Counselling and Consultation
Parenting is hard, and can be even more challenging when you have a child who thinks, processes, or experiences our world differently. As parents, we bring with us our own experiences and frame of reference for parenting that sometimes doesn’t match how our child experiences the world, where they are developmentally, or what they need. Assessment can help parents understand their child better and clarify where support is needed, but sometimes it can be difficult to know how to actualize that support in day-to-day parenting. Utilizing an attachment and relationship-focussed approach, consultation can help parents learn to support their child’s differences, while strengthening their connection with their child.
Parent Consultation
It can sometimes be useful to go into the classroom and observe the student directly in their learning environment to help identify factors that may be contributing to learning, social, and behavioural challenges. Kids may behave differently at school than they do at home, and may consciously or unconsciously camouflage how they are really feeling in order to “fit in” or appear like their peers. This can require a significant amount of effort and energy, and can divert their focus away from learning. All behaviour has meaning, and is a child’s way of communicating that we need to dig deeper to uncover the obstacles or challenges getting in their way. It is my firm belief that all kids, all people, want to do well if they can.
At parents’ request, we can arrange to attend a school meeting to present the findings of the assessment and to summarize our impressions. We can then work jointly with the parents and school staff to provide suggestions to assist the school in working optimally with the student.
School Observations
School Liaison Follow-Up Meetings
Short-term, neurodiversity-affirming counselling provides a focused, collaborative space designed to help clients understand and embrace their unique cognitive profiles, including Autism, ADHD, and learning differences. Through a strong therapeutic relationship and age-appropriate psychoeducation, clients develop practical, personalized strategies to navigate daily challenges and enhance their social-emotional well-being. By focusing on individual strengths rather than deficits, this targeted support empowers clients to build self-advocacy skills and thrive in their environments.
It can sometimes be useful to go into the classroom and observe the student directly in their learning environment to help identify factors that may be contributing to learning, social, and behavioural challenges. Kids may behave differently at school than they do at home, and may consciously or unconsciously camouflage how they are really feeling in order to “fit in” or appear like their peers. This can require a significant amount of effort and energy, and can divert their focus away from learning. All behaviour has meaning, and is a child’s way of communicating that we need to dig deeper to uncover the obstacles or challenges getting in their way. It is my firm belief that all kids, all people, want to do well if they can.
At parents’ request, we can arrange to attend a school meeting to present the findings of the assessment and to summarize our impressions. We can then work jointly with the parents and school staff to provide suggestions to assist the school in working optimally with the student.
Individual Counselling
Counselling and Consultation Fees:
Individual Counselling / Parent Consultations - $235/hour
School Consultation / School Observation - $235/hour