Dr. Andrea Bliss is a registered clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of selective mutism and other types of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and related disorders in children and youth. She provides evidence-based assessment and treatment, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Behavioural Therapy.
She additionally works in the OCD Clinic with Recovery Alberta and previously practiced in the Pediatric OCD Clinic at BC Children’s Hospital. Dr. Bliss is also a clinical associate in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary and she participates in research focused on CBT and OCD. She regularly provides workshops and in-services on the assessment and treatment of Selective Mutism and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
She is a member of several professional organizations, including the Selective Mutism Association, the International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation, and the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta.
Dr. Katrina Kully-Martens is a registered clinical psychologist. She specializes in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and parents.
Dr. Kully-Martens offers evidence-based therapeutic assessment and treatment for:
Anxiety disorders and related concerns, such as test anxiety and perfectionism
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Difficulties with emotional regulation
Depression and low mood
Dr. Kully-Martens works collaboratively with clients and families to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. She offers an empirically-supported, trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming model of care. She primarily offers Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy, which are considered first-line treatments for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. She has additional training and experience in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). In her work with parents, Dr. Kully-Martens additionally draws from attachment-based approaches (e.g., Circle of Security) and Collaborative Problem-Solving.
Dr. Kully-Martens completed her Ph.D. in School & Clinical Child Psychology at the University of Alberta and her pre-doctoral residency in Clinical Psychology in London, Ontario. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings in Alberta and Ontario, including community mental health agencies, youth & young adult residential treatment, children’s hospitals, schools, and private practice.
What are the next steps?
As a parent you may not be sure what support or services may be helpful to you at this time. Many parents hear of their child’s challenges for the first time from a teacher or extended family members. Other parents have observed their child’s difficulties firsthand. Either way, it can be difficult to seek help for your child and family.
Email info@childforward.ca to start the process. Let us know what your main concern(s) are and if you would like to schedule a brief phone consult to make sure you are in the right place. You do not require a referral from your physician.
An intake assessment will be scheduled with you. For younger children and children/teens with Selective Mutism this is typically a parents-only meeting, although this can be discussed with our team during scheduling.
First sessions are typically for information sharing and planning. We will discuss treatment recommendations that are most supported by research. Strategies are typically shared with parents so that you become the expert, and feel comfortable, in supporting your child or teen outside of the office.
The number of sessions will depend on your family's needs.
In addition to parent involvement, in-person or videoconference meetings with involved school personnel are also often key to seeing lasting changes for some issues.
Get in touch so we can better understand what will work best for your family.