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 What We Do

​​Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes signals to be sent improperly from the brain. These confused signals cause seizures (involuntary sensations, movements or convulsions). Epilepsy can begin at any age and can be caused by brain damage or injury, abnormal development or an imbalance of chemicals in the brain.

Epilepsy is a disease where there is still a lot of misunderstanding. At the Krembil Brain Institute, we know about the physical and emotional hardships that can come with this disease, and we know about its social consequences. Our goal is to work with community organizations so that patients are able to bridge their medical care with the necessary support needed to live life to the fullest.

We're working on new treatments to lessen the effect of seizures and improve quality of life. Ensuring patients get better treatment, also means improving our ability to diagnose patients. Our Comprehensive Epilepsy Genetics Program can help us diagnose and treat patients with epilepsy who have a family history or when patients have multiple neurological conditions.

Treatments

Multiple treatment options are available at the Krembil Brain Institute. In addition to medication for epilepsy, we also offer surgical treatment for patients who are candidates. We also have Toronto's only adult Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (E​MU). The EMU plays an important role in diagnosing the type of seizures a patient has and the area of the brain where they occur. This information can help your health care team decide if surgery is a treatment option for you.

Our centre is home to the province's first Gamma Knife – a non-invasive treatment also known as radiosurgery. Our doctors are reviewing it as a possible way of dealing with inaccessible brain tumours which may cause seizures.

The Krembil Brain Institute has pioneering Deep Brain Stimulation to deal with conditions such as Parkinson's disease and depression. So far, the research shows this treatment could also be an effective way of cutting down the number of epileptic seizures a patient might have.

How to Prepare

Your first appointment can take one hour or more. Follow-up appointments usually take about 15 minutes to half an hour.

Learn more about what you can expect when you have a clinic appointment.​

 Materials and Resources to Help You

Resources from the Patient & Family Education Program PDF Icon

* These material(s) are also available in other languages.

Visit our health information section.​​

 Meet Our Team

Our team is focused on treating the medical aspects of epilepsy, but we understand that this condition can affect many aspects of life, from employment to living independently. In addition to providing expert medical care, we also try to connect patients with the social resources they may need.

Co-directors UHN Epilepsy Program: Dr. Taufik Valiante and Dr. Danielle Andrade

Clinical Coordinator: Chari Anor, RN

Neurologists

Social Worker – Epilepsy Program

Carol La Fleur, MSW RSW

Community Support Liaison

Rosie Smith Director of Adult Services, Epilepsy Toronto​

 Our Research Opportunities

​​​​​​​​​Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Mood for People Living with Epilepsy

Principle Investigator: David Gold, PhD, CPsych
Co-Investigators: Carol La Fleur, MSW RSW and Mary Pat McAndrews, PhD, CPsych
For further information please call Carol La Fleur, MSW RSW at 416 603 7877 ext. 3191.

We are conducting a group CBT research study to try to better understand how we can help mood for people living with epilepsy.

In order to participate, we will need to conduct a brief interview. We will ask you some personal questions about your background, health and well-being.

The group will include 10 weekly group CBT sessions that last 90 minutes each, followed by booster sessions 1 month and 3 months after.

The study will take place at UHN – Toronto Western Hospital (399 Bathurst Street).

Study Participants will receive complementary materials for the CBT (i.e., provided with a manual and relevant readings).

 Our Workshops & Events

Free online patient and caregiver education workshops will be offered through Toronto Western Hospital – Epilepsy Clinic. These workshops will be offered by doctors, nurse practitioners, mental health professionals, and community health partners. Workshops are available to patients with a diagnosis of Epilepsy, and their caregivers. Complete a registration form for each workshop that you are interested in attending.

Our workshops will be held using Microsoft Teams. Teams is a free software that is secure, private, and confidential. There is no cost to you for using this software. For more information on using Microsoft Teams, please download a printable version of our guide .

Future Workshops

I am Carol La Fleur, Social Worker, and program coordinator for the Epilepsy Education Series. Thank you for attending or viewing these workshops and reading materials.

If you are interested in more information about a particular topic that has not been covered in this series, feel free to contact me via email at carol.lafleur@uhn.ca.

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