Our Services
- OTOccupational Therapy
- OSOrthopaedic Surgery & MSK Medicine
- PTPhysiotherapy
- AMAdolescent Medicine
- SLPSpeech-Language Pathology
- AAllergy & Immunology
- ASAutism Services
- BBDBladder & Bowel Dysfunction
- BLBreastfeeding & Lactation
- CCardiology (General & Preventive)
- EDCEating Disorders Clinic
- EEndocrinology
- FSServices en Français/French Services
- GGastroenterology
- GCPGeneral & Consulting Paediatrics
- HSHearing Screenings
- MTMassage Therapy
- NNephrology
- NNutrition
Brain & Mental Health
Psychology
What is a Psychologist?
Psychologists (C. Psych.) and Psychological Associates (C. Psych. Assoc.) are Regulated Health Professionals who are trained to work with children, adolescents and their families in the areas of assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of behavioural and mental health conditions (College of Psychologists of Ontario, 2013).
Psychologists use a developmental perspective in their work – they seek to understand a child’s current functioning in all areas (cognitive, academic, behavioural, social-emotional) in the context of her development. In order to gain a comprehensive picture of the child, they will also take into account her family life and family history, her experiences at school and those with peers. The techniques and approaches used in psychology are evidence-based, meaning that they bring together scientific research, clinical opinion and the needs and values of the client/family.
Psychologists and psychological associates are governed by the College of Psychologists of Ontario. Psychologists and psychological associates “must meet rigorous professional entry requirements, adhere to prescribed standards, guidelines and ethical principles and participate in quality assurance activities to continually update and improve their knowledge and skill” (CPO, 2013). In Ontario, only psychologists, psychological associates and medical doctors have the legal authority to engage in the controlled act of communicating a diagnosis of a mental disorder.
Conditions We Assess/Treat
- Academic Problems
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Anxiety
- Adjustment Disorders
- Behavioural Difficulties
- Developmental Disabilities
- Disruptive Behaviour Disorders (e.g. ODD)
- Problems with Emotion Regulation
- Giftedness
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Mood Disorders (e.g., Depression)
- Caregiver Challenges
- Caregiver-Child Relationship Problems
- Social Problems
Our Approach
Practitioners work as a team with each family to create a treatment journey that fits into their lifestyle, builds trust and helps achieve shared outcomes. Our clinicians will collaborate with other disciplines when appropriate to ensure the most comprehensive care is provided.
Using a developmental perspective, psychologists at Boomerang Health provide a number of evidence-based assessment, treatment and consultation services for children, adolescents and their families. These services – as listed below – are tailored to the needs of the child and family, in keeping with their presenting concerns. Psychologists at Boomerang Health work from an integrative therapeutic orientation: they have training in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), attachment-focused therapy, and systemic family therapy.
Service Offerings
Current Psychological Assessment Services
Developmental Assessments for Ages 3 and up
A comprehensive psychological assessment of a young child’s verbal and visual reasoning skills, early language development, motor skills, behaviour, and self-care skills. This assessment may also include a diagnostic component, if there are concerns related to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), developmental delay, and/or intellectual difficulties. This may also include additional interdisciplinary assessments with Speech-Language and Occupational Therapy.
Psychological and Psycho-Educational Assessments
These assessments evaluate a child or adolescent’s cognitive, academic, behavioural and/or social-emotional functioning in order to identify the following, if appropriate:
- Learning Disabilities
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Disruptive Behaviour Disorders
- Adjustment Disorders
- Giftedness
Neuropsychological Assessments
A neuropsychological assessment examines brain-behaviour relationships. More specifically, it examines the presence and severity of any cognitive, emotional, and/or behavioural difficulties associated with specific neurological conditions including epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke, ADHD, etc. A neurocognitive assessment involves the testing of several cognitive thinking functions including memory, attention, language, visual-perception and executive functioning, in addition to a comprehensive clinical interview and the completion of several questionnaires. The assessment can identify individual cognitive strengths and weaknesses and diagnosis language impairments, learning disabilities, ADHD, etc. Recommendations to facilitate success at home and school are provided.
Current Consultation Services
Multidisciplinary consultation with allied professionals at Boomerang Health and in the community to support Boomerang Health clients in their course of treatment.
Caregiver consultation regarding caregiver challenges, academic difficulties, social concerns and treatment planning;
Client-centered case consultation with schools regarding classroom accommodations, curriculum modifications, and school-based social-emotional interventions.
Current Treatment Services
- Caregiver Counseling
- Play-Based Caregiver-Child Therapy for Young Children and Their Caregivers
- Family Therapy
- Individual and Caregiver-Supported Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Group therapy
A number of group programs are facilitated or supported by Psychology throughout the year including,- Caregiver-child anxiety groups (ages 5-7)
- Caregiver-child anxiety groups for youth with high functioning ASD (ages 8-14)
- Social skills programming for children with ASD, LD or ADHD (ages 6+)
Prices
Rehabilitation services, including psychology, are not covered by OHIP, but may be covered under your extended health insurance benefits. Check with your insurance provider for details. Appointments with our physicians are covered by OHIP.
Psychological Services – $240.00/hour. This includes:
- Intake
- Consultation
- Treatment
Psychological Assessment Services – fees determined at intake:
- Psycho-Educational Assessment
- Neuropsychological Assessment
- Developmental Assessment
- Diagnostic Assessment
- Giftedness Assessment
- Bilingual Assessment
Social Work & Psychotherapy
What is a Social Worker?
