At RMPS, our approach to therapy is grounded in the latest research about child development, effective counseling methods for children, and understanding the brain and nervous system. We firmly believe the first step to better functioning is helping individuals regulate their minds, bodies, and emotions. Children are different than adults – they may express their thoughts, feelings, and emotions using words and explanations like an adult, but often their behaviour and their play are also important in understanding their perspective, thoughts, beliefs, or feelings.
Parents across Alberta reach out when they experience difficulty navigating their child’s anxiety, emotional regulation, social struggles, and academic concerns. In these cases, a child psychologist from our team works closely with both the child and family to identify underlying issues and create a personalized growth plan.
Our approaches include talk therapy, play-based approaches, or creative methods such as art and movement. Every strategy used is designed to meet the child’s stage of development, presenting concerns, and comfort level. With counselling at RMPS, children gain coping tools, build resilience, and develop healthier ways to express themselves.
Play therapy is a therapeutic approach based on developmental principles. It is a process where the child chooses objects, symbols, or types of play to express their concerns and work through particular problems. Play provides a safe psychological distance from their problems and allows expression of thoughts and feelings appropriate to their development. This therapeutic method is ideally suited to children 3–12 years of age.
At RMPS, play therapy is an important part of our children’s psychological services, designed to help children process and express what is going on for them in more ways than only with words. Play therapy helps children express their complex emotions through their natural language; play works as a bridge between their inner world and the therapist’s understanding. Through toys, games, and creative activities, children can process emotions such as fear, sadness, anger, or confusion, all within a safe and supportive space. They can also gain new perspectives or practice new coping strategies in ways that are natural to them, engaging, and developmentally appropriate.
Parents often seek children’s counselling when their child is struggling with social and behavioral challenges or is impacted by stressful life events. Play therapy allows young children to express their complex emotional issues in an age-appropriate manner while building problem-solving skills and resilience. By combining clinical expertise with play-based methods, our therapists help children develop healthier coping strategies and improved emotional well-being.
Assessments are a formal way of measuring how well a child is functioning compared to other children their age. They can zero in on how a child’s brain is working and how this may be affecting their overall development and daily functioning. Families often seek assessments to address concerns related to school, but they can also shed light on behavioral, emotional, or relational issues that impact the child at home or in social settings.
At RMPS, every assessment is conducted by an experienced clinician who tailors the process to each child’s unique needs.
Depending on the concerns, assessments may focus on cognitive abilities, academic skills, emotional well-being, or social development. This helps parents and educators gain a clear understanding of a child’s strengths as well as areas where additional support is required.
Once results are gathered, our team provides practical recommendations that can be applied at school, at home, and within therapy. Often, assessment is the first step toward identifying what the child’s needs are and then a tailored treatment plan can be developed. By clarifying the “why” behind a child’s struggles, assessments open the door to solutions that foster growth, resilience, and confidence.
Neurofeedback, also called EEG biofeedback or neurotherapy, makes use of the brain’s natural capacity for change to reshape brain networks. At RMPS, we start the treatment process with an assessment that includes a qEEG brain map, and questionnaires. After this initial assessment, 2-4 individualized goals are set and a block of 20 sessions is completed (18 neurofeedback sessions and 2 virtual sessions to discuss goals and evaluate progress, and suggest any strategies that might help). After the 20 sessions, post-treatment data is collected and includes completion of another qEEG brain map, completion of questionnaires, and review of progress on individual goals. This evidence-based approach allows parents to see their child’s progress clearly, with results presented in black and white.
Neurotherapy has proven to be beneficial for children who are struggling with attention, anxiety, mood regulation, or facing challenges related to sleep and focus. Neurofeedback helps the brain to practice operating in different, more optimal ways. When this happens, parents start to notice subtle changes – like fewer reminders needed to get ready in the morning, homework being done with less stress, kids able to sit for dinner more easily, or calmer responses to upsetting situations. For families seeking psychological support for their children, neurofeedback therapy is an option that is non-invasive with a growing scientific research base that complements other therapeutic approaches.
In our holistic approach, we sometimes suggest pairing neurofeedback with children’s or parents’ counselling. That way, we’re supporting both the brain’s functioning and supporting the child (and family) with developing new habits, skills, and strategies. We keep parents in the loop throughout the process and have two sessions specifically with parents to discuss the goals, progress, questions, and to help parents understand changes they’re seeing or how neurofeedback works. We help parents not only learn the science but also see for themselves how these changes show up in their child’s everyday life.
At RMPS, our goal is to provide strategies that empower children to thrive, helping them build resilience, confidence, and long-term stability.
At Rocky Mountain Psychological Services, we understand the unique challenges that children with ADHD may face at home, in school, and social settings. That’s why we create a structured four-stage plan for treatment. This plan involves first assessing what areas the child needs support in, selecting areas to target for intervention and the approach that is a fit for the child, implementing the plan, and evaluating results. Each stage is customized to your child’s individual needs, ensuring that treatment is not only about managing symptoms but also about helping your child thrive.
Our experienced clinicians draw from the research literature on effective strategies and approaches for children with attention regulation challenges, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Parents play an important part too, as working together is what makes it easier to carry out these strategies across home, school, and other settings.
ADHD treatment is most effective when combined with broader supports such as working with the child’s school, physician, teaching social skills, and implementing supports at home and with family. A holistic plan provides children with tools to improve behaviour, attention regulation, emotional regulation, social skills, and self-esteem, allowing them to feel more confident and capable.
By offering a comprehensive, individualized plan, RMPS empowers children with ADHD to reach their full potential. Our goal is to help each child not only cope with their challenges but also develop the skills they need to succeed long-term.
Practitioners at RMPS are unique in that we have extensive experience identifying and assessing Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in individuals from ages 2 to 35 and beyond. Early and accurate assessment is the first step toward creating an effective support plan. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, our team provides families with tailored recommendations for next steps. These may include suggestions for treatment, strategies for school support, community resources, and evidence-based therapies designed to meet the individual’s needs.
Our services go beyond diagnosis. We at RMPS work closely with families to ensure that interventions are practical, achievable, and supportive of the child’s daily life.
Treatment may involve behavioural therapy, family supports, play-based approaches, consulting with other professionals such as school or other therapies, or supporting the child with social skills groups or community involvement. Each plan is designed to help children build on their strengths while addressing areas of difficulty and supporting families along the way.RMPS offers a compassionate and comprehensive approach. Parents are engaged as partners in the process, with ongoing guidance to reinforce strategies at home and in school. By combining clinical expertise with personalized care, we aim to help children on the spectrum thrive, gain confidence, and reach their fullest potential.
A child psychologist helps kids manage emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges through counselling, assessments, and evidence-informed therapies.
Counselling provides a safe space for children to openly express their emotions, build coping skills, and develop the strength to face their challenges in school, home, and social settings.
Play therapy uses toys, games, and creative activities to help children express and process emotions, perceptions, and experiences as well as develop new and more adaptive coping skills in an age-appropriate way.
Yes, neurotherapy is a non-invasive, research-supported method that can help children improve focus, emotional regulation, and sleep, among other concerns.
An assessment is helpful if your child struggles with learning, behavior, or emotional regulation, providing clarity and guidance for effective support.
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.
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.
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.
