Individual & Family Therapist
MSW, RSW
Ayal Senior is a Registered Social Worker who specializes in supporting neurodiverse adolescents, adults and families reach their fullest potential.
He has over a decade’s worth of experience working in the private and public school system as a life and social-skills instructor, teaching assistant and vocational therapist. Ayal uses a personalized, solution-focused and strength-based approach in his work with individuals and families that emphasizes independent living skills, executive functioning and decision making through productive and meaningful activities, relationships and play.
Utilizing a creative, motivational and mindful practice to reach neurodiverse people, Ayal specializes in helping individuals design their own unique niche that supports their growth and development.
Ayal is also a noted musician with a passion for composing, producing and performing music around the world.
Young adults and their families
$180/hr session
Virtual, In-person
Single Session Therapy (SST) offers a transformative, evidence-based approach to addressing a specific challenge or goal in a focused, 90-minute session. Rooted in research, SST has proven effective in fostering hope, insight, and tangible progress in clients seeking immediate breakthroughs. Led by Dori, whose clinical expertise ensures a highly personalized experience, this session provides a unique opportunity to gain clarity and actionable tools for your journey. Each 90-minute session comes with tailored resources to support your continued growth.
Cost: $400/90 minute session
Some examples of goals you could work on in an SST:
• Clarify your therapy goals
• Build emotional awareness
• Understand the “why” behind how you experience the world
• Improve executive functioning
• How to make and maintain friendships and relationships
• Managing stress and reducing meltdowns and shutdowns
• Masking and unmasking
• Establish healthy habits
• Clarify your values and motivations
• Understand your neurodivergent loved one
• Develop self-care and self-compassion
• Networking strategies
• Explore your accommodations and how to advocate for them
• Building a strengths-based career
INVEST is a groundbreaking therapeutic framework developed by Dori Zener for mental health professionals supporting neurodivergent people.
IDENTIFY NEEDS - VALIDATE - EDUCATE - STRENGTHEN - THRIVE
INVEST Training is appropriate for organizations who provide mental health therapy to neurodivergent clients. INVEST training will support your practitioners by further developing their person-centred, strengths-based, and neuro-affirming skills.
Dori offers dynamic workshops and expert guidance on neurodiversity and mental health, tailored for organizations, schools, and workplaces. She empowers teams and individuals by fostering understanding, promoting inclusivity, and creating supportive environments where everyone can thrive.
Topics include: Supporting Neurodivergent Employees, Well-being for Autistic Girls and Women, Consent & Sexuality, Parenting Autistic Girls, and other related topics tailored to your needs.
Ayal's passion for neurodiversity stems from his 8 years experience as a teaching assistant and social worker at Kayla's Children Centre where he developed close relationships with his students and families in the Jewish neurodiversity community. Focusing on independent living skills, creative expression and strengths based-counselling, Ayal enjoys working with clients of all ages and diverse cultural backgrounds.
Embarking on the journey of booking a therapy session can be a significant step—one that might seem intimidating.
Here are some FAQs
If your preferred associate is available to meet with new clients, please click the link in their bio to book your free 20-minute consultation.
If they are not meeting with new clients at this time, please feel free to add yourself to our waiting list. Our Intake Coordinator will be in touch as soon as possible to schedule your appointment.
Yes, all our consultations are virtual. However, some of our associates meet clients for in-person sessions in the Toronto area.
Our therapists are Registered Social Workers and Registered Psychotherapists and are covered by most health benefits plans. Check your benefits to see if these professionals are covered by your insurance.
Payments are made through our client portal Jane.app after each session. All major credit cards are accepted.
We require 48 hour cancellation notice for in-person sessions, and 24 hours for virtual appointments.
“An Expert Discussion on Knowledge Translation in Autism in Adulthood Research”. Moderators: Anne V. Kirby, Participants: Katherine E. McDonald, James Cusack, Brenna Maddox, Cheryl Mangan, Lisa Morgan, Anne Roux, Nidhi Singhal, and Dori Zener. Autism in Adulthood. Mar 2021.11-17. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2020.29017.avk
Zener, D. (2019), “Helping autistic women thrive”, Advances in Autism, Vol. 5 No. 3, pp. 143-156. https://doi.org/10.1108/AIA-10-2018-0042
Zener, D. (2019), “Journey to diagnosis for women with autism”, Advances in Autism, Vol. 5 Issue: 1, pp.2-13, https://doi.org/10.1108/AIA-10-2018-0041
Contact us to request full-text versions of the publications.
Radio guest
The Dating and Relationship Show – Autism and Dating AM640 – 2019
Video
“10 Tips for Enhancing Mental Health” – CAMH 2023
https://youtu.be/kRNVaMA3JCA
“Fostering well-being in Autistic girls and women”, Profile of girls and women, INVEST – ACT 2022
https://youtu.be/xyTp4x3BYS0
“PTSD & Sexual Assault” – AIDE Canada 2022
https://aidecanada.ca/resources/learn/crisis-response/ptsd-from-sexual-assault
INVESTing in Women & Girls with ASD: Identify Needs, Validate, Educate, Strengthen, and Thrive – 2018
https://www.youtube.com/playlistlist=PLHFkezbvgdDZgIfIGXDjD32uF4ObMs4tE
Practical Strategies for Promoting Mental Wellness for Girls & Women with Autism – ACT 2017
https://www.actcommunity.ca/education/videos/practical-strategies-for-supporting-mental-wellness-of-teenage-girls-and-women-with-asd
Women on the Autism Spectrum and Eating Disorders: Implications for Treatment – NEDIC 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLvI1euWX-g&feature=youtu.be
Welcome to a unique framework transforming traditional counselling practices by embracing the beauty of neurodiversity.
INVEST adopts a person-centered, strengths-based approach, firmly distancing itself from deficit-oriented viewpoints on autism.
Join us! View the group overview, welcome package, and registration link below.
Join us! View the group overview, welcome package, and registration link below.
Join us! View the group overview, welcome package, and registration link below.
Join us! View the group overview, welcome package, and registration link below.