In Ontario, Social Workers (BSW or MSW) are Regulated Health Professionals who work within a scope of practice that includes assessment and counselling of “individual, interpersonal and societal problems through the use of social work knowledge, skills, interventions and strategies, to assist individuals, dyads, families” to achieve optimum psychosocial and social functioning (College of Social Workers, 2016).
Social work is targeted on promoting the healthy social and emotional development of the child and overall well-being of the family. Caregivers and child are supported in gaining a clear understanding of the problem, in setting realistic goals, and in having a plan and timetable to acquire the knowledge, skills and links to resources to address the child’s identified difficulties and to improve the overall level of functioning. The goal is to help the child make successful transitions and thrive in the school, peer and home settings. Social workers are regarded for their collaborative and strength-based approach, their emphasis on the person-in-environment model, and their emphasis on social justice. The techniques and approaches used in social work are evidence-based, meaning that they bring together scientific research, clinical opinion and the needs, strengths and values of the client/family.
Social workers are governed by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers of Ontario. The College sets out minimum standards of professional practice and conduct for members of the college, in accordance with the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998.
What is a Psychotherapist?
Psychotherapists are Regulated Health Professionals that provide talk-based therapy intended to help people improve and maintain their mental health and well-being (College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, 2022). Psychotherapists work with clients to bring about positive change in a client’s thinking, feeling, behaviour and social functioning. Psychotherapists are regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.
Presenting Concerns seen by Social Work and Psychotherapists at Boomerang Health:
- Bereavement, Loss & Grief
- High Risk behaviour among youth
- Caregiver-Child Relationship Problems
- Caregiver-Infant attachment difficulties
- Trauma
As well as:
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Anxiety
- Adjustment Disorders
- Behavioural Difficulties
- Developmental Disabilities
- Disruptive Behaviour Disorders (e.g. ODD)
- Problems with Emotion Regulation
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Mood Disorders (e.g., Depression)
Our Approach
Practitioners work with each family to create a treatment journey that fits into their lifestyle, builds trust and helps achieve shared outcomes. Our clinicians will collaborate with other disciplines when appropriate to ensure the most comprehensive care is provided.
Using a collaborative and strengths-based perspective, social workers at Boomerang Health provide a number of evidence-based treatment and consultation services for children, adolescents and their families. These services are tailored to the needs of the child and family, in keeping with their presenting concerns. Social Workers at Boomerang Health work from an integrative therapeutic orientation: they have training in psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), brief therapy, and solution-focused therapy, within both an individual and family therapy context.
Current Consultation Services
Multidisciplinary consultation with allied professionals at Boomerang Health and in the community to support Boomerang Health clients in their course of treatment.
Caregiver consultation regarding caregiver challenges, social-emotional and behavioural concerns and treatment planning;
Client-centered case consultation with schools regarding school-based social-emotional interventions.
Current Treatment Services
- Caregiver Counselling
- Play-Based Caregiver-Child Therapy for Young Children and Their Caregivers
- Family Therapy
- Individual and caregiver-supported therapies for children and teen
Prices
Rehabilitation services, including social work are not covered by OHIP, but may be covered under your extended health insurance benefits. Check with your insurance provider for details. Appointments with our physicians are covered by OHIP.
Social Work and Psychotherapy Services – $190.00/hour. This includes:
Single Session Therapy
What is Single Session Therapy?
Single session therapy (SST) is immediate therapy founded on the principles of brief and solution-focused therapy. The goal is to offer families an instant opportunity to have a useful conversation that focuses on finding new and different ways of looking at things, and developing new ideas to try out after the session. SST focuses on immediate issues happening now, in moments of need. Sometimes, that is all that a family needs.
Why Single Session Therapy?
- Provides a one-time therapy session related to an imminent issue for families (e.g., caregiver needing one-time advice on an issue related to back to school)
- Offers an instant solution for patients and families who are interested in brief consultation
- Ensures timely access to determine appropriate supports and next steps
- Focuses on strengths and goals, and tools for self-management
Structure and Format
- 90-minute virtual session with caregivers, child/youth, or together
- Sessions are not scheduled with the same therapist each time
How to Book?
Contact our Care Coordinator at 905-553-3155 ext. 261 or email us at info@boomeranghealth.com.
Who can access SST
- Child/youth and caregivers (with a child up to age 18):
- feeling “stuck” and wish to move past these feelings
- requiring support with accessing resources, both within the clinic and in the community
- needing to access support for a range of reasons: Issues with mental health (anxiety, depression), impact of Covid, school difficulties, behavioural issues, caregiver difficulties, challenges due to a change (e.g., moves), difficulties with emotion regulation, relationship issues, identity issues, etc.
- SST IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR FAMILIES IN CRISIS. Families in crisis should access crisis resources in the community (310-COPE; Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868) or go to the emergency room of their nearest hospital.
Prices
Single-session therapy is not covered by OHIP, but may be covered under your extended health insurance benefits. Check with your insurance provider for details.
SST services – $260.00/session. This includes:
- 60 to 75 minutes: Direct service with a psychologist, social worker, or psychotherapist
- 15 to 30 minutes: Indirect service for documentation, resource preparation, recommendation
Additional Considerations
- SST is not an assessment session, nor will you receive a diagnosis as part of this session
- SST is not appropriate as part of a formal psychoeducational and/or developmental assessment
- SST is not ongoing therapy. Therapist you see for SST may not be the therapist you end up working with long term, if you are on the wait list for our service.
AboutKidsHealth
For more information, visit the following pages on AboutKidsHealth, SickKids’ trusted health education website for children, youth, and their caregivers: