Caitlin Atkinson, M.Sc., Ph.D. Candidate

Caitlin Atkinson works with children, adolescents, and their families, providing therapy and comprehensive psychological assessments in a collaborative and supportive environment.

She is committed to helping young people better understand themselves, build skills, and feel empowered in their daily lives.

Learn More About Me

The best part of my work is getting to know children, adolescents, and parents on a deeper level. I have always been intensely curious about people’s thoughts, feelings, and life experiences, and this role allows me to explore those questions alongside incredible children, teens, and families. It is a privilege to build meaningful relationships and help clients better understand themselves and their experiences.

I have been working at Wonderwise since Fall 2022, and I value being part of such a skilled and thoughtful team. In addition to learning from our clients, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn continuously from my colleagues. The collaborative environment strengthens the care we provide, and being close to a mall with great snacks is certainly a bonus.

I have wanted to be a psychologist since I was a child. I have always been curious about others and their experiences, and when I realized this curiosity could become a career, I was certain of my path. As I learned more about psychology, my interest only deepened.

My clinical approach is collaborative, non-judgmental, and client-centred. I aim to create a warm environment where children, adolescents, and parents feel safe and understood. I believe clients are the authorities on their own experiences and emphasize partnership throughout therapy and assessments. Building trust through authenticity, compassion, and humour is central to my work.

I draw from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Emotion Focused Skills Training (EFST). I also strive to provide neurodivergent-affirming care that supports neurodivergent children, adolescents, and parents in fostering acceptance, self-compassion, and the skills to live authentically.

Areas of Focus

I provide treatment and child therapy for children and adolescents experiencing a range of clinical needs, including:

• Anxiety

• Depressive symptoms

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

• Emotion dysregulation

• Executive dysfunction

• Perfectionism

• Relational difficulties

I also provide parent coaching and consultation to help caregivers support their child’s overall well-being. I have substantial experience and training working with neurodivergent children and adolescents, as well as parents of neurodivergent children.

In addition, I conduct comprehensive psychological and psychoeducational assessments for children and adolescents with academic challenges, including learning difficulties, behavioural concerns, inattention, emotion dysregulation, and relational difficulties. I have extensive experience conducting assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other Developmental Disabilities. As part of the assessment process, I consult with caregivers, teachers, and others involved in the child’s life to gain a comprehensive understanding. I use assessment results to clarify learning, behavioural, or emotional difficulties and to provide recommendations that support clients across settings.

Education & Professional Background

• Ph.D. Candidate, Clinical Psychology, Queen’s University

• M.Sc., Clinical Psychology, Queen’s University

• B.A., Psychology, University of Ottawa

During my graduate training, I completed practicums in community mental health agencies, the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board, and various private practices. I gained specialized experience in developmental disabilities through three years of training at the Developmental Disabilities Consulting Program in Kingston, Ontario.

In 2021–2022, I completed my pre-doctoral residency at the Children and Adolescent Psychology Centre in Aurora, Ontario.