F&Qs

Reaching out for psychological support can feel like a big step, and it is completely normal to have questions. Whether you are wondering if your child would benefit from therapy, considering an assessment, or simply looking for guidance, I hope these answers help. If you don't find what you are looking for, I'd be happy to connect during a complimentary consultation.

Do I need a referral?

No. You can contact McDonald Psychology Services directly, and a physician's referral is not required. Some extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement, so it's always a good idea to check with your provider.

Who do you work with?

I work with children, adolescents, young adults, and parents/caregivers. Every child is different, so services are individualized based on your family's strengths, goals, and concerns.

What services do you provide?

Social-emotional and diagnostic assessments (multiple sessions)
ADHD assessments which can include cognitive testing
Child and adolescent mental health therapy
Pediatric health psychology consultation
Parent consultation and coaching
Clinical consultation and care planning (1 to 2 sessions)

If you are not sure which service is the best fit, that's okay—we'll figure it out together.

How do I know if your services are the right fit?

Every service begins with a complimentary 15-minute consultation. It's a chance for you to talk to us about what has been going on, answer your questions, and decide whether therapy, consultation, or an assessment makes the most sense.

If we don't think McDonald Psychology Services is the right place to help, we will tell you honestly and do our best to point you toward the most appropriate service.

Are appointments offered virtually?

Yes. All services are currently offered virtually through a secure platform. Many families are surprised by how well children and teens engage online. Virtual care can be highly effective while offering flexibility for busy families. That said, it isn't the right fit for every child or every concern, and we'll discuss that together before we begin.

Clients must be physically located in Ontario during appointments.

How do virtual assessments work?

Every assessment is tailored to your child's unique needs. Depending on the reason for referral, the process may include interviews, standardized questionnaires, review of medical or school records, consultation with teachers or other professionals (with your consent), and a comprehensive feedback session with practical recommendations.

When appropriate, I may also recommend additional assessment components, such as a classroom observation or referral for in-person testing.

Will my child receive a diagnosis?

Not always. The goal of an assessment isn't simply to "find a diagnosis." It's to understand your child's strengths, challenges, and how they experience the world. Sometimes a diagnosis helps explain those experiences, and sometimes it doesn't. Either way, my goal is to provide meaningful recommendations that help your child thrive.

What types of children, adolescents, and families do you work with?

I work with children, adolescents, young adults, and families across a wide range of emotional, behavioural, developmental, and health-related experiences.

Some of the presentations I commonly support include:

Anxiety and excessive worry
Low mood and depression
Emotional regulation and coping with big feelings
Self-esteem and identity development
School avoidance and other school-related challenges
Life transitions, stress, and adjustment
Chronic illness, pain, and other pediatric health concerns
Medical trauma and coping with healthcare experiences
Parent-child relationship challenges

I also have extensive experience working with neurodivergent children and adolescents, including autistic youth and those with ADHD. My approach is neuroaffirming and focuses on understanding each child's unique strengths, support needs, and lived experiences while working collaboratively with families, schools, and healthcare providers to help them thrive.

In collaboration with physicians, dietitians, and other members of a child's healthcare team, I have also supported children and adolescents experiencing eating and feeding challenges when psychological care is an important part of their overall treatment.

Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, I tailor care to each child and family. Depending on your goals and needs, I may draw from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills, Emotion-Focused Skills Training (EFST), motivational interviewing, parent coaching, and other evidence-based approaches.

If you are wondering whether your child's needs are the right fit for my practice, please don't hesitate to ask. If I believe another service or provider would better support your family, I'll always be honest and help guide you toward the most appropriate resources.

What does an ADHD assessment involve?

Our comprehensive ADHD assessments include a clinical interview, developmental and medical history, review of relevant records, and standardized questionnaires completed by parents and teachers. Children may also complete Creyos cognitive tasks examining areas such as attention, working memory, and executive functioning. Assessments can be completed virtually, with your child completing tasks on one device while I observe and interact with them by secure video. ADHD is never diagnosed based on a single test; all information is integrated to provide diagnostic clarification and individualized recommendations. Classroom observations can be requested depending on location*.

What is pediatric health psychology?

Pediatric health psychology focuses on the connection between physical health and emotional well-being. Whether a child is adjusting to a chronic illness, managing pain, coping with medical procedures, or navigating the emotional impact of a health condition, my goal is to help families build confidence, resilience, and practical coping strategies throughout that journey.

Can you communicate with my child's school or healthcare team?

Yes. With your written consent, collaboration with teachers, physicians, therapists, and other professionals is often an important part of helping children succeed across home, school, and healthcare settings.

Are psychological services covered by OHIP or insurance?

Psychological services in private practice are not covered by OHIP. Many extended health insurance plans reimburse services provided by registered psychologists. Because every plan is different, I encourage families to check directly with their provider. Receipts are provided following payment.

What are your fees?

Fees vary depending on the type of service provided. I'll review all fees with you before services begin, and you're always welcome to reach out if you have questions.

How are payments made?

Payment is due at the time of your appointment. Credit card and e-transfer are accepted, and receipts are provided for insurance reimbursement.

What is your cancellation policy?

Please provide at least 48 business hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Appointments cancelled with less notice, or missed appointments, may be charged the full appointment fee.

Is my information confidential?

Yes. Your privacy is very important to me. Information shared during services is kept confidential in accordance with professional standards and Ontario privacy legislation. The limits of confidentiality—including situations involving safety concerns or legal obligations—will always be reviewed with you as part of the informed consent process.

Do you use artificial intelligence (AI) in your practice?

Yes—but thoughtfully. Like many healthcare professionals, I use carefully selected, privacy-conscious AI tools to support administrative tasks and documentation. This helps reduce time spent at a computer, so I can focus more on what matters most: my clients and their families.

AI is never used to replace clinical judgment. Every note, report, recommendation, and communication is personally reviewed, edited, and approved by me. Any technology used within my practice is selected with careful attention to privacy, security, and professional standards.

What can I expect when working with Dr. McDonald?

If you have made it this far, there's a good chance you've spent some time wondering if you're doing enough for your child. Maybe you've found yourself standing at the hockey arena wondering why your child is melting down before getting on the ice, lying awake at 2:00 a.m. because your little one has climbed into your bed again, or sitting in the school pick-up line replaying a conversation with a teacher. Parenting has a way of making us question ourselves—even on the days we're doing our very best.

I know that feeling because, before I'm a psychologist, I'm a mom to three amazing (and wild) kids. They remind me every day that parenting is equal parts joy, chaos, laughter, learning, and humility. I certainly don't have all the answers when it comes to raising my own children.

What I do have is the privilege of combining those everyday parenting experiences with years of specialized training and clinical experience. I grew up in the Durham Region, completed part of my education in the United States playing soccer before returning home to study at Trent University, Toronto Metropolitan University, and York University, and today I have the privilege of working at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), supporting children, adolescents, and families facing a wide range of medical and mental health challenges.

One thing I've learned—both as a psychologist and as a parent—is that children aren't problems to be fixed.

Every behaviour tells a story. My role is to help you understand that story, recognize your child's strengths, and work with your family to build practical tools that make everyday life a little easier. My goal is never to change who your child is. Instead, I want to help them better understand themselves, develop confidence, and thrive in the environments that matter most to them.

I also believe that parents and caregivers are the experts on their own children. My role isn't to tell you how to parent. It is to bring psychological expertise alongside your lived experience. Together, we'll make sense of what's happening, celebrate what's already working, and develop strategies that feel realistic for your family.

I hope you'll leave our work together feeling heard, supported, and more confident, not because we've found a quick fix, but because you'll have a better understanding of your child and practical tools to move forward together.

And yes... there will probably be moments where we laugh, too. Because sometimes parenting is hard, sometimes it's beautifully messy, and sometimes the best thing we can do is remember that we are all human.