Therapy
Dr. McConnell offers therapy for children and teens dealing with various concerns, including:
- Health-related issues (e.g., pain/symptom management, treatment adherence),
- Stress and anxiety (including obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder),
- Depression, low self-esteem, and similar concerns, and
- Trauma, major life events, and challenging transitions.
Dr. McConnell also provides assistance for parents/caregivers dealing with issues such as:
- Children’s behavioural problems,
- Parent-child conflict,
- Parenting-related stress,
- Parental disagreement about child-rearing,
- Co-parenting after separation, and
- General parenting questions and concerns.
Dr. McConnell selects therapeutic approaches based on current research evidence and standards of best practice, as well as the unique needs of each child, teen, and/or family. Her work primarily draws from cognitive-behavioural therapy and mindfulness-based approaches, and she views the family as an important context for understanding and supporting children’s healthy development. Dr. McConnell believes that therapy is most effective when care is taken to develop a warm, trusting relationship with her clients. She works collaboratively with children, teens, and families to set specific therapeutic goals and uses a step-by-step approach to help clients accomplish their goals.