In order for me to understand a client’s struggles and develop a plan for services, it is important for me to understand the person within context. This means that I need to consider different aspects of the individual and their environment. For example, this might include personal views, life experiences, age or developmental level, thinking skills, family and cultural background, personal strengths, and/or life stressors. With all of this in mind, I then develop a plan for services that emphasizes best practices and are evidence-based. This is tailored to the individual and/or their family and altered according to their ongoing needs.
Some examples of presenting concerns and services I provide are summarized below based on age group. Although there is much overlap, services needs to be adapted to an individual’s developmental level.
Preschool Children
Work is completed with the child, parent and/or other family members. I typically meet with parents first and complete a session or two with the child before determining the most appropriate approach. There may be parent consultation sessions, child sessions, as well as some family work (such as joint parent-child sessions).
- Emotion or behaviour regulation concerns
- Mental health concerns, such as anxiety and mood difficulties
- Sleep problems, such as bedtime problems, difficulties falling to sleep and nightwakings
- Life stressors or significant life events, such as family transitions and loss
- Developmental delays
- Health concerns, such as chronic health diagnoses
- Developmental assessments, including cognitive, adaptive, social emotional and/or behavioural functioning
- Exploring possible sleep problems, or early indicators of social emotional difficulties
- Functional behaviour assessments
- Parent consultation including providing information, support and suggestions to help with a child's well-being and development
- Sleep consultation, during which a brief assessment of sleep difficulties are explored and evidence-based suggestions and information is provided to parents
- Parent support
- Child-centred, play-based therapy with child
- Parent-child relationship therapy
- Behaviour therapy
School-aged Children
Work is completed with the child, parent and/or other family members. There may be individual sessions, as well as some family work (such as joint parent-child sessions).
- Mental health concerns, such as anxiety and mood difficulties
- Sleep problems, such as childhood insomnia and parasomnias (night terrors, sleepwalking)
- Life stressors or significant life events, such as family transitions and loss
- Self-image concerns, such as low self esteem
- Social difficulties
- Health concerns, such as chronic health issues and/or chronic pain
- Psychoeducational assessment (about age 7 to 8 onwards). This is a comprehensive assessment of various aspects, that may impact a child's learning. Depending on the nature of the referral, it may include: intellectual testing, academic performance, memory, attention, adaptive functioning, social emotional and/or behavioural functioning.
- Psychodiagnostic assessment: to explore possible reasons for a child's struggles including possible mental health diagnoses.
- Functional Behavioural Assessment
- Parent consultation including providing information, support and suggestions to help with a child's well-being and development
- Sleep consultation, during which a brief assessment of sleep difficulties are explored and evidence-based suggestions and information is provided to parents and/or child depending on age.
- Modified cognitive behavioural therapy strategies, integrating age-oriented strategies (role play, play-based therapy)
- Behavioural strategies
- Parent training and support
- Skills training (emotion regulation, social skills)
Adolescents
Work typically is completed with the adolescent. However, parent and/or other family members may also attend sessions as deemed appropriate for the individual case.
- Mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression
- Sleep problems, such as insomnia and sleep phase disorders
- Life stressors or significant life events, such as family transitions and loss
- Self-esteem and image concerns
- Social difficulties
- Health concerns, such as chronic health issues and/or chronic pain
- Psychoeducational assessment. This is a comprehensive assessment of various aspects, that may impact a youth's learning. Depending on the nature of the referral, it may include: intellectual testing, academic performance, memory, attention, adaptive functioning, social emotional and/or behavioural functioning.
- Psychodiagnostic assessment: to explore possible reasons for a youth's struggles including possible mental health diagnoses.
- Parent consultation to provide parents with information and support regarding their youth. This can be done as standalone treatment or in conjunction with adolescent therapy.
- Sleep consultation to help explore sleep difficulties and possible strategies or treatment to address sleep problems.
- Brief mental health consultation. Exploring possible symptoms and providing suggestions, including possibly recommending a more extensive assessment and/or treatment.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Psychoeducation and skills training (coping, social skills, organizational skills)
- Mindfulness
- Solution focused therapy
- Dialectical behavioural strategies
- Parent training and support
Adults
Work is primarily individual therapy, but at times, couples sessions may be appropriate.
- Mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression
- Sleep problems, such as insomnia and sleep phase disorders
- Life stressors or significant life events, personal loss, and difficulties coping
- Self-esteem and image concerns
- Interpersonal or relationship difficulties
- Health concerns, such as chronic health issues and/or chronic pain
- Psychoeducational assessment for young adults (early 20's). This is a comprehensive assessment of various aspects, that may impact an individual's learning. Depending on the nature of the referral, it may include: intellectual testing, academic performance, memory, attention, adaptive functioning, social emotional and/or behavioural functioning.
- Psychodiagnostic assessment to explore reasons for an individual's struggles including possible mental health diagnoses.
- Parent consultation to provide parents with information and support regarding their children. Given the focus is on the parent, this may include recommendations related to one's own struggles and/or mental health.
- Sleep consultation to help explore sleep difficulties and possible strategies or treatment to address sleep problems.
- Brief mental health consultation. Exploring possible symptoms and providing suggestions, including possibly recommending a more extensive assessment and/or treatment.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Mindfulness
- Psychoeducation and skills training (coping skills, problem solving)
- Acceptance and committment therapy strategies
- Parent training and support
- Client-centred/supportive therapy
Please note that my services are confidential. I will not release information about you or the services you are being provided without your consent. There are, however, limits to confidentiality that are mandated by law, which we will discuss during our initial meeting.