Dr. Mary Simmering McDonald, C.Psych.

Clinical & Counselling Psychologist

Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9:15 am - 2:15 pm.

I am a Clinical Child Psychologist who provides therapy and assessment services to children, adolescents, and their families. I am also the co-host of The Coping Toolbox, a Child Psych podcast, which can be found here. I work with individuals who are experiencing a variety of challenges including:

  • Mood and Anxiety Disorders

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

  • Developmental Delay/Intellectual Disability

  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Autism Spectrum

  • Behaviour and emotion regulation difficulties

  • Self-harming behaviours

  • Learning Disorders

  • Eating Disorders

  • Social relationship difficulties

  • Development of coping strategies

  • Adjusting to life events or stressors

  • Support of emotional functioning and well-being

  • Assessments (psychoeducational, gifted, and developmental assessments)

My approach to case conceptualization and intervention is based on a developmental psychopathology framework, which considers the biological, psychological, social, and systemic factors that contribute to a client’s presentation. My main theoretical orientation is best described as integrative in that I use evidence-based strategies and techniques from different theoretical perspectives (e.g., cognitive behavioural therapy & compassion focused CBT, dialectical behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, & motivational interviewing). I seek to provide a warm, supportive, and collaborative environment and to help individuals, parents, and families feel empowered to build on their strengths to cope with presenting challenges.

Throughout my training and career, I have worked in a variety of clinical settings (e.g., community child and youth mental health centres, university clinics, sexual assault crisis centres, pre-school for autistic children, schools, and hospitals). I completed my pre-doctoral residency at CHEO with rotations focused on developmental disorders, eating disorders, individual and family therapy, neuropsychological assessment, and crisis assessment. My graduate research was funded by provincial and federal scholarships and I have co-authored several publications in the areas of computer-mediated communication (e.g., Facebook), online partner aggression, adaptive and maladaptive coping, and help-seeking behaviours.

I have specialized training working with children, adolescents, and their families. In addition to clinical work, I have been involved in program development, research, and training of clinical psychology graduate students. I continue to further my knowledge and training by seeking out regular continuing education opportunities as well as reviewing research and clinical literature.

​I have been registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) since 2012.