Michael Topa, M.A
Director
Michael is the co-founder and current Director of Greenoaks. His professional interests include intellectually gifted learners, and the differences in learning styles between boys and girls as they impact the learning process. He also has a personal interest in adolescent underachievement, ADHD conditions and mood related issues.
Michael grew up in Michigan, Texas and Afghanistan and attended the Universities of Michigan, Guam, York and Toronto. He holds a M.A. degree from the University of Toronto in Educational Theory (School Psychology). Michael has worked as a Psychoeducational Consultant for over 35 years in school board and private practice settings, and has conducted approximately 3500 assessments with individuals ranging from age 4 to 54 during that time. As time permits, he enjoys writing poetry, restoring antique boxes, and playing Frisbee with his 2 dogs – Tanner (Border Collie) and Eddie (King Charles Cavalier Spaniel).
Christine R. Wasson, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coordinator of Psychological Services
Psychologist
For the past 28 years, Christine has provided psychological services to infants, children, adolescents and young adults in school board, child development centre and private practice settings. Her professional interests include early childhood development, learning disabilities, developmental disabilities and autism. Christine currently works at a Child Development Centre in Eastern Ontario. Her favourite free time activities include reading, knitting, kayaking and hiking, and spending time with her family, friends and pets.
Maureen Sullivan-Powell, B.Sc.
Psychoeducational Consultant
In her role as a Psychoeducational Consultant, Maureen has more than 35 years of professional experience and sensitivity in working with children and adolescents who have developmental or physical disabilities. She also has considerable experience with anxiety disorders. Maureen is the parent of a young adult with significant developmental challenges. She can share with Greenoaks clients invaluable first-hand knowledge about learning related issues, school programs, and government funding for certain diagnosed conditions. In her spare time, she enjoys power walking, cottage life, skiing, and vacationing in the Caribbean.
Laura Mahoney, M.A.
Psychological Associate
Laura has over 20 years experience providing psychological services to children, adolescents, and young adults in academic and private practice settings. She has expertise in the areas of learning disabilities, remediation strategies and giftedness, as well as experience in assessing students with developmental disabilities, behavioural difficulties and autism. In her spare time, Laura enjoys reading, watching films and travel, as well as exploring the greater Toronto area with her husband and 3 children.