Dr. Andrea Bliss
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 Program of the Mood, Anxiety, and Psychosis Service (MAPS) at Alberta Children’s Hospital 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. Joanne Park
Dr. Joanne Park completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of British Columbia. She completed her pre-doctoral residency in the Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology Track at IWK Health in Halifax, where she received specialized training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy with adolescents, and neuropsychological and psycho-educational assessments for children and adolescents.
Dr. Park has also received advanced clinical training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Behavioural Therapy for child and adolescent anxiety, selective mutism, OCD, depression, and difficulties with emotion regulation, as well as parent-focused behavioural treatment for children with ADHD and behavioural issues.
Dr. Park remains active in research, with her research program focused on investigating the impacts of parent factors (e.g., stress, emotion regulation) on the parent-child relationship. She currently holds a position as a post-doctoral scholar at the University of Calgary’s Werklund School of Education where she is working with a multidisciplinary team to develop an intervention to support families of First Responders.
What are the next steps?
Are you in the right place?
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.
STEP 1: CONTACT THE CLINIC
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.
STEP 2: INTAKE ASSESSMENT
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.
STEP 3: INFORMATION & STRATEGIES
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.
STEP 4: TREATMENT SESSIONS WITH YOU AND YOUR CHILD/TEEN.
The number of sessions will depend on your family's needs.
STEP 5: SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT
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.
Contact The Clinic
Contact the Clinic
Get in touch so we can better understand what will work best for your family.