach to clients, viewing each individual as a unique compilation of emotions, thoughts, and experiences. She believes in a collaborative partnership, which is grounded in trust, authenticity and mutual respect.

While at Choices in Action Counselling Services, she will be seeing clients at a nominal fee, while broadening her skills in a variety of areas, including Schema Focused Therapy and Transactional Analysis.

Debbie Rubino is currently completing her Masters in Counselling Psychology degree from Yorkville University and is doing her Practicum under the supervision of Monica Forst, founder of Choices in Action Counselling Services.

Cost: sliding fee from $60 to $90, to be discussed at initial assessment.