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Category: ADHD

Anxiety or ADHD? Why a Thorough Assessment Matters for Accurate Diagnosis

Anxiety vs ADHD

As Director and Owner of Rocky Mountain Psychological Services (RMPS), I regularly meet families who feel caught between two possible explanations for their child’s struggles: anxiety or ADHD. Teachers report inattention. Parents see worry and avoidance. Pediatricians suggest medication. Therapists suggest coping skills. Everyone wants answers, yet the path forward feels unclear. The question of […]

Why Screens Are So Hard to Put Down for Kids and Teens

ADHD for kids and teens

(And Why ADHD Makes It Even Tougher) At Rocky Mountain Psychological Services, many families come to us feeling stuck in daily battles over screens. Parents describe emotional meltdowns when devices are turned off, escalating conflict around limits, difficulty with sleep, and increasing concerns about attention, mood, and school performance. These struggles often leave caregivers feeling […]

ADHD Isn’t Just About Attention: What Assessments Reveal About Learning and Behaviour

ADHD Assessment

At Rocky Mountain Psychological Services (RMPS) in Calgary, one of the most common myths we encounter is that ADHD is simply an attention problem. Families are often told their child “just needs to focus more” or “try harder,” yet decades of research tell a very different story. ADHD is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects […]

Psychological Assessment in Calgary: When to Consider ADHD, Gifted, Psychoeducational, Autism, or Capacity Assessments.

Psychological Assessments

Understanding how a person thinks, learns, and functions can be life‑changing, especially when academic performance, attention, social skills, or decision‑making seems to lag behind potential. At Rocky Mountain Psychological Services (RMPS) in Calgary, our psychologists conduct thorough psychological evaluations that provide clarity on learning, developmental, and cognitive needs. These assessments guide effective support at school, […]

Exploring ADHD Treatment Options in Calgary: What Parents Should Know

ADHD treatment in Calgary

If your child seems to be constantly in motion, has a tough time focusing, or often acts without thinking, you may find yourself wondering, “Is this just a phase? Or is something more going on?” For many parents, these questions eventually lead to a closer look at Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. This condition […]

She’s Not Just Distracted: Bringing Awareness to  Women and Girls with ADHD

Awareness to Women and Girls with ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often associated with hyperactive boys, but the reality is far more complex. While boys are more frequently diagnosed, many women and girls live with ADHD, often going undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. It’s time to shed light on this issue and support those who navigate life with this condition. Understanding ADHD […]

DO CHILDREN OUTGROW ADHD AS ADULTS?

psychoeducational groups

Current research shows that over sixty percent of adults maintain some of their core Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms beyond adolescence ([CADDAC], 2017). Some adults with ADHD may have been diagnosed with ADHD in childhood and some may have received treatment, however many adults are unaware that their difficulties are caused by ADHD until diagnosed.  Symptoms […]

Support Group for Parents of Children with ADHD

parent of children with adhd

Parenting is an amazing adventure full of ups and downs, learning, celebrations, and challenges. Parenting a child with ADHD requires some specialized skills and techniques. In this group, parents will learn research-supported strategies for parenting children with ADHD and will also have the benefit of other parents sharing their experience and support for implementing strategies […]

How to Boost Your Child’s Self-Esteem

how to boost your child self-esteem

Many kids with ADHD and learning disabilities also struggle with poor self-esteem. Here’s how parents can help. When children feel good about themselves, everything goes a little easier for them and their parents. But poor self-esteem is a big problem for ADHD children–and an even bigger problem for the 50 percent or so of ADHD […]

MacKenzie Ebel

MacKenzie is a Psychometrist/Psychological Assistant at RMPS. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Princeton University, where she also played 4 years for the women’s ice hockey team. She recently completed her Masters in Counselling Psychology through City University of Seattle. MacKenzie has worked with children, youth, and their families in a number of settings, through coaching, as a behavioural aid, and counselling through her internship placement. She is excited to continue learning about assessment administration, neurofeedback, and play therapy practices at RMPS! Currently, she is part of the assessment and neurotherapy team, as she completes her final capstone assignment and intends to join our counselling team as a Registered Provisional Psychologist.

Tammy Thomson

Tammy is a graduate of the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) program at Yorkville University and is trained at the master’s level in art therapy as a professional art psychotherapist and member of the Canadian Art Therapy Association. She brings more than 20 years of experience working with children, teens, and families in child development settings, children’s hospitals, and schools as an early childhood educator and elementary teacher. She completed a Bachelor of Applied Science specializing in Child Development Studies at the University of Guelph, Ontario and holds a Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning from the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. Tammy is a member of the Canadian Counsellor and Psychotherapy Association and College of Alberta Psychologists while pursuing her next goal of registration as a provisional psychologist. Tammy values a client-centered approach using play therapy and the expressive arts to support those who may find it difficult to articulate their thoughts and feelings with words. Children and families do not need any skill or prior art experience and the art studio is a safe place where children can gain a sense of independence, greater emotional regulation, and confidence through self-exploration. Expressive interventions in art therapy can treat behavioural issues, anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, physical and developmental disabilities, and attachment difficulties. As a parent of three young children herself, Tammy understands the complexities of family life using compassion to help parents feel more confident in their role of raising a successful family.

