What is Psychology?
Child psychologists are regulated health professionals who help children/youth and their families cope more effectively with developmental challenges and life problems, using techniques based on the best available scientific evidence and taking into account the family's unique values, goals and circumstances. Child psychologists are specially trained to evaluate and diagnose mental disorders of children and adolescents including, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning disabilities, intellectual disability and other issues such as behaviour problems, depression, anxiety, history of trauma and adjustment to stressful life events (e.g. divorce or death in the family). Psychologists and medical doctors are the only health professionals in Ontario who can legally communicate a diagnosis of a mental disorder. Official documentation of a diagnosis is often necessary to receive needed supports from schools, government and insurance.
When might you or your child need the services of a Psychologist?
A psychological consultation is appropriate if you are struggling with parenting or are concerned about your child’s social, emotional, behavioural, cognitive or academic functioning at home or at school. The following assessment and treatment services are offered:
- Developmental diagnostic infant/toddler/preschooler assessments for a child who is not achieving expected developmental milestones and/or is exhibiting behavioural problems. We have expertise and experience in the assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders and other neuro-developmental disorders.
- Comprehensive psychological and psycho-educational assessments of cognitive, academic and social-emotional functioning to identify Asperger's Disorder, learning disabilities, giftedness, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder, conduct disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), parent-child relationship difficulties and other mood and behavioural disturbances.
- Parent consulting/counselling
- Family therapy
- Music Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Group Therapy for children with anxiety
- Drama-based Cognitive Behavioural Group Therapy for the treatment of anxiety
- Social and communication skills group therapy
- The Art of Parenting – a 12-week group for parents
- Evidence-based therapy and intervention strategies such as: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Social Problem-Solving Skills Training (SPSST), Social Skills Training, Parent Management Training (PMT), Connected Parenting and Anger Management. Psychotherapy can be adapted for children and youth with Nonverbal Learning Disability and Asperger's Disorder.
- Parent-Infant and Parent-Child dyadic therapy for problems relating to infant regulation (eating, sleeping, mood) and toddler/preschooler disruptive behaviour.
- Consultations to families and schools about problems related to behaviour problems, bullying and victimization, anger management and social skill difficulties.
Psycho-educational Assessment
A comprehensive psycho-educational assessment at blueballoon includes:
- An in-depth intake interview with the parents
- 2-4 sessions of direct testing with the child using standardized psychological measures. The particular battery of test depends on the individual child and his or her presenting concerns. In general, assessments may include measures of: cognitive/thinking ability, memory, academic skills, language ability, fine-motor and visual-motor skills, phonological processing, attention and socio-emotional functioning.
- A detailed and comprehensive report that includes a set of treatment recommendations.
- An initial feedback session with parents in which the findings of the assessment are shared and subsequent steps are addressed.
Assessment for Autism and Pervasive Development Disorders (PDD)
A comprehensive Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnostic assessment includes several sessions with the family, in which informal parent interviews and child observations are supplemented with the following formal psychological measures:
- Autism Diagnostic Observation (ADOS)
- Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R)
- Cognitive Assessment using the most current editions of: the Mullen Scales of Early Learning, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, theWechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) or the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children.
- Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, Second Edition (Vineland-II)
Findings from the informal and formal measures are integrated to inform a diagnosis. A detailed and comprehensive report that includes a set of treatment recommendations is provided. This report is shared in a feedback session with the parents.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a well-evaluated form of psychotherapy aimed at reducing psychological distress and maladaptive behaviours. The underlying assumption of CBT is that there is a link between our cognitions (thoughts about and interpretations of certain situations), our feelings and our behaviours (how we act in certain situations). There is much scientific evidence for the effectiveness of CBT in successfully treating a number of childhood disorders, such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anger management.
The appropriateness of CBT to your child will be determined in our initial consultation in which we explore parents’ concerns and the possible underlying causes. In general, CBT is offered as a treatment block consisting of 12-15 weekly sessions with you and your child. Each session is divided so that 40 minutes are spent with your child and 10-15 minutes are spent with you. The goal of our meeting with you is to facilitate the generalization of coping skills acquired in your child’s session. After each session, your child will be assigned homework in which he/she will get an opportunity to practice the skills learned and discussed in the session. Your child’s progress will be evaluated throughout the treatment block. At blueballoon, we also offer group-based CBT for the treatment of anxiety.
No doctor referral is necessary. Please complete our Self-Referral Form: Click here
