OPpSTA is a digital site that addresses your unique psychological immigration challenges while you are settling in a new country. OPpSTA was founded by two psychologists who themselves have gone through the difficulties of immigration and are intimately aware of the challenges and stressors involved. We resolved to produce online courses, workshops and educational materials which focus on the experience of immigration to a new country. We help individuals adapt and build harmonious relationships to see them thrive, prosper, and succeed in their adopted country.

Our site brings the latest in psychological research and education directly from universities and academia to your home. You will learn and apply your new skills through easily digestible videos and manageable goals.  We strongly believe that the application of psychology skills should not be limited only to clinics but should be available to all of you so that you can acquire the necessary skills that lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life. 

OPpSTA helps you better understand your immigration experiences within your own family and within your new community.

Dr. Elmpak is a Registered Psychologist, and Professor of Psychology, Director of International Student Program, at the Adler Graduate Professional School in Toronto, Canada. She studied psychology and attended Universities in Paris, Berlin and Toronto. She is teaching courses in Human Development and Growth and works as a Psychologist in Private Practice. Her areas of specializations are in Teaching, Training and Interventions in Psychology. She has had numerous years of experience in the treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders, Adjustment Disorders, Somatoform Disorders, Chronic Pain, Psychological Disability, Traumatic Stress Disorders, Couple, Marital and Family Problems, and especially with intercultural and intergenerational problems. She is passionate about bringing her knowledge to the wider public, help people live better lives and make their potentials become a reality in their own lives.

Dr Biswas is a registered psychologist, in private practice in Toronto, Ontario. She has completed her Master’s, M. Phil, and Ph.D. degree in psychology and has over thirty years of extensive clinical experience working in varied settings including community, hospitals, academic settings, and private practice. After working in India as a clinical psychologist for eleven years, over the last twenty years she is providing varied psychological services in Canada. Currently she is the Clinical Director of Scarborough Psychology Clinic a reputed organization of psychologists, psychotherapists and Social Workers in Toronto, where along with her clinical work, she is involved in clinical training and supervision of other therapists and students completing internships for master’s and PhD degree and also for psychologists in supervised practice. Additionally, she holds Faculty position at Centre for Mindfulness Studies, which is the leading professional development and service delivery organization for mindfulness-based interventions in Canada. Additionally, she holds leadership position and is the Executive Board Member and Educational Committee Member of Canadian Society of Clinical Hypnosis – Ontario Division, which engages in training, research, and education of clinical hypnosis to registered health care professionals in Canada.

Virginia Cheng is a marketing leader who has had experience in brand management, leadership, B2B collaboration, project coordination. She is specialized in content marketing, social media marketing, and digital marketing, and studied marketing management. She is a former athlete in the Hong Kong women’s national ice hockey team.

Janelle De Leon is a Communications Professional who has experience in the Humanitarian and Advertising sectors. She is specialized in content writing, client services and public relations. Janelle possesses a Postgraduate Degree in Public Relations and a Degree in Psychology from York University. She is a passionate makeup artist, enjoys playing tennis and spending her time in nature.

Nikita Patel is an experienced digital content specialist with a demonstrated history of working in advertising and journalism. She found her early passion in content creation during her college days. Since then, there has been no looking back. With over eight years of experience, she started her career as a digital content writer for an ad agency where she was responsible for short and long-form copies for clients from varied domains. Later, she moved to infotainment publishing websites, writing several viral-worthy articles/interviews for top websites. Currently, she is pursuing Marketing Management Digital Media at Lambton College, Toronto, Canada.

Zak Baptista is in his fourth and final year of media studies with a specialization in visual communications at the University of Guelph-Humber, as well as a prior year of justice studies experience at Guelph-Humber. Overall, he is a passionate artist by nature and a jack of all trades who enjoys working with any and all media to ensure his voice is heard.

Kara is currently pursuing a double major in Political Science and History at the University of Toronto. Kara is interested in the intersection between Psychology and Politics, specifically the political implications that often come with psychological models and theories and is keen to use her voice to share important information and resources relating to these two subjects.
She is very passionate about using her skills, experience, and voice to help and benefit people and society. During her free time, Kara loves to read books, watch movies, and play with animals. Animal welfare is a very important cause for her and she has worked with NGOs in India that work with and take care of stray dogs. She is also keenly interested in social impact and works with an AI company to find social initiatives around the world that will benefit from a free AI service. While she was in high school, Kara helped to successfully curate and execute a TEDx Conference focusing on Psychology and Innovation.

Audra Ashley is a recent Bachelor of Science, Psychology graduate from the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB. She is currently expanding her skills and knowledge by creating content that is both relatable and educational for OPpSTA’s audience. Aside from Psychology, Audra is also a creative and passionate individual who has been involved in projects, groups and organizations that promote mental health awareness and gender equality. In her spare time, she likes to read, game, listen to music or dance.

Sophia completed her undergraduate degree as a Mental Health Specialist Co-op student at the University of Toronto. She plans to continue her education in clinical psychology where she hopes to work with the forensic population, specializing in psychopathy and addiction. She is also a passionate advocate for increasing front-line mental health support for the Tamil community and upholds an intersectional approach to her work.