Raquel Freitas

Raquel is an Office Administrator at RMPS. Back in Brazil, her home country, she graduated as a Psychologist and worked as a clinician for the past 5 years. Although she loved working with children and adults, she discovered a new passion: manage the administrative tasks that keep the business running. 

As someone who is passionate about learning new things and developing new skills, with the career transition also came the decision to live abroad and explore a new culture. To serve empathetically and connect with people is Raquel’s main personal and professional goal.

Emma Donnelly

Emma is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in her hometown at Brandon University, after which she moved to Calgary to earn her Master’s of Science in School and Applied Child Psychology at the University of Calgary. Emma has a passion for working with children and families and has experience doing so in a number of settings, including schools, homes, early intervention programs, and within the community. She specializes in assessment, including psychoeduational, social-emotional-behavioural, and autism assessment. Emma uses a client centred approach to counselling, supported by cognitive behavioural therapy, as well as play-based and attachment-based techniques. She believes in meeting clients where they are at and prides herself in working together with her clients to achieve their goals, improve their functioning, and enjoy their daily life.

Amanda Stoner

Amanda is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Amanda earned her doctoral degree in Psychology at Brock University in Ontario in 2017, with a specialization in developmental psychology. Amanda provides formal assessment services at RMPS. 

Since 2009, Amanda has received formal training and work experience in private practice settings in conducting psycho-educational assessments for students ranging from preschool through university. Amanda is skilled at test administration, interpretation of data, and report writing for various referral questions including ADHD, Learning Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety, Giftedness, and Intellectual Disabilities. Amanda enjoys working with people of all ages from diverse backgrounds, and she tries to make the testing environment feel relaxed and comfortable while maintaining integrity in testing protocol.

Denise Riewe

Denise has completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences through the University of Lethbridge and a Master of Counselling with Athabasca University. She is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists and a member of the Psychological Association of Alberta. Denise has over 9 years of experience supporting children, youth and their families in both residential and community-based practices. Denise is experienced in working with high and at-risk youth, supporting children and their families with strength-based approaches. She practices from a client-center approach supported by Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Theraplay, and other play and art-based modalities.

John Pynn

John is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. He completed his Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. He brings more than 20 years of experience working with children, teens, and families in a variety of settings. He brings a relaxed and collaborative atmosphere to sessions. John uses an integrated counselling approach including client-centred, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Solution-Focussed therapy (SFT) to find the best-fit for clients. He has experience with a variety of mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, anger, self-
esteem, relationships, parenting, ADHD, grief/loss, addictions, and trauma. This broad experience comes from working in schools, social service agencies, group-care, and clinical settings. He also draws from the practical experience of being a parent to two teenagers as well as a husband. Supporting and empowering clients with mental health concerns is something John genuinely enjoys. John also provides counselling for adults and holds a Gottman level 1 certification for couples therapy.

Zara Crasto

Zara is a Psychometrist/Psychological Assistant at RMPS. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Calgary and her Graduate Diploma in Psychological Assessment at Concordia University of Edmonton. 

Zara has spent over five years working alongside children, adolescents, and their families in a variety of settings. These include public and private schools, in-home support, residential programs, early-intervention programs, and non-profit organizations. Currently, Zara is part of the assessment and neurotherapy team. As a lifelong learner, Zara plans to go back to graduate school and eventually become a psychologist one day.

Kellie Lanktree

Kellie is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. She completed a Bachelor of Child and Youth Care with the University of Victoria and a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology through the University of Lethbridge. Kellie has over 10 years experience supporting children and youth with developmental disorders/delays and their families. Kellie has experience working in schools, clinical settings, and within homes to provide support and therapeutic interventions. Through her time at RMPS, Kellie has also gained experience in helping individuals affected by trauma, grief/loss, separations, emotional dysregulation, depression, and anxiety. Kellie practices through developmental, attachment-based and trauma-informed lenses, and draws from a variety of play-based approaches such as Synergetic Play Therapy, Child-centered play therapy, DIR/Floortime, art-based mediums, and mindfulness-based practices. Kellie also provides Neurofeedback therapy, and is working on receiving her certification through BCIA. Kellie believes in meeting children and their families where they are at and that there is no “one size fits all” for therapy.