Our clinic offers consultations to family physicians, pediatricians, and psychiatrists for pediatric, adolescent and adult populations.
Our clinical work includes both research and supervision of graduate students. We are a University of Toronto teaching site.
Supportive Group Psychotherapy for parents of children, adolescents and young adults with ADHD/ADD is also available. Groups start intermittently throughout the year.
Psychoeducational Assessments
Our Psychologists conduct full psychoeducational assessments (ages 6 to adult) which involve standardized tests of intelligence, memory and academic achievement. These tests are aimed at understanding a student’s areas of strengths and weaknesses and their academic, perceptual, social and intellectual functioning. Specific testing in the areas of:
- Reading
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Spelling
- Comprehension
- Attention and concentration
- Verbal and visual memory
- Eye-hand coordination
are included in a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment. Our psychology team works closely with school boards/universities/colleges across the GTA to assist students and families in identifying specific areas of need and making recommendations for academic accommodations in order to optimize the student’s learning experience.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is designed to change the way an individual thinks about, and behaves in situations in order to improve the way they feel. CBT is considered to be a shorter-term therapy, usually in the range of 8 to 20 sessions. It is an active and collaborative therapy between the client and the psychologist, working together to set the treatment plan and goals. We take a non-judgmental, empathetic and client-centred approach to our practice to suit the individual needs of each client in order to work together on mastering and applying the CBT skills.
ADHD Coaching
Our team of ADHD coaches offer goal-directed services to help individuals with ADD/ADHD address a wide range of issues which include:
- Organization
- Time management
- Setting priorities
- Managing schedules
Cogmed Working Memory Training™
We offer the Cogmed Working Memory Training™ program, which consists of 25 training sessions done online, each 30-45 minutes long. Each session consists of a selection of various tasks that target the different aspects of working memory.
Working memory is the cognitive function responsible for keeping information online, manipulating it, and using it in your thinking. We use our working memory constantly in daily life helping us to perform efficiently and effectively in academic, professional, and social settings.
The guide below provides examples of how the working memory works and how a working memory deficit disrupts daily life at various age levels.
| Age | Working memory is crucial for | Indicators that working memory needs exercise |
| Pre school |
- Learning the alphabet
- Focusing on short instructions such as "Come brush your teeth"
- Remaining seated to complete independent activities, such as puzzles
|
- Seems unwilling or unable to learn alphabet, numbers
- Can't focus long enough to grasp and follow instructions
- Flits from one thing to another
|
| Elementary school |
- Reading and understanding the content (reading comprehension)
- Mental arithmetic
- Interacting and responding appropriately in peer activities such as playing on the school ground
|
- Reads (decodes) but does not understand or remember material read
- Problems memorizing math facts
- Difficulty participating in group activities (e.g. awaiting turn); makes friends but cannot keep them
|
| Middle school |
- Doing homework independently
- Planning and packing for an activity
- Solving multi-step math problems, especially word problems
- Participating in team sports
|
- Does not begin or persist with homework without supervision
- Packs but forgets items essential for activity
- Reads the problem but can't break it into understandable parts
- Problems grasping rules of a game, functioning as a "team player"
|
| High school |
- Getting a driver's license - and driving safely
- Understanding social cues, responding to demands of a social situation
- Writing essays, reports
|
- Problems with spatial awareness, reading and following traffic cues
- Interrupts, talks excessively, doesn't listen to others
- Essays and reports are short, sloppy, and disorganized
|
| College |
- Focusing on and following a conversation
- Making and adhering to work plans, such as studying for an exam successfully
- Participating in group activities in school and socially
- Sustaining focus and interest throughout lectures
|
- Changes topic suddenly, makes irrelevant comments
- Procrastinates, then tries to "cram" the night before an exam
- Doesn't listen or participate during group activities
- Falls asleep or "zones out" during lectures
|
| Adults |
- Getting work done on time
- Meeting deadlines at work
- Prioritizing multiple activities
- Handling conflicts with the family
|
- Frequently late to work
- Often underestimates time required for work
- Has problems breaking a project into manageable steps
- Often loses temper with children and spouse
|
| Seniors |
- Actively participating in group discussions
- Being able to perform what you are planning to do
- Organizing your materials and activities
- Managing important financial transactions
|
- Forgetfulness
- Distractability
- Losing track of the topic in a conversation
- Misplacing things like glasses, mobile phone, keys, etc.
|
