ABOUT

OFFICE COORDINATOR

Lisa Cummings

Meet the backbone of our staff. She is our incredible Medical Office Coordinator and the first point of contact for our patients when they reach out to our centre. She has over 20 years of customer service experience and has been a Medical Office Assistant since graduating in 2013. Since joining the Kids Clinic in 2021, she has been an invaluable coordinator within our team, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently.

In her time off, she is a dedicated mother of three and enjoys spending time with her children. She loves staying active with her family and finding new ways to create lasting memories together.

She is compassionate and understands the needs of our patients. She looks forward to meeting you, always ready to greet you with a friendly smile and make you feel welcome from the very first interaction.

NURSE PRACTITIONER

Julie Watson

Julie Watson is a seasoned Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience, including a long-standing role at SickKids. For the past four years, she has brought her deep expertise and passion for child health to the Kids Care Clinic and SHARPE Minds Clinic, focusing on behavioral and mental health in children and adolescents.

Julie believes in empowering families through education and collaborative care. She specializes in supporting children of all ages through challenges related to development, learning, and emotional well-being. With a special interest in working with adolescents and those with ADHD or learning differences, Julie blends clinical knowledge with a personal connection—having two children of her own who also navigate similar diagnoses. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, skiing, and outdoor adventures with her family, friends, and two dogs.

NURSE PRACTITIONER

Rachel Toyonaga

Rachel Toyonaga is a compassionate Nurse Practitioner with a unique blend of professional and personal experience. She began her NP career in primary care but was drawn to SHARPE Minds through her close connection to ADHD—having both a sibling and a parent diagnosed. Rachel brings empathy and first-hand understanding to her care, helping families feel seen, heard, and supported.

At SHARPE Minds, Rachel often handles initial in-person assessments and enjoys helping patients and parents make sense of behaviors, emotions, and care plans. She has a strong interest in gender-affirming care, mental health, and accessible education. Outside the clinic, Rachel enjoys camping, cycling, and a range of fibre arts like knitting and embroidery—bringing creativity and balance into her personal life.

NURSE PRACTITIONER

Ali Lazarus

Ali Lazarus is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner with over seven years of experience in psychiatry and psychiatric emergency care. Her passion for mental health and deep commitment to patient-centered care are at the heart of her work with children and families at SHARPE Minds Clinic. Ali sees every patient as a partner in their care journey. She is especially focused on creating a safe, collaborative space where treatment decisions are made together with the child and their caregivers. In addition to ADHD care, she has a professional interest in addictions medicine.

When she’s not at the clinic, you’ll likely find Ali traveling (she’s even made it all the way to Australia!) or enjoying peaceful walks with her dog.

NURSE PRACTITIONER

Tara MacLeod

Tara H. MacLeod, MSN, NP-PHC is a Primary Care and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience in acute care, primary care, and mental health settings. She provides comprehensive, evidence-based care to children, adolescents, and adults, with a clinical focus on ADHD assessment and management, women’s health, and integrated mental health care.

Tara is known for her thorough, compassionate, and structured approach to care. She conducts detailed assessments, works collaboratively with patients and families, and develops individualized treatment plans that may include medication management, education, and practical supports tailored to each person’s needs. Her ADHD practice emphasizes diagnostic clarity, long-term management, and coordination with schools, families, and other healthcare professionals. In addition to ADHD care, Tara offers support for anxiety, mood concerns, chronic disease management, and preventive health. She is the recipient of the Patient Choice Award from the Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario, recognizing her commitment to patient-centred, high-quality care.

NURSE PRACTITIONER

Amaara Khan

Amaara Khan is a Nurse Practitioner who provides compassionate, accessible, and comprehensive primary health care. She approaches patient care with empathy and understanding, meeting patients where they are in their health journey. Passionate about mental health and healthcare equity, she is committed to improving lives in meaningful ways and creating a safe, supportive environment where every patient feels heard, respected, and empowered.

NURSE PRACTITIONER

Karla Mae Baarde

Karla Mae Baarde is a patient-centred Nurse Practitioner with experience in primary care, pediatrics, psychiatry, and telehealth. She has been a nurse since 2010 and has a strong interest in pediatric primary care, supporting children and families through both acute and ongoing health concerns.

At the clinic, Karla Mae enjoys building strong relationships with patients and caregivers, providing evidence-based care, and helping families feel informed and supported in their healthcare decisions. Outside of work, she is a proud mom of one and enjoys travelling, movies, music, and reading.

LICENSED PSYCHOTHERAPIST & NEUROSCIENTIST

Elena Darmos MSc., Ph.D., M.A.

Elena Darmos is a licensed psychotherapist and neuroscientist who provides evidence-based treatment for children, adolescents, and adults with neurological and psychological concerns. She specializes in working with ADHD, sleep disorders, and a wide range of psychological and neurodevelopmental conditions across the lifespan.

Elena brings a strong scientific foundation to her clinical work, with published research spanning neurological, developmental, oncological, and mood-related brain disorders. Her integrative approach combines neuroscience-informed psychotherapy with practical, individualized strategies to support emotional regulation, executive functioning, and overall well-being.

Her specialties include: ADHD, Adjustment to chronic health conditions, Anxiety, Chronic pain, Depression, Executive functioning challenges, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Insomnia and sleep disorders, Obsessive-compulsive disorder and Panic attacks.