“There is no heavier burden than an unfulfilled potential.” – Charles Schulz
This quote by Charles Schulz (creator of the Peanuts cartoonstrip) sums up my beliefs and hopes for my clients. In order for clients to fulfill their unique potential and dreams, they need to develop a sense of who they are, what they are, and what they want. They need to recognize their strengths, weaknesses, innate interests and unique qualities. With this awareness, clients can achieve their potential, fulfill their dreams and aspirations. And this is how I can help.
Experience:
I am a clinical psychologist and an accredited (OPQ) neuropsychologist, speaker and author. I have over 25 years experience working in the health and educational sectors. I also have experience working with diverse populations, including Canada’s First Nation communities. My services extend to all age groups: children, adolescents and adults. I collaborate closely with other professionals and organizations. I provide a number of services which are briefly described below.
Expertise/Services:
I offer expert neuropsychological and psycho educational assessments in order to have an understanding of why the individual is struggling, whether it be academically, behaviorally, emotionally and/or socially. The assessment provides an in-depth measure of skills and abilities linked to brain functioning. With expertise in learning disabilities, including a nonverbal learning disability (NVLD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorders (ASD), I believe it is of utmost importance to:
- distinguish and differentiate between conditions that share similar clinical symptoms, and
- to provide relevant recommendations and accommodations that will serve to support the individual.
Depending on the specific case, partial assessments are also possible.
In addition to assessments, I offer psychotherapy sessions. Within these sessions, I work closely with my clients so that they can address any personal, work, family or relationship issues they may be facing. These sessions are delivered in a safe, confidential and nonjudgmental environment.
Other services include individualized or group social skills training, ADHD and NVLD coaching sessions, and workshops for parents, educators and professionals. Workshops/conferences are tailor made to meet the needs of the target audience.
Second Language Learning:
More recently, I have dedicated my time to issues of social justice and second language acquisition and proficiency. Unlike elsewhere in the world, only students with an English Language Eligibility Certificate, issued by the Ministry of Education in the Canadian Province of Quebec, are entitled to English language instruction. All other students must attend French language schooling. This despite research based evidence in the field of second language learning that demonstrates that certain students will experience difficulty in second language learning environments. Additionally, the common intervention of repeated immersion into language based “welcome classes” for these students often does little to improve second language acquisition and proficiency. As a result, these students continue to struggle and eventually drop out of school. With this knowledge as well as my understanding of the research data on second language acquisition and proficiency, I have successfully supported clients in their quest to seek an exemption to the Charter of the French Language, in order to access English language schooling. For the majority, access to an English language education finally allows these students to feel successful while working to their unique potential.
Education:
I am a graduate of McGill University. I hold B.SC. degrees in Neurobiology and Comparative Physiology, as well as Biopsychology and a graduate degree in Educational Psychology and Counseling. Through continuing education and self initiated research based inquiries and activities, I continuously strive to increase my knowledge in the field of psychology, cognitive psychology and neuropsychology.
I am a licensed member of the Ordre des Psychologues du Quebec (OPQ). Additionally, I hold memberships in the Association des Psychologues du Quebec (APQ), Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), and the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO).
