Why might you want to contact us? What might be the problems or issues you are trying to deal with that we may be able to help with?

Problems we can help with

Cogmed Working Memory Training".

We now offer Cogmed Working Memory Training. This is a software-based intervention designed to improve working memory in children with attention deficits. The program has been specifically created for children with attention deficits by game developers working closely with psychologists and medical  researchers. Published peer reviewed and controlled clinical studies have demonstrated that, upon completion of Cogmed working Memory Training 80% of participants have significantly improved their ability to concentrate and use complex reasoning skills over the long term.

You can get more information about this program from the Cogmed website: Cogmed Working Memory Training - for children with attention deficits - using RoboMemo

Children’s Learning and Behavioural Problems

Is your child struggling in school with early reading development, writing, math, organizational skills or behaviour? Do you wonder if your child might have ADHD?  An assessment may be of help. We carry out comprehensive psycho-educational and psychological assessments of children between 5 and 19.

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Children’s Social and Emotional Problems

Children can develop anxieties and fears; they can become withdrawn, sensitive and will frequently show distress by acting out or becoming aggressive. We provide individual counselling, play and art therapy for children.

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Adolescent Problems:

Adolescence is a time of change and stress. As with all transitional times in human development, individuals are more prone to develop problems during this period.

We provide individual counseling for adolescents as well as family therapy when that is appropriate.

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Adult Issues

Adults are facing increasing levels of stress in modern society. Personal, family, financial and work related issues can overwhelm our personal resources.

We offer individual, marital and family counseling to help people learn to cope with these issues.  In addition to these counselling services, we can also offer psychological and vocational assessments to adults

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Children’s Learning and Behavioural Problems

As a parent you are concerned about your child’s ability to learn, to remember what they learn, to handle things independently and to get along with others. You want your child to be successful in life! When things are not going well in these areas it is important to understand the reasons why so that you can help your child. Intervening early in “the life of problems” gives you and your child the best chance to get things back on track. For example, we assess many children who are having early reading difficulties. If reading problems can be identified early they are much easier to remediate. The research on reading development in children suggests that they should be reading fluently by age 8.

When problems such as poor reading, poor spelling, difficulty paying attention or difficulty following classroom routines are left, they become worse. In fact we often see the development of secondary problems such as low self esteem, not wanting to go to school, “giving up” or becoming angry. Now in addition to the original problem, you have a host of other issues that are very difficult to deal with.

Often the best step in dealing with these issues is to carry out a comprehensive, individual assessment. This involves a number of steps:

These assessments are helpful and important.

Children’s Social and Emotional Problems

We use a variety of creative approaches to allow children to express, understand and change their behaviour in a very non threatening and supportive environment. Children’s feelings are very powerful and influence their behaviour directly. Adults are more often able to step back and examine their feelings and decide how to act on them. This is not true for children, who have not yet developed the abilities necessary to control emotions. So emotions are the main decision making system for children, they “control” children’s behaviour.

Children, who are distressed, upset or angry, do not just talk about how they feel like adults do; they are often not able to put their feelings into words. Children cannot answer the question “why did you do that?” So we have to take a different approach to help children begin to understand and master their emotions. We use play therapy, art therapy and other approaches to help children.

We also provide comprehensive parenting programs to help parents learn how to support and guide their children. In many situations parents are not sure how to react to or help their children overcome problems. One of the approaches we take in some situations is to work with and coach parents to help their children solve their problems. We find this is a very powerful approach, it empowers parents and gives them the tools to support their children over time. (back to top)

Adolescent Problems:

Adolescence areas of difficulty that can typically emerge include: Issues of independence, freedom, respect for self and others, cooperation, peer associations and “experimentation”. Working with adolescents is difficult; they are a phase in their life when they seek independence from adult influence, their brains are also going through significant changes and they are less able to reflect on or control their behaviour. We sometimes work directly with parents to help them understand and manage the situation with their adolescents, but at other times we work directly with them. (back to top) 

Adult Issues

Adults experience many stressors, the effects of these stressors often show up as physical complaints, depression, anxiety, irritability and poor anger control. Marital and family relationships can also suffer. You may find that you are not as successful as you might wish in your vocation. An assessment can help identify any issues that may be holding you back as well as providing you with ideas about future directions for your life. We often provide assessments for adults so that we can understand what issues might be holding them back. We have found that adults often have undiagnosed problems such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or learning problems. Once identified these issues can be managed and life can go more “according to plan”.

We also work with adults who have work related stress or issues, who are struggling with relationship problems or who have unresolved issues in their lives. Our lives are like stories, but we construct our own plots and scripts. Is the story of your life unfolding the way you want it to? Would you like to change the plot or the characters? (back to top) 

Cogmed Working Memory Training is not intended to be a substitute for a health care providers' consultation or a substitute for medication that a doctor may have prescribed. Results may vary. Effects or results in the individual can never be guaranteed.