Psychotherapy is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personalities of the psychologist and patient, and the particular problems that are brought forward. There are many different methods we may use to deal with the presenting problems.
Psychotherapy can have benefits and risks. Since therapy may involve addressing unpleasant aspects of one’s life¸ clients (adult or child) may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, loneliness, and helplessness. On the other hand, psychotherapy has also been shown to have benefits for those who go through it. Therapy often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and significant reductions in feelings of distress. But there are no guarantees.
Our orientation is in part psychodynamic, a theoretical framework that focuses on the primacy of early experiences, especially early relationships, in shaping how an individual views the world and relates to others in it. With respect to different therapeutic approaches in our work we have had success using nondirective play (with children) or talk therapy (moreso with teens and adults), which tends to be unstructured and client-driven. We have also had success using more structured approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which may incorporate formal relaxation procedures and/or stress management strategies. Both structured and less structured approaches may be successfully integrated within the therapeutic context.
The first few sessions will involve an evaluation of your (child’s) needs. By the end of the evaluation, we will be able to offer you some first impressions of what therapy may include and a proposed treatment plan. Therapy involves a large commitment of time, money, and energy, so you should be very careful about the therapist you select. If you have questions about our procedures, we should discuss them whenever they arise. If your doubts persist, we will be happy to help you set up a meeting with another mental health professional for a second opinion.
Parent consultation is aimed at supporting parents and helping them develop and implement strategies to address a broad range of childhood and adolescent issues. These can include social, emotional, behavioural, and learning problems. More specifically, parents often seek consultation on issues like:
- behavioral challenges
- questions about discipline
- concern about their child’s emotional health
- social challenges
- problems at school
- helping a child through divorce
- helping a child manage grief and loss
- navigating transitions related to development
Parent consultation may involve a one-time meeting or regular meetings over a period of time that can last weeks or months. The child is typically not directly involved in the parent consultation process. Parent consultation sessions remain a private endeavor between the parent(s) and the therapist, and are confidential.
A diagnostic assessment is aimed at clarifying the presence of one or more developmental, learning, or mental health conditions. In addition to cognitive testing, semi-structured interviews, unstructured play sessions, and standardized questionnaires that are administered in a one-to-one format, in the case of children and adolescents important information is typically gathered from parents and teachers through interviews and questionnaires as part of the assessment process.
The main objectives of a diagnostic assessment are: (1) to rule out or confirm differential diagnoses, and (2) provide direction for parents and schools regarding appropriate supports to address each child’s unique needs (3) identify an individual’s strengths and areas of need.
We currently offer the following types of assessments:
- Mental Health
We do not currently provide medical legal or custody and access assessments.
Click HERE for more information about preparing you and your child for Psychological Assessment.