Connecting Stars is a member of Autism Ontario and the Canadian Counselling Psychotherapy Association and is an active member in the community promoting autism awareness and mental health issues.
Connecting Stars offers over 10 years of highly experienced and dedicated staff for providing treatment for anxiety, stress, depression, anger, and relationship concerns. Effective treatment approaches are based on evidence based research to help clients reach their desired change. Working together with clients, meaningful strategies will be utilized to understand present challenges while facilitating effective coping strategies to change problematic patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
I am a passionate and experienced counsellor specializing in the treatment of anxiety, depression and self-esteem issues. My post-masters experience concentrates on working alongside individuals, families, and couples while also concentrating on Men's Anger Management and Coping with Stress through Mindfulness Groups for Women to support individuals regarding their health and wellness goals. Prior to my Masters education, I have over ten years of extensive clinical practice providing intensive behavioural interventions for children and families with challenging behaviours to improve relationship dynamics and communication. My extensive training concentrates on utilizing Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Narrative Therapy.
After my complimentary introduction session, I will complete an assessment of your specific needs and I will guide you to understand your thought patterns that may be caught in the past or perhaps in the future regarding worry and fear and together we will work towards positive change. I will create a safe and supportive environment so you may feel comfortable to openly and honestly discuss your feelings and concerns. Please contact me today for a complimentary phone consultation to begin your personal journey to wellness and happiness.
Our counselling sessions and ABA programs are overseen by Senior Therapist Leigh-Ann Brunke, BA,BSS, MC (CP). Leigh-Ann is a passionate and motivating natural environment teacher, who focuses on keeping learning fun to maintain high acquisition rates for your child. Each program is tailored to encompass a holistic program meeting home, school, and life goals.
At Connecting Stars, our highly trained and experienced therapists are dedicated to your child’s success. Our caring staff undergoes regular training and supervision to maintain our high quality teaching goals. In addition to the earned B.A’s, each staff member holds a graduate certificate in Autism and Behavior Science. Our staff also attends conferences, clinics, and seminars to ensure our skills are current with the most recent literature for language and learning.
Connecting stars offers expertise in providing ABA services for your child with autism. Autism is a pervasive developmental disability that affects the functioning of the brain. Autism is characterized by and not limited to a delay in one of more of the following areas: social-communication and social interaction, restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviour which are present during the early developmental period. If your child has been diagnosed with Autism, Connecting Stars is the first step to your child’s best future.
Our counselling sessions and ABA programs are overseen by Senior Therapist Leigh-Ann Brunke, BA,BSS, MC (CP). Leigh-Ann is a passionate and motivating natural environment teacher, who focuses on keeping learning fun to maintain high acquisition rates for your child. Each program is tailored to encompass a holistic program meeting home, school, and life goals.
At Connecting Stars, our highly trained and experienced therapists are dedicated to your child’s success. Our caring staff undergoes regular training and supervision to maintain our high quality teaching goals. In addition to the earned B.A’s, each staff member holds a graduate certificate in Autism and Behavior Science. Our staff also attends conferences, clinics, and seminars to ensure our skills are current with the most recent literature for language and learning.
Connecting Stars is proud to be partnering with the Richmond Hill Public Library again to host “Little Stars,” a social skills group for children with autism. During the social skills program, your Little Star will enjoy a wide variety of goal based topics and themed activities. Our group will focus on listening, sharing and turn taking as well as problem solving, feeling and communication. Children will learn about personal space, boundaries and social greetings as well as appropriate behaviour during peer interaction, transitioning and activity completion.
Note: Please come and join us in the Children’s Program Room.
Age group: 3-7 years. Admission: FREE. Richmond Hill Public Library, Central Library This is a drop-in event. No registration is needed. View Next Social Skills Group
One on One attention is critical to suceeding.
We provide a wide array of services for you..
Therapeutic support for depression, anxiety, grief, and trauma.
Family support during transitions, behaviours, and to improve communication and love.
Applied Behavioural Analysis for improving academic, life, communication, and play skills.
Support to discuss relationship challenges and strategies improve communication
Assessments, creation of academic programs, and supervision/training of therapists
Our social skills groups aim to facilitate language and communication skills in group settings.
Call or email us today to arrange a free consult
Here to help you succeed and meet your goals
BA, BSS, MC (CP)
B.A Hons Psychology, Autism and Behavioural Sciences Cert.
Since 2004, we have been providing support to children and families with children and autism.
In 2005, Connecting Stars was founded.
Since 2012, we have been providing free social Skills classes for children with Autism at the Richmond Hill Library.
In 2015, Connecting Stars celebrated it's 10th Year anniversary!
Connecting stars is dedicated to counselling and ABA services given the importance of these programs in our community.
Did you know:
(CDC, 2014)
(Hazzard, 1995)
Since Leigh Ann has started working with our son, he has made amazing progress. We have seen improvements in his eye contact, body language, communication, and social skills. Leigh Ann makes learning fun and she is very skilled at using natural environment teaching. She also works hard to find the most effective teaching methods to meet our son's unique learning style. Our son always enjoys his sessions and is he is eager participate. We are so happy that Leigh Ann is part of our lives and with her help we are very optimistic about the future for our son.
Over the past year, Leigh-Ann has been instrumental in our son's development. Our son has made tremendous gains in his academic as well as his social areas. It is obvious after meeting her, that Leigh-Ann is a genuinely compassionate teacher who has our son's best interests at heart and at the same time is knowledgeable enough to ensure that the proper plans are in place to allow our son to flourish. We are grateful to have found a teacher like Leigh-Ann and our son always has a smile on his face when he sees her, confirming that we have made the right decision.
There is no better time than the present to get in touch with us and start your sessions.