The Expert Is In / adapted from @cerriteno

What is a Registered Psychologist?
A registered psychologist is a trained professional who provides assessment, therapy, and mental health support. Unlike psychiatrists who prescribe medication, or coaches who focus on performance, psychologists use evidence-based methods to help you understand challenges and build on your strengths.

What Types of Clients Do You See?
We work with adults presenting with symptoms of depression, grief, adjustment disorder/ life transitions, family of origin-related challenges, as well as difficulties with self-worth. 

We also see patients with anxiety disorders (such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), specific phobias, social anxiety, and panic disorder), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), complex trauma and related challenges. 

We provide support to individuals who suspect or are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, language disorder, and other neurodevelopmental conditions, which involve coping with challenges of regulation of motivation, intention, attention allocation, and emotion. 

What are the Types of Therapy/Interventions Offered?
We draw from evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), as well as mindfulness and trauma-informed methods (e.g. graduated exposure). Each method offers tools to help you shift unhelpful/unworkable thoughts, align with your values, and build resilience in handling emotions and relationships.

How Does the Individual Psychotherapy Process Work?
Starting therapy can feel daunting, but it’s a collaborative process where we move at your pace. We begin with an intake session covering your background, health, and coping skills, sometimes supported by questionnaires. I may suggest a physician consultation exam to rule out medical issues that mimic or cause mental health concerns. Together, we’ll set broad goals, revisit them as needed, and work steadily toward the life you want to be living.

What is a Psycho-Diagnostic Assessment?
This type of assessment uses interviews and structured tools to evaluate emotional and behavioral functioning, as well as some cognitive measures. In the feedback session, you’ll receive a clear picture of your strengths, challenges, and coping strategies - your unique psychological profile. The goal is to help you understand how you process and react to the world around you, and to give you practical insight.

People typically seek these assessments to clarify if their symptoms of emotional intensity, poor memory and attention dysregulation might be due to an underlying disorder. The are looking for strategies and solutions that may help them self-regulate, and perhaps to validate asking for work accommodations. 

Referral questions/diagnoses to consider or rule out during the Psycho-Diagnostic Assessment include but are not limited to:

* Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions
* Major Depressive Disorder/Seasonal Affective Disorder
* Anxiety Disorders 
* Grief
* Adjustment Disorder/ Life Transitions
* Bipolar Disorder Type I or Type II; Cyclothymic Disorder
* Personality-related patterns (e.g. dependent or avoidant dynamics)

* I also provide screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder

What is Comprehensive/Psycho-Educational Assessment?
This type of assessment is often requested by high school or post-secondary students, as well as adults seeking to return to school. Interviews and structured tools are used to evaluate cognitive, academic, emotional and behavioral functioning. In the feedback session, you’ll receive a clear picture of your intellectual functioning as well as academic strengths, challenges, and coping strategies. An important  goal is to help you understand any learning disabilities or neurodevelopmental conditions (i.e. ADHD) you may have and how your learning and processing style should be respected and accommodated by you as well as your environment. 

People typically seek these assessments to clarify if their symptoms of irregular motivation and intention, poor memory, auditory processing and academic achievement and attention/emotional dysregulation might be due to an underlying disorder. They are looking for strategies and solutions that may help them self-regulate, and perhaps to validate asking for work/school accommodations or applying for government programs. 

How Are My Data Kept Private? Privacy and Security
Your personal health information is safeguarded under PHIPA and stored in secure systems such as Jane App and encrypted email. We only share information with your consent or when legally required, and you always have the right to access or request corrections to your records. Virtual services are offered on encrypted platforms, and while no system is risk-free, we take every precaution to keep your information safe.

Virtual Appointments
Sessions are available online through the Jane App, which handles both scheduling and secure video conferencing. This allows you to access therapy conveniently and confidentially from wherever you are.

What is Mindfulness, and How is it Helpful in Psychological Healing?
Mindfulness is usually defined as paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, and without judgment (Kabat-Zinn, 1990). It means noticing whatever arises - sensations, thoughts, emotions, sounds, or physical feelings - with openness and curiosity rather than trying to suppress, avoid, or immediately change them.

Health benefits (evidence-based):

• Stress reduction: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) lowers cortisol and subjective stress.
• Mental health: Effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression and rumination.
• Physical health: Improves chronic pain management, immune function, and even markers of cardiovascular health.
• Cognitive benefits: Enhances focus, working memory, and emotion regulation.

It’s a skill that deepens with practice – usually through meditation, breathing exercises, mindful walking, or simply pausing to notice the here-and-now with kindness. Here are some links to mindful exercises:

Simple Mindful Breathing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id6Ldt5w4II

New Horizon guided imagery (for children):

Guided Meditation for Children | Your Secret Treehouse | Relaxation for Kids