What We Do

Psychotherapy

Within the context of an open and secure therapeutic relationship, children and teens have the opportunity to process thoughts and feelings. The emotional containment that a therapeutic relationship offers creates the foundation by which clients gain self-awareness and move towards personal growth. Therapy allows children and teens to explore new ways of understanding, experiencing, relating and reacting to oneself and others, which in turn can positively impact their confidence, decision making, resilience and relationships. Psychologists also take into consideration the developmental level of clients in order to choose activities and strategies that will be understood and absorbed. Therapy can involve:

• Talking through feelings

• Arts, crafts and pretend play

• Building healthy thinking patterns and behavioural habits

• Problem solving

• Learning coping strategies

• Alleviating distress

• Developing effective communication and social skills

• Fostering self-efficacy or belief in one’s own abilities to make things happen and deal with various situations

• Becoming comfortable with who you are, including your strengths and needs

• Making meaning of past and current relationships and experiences

• Managing grief and loss

• Practicing new skills in the times between therapy sessions

Psychotherapy is typically not a quick fix or an easy answer; it may be short- or long-term depending on the approach that is mutually agreed upon and client goals. When a client is motivated to engage in therapy, it is a complex and rich process that can improve a child or teen’s functioning and quality of life.

Given that therapy is quite emotionally evocative, it is normal for children and teens to initially feel nervous or apprehensive, especially when the psychologist is first new to them. As well, therapy can stir up a range of feelings when caregivers make the decision to seek out a psychologist for their children or teens when they see them struggling and might be unsure of how to help. A good ‘fit’ between a client and psychologist is essential; if children, teens or parents realize that the fit is not right with a particular psychologist, it is important not to be deterred from seeking appropriate support from another mental health professional.

Psychological Assessment

Comprehensive psychological assessments involve investigating all areas of a child or teen’s development, including his or her thinking, learning, relationships and behavior.

To do this, the psychologist collects information from various sources, which may include:

• Parent/caregiver interviews to find out about the child or teen’s background and developmental history

• Structured, diagnostic/clinical interviews to assess the nature, severity and duration of mental health symptoms

• Previous reports and documentation of the child or teen’s development, including past assessment/intervention reports, school report cards, Individual Education Plans (IEP) and medical history

• Questionnaires completed by parents, teachers, day care providers and the child/teen to get a sense of how he or she is functioning across settings

• Directing testing with the child/teen using cognitive, academic and social-emotional measures

• School observations with younger children to see how they are in structured group situations and with peers

Once the psychologist has all this information, it is necessary to:

• Score all completed tests and questionnaires

• Compile scores and information to determine the child or teen’s pattern of strengths and weaknesses and decide if a diagnosis is appropriate

• Draft an assessment feedback report detailing all the information collected, results from tests and questionnaires, the psychologist’s interpretation of findings and any diagnosis made and provide recommendations to support the child or teen

• Have an assessment feedback session with parents/caregivers and the child/teen to discuss results and recommendations, provide a copy of the assessment report and answer questions

The time it takes to complete an assessment varies according to the child/teen and presenting concerns. Assessments can be completed to query Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Learning Disabilities and specific mental health difficulties (e.g., Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder).

When A Psychological Assessment May Be Needed:

• Developmental milestones are not being met during early childhood

• Challenges in specific learning areas (e.g., reading, writing, mathematics)

• Trouble paying attention and/or managing activity level

• Social and emotional difficulties related to worry, sadness, anger and emotional regulation

• Difficulty interacting with peers, parents and/or teachers

• Rigidity and/or repetitiveness in behaviours

• Significant sensory seeking behaviours or aversions

Consultation

To best support clients and advocate on their behalf, a psychologist can consult with:

• Schools regarding classroom accommodations, curriculum modifications and school-based social-emotional interventions

• Parents regarding parenting challenges, academic difficulties, social concerns and treatment planning

• Other professionals (e.g., pediatricians, speech and language pathologists, etc.) involved in the care of the client