About Dr. Wheeler

Dr. Heather Wheeler, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (Cert. no. 4088).  She obtained her PhD in psychology from the University of Toronto in 2004.  

Dr. Wheeler provides therapy that is rooted in evidence, effective, compassionate, and respectful. She has expertise in working with high-performers such as competitive athletes, performers, and executives. You can learn more about her approach by visiting the TREATMENT section.

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL engagements

• Clinical Psychologist, Private practice
  • ​Registered to work with Adolescents, Adults, and Older Adults
  • Certified in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with the Canadian Association of Cognitive Behavioural Therapists (CACBT-ACTCC)
• Mental Health Lead, Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO)
• Mental Health Lead, Athletics Canada
  
• Mental Health Practitioner, Swimming Canada, High Performance Centre - Ontario [HPC-ON]
  
• Psychologist/provider, Sport-informed Mental Health Network, Game Plan (The Wellness program for Canada's Olympic and Paralympic Athletes and Coaches)
  
• Professional Workshop Provider and Invited Speaker

Recent past positions:

• Staff Psychologist, Humber River Hospital (18 years) 
  • Clinical Lead, Model of Care (Leadership) Committee
  • Co-leader, Mood and Anxiety program
  • Inpatient and Outpatient Assessment, Treatment, & Consultation
  • Lead Therapist and Program developer, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) groups  
• Adjunct Professor, York University
  
• Supervisor, Clinical Psychology PhD students at Ryerson University
• Mental Health Advisor, WE Well-being
  

​training & PAST CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

• [2003-4] St. Joseph's Healthcare's Adult Eating Disorder Program
• [2003-4] Psychologist (supervised practice), Mood Disorders and Schizophrenia Services, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton.
• [2004] PhD, Experimental Psychology with Clinical Extension at the University of Toronto (Eating and Its Disorders).
• Internship, Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton
• [2004-5] Psychologist (supervised practice), McMaster Children's Program, Eating Disorders Program
• [2003-12] Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, where she did research alongside leaders in the field of perfectionism, anxiety and mood disorders.
• [2015] Psychologist, Medical team, Toronto Pan Am Games 
• [2007-16] Adjunct Clinical Faculty, University of Waterloo, Centre for Mental Health Research.
• [2016] ​Co-coordinator of the mental health training of medical doctors at the Canadian Association for Sport and Exercise Medicine (CASEM) Advanced Sport Medicine Skills course.
• [2012-17] Formative member of the Executive Steering Committee for the National Initiative for Eating Disorders (NIED). 
• [2012-17] Invited speaker and chair of various public symposia and clinical panels on disordered eating (NIED)

• [2016] Co-Chair of the first of it's kind Canadian national Clinical Forum and "think-tank" meeting aimed at developing a National Strategy for Eating Disorders, September 28th.​
• [2011-present] Completed multiple Advanced Teacher Trainings (ATT) for MBCT and Silent retreats

I am a mom of two and enjoy spending time in nature in all of the four seasons.  A big part of my life is skiing with my family, both on the water and on snow. I deeply value my daily mindfulness meditation practice, which has been part of my life for over 13 years. I am constantly looking for new ways to learn and grow as a person and therapist. I believe that everyone and everything can be my teacher, including you."  - Heather