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Psychologists, Psychotherapist and Psychoeducator
Dr. Michèle Mantha, C.Psych.
Clinical and School Psychologist
Dr. Michèle is a bilingual clinical and school psychologist, who works with children, adolescents, and adults. She offers individual therapy services for a variety of mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, emotional regulation, behavioural issues, self-esteem, and social skills.
Dr. Mantha has gained experience working in numerous community-, school-, and health-related settings including the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario, the Clarence-Rockland Family Health Team, the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa, the Western Québec School Board, the Ottawa Carleton District School Board, and the Plantagenet Family Health Team. Her therapeutic approach stems primarily from a cognitive behavioural orientation within a systemic perspective, but she tailors her work to best suit her clients’ individual needs by also drawing from interpersonal, emotion-focused, and attachment theory approaches.
Dr. Michèle also has extensive experience in conducting psychological assessments for learning disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), giftedness, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Dr. Michèle received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Ottawa, and she is registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario.
Elizabeth Francoeur, C.Psych. Associate
Psychological Associate - School and Clinical Psychology
Elizabeth Francoeur, C. Psychological Associate, is a member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario and practices School and Clinical Psychology with children.
Elizabeth received both a Master's degree in Clinical Behavioral Psychology (MSc) and a Bachelor's Degree in Music Therapy from Eastern Michigan University. She is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a Music Therapist Accredited (MTA).
Elizabeth has diverse work experience in Canada and the United States: inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, long-term care settings, substance abuse, and school psychology.
Elizabeth provides comprehensive psychological assessments and treatments for children. She integrates evidence-based interventions and designs treatment plans based on the client's unique needs and strengths, drawing upon her training and experience in diverse therapeutic approaches, including: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Behavior Therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Music Therapy.
Elizabeth helps children develop skills related to social interactions, stress and anxiety management, self-regulation, cognitive restructuring, autonomy, resilience, learning difficulties, assertiveness, and self-esteem. She provides services in French and English.
Dr. Julie Norman, C. Psych.
Clinical Psychologist & Neuropsychologist
Dr. Julie Norman is a psychologist registered for autonomous practice with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, practicing in the areas of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology with children and adolescents. She enjoys helping young people and their families to understand psychological assessment data and its relevance in their day-to-day lives. She provides psychoeducational, neuropsychological, gifted, and developmental assessments for children who are presenting with symptoms of a learning disability, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, depression/low mood, adjustment difficulties, behavioural challenges, and/or emotional dysregulation, among other concerns.
Dr. Norman received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Windsor. She has trained and worked in a variety of educational and healthcare settings, including the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, The Children’s Centre (Detroit, MI), the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board (Windsor), Providence Care Hospital (Kingston), McMaster Children’s Hospital (Hamilton), and the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. Dr. Norman is currently a Psychologist with the Ottawa Catholic School Board.
When she is not working with young people and their families, Dr. Norman can usually be found hiking with her dog.
Claudine Orfali M.A.
Registered Psychotherapist
Claudine Orfali holds a Master's degree in Counseling and Spirituality from Saint Paul University, where she currently works as a counsellor, and a Bachelor of Psychology degree from the University of Ottawa. She has been practicing therapy with individuals, couples and families in French and English for over four years.
Her areas of specialization include anxiety, depression, stress, self-assertion, self-esteem, grief, relationship issues, parenting and life transitions. Having worked for more than 8 years with children and adults on the autism spectrum, Claudine recognizes the needs of the individual as well as those of the surrounding family members. She continues to refine and update her toolbox by attending courses and workshops regularly. She holds her ASIST- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training.
In addition to her work in private practice, Claudine is working at Maison Fraternité, a treatment and rehabilitation centre for people suffering from addictions and/or a concurrent disorder where she provides psychotherapeutic services. She continues to refine and update her toolbox by attending courses and workshops regularly. She is currently registered for practice with the College of Psychotherapist of Ontario. She holds her ASIST- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training.
Dre Claudine Jacques, Ph.D.
Psychoéducatrice
Claudine is a psychoéducatrice and professor in the department of psychoeducation and psychology at l’Université du Québec en Outaouais. She developed an expertise in the field of autism following her work at CHU Ste-Justine and in mental health Rivière-des-Prairies Hospital. She focuses on the strengths and interests of children, youth and adults on the autism spectrum disorder to improve social skills, emotional regulation, problem-solving skills and to reduce problematic behaviors. She also offers direct and indirect interventions for children with attention- deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety or behaviour difficulties to support the individual as well as his/her environment (family, daycare and school).
Claudine’s field of practice include:
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Autism Spectrum Disorders
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Childhood Behaviour Disorders
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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
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Childhood Anxiety Disorders
Tanya Lalonde Desjardins
Clinical social worker and psychotherapist
Tanya Lalonde Desjardins is a bilingual clinical social worker and psychotherapist who works with children, adolescents and parents.
She strives to provide a safe, judgement-free, compassionate and growth-focused space for her clients, where their voices can be heard. Encouragement is given to explore new ways of relating to difficult thoughts, feelings, behaviours, memories and experiences.
Tanya works using a combination of therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural (CBT), Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), Dialectical Behaviour (DBT), Play Therapy, Art Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy. She uses techniques and concepts from each of these approaches to tailor interventions that are best suited to each client’s individual needs.
The therapeutic techniques she uses in her practice can help children and youth with a wide range of mental health and behavioural challenges including anxiety, depression, emotional and behavioral regulation, self-confidence and resilience building, social skills and grief.
Tanya’s clinical practice is enriched with over twenty years of combined experiences as a Social Worker, Child Life Specialist, Entrepreneur, Executive Director and professor in Orleans and its surrounding communities. She has worked with organizations such as the Children’s Aid Society, CHEO, The Ministry of Attorney General Victim Witness Assistance Program, the Make-A-Wish foundation and La Cité Collégiale.
Tanya studied at La Cité Collégiale in Rehabilitation Services, at the University of Ottawa in Psychology and at the Laurentian University in Social Work. She continues to refine her knowledge in the field by attending courses and workshops. She is currently completing her Certificate in Children Mental Health Fundamentals with the Institute of Child Psychology.