I provide psychological assessment (psychoeducational and psychodiagnostic) and psychotherapy to children, adolescents and adults. I also offer parent consultation and support.
My integrative approach to treatment involves empirically validated interventions.
School and Learning Challenges:
Social and Emotional Challenges:
Mental Health:
A psychological assessment will help you to clarify your strengths and any factors that may be impacting on your academic, emotional, behavioural, or social functioning. The assessment process involves an evaluation of cognitive abilities, processes related to learning (e.g., memory and phonological awareness), academic achievement, and social/emotional development. Testing is completed using standardized tests, questionnaires, clinical interviews, and observations. School report cards (as well as university/college transcripts for older students) and other assessment reports are also reviewed. The results of the assessment will provide a better understanding of your current level of functioning, and recommendations will be shared with you for how best to support your needs. When appropriate, psychological diagnoses may also be provided following an assessment (e.g., Learning Disability, ADHD). A report will be provided that will summarize the findings of the assessment and outline all recommendations. Psychological assessments completed at this practice will be accepted by school boards, colleges, and universities. At your request, feedback can also be provided to schools and/or agencies to help you facilitate access to accommodations and other support services. Assessments to determine intellectual giftedness (involving evaluation of cognitive abilities and a review of school records) are also available. Both psychoeducational and psychodiagnostic assessments are offered at this practice.
Children and Adolescents: Growing up and navigating the landscape of school and home life can be difficult for some children and teens. In therapy, they will receive emotional support and develop a better understanding of their thinking, feelings, and behaviours. The goals of therapy will differ for each person, but common ones include improving relationships with friends and family, building social skills, developing tools to cope with frustrations, reducing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness), improving self-esteem and changing problematic behaviours.
Adults: Individuals seek therapy for many reasons. Some enter into therapy because they are looking for emotional support to get through a difficult time. Therapy can also be beneficial for those who would like to learn how to cope more effectively with daily stresses, improve interpersonal relationships, reduce debilitating anxiety and sadness, change self-defeating behaviours, and build emotional resiliency. Even when there are no clearly identifiable external problems, but there is a feeling of internal emptiness and loneliness, therapy can be helpful.
Therapy sessions are 50 minutes in length, and the number of sessions required will vary depending on the nature and severity of the presenting problems. Initial consultation sessions are required to assess the nature of the presenting concerns, to determine the best treatment strategies, and to create an individualized treatment plan.
Approach to Treatment: Individualized treatment plans are developed using an integration of principles of mindfulness with other evidence-based practices, such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. My goal is to provide a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where clients can feel comfortable to talk openly. In working with children and adolescents, parents/caregivers are viewed as essential for helping to create therapeutic change.
Sometimes it is difficult to know where to start when parents are looking to support their children. It can be useful to consult with a psychologist to talk about concerns to determine what type of supports and services are appropriate. In some situations bringing children in for therapy is not possible or even the best option. When children cannot be in therapy, parents themselves can seek support to develop an understanding of their children’s emotional experience and behaviours. Parenting sessions can teach specific strategies that will help to create behaviour changes and improve emotional functioning for children. A consultation can range from 1-2 sessions. The frequency of parenting support sessions will vary, depending on the presenting concerns and needs of the parents.
Dr. Chanthalone Smith, Psychologist