Welcome to blueballoon psychology

blueballoon Health Services is a provider of therapy services for children of all abilities. We provide assessment, treatment and support to children aged two to eighteen years. We are a team of highly skilled professionals, dedicated to delivering therapy and assessment services to children, within a family-focused, warm and compassionate atmosphere.

The advantage for the parents, in addition to avoiding a lengthy wait list is that they will get "state of the art" diagnostic assessments and treatment plans, and if appropriate, can access several treatment modalities at blueballoon. Our multidisciplinary team offers seamless access to needed services with a "built-in" high quality case coordination.

blueballoon is very helpful at working with families to determine insurance eligibility or other funding options. Thanks so very much for considering blueballoon Psychology as a place to refer children and families!

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, taking into account the family's unique values, goals and circumstances. 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. Child psychologists are specially trained to evaluate and diagnose mental disorders of children and adolescents, for example, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); Autism Spectrum Disorders, Learning Disabilities, Mental Retardation; and disorders related to behaviour problems, depression, fear and anxiety, history of trauma, and stressful life events. 

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, including Autism Spectrum Disorders Assessment – For a child who is not achieving expected developmental milestones, and/or is exhibiting behavioural problems.

• Comprehensive psychological and psychoeducational 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, parent-child relationship difficulties and other mood and behavioural disturbances.

• Parent consulting/counseling

• Music Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Group Therapy for Children with Anxiety

• The Art of Parenting – a 12-week group for parents

• Evidence-based therapy and intervention strategies such as: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Problem-Solving Skills Training (PSST), Social Skills Training, and Parent Management Training (PMT). 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 would include:

• 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, 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 addressed.

Assessment for Autism and other Pervasive Development Disorders (PDD)

A comprehensive Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnostic assessment would include several sessions with the family, in which informal parent interviews and child observation would be supplemented by the following formal psychological measures:

• Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition (Vineland-II)

• Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI)

• Cognitive Assessment using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning or Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI)

• Autism Diagnostic Observation (ADOS)

Findings from the informal and formal measures are integrated to inform a diagnosis. A detailed and comprehensive report is provided that includes a set of treatment recommendations. This report is shared in a feedback session with the parents.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive behavior therapy (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 (i.e., thoughts about and interpretations of certain situations), our feelings, and our behaviours (i.e., 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 will explore the concerns you have and their 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.

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No doctor referral is necessary. Please check with your insurance provider about eligibility for reimbursement of psychological services for you and your child, and whether a letter from your doctor is necessary for insurance purposes. Please complete our Self-Referral Form - Click here.