Our Team

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Mariya Sytnyk, MSW, RSW.

Mariya is a first generation immigrant from Kyiv, Ukraine, now living in Toronto, ON, Canada with her wife and their 3 cats. She was diagnosed with BPD in 2016.

She is passionate about destigmatizing BPD and believes in the importance of connection, third spaces, and community as a path towards the maintenance of healing. This passion has led her to create and develop Borderminds in 2017. She’s the current President and Treasurer on our Board.

During the week, Mariya runs a private psychotherapy clinic, called HopeStart Therapy, specializing in working with folx with BPD and complex trauma through a predominantly DBT lens, and on weekends she is often found spending time playing video games, watching horror movies, or spoiling her niece and nephew.

A woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing glasses and a black lace top, looking directly at the camera, with blurred background of plants and outdoor setting.

Amanda Gadke

Amanda lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with her cat, plants and spider. After receiving her BPD diagnosis in her early 30s, she explored a variety of treatment options, and found Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and self compassion to be particularly helpful at managing her symptoms and having a life worth living.

She started teaching DBT skills with BorderMinds in 2018, and now facilitates support groups, social events, and mindfulness groups. As well as sitting on the Board of Directors as our Secretary.

In her spare time, Amanda enjoys gardening, spending time by the lake, trying new recipes, and relaxing around the campfire with friends.