Reaching new heights together

The Cognitive Canopy specializes in counselling psychotherapy and education for neurodiverse individuals (ADD/ADHD, ASD 1, etc) and their family members/caregivers. 

We provide:

• Individual psychotherapy for teens and adults (in-person, virtual and phone)
• ADD/ADHD coaching/executive function coping skills
• Parental/caregiver education & support
• Assess symptoms that may be related to ADD/ADHD 
• IEP/accommodations support
• High school and post-secondary executive functioning and study/coping skills 
• Preparing for college/university 
• Psychoeducation and coping skills webinars
• ADHD consulting for practitioners and educators. 

We support the co-occurring issues that may accompany neurodiversity, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), pathological demand avoidance (PDA), relationship & social problems, stress management, low self-esteem, perfectionism and more. We are friends and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community and embrace equity, inclusion and diversity. 

Our therapists will work with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your unique needs and goals.

At The Cognitive Canopy, our treatment approach to the struggles associated with neurodiversity involves a combination of psychotherapy, coping skills and education. We use a multimodal approach to treatment, primarily focusing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS).  Our approach to psychotherapy is client-centered and flexible, which gives the client the opportunity to collaborate with the therapist to create a therapeutic plan that works for them. 

We provide a relaxed and welcoming environment, where being neurodiverse and different is celebrated.  

The frequency of counseling sessions with The Cognitive Canopy will depend on your individual needs and goals. Some clients may benefit from weekly sessions, while others may attend bi-weekly or monthly. If you are interested in attending our virtual psychoeducation webinars, please email us to be added to the mailing list - cognitivecanopy@gmail.com

Absolutely. However, just like anything else in life, it will take time and effort to be able to do so. We believe that the condition can be effectively managed using the biopsychological framework; this means that the individual will see the most dramatic results when they address biological, psychological and social/environmental factors comprehensively. 

We understand that each person's experience with ADD/ADHD is unique and subsequently, our clients come to us to find the treatment plan that works best for them. We understand how disruptive and devastating untreated ADD/ADHD can be, so we take pride in providing you will the most effective treatment options, based on scientific research. And, at the end of the day, our common goal is to assist the neurodiverse individual to thrive emotionally and reach their full potential. Accordingly, clinical research and our professional experience has demonstrated that the most effective treatment of the condition occurs with a combination of psychotherapy, coping skills/coaching & medication, with medication viewed as the first-line treatment for ADHD. Notwithstanding, we have worked with many clients who have chosen to treat their ADD/ADHD without medication and we respect their decision. However, without medication, their progress is typically slow and does not demonstrate the results they are looking for.  

First off, when it comes to obtaining effective psychotherapy, it is imperative that the client wants to be in therapy, understands why they are there and connects with the therapist. Accordingly, it is of the utmost importance to us that our clients feel understood and welcomed throughout the entire therapeutic process. However, we understand that there are times when the neurodiverse (ND) individual is not ready/refuses to attend therapy and yet their family members are feeling desperate for them to change. So what can be done in this situation? We suggest that the family members/caregivers of the ND individual make an appointment at The Cognitive Canopy, as they will receive the support and guidance they need. In fact, countless clinical studies have demonstrated the increased efficacy of treatment when family members are involved in the process.

If you suspect that you or your child has ADD/ADHD, we can discuss the available options together and how to navigate the healthcare system in Ontario.  Kindly note that Registered Psychotherapists (RP) in Ontario are qualified to assess for ADD/ADHD with their clients however, they cannot diagnose their clients. However, general practitioners (GP) in Ontario are qualified to diagnose and prescribe medication for ADD/ADHD and therefore, the assessments done by an RP may be used to assist the doctor in gaining greater insight into how your symptoms present. (Note: it is up the the GPs discretion and knowledge of ADD/ADHD whether they will be willing to diagnose the condition, so this may be something to discuss with them). 

ADD/ADHD Diagnosis in Ontario:

Psychologists, psychiatrists, medical doctors (general practitioners and pediatricians) and specific nurse practitioners are qualified to diagnose ADD/ADHD and only medical doctors/nurses can prescribe medication. 

Yes, your child MUST know that they have ADHD/ASD in order to properly treat the condition. We offer support to parents/caregivers if they  require assistance with this. 

First off, we hear you, we have been there and we are here to help.  So know that you are not alone and we can assist you in navigating this. Feel free to book a session with us for 1:1 support or send us an email to sign up for our virtual webinars.

However, if you would prefer to do your own research, here are some reputable organizations that we suggest:

• Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada - https://caddac.ca/
• Canadian ADHD Research Alliance - https://www.caddra.ca/
• ADDitude Magazine - https://www.additudemag.com/ (we love their podcasts)

Downloads:

• https://www.additudemag.com/tag/download/

Specific Topics related to ADD/ADHD:

• Depression/anxiety and untreated ADHD: https://www.additudemag.com/untreated-adhd-in-adults-causes-depression-anxiety/
• Supplements: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/supplements-for-brain-health-adhd/
• Medication: https://www.additudemag.com/?s=medication
• Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD): https://www.additudemag.com/?s=RSD
• Emotional Dysregulation: https://www.additudemag.com/?s=emotional%20dysregulation&fs=&orderby=&weight=
• Puberty: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/puberty-and-mental-health-adhd-teens/
• Parenting resistant teens: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/teen-behavior-adhd-adolescent-parenting-help/
• Trading Battles with Bonding: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/defiant-child-parenting-strategies-adhd/
• Phone time & ADHD (minute 20:00): https://open.spotify.com/episode/2MWWdfiqfklYXYRBb6lhDL?si=IMc7KHLNSU2qV2Hyu86h-Q
• Video Games & ADHD: https://www.additudemag.com/study-video-game-addiction-adhd-news/
• Eating;  Improving Your Relationship with Food: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/adhd-and-eating-habits/
• Eating Disorders and ADHD: https://www.additudemag.com/?s=eating+disorders
• Autism/ADD/ADHD (AuDHD) Burnout - https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/autistic-burnout-adhd-masking/
• Inflammation, autoimmune disorders, chronic pain & joint hypermobility: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/joint-hypermobility-adhd-autism-inflammation-pain/
• Women and Girls with ADD/ADHD: https://www.additudemag.com/?s=women%20and%20girls&fs=&orderby=&weight=
• Menopause: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/talk-to-your-doctor-menopause-adhd/?ecd=wnl_additude_241014_cons_adhd_webinar&goal=0_d9446392d6-2b08044d7c-306955201

Laurel Webb, Registered Psychotherapist