Overview:
I provide counselling/therapy services to children, adolescents and their families using the clinically proven techniques of Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (Aaron Beck) and Rational Emotive Therapy (Albert Ellis) for relational problems, depression, anxiety, conduct and behaviour disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and related deficits of social cognitive functioning.
Therapy and counselling may involve just your child, your child and his/her parents or the entire family constellation. In some cases consultation with schools and other agencies is part of the treatment plan. Each case is unique and after our initial consultation and evaluation we will develop a plan together. Counselling and therapy are provided in both my Burnaby and Vancouver offices.
About Dr. Roche
I have served as a classroom teacher, school psychologist and teacher trainer for over 20 years and bring a diverse background into our sessions. Testing and assessment services, when and where appropriate, often supplement our work together and I provide comprehensive psycho-educational, neuropsychological and developmental assessments. In addition to my doctorate in clinical psychology I hold a certificate of advanced graduate studies (CAGS) in school/educational psychology and have completed two years of post doctoral studies in neuro-psychology at The Fielding Institute in Santa Barbara, California. I am a registered psychologist, a certified school psychologist, certified teacher of special education (New York/California) and Registered Marriage and Family Therapist in British Columbia. And yes, I have had my own children.
Do you work with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder) and Executive Dysfunction?
Much of my work with children and adolescents focuses on ADHD/ADD and deficits of executive function. Executive function is the concept referring to the cognitive processes required to plan and direct activities, including what we refer to as task initiation and follow-through, working memory, sustained attention, performance monitoring, inhibition of impulses, and goal directed persistence.
Many children I see have deficits in executive functioning which prevents them from having the necessary skills to perform well in school and in social settings. With these children we often need to make diagnostic decisions through testing and assessment, and then develop an individualized treatment plan addressing school, home and play. This might involve individual behavioural therapy, school consultation, referral to medical professionals, and parent training and education. I often work closely with schools in Burnaby, Coquitlam, Vancouver, New Westminster and Port Moody.
I often provide reading material, training videos and demonstrate and practice specific intervention techniques with parents and children. Much of the work we do in the area of ADHD is based upon the research and treatment programs developed by Dr. Russell Barkley. Please refer to my ADHD/ADD page for more information.
Can you help us with School Problems ?
School academic and behaviour problems are a major focus of my practice. We can help you understand what the problem is through diagnostic assessments, and then develop a school based intervention plan that will work in conjunction with your home interventions. I have provided school based consultation and training throughout British Columbia, as well as in California, New York and elesewhere.
My most recent training and experience was in the School’s Attuned/Minds of All Kinds methods of classroom assessment, a neuro-developmental model developed by Dr. Mel Levine. I often recommend his books on child development, including The Myth of Laziness. More information on Dr. Levine can be found at http://www.allkindsofminds.org Dr. Levine, whose research clinic is located at the University of North Carolina, is a leader in the field of neurodevelopmental research with children and adolescents. I highly recommend his books to any parent dealing with children who are having academic related difficulties. In our lending library we also have numerous parent training DVD’s available about Dr. Levine, Dr. Russel and others.
Can you help us with problems relating to Autism/Aspergers?
For several years I have worked extensively with children who have social cognitive deficits. This includes children ranging from those who have general problems with social skills to those with Asperger’s Disorder and high functioning autism. I studied and worked with Michelle G. Winner, the author of several books on social problem solving and use her therapeutic methods and treatment strategies extensively, and have consulting throughout the province for the Provincial Outreach Program for Autism. More information on Michelle Winner can be found at Michelle Winner’s Social Thinking site. More information on my work with children, adolescents and adults with autism and Asperger’s Disorder can be found on the autism page on this website.
What about Anxiety, Depression or Family Issues?
Children are also seen for both diagnostic assessment and treatment of depression, anxiety and behaviour problems that might arise out of environmental or other situations. These children might take part in cognitive based therapy or counselling, or they might be provided with more traditional supportive therapy. I have provided child and adolescent therapy for over twenty years using scientifically sound treatment techniques to meet the child or adolescent’s needs. Often this is in combination with parent education, training and consultation. I provide consultation to families in my offices in Burnaby and Vancouver, in-home consultations and school observations (Burnaby, Vancouver, New Westminster, Coquitlam areas). My services range from working individually with children one-to-one in the office to providing training about writing and implementing behaviour plans for entire school districts. For information on children and anxiety: http://www.anxietybc.com/
How Do I Make an Appointment and is there a Waiting List?
You may phone my office at 778.998-7975 or email me to begin setting up an appointment. Fees for sessions follow the guidelines of the British Columbia Psychology Association ($160.00 per session) and may be paid by cash, check or PayPal. Often extended health care covers the cost of seeing a registered psychologist. Long term therapy is usually provided at a reduced rate. There is usually no longer than a one to two week waiting period.