Kevin Villafana BA Hons (Kin.), MScPT, ART®, CSCS Registered Physiotherapist
ART® Active Release Techniques Provider
Acupuncture Practitioner
Exercise Therapist
Kevin has always had an intrinsic understanding of the importance of fitness and training from his competitive days in soccer and volleyball to the present, enjoying recreational sports such as soccer, hockey, tennis, yoga, squash, basketball and ultimate Frisbee. Kevin was exposed to the benefits of Physiotherapy when a devastating injury prevented him from enjoying his passion for sports. As a patient he sought out Physiotherapy for the first time and shortly after, he was restored to full function with no limitations allowing him to return to his beloved sports. It was this experience that motivated Kevin to pursue his Masters degree in Physiotherapy.
Kevin began his journey by acquiring a Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology and Health Sciences with a minor in Psychology at York University. This allowed him to understand the science behind human movement which is crucial for the specific training and conditioning of his clients. Kevin then went on to complete his Master of Science degree in Physiotherapy at Queen's University and also completed training to become a Certified Strengthening & Conditioning Specialist. His completion of courses in ART®, Medical Acupuncture, Kinesio/Athletic/Leuko Taping, Athletic Therapy, Athletic Injuries, courses from the Advanced Physical Therapy Education Institute, and experience in 5 orthopedic settings has providing him with the tools to affectively treat and restore full function to his clients.
Kevin has many years of experience and was recently recommended in an article from the magazine Delectably Chic (link under 'media' link in top menu bar). Kevin has a strong foundation in managing acute and chronic low back and neck pain, various sport injuries, muscle strains, ligament sprains, repetitive strain and rotator cuff injuries, functional rehabilitation; in addition to a variety of other musculoskeletal impairments resulting from everyday and/or recreational activities. In order to treat these conditions he can provide joint mobilizations to improve movement, spinal manipulations, specific manual stretching, therapeutic taping, soft tissue and myofascial release/massage and specific exercises to rehabilitate and prevent injuries.
Kevin has always appreciated the complexity and immense physical capabilities of a single human being. Thus, he trains and treats every client as a unique individual with specific goals which optimizes their results. This is why he has dedicated his life to studying the human body, and why he is motivated to continually advance his professional expertise. Kevin believes that with guided education, treatment and training, every client can benefit from a little push in the right direction to achieve their full potential. His charismatic and motivated personality combined with his extensive knowledge base provide him with the right tools to be a valuable member of the SHAPE team.
Jennifer Simic Bogler, HBA (Kin), MScPTRegistered Physiotherapist
Jennifer is a registered physiotherapist and dance instructor in Toronto. She holds a diploma in performing arts from the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts in addition to being alumni of Broadway Dance Center’s (NYC) International Student Visa Program. Her lifelong involvement in dance, and her wondrous appreciation for the movement vocabulary that it demands eventually led her to pursue her designation as a physiotherapist; as such, she also holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from York University and a master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Toronto.
With clinical experience that spans inpatient general medicine and trauma units, neurological pediatrics, orthopaedic private practice, and onsite work with professional dancers at the National Ballet of Canada, she offers a well-rounded working knowledge of current, evidence-based, therapeutic guidelines for wide-ranging populations and conditions.
Jennifer believes in exercise/movement’s ability to achieve therapeutic effects physically, but also on a social and personal level. Her research exploring the experiences of individuals with Parkinson’s disease who participate in a community-based dance program was published in the journal Disability and Rehabilitation in 2016, and was successful at poster presentations at the Ontario Physiotherapy Association’s and Canadian Physiotherapy Association’s 2016 conferences, winning second and first prizes respectively.
She appreciates the challenges and variety of conditions that can be addressed in private practice and embraces opportunities to empower her clients to achieve their goals through education, active rehabilitation and self-management techniques, and injury prevention.
Cara McDougall BA Hons (Psych), MPTRegistered Physiotherapist
Cara graduated with a Masters of Physiotherapy from the University of Saskatchewan in 2013 after obtaining a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Psychology in 2007. While completing her Masters degree, she quickly realized her desire to work with women in the field of pelvic health. The sensitive nature of this area of the body, combined with the potential to make huge quality of life improvements through physical therapy, compelled her to seek extensive continuing education in the specific area of pelvic health. She has attended international conferences to further her professional development in the areas of pelvic pain, urogenital dysfunction, pre/postnatal care, and the fitting of pessaries.
While working with women in the area of pelvic health, she began to see a need for more healthcare professionals to provide pessary assessment and fitting services. Clients who need this service often must wait several months before seeing the appropriately trained healthcare professional. And so, in 2018, Cara established Toronto Pessary Clinic in response to an ever-increasing demand for accessibility to knowledgeable, compassionate healthcare professionals trained to assess and fit pessaries for women seeking conservative management for certain pelvic health conditions.
At SHAPE, Cara is devoted to assessing and fitting women who could benefit from the use of a pessary, a device that is used to help manage symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. She also delights in working with women who experience urogenital dysfunction and who seek a conservative treatment approach to optimize their health, well-being, and function.
Cara approaches health from a holistic perspective and is committed to providing individualized, empowering, compassionate care. Cara would be honoured to assist you in your journey toward pelvic health.
Registered Physiotherapist
Dry Needling Provider – Pilates Instructor
Dry Needling Provider – Pilates Instructor
Valerie has over 15 years’ experience as a physiotherapist. She has practiced in Canada, internationally in the United States and Australia, and is thrilled to have recently returned from Australia to her hometown of Toronto. She brings a wealth of knowledge in orthopaedic rehabilitation, dry needling, kinesiotaping, Pilates (matwork), pelvic health, and vestibular training. She has enjoyed working with clients from ages 2 to 98. Her clients have included amateur and professional athletes, weekend warriors, and those aspiring to increase their daily activity level and fitness. With a passion for manual therapy and exercise rehabilitation, Valerie will guide your recovery from musculoskeletal injuries and dysfunction, post-surgical rehabilitation, neck and back pain, pelvic health, dizziness, and can lead you through ergonomic assessment and redesign, and assist in maximising your general well-being and mobility.
Valerie is a mother of two wonderfully active and creative children. She has a history of participation in sport including rhythmic gymnastics, rugby union, dance and singing, and has developed a love of ocean swimming over the past number of years in Australia.
