ANCHOR PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES - Key Persons

Dr. Alex Irwin (she/her) is registered as a psychologists in supervised practice. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and completed her pre-doctoral residency at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). She is supervised by Dr. Katherine Henderson and Dr. Hien Nguyen. Throughout her training, Dr. Irwin has provided psychological services to individuals and families in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community-based organizations, and schools. Dr. Irwin provides psychological services to children, adolescents, adults, and families with a range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, as well as difficulties with emotion regulation, interpersonal relationships, self-esteem, and identity, Specifically, she draws on evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioural (including third-wave CBT such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; ACT), attachment-based (e.g., Emotion-Focused Family Therapy), and dialectical-behavioural orientations, tailoring her approach to the needs and goals of her clients. Dr. Irwin also offers comprehensive psychoeducational assessments to assess developmental and learning disabilities, gifted status, Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Dr. Irwin believes wholeheartedly in the importance of building a strong and safe therapeutic relationship as a foundation for change. Her approach is LGBTQ+ positive and she takes care to understand the unique intersecting identities of each individual. Dr. Irwin aims to help her clients connect to their emotions and harness their unique strengths to overcome challenges and live meaningfully.

Dr. Hien Nguyen is a registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She earned her Ph.D. in clinical developmental psychology at York University and completed her predoctoral residency at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Dr. Nguyen has worked and trained in a variety of settings, including community-based mental health centres, university clinics, and tertiary care hospitals. Dr. Nguyen's research interests include resilience and developmental strengths among children and adolescents. Her research has been published in several peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. Dr. Nguyen currently provides comprehensive psychological and psycho-educational assessments of children and youth. She also provides individual therapy to children and youth, as well as family and group therapy. Dr. Nguyen has extensive experience working with children and adolescents from diverse backgrounds, across various age groups (early childhood to emerging adulthood). She offers assessment, individual, and family therapy to those presenting with a wide range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and eating disorders. Employing approaches that are evidence-based and collaborative (e.g., CBT, DBT), Dr. Nguyen is guided by the belief that children and families possess the strengths and assets to not only manage difficulty, but to thrive. She believes that great change is possible within the context of a trusting therapeutic relationship and supportive family environment. Dr. Nguyen offers psycho-educational and developmental assessment of children and youth to evaluate learning disabilities, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), gifted status, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. As part of the team at Anchor Psychological Services, Dr. Nguyen is specialized in providing emotion-focused family therapy and emotion coaching.

Dr. Henderson has been a registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists since 2001. She obtained her Ph.D. from York University in 2000. Dr. Henderson was Clinical Director and Lead for Research and Program Evaluation for the Regional Eating Disorders program for children and youth at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) for ten years. At CHEO, Dr. Henderson specialized in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders and associated mood and anxiety disorders. She has trained numerous emerging psychologists and health care professionals. Dr. Henderson is an adjunct research professor at Carleton University and continues to be active in co-leading provincial and national research projects and supervising undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Henderson has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. She believes in the inherent strength of individuals and families and believes strongly that therapy provides the ability to instill hope and correct past emotional wounds. She believes in the healing power of families and a strong therapeutic relationship with clients. With Drs. Lafrance-Robinson, Delohanty, and Mayman, Dr. Henderson is developing emotion focused family therapy for eating disorders across the lifespan and emotion coaching for all parents.

Dr. Humphreys has been a registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists since 2005. She obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Ottawa in 2004. Dr. Humphreys offers psychological services to children, youth, and adults. She provides therapy to those struggling with a wide range of difficulties including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), problems with emotional regulation, trauma, interpersonal relationships, and low self-esteem. She uses evidence-based approaches and has particularly extensive experience in the provision of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). Dr. Humphreys worked as a staff psychologist at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) for 12 years. There she worked predominantly in the outpatient mental health service, including the DBT program. She has extensive experience in assessing and treating mood and anxiety disorders and co-leading DBT skills groups, and she has trained numerous emerging psychologists. In her work with individuals and families, Dr. Humphreys places an emphasis on establishing a strong client-therapist relationship and on harnessing clients' strengths to facilitate positive change.

Dr. Driscoll earned her PhD in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology at the University of Guelph and completed her predoctoral residency at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in 2019. Throughout her training, Dr. Driscoll worked in a variety of settings including the Hospital for Sick Children's (SickKids) Eating Disorder Day Treatment Program, community-based clinics, and schools while providing care to children, adolescents, and families. Dr. Driscoll provides assessment and individual and family therapy to those struggling with a wide range of difficulties including anxiety, depression, issues of identity, negative body image, and eating disorders. She employs collaborative, evidence-based approaches (e.g., ACT, CBT, DBT, EFFT) and works with each client to provide treatment that fits their unique needs and experiences. In her work, Dr. Driscoll believes that the inherent strengths of individuals and families, a strong client-therapist relationship, and emotional acceptance are powerful mechanisms of change in helping people to live a full meaningful life.

Dr. Sandy Erb is a registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology at the University of Guelph. She completed her predoctoral residency at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in August 2021. Over the course of her training, Sandy has gained experience providing psychological services to children, youth, and their families in hospitals, schools, university clinics, and community mental health and private practice settings. Dr. Erb provides assessment and individual and family therapy to children, youth, and families who are experiencing a wide range of difficulties, including, anxiety, selective mutism, depression, low self-esteem, interpersonal difficulties, and issues of identity. She uses collaborative and evidence-based approaches (e.g., CBT, DBT, EFFT) that are tailored to meet the individual needs of each client and family. Sandy also provides comprehensive psychological and psychoeducational assessments of children and youth to evaluate ADHD, learning disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and gifted status. Dr. Erb believes that an empathic and collaborative approach that builds on the strengths of individuals and families is key to developing a strong therapeutic relationship that fosters positive growth and change.

Dr. Norwood is a registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Developmental Psychology from York University in Toronto and completed her pre-doctoral residency at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Over the course of her training, Dr. Norwood has gained experience providing psychological services to children, youth, and families in hospital and community mental health settings. She has also co-authored numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and has presented her research on body image, eating disorders, and emotion regulation at several international conferences. Dr. Norwood offers psychological services to children, youth, and families. She offers individual and family therapy to those struggling with a wide range of difficulties including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, and eating disorders. Dr. Norwood also provides psycho-educational assessment of children and youth to evaluate learning disabilities, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and gifted status. Dr. Norwood tailors her approach to meet the needs of each client. She uses evidence-based approaches while helping clients to build upon their strengths. She works with individuals and families to build a strong therapeutic relationship and empower them to make positive changes in their lives. As part of the team at Anchor Psychological Services, Dr. Norwood is specialized in providing emotion-focused family therapy and emotion coaching.

Job Titles:

• Co - Director
• Co - Founder
• Founder

Dr. Mayman has been a registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario since 2006. She has experience working in a variety of public settings, including the Montreal Children's Hospital, The Allen Memorial Hospital, and Regional Children's Centre of Windsor, Ontario. In addition, Dr. Mayman has worked in private practice in both Windsor and Ottawa. Prior to founding Anchor Psychological Services, Dr. Mayman was a staff psychologist at The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) for 7 years, where she specialized in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders and associated mood and anxiety disorders. She has trained and supervised many emerging psychologists and health care professionals and has stayed active in research since obtaining her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Concordia University in 2005. Dr. Mayman is adept at treating a wide range of age groups and problems. She works with individuals, families, and groups, tailoring her approach to meet the unique needs of each client. At the root of her treatment philosophy is belief in the importance of developing a strong client-therapist relationship and in the power of children, youth, and families to harness their strengths to make real changes in their lives. With Drs. Lafrance-Robinson, Delohanty, and Henderson, Dr. Mayman is developing emotion-focused family therapy for eating disorders across the lifespan and emotion coaching for all parents.

Job Titles:

• C.Psych

Dr. Konsztowicz is a registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at McGill University and completed her predoctoral residency at the McGill University Health Centre. Dr. Konsztowicz has provided psychological assessment and treatment to adults in diverse settings, including tertiary care hospitals, primary care clinics, and university clinics. Her doctoral research focused on the impact of mental illness on self-identity in people who experience psychosis. She has co-authored several publications in peer-reviewed journals and has presented her research at national and international conferences. Prior to joining Anchor, Dr. Konsztowicz worked as a staff psychologist at The Ottawa Hospital, specializing in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders. Dr. Konsztowicz provides individual and group therapy to adults experiencing a wide range of difficulties, including anxiety and stress, low or depressed mood, eating disorders, low self-esteem, interpersonal difficulties, and comorbid medical/health conditions. Dr. Konsztowicz uses an integrative approach to therapy that focuses on evidence-based treatments, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based therapy. Her approach is warm and collaborative, with an emphasis on the client-therapist relationship as a means to promote positive change. She works with clients to identify goals and acquire the tools needed to make changes that are in line with their values.

Job Titles:

• Office Manager

Heidi is recently retired as an administrative assistant, Heidi comes to us with many years of experience in office administration. Long-time advocate for those struggling with mental health issues, she was the Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) representative in her former workplace. Heidi enjoys the pursuit of continuing education, most recently completing law and communications courses, along with mental health first aid and ASIST. Heidi brings a positive attitude and compassion to her work at Anchor Psychological Services.

Job Titles:

• Learning and Mental Health Consultant

Julie trained at the Developmental Medicine Center at Children's Hospital in Boston and worked in private practice with children and families in Massachusetts and New York before coming to Ottawa to raise her family in 2010. Working closely with interdisciplinary teams including the school, she aims to support a child's learning and behavior by creating individualized programs that work in the context of the family system. As a parent of a child with a disability, Julie had the opportunity to navigate the system from a parent's point of view. Though her desire to coach and educate parents developed through past training and professional experiences, this personal experience as a parent has deepened her interest and understanding of the process. Julie joins Anchor as a Learning and Mental Health Consultant (under the supervision of a psychologist). Julie's role is to support families to take what they've learned about their child's needs from the evaluation and to translate that to program development inclusive of school, home and community supports. Many families wait for an assessment as though it were the end of the line, but for most it is a transition to a new beginning. Julie will meet with families to help implement recommendations from health care providers while coaching parents on how best to support their child's fundamental learning, development and relational capacities. Sessions will be individualized to provide behavioral support in the home, help identify and connect with community supports, or advocacy with the team at school.

Job Titles:

• AHN, Registered Dietitian, CEDRD, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor
• Registered Dietitian

Shawna Melbourn is a Registered Dietitian (RD), a Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian (CEDRD) with the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP) and is a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. Shawna is committed to working closely with individuals and families affected by eating disorders, disordered eating and other eating challenges to navigate the sea of nutritional trends and gain confidence with eating and nutrition. Over her fifteen years of practice, Shawna has worked in a variety of settings including being the treatment team dietitian for the Eating Disorder Program at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Shawna is a non-diet dietitian and adopts strategies from all her areas of nutrition expertise to help clients find freedom from eating disorders, body image and the backlash of chronic dieting. Shawna offers a well-rounded approach to eating disorder treatment. She has presented at national conferences, schools, and universities about nutrition therapy for eating disorders, body image, Intuitive Eating practices, and finding peace with food. She graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia with a degree in Applied Human Nutrition in 2005 and has since been member of Dietitians of Canada and the College of Dietitians of Ontario. Shawna is also a proud member of IAEDP, EDAC and IFEDD.