How can Flourish help you and your family?

Flourish Health Services is a strengths and evidence based holistic hub in the heart of the Beaches in Toronto that supports children, youth, and their families. We pride ourselves on focusing on the “whole” person and ensuring that services are individualized and customized to our client’s needs.

Our Services

We are a group of passionate professionals specializing in areas of child development, evidence-based assessment, and intervention providing comprehensive, interdisciplinary care for our patients. As such, we offer a wide range of services both in-person and virtually.

  • Individual Therapy

    At Flourish, we provide one-on-one therapy sessions for children and adolescents who may be experiencing a range of emotional, behavioural, or developmental challenges.

    Individual therapy provides a safe and supportive environment for children to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours with a trained professional. Our therapists use a variety of evidence-based therapy approaches to help children address their specific concerns, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or behavioural issues. These include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Play Therapy, Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT).

    In individual therapy sessions, our clinicians work collaboratively with children to identify their strengths and challenges and develop personalized treatment plans to help them achieve their goals. Our therapists provide a compassionate and non-judgmental space for children to express themselves and learn new coping skills to manage difficult emotions and behaviours.

    At our clinic, we believe that individual therapy can be an essential tool for children and adolescents to develop the self-awareness and resilience they need to navigate life's challenges. Our therapists work closely with families to provide ongoing support and care throughout the therapy process and to ensure that children receive the best possible care.

    Group Therapy

    We also offer group therapy sessions for children and adolescents who may benefit from social support and interaction with their peers. Group therapy provides a safe and supportive environment for children to share their experiences and emotions with others who may be going through similar challenges. Group therapy can be particularly helpful for children who struggle with social skills, anxiety, or depression, and can help build self-esteem and a sense of belonging.

    Our group therapy sessions are led by experienced clinicians and are carefully designed to ensure that each child receives individual attention and support, while also benefiting from the dynamics of the group. Group therapy sessions may involve a variety of activities, including games, art therapy, and discussions, to help children develop social skills, self-awareness, and emotional regulation.

    At our clinic, we believe that group therapy can be an effective and enjoyable way for children to work through their challenges and build meaningful relationships with others. Our therapists work closely with families to determine whether group therapy is an appropriate option for their child and to develop a customized treatment plan that meets their unique needs.

    ADHD Coaching

    We offer ADHD coaching services for children and adolescents who have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Our ADHD coaching services are designed to help children and their families better understand ADHD and develop effective strategies for managing the symptoms of the disorder.

    Our ADHD coaches work with children and their families to identify specific areas of difficulty, such as time management, organization, and study skills, and provide personalized coaching and support to address these challenges. Our coaches also work with parents and teachers to provide guidance and support in managing ADHD-related behaviors in the home and school settings.

    At our clinic, we believe that ADHD coaching can be a highly effective way to help children with ADHD develop the skills and strategies they need to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Our ADHD coaches are highly trained and experienced in working with children and adolescents with ADHD and are dedicated to providing individualized and compassionate care to each child and family.

  • Here at Flourish, we are dedicated to identifying areas where your child may need assistance while employing a strengths-based approach. Assessments begin with a developmental history and explore cognitive functioning, academic skills, and social skills through parent, child, and teacher interviews, observations, and standardized testing.

    Your child and your family’s well-being are extremely important. Our training specializes in diagnosing and treating concerns such as intellectual, emotional, or social functioning. We know this can be an uncertain time and we are here to support you and your family.

    Psychological Assessments

    A psychological assessment is a comprehensive evaluation that involves better understanding your child’s cognitive ability, processing abilities, academic skills, while also exploring social-emotional factors, personality, and behaviour. Our assessments are delivered by highly trained clinicians who are informed by current research and evidence-based practices. They can help us understand a child's strengths and challenges, identify any learning or developmental difficulties, and provide guidance for appropriate interventions and support. Our team of experienced clinicians works with children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers, and provide a safe and supportive environment for both children and their families. We want to understand how each individual thinks, feels, and behaves so we can help them achieve optimal functioning.

    Psychoeducational Assessments

    A psychoeducational assessment involves a formal assessment of your child’s intelligence and academic achievement. Our experienced clinicians use a variety of standardized tests and observations to evaluate a child's cognitive abilities, academic achievement, and behavioural and emotional functioning. These evaluations can help identify any learning difficulties or challenges that may be impacting their academic performance. Our goal is to understand your child’s unique learning style which can help inform appropriate interventions and support, as well as guide the development of classroom accommodations. We aim to help children reach their full potential and succeed academically and personally.

    Developmental Assessments

    A developmental assessment for children under age three evaluates various domains of a child’s functioning, such as cognition, communication, behaviour, social interaction, motor and sensory abilities, and adaptive skills. Our experienced clinicians use a variety of standardized tests and observations to assess a child's developmental milestones and identify any areas where they may need additional support. Our goal is to provide parents and educators with a clear understanding of the child's strengths and challenges to support early intervention and appropriate school placement.

    Gifted Assessments

    We have extensive experience in assessing children for giftedness exceptionality. Gifted assessments evaluate a child's cognitive abilities and strengths, including verbal, mathematical, and spatial skills. These assessments can help parents and educators understand the child's unique strengths and challenges, and can provide recommendations for educational programs and learning opportunities that are best suited to their needs. We strive to provide a comprehensive assessment that takes into account the child's unique abilities, helping them reach their full potential and achieve success in their academic and personal pursuits. As per many school boards and independent schools, we assess intellectual abilities using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V).

    Autism Assessments

    We offer autism assessments for children who are suspected of having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our experienced clinicians use a variety of standardized tests and observations to evaluate a child's communication skills, social interaction, and behaviour patterns to diagnose the presence of ASD. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive assessment that takes into account the child's unique strengths and challenges, which can help parents and educators better understand the child's needs and provide appropriate interventions and support. We appreciate that an autism diagnosis can be overwhelming for parents and caregivers, and we provide a supportive and compassionate environment to help guide them through the assessment process.

    We are parents of children and understand the uncertainty around seeking support. We are here to help you and your child figure out how they can learn best and function best. A comprehensive report will highlight areas your child might need extra support in, and we will work together with you to determine the best path to supporting those areas of concern. We will be there with you every step of the way -- from intake, assessment, feedback, and next steps.

  • Direct instruction is intensive academic intervention that centers around carefully planned out and controlled instruction. The learning increments are small to ensure that students master what they are working on. For this reason, students follow a slow and steady trajectory.

    Direct instruction is one of the most explicit and structured academic interventions available. Teachers follow a scripted curriculum that remediates specific skills. Data is gathered every session to highlight achievements, guide programming and identify additional areas of need.

  • Social workers are helping professionals that help and provide support for families. Social workers also offer service navigation to families in need of complex, multiple services. Our social workers are able to provide individual and family counselling.

  • Our highly skilled clinicians are trained in Speech-Language Pathology (S-LP) assessment and aim to address and treat communication difficulties your child might be experiencing. Our team will assess depending on your concern and provide intervention or recommendations according to your child’s needs. Assessments could include pronunciation, language understanding, and play/social skills. Parents play an integral role in assessment and engage in an interview to ensure a well-rounded perspective of the child’s development. You are your child’s expert.

    After completion of consultation and assessments, you will receive evidence-based recommendations, a summary or report of the assessment, and then we will provide your family with a treatment plan to meet specific goals and clear next steps.

  • We offer treatment and assessments to assist children in developing the skills required for learning, socializing, and daily functioning. Occupational therapy (OT) for children can encompass extra assistance in reaching foundational and developmental milestones required for everyday tasks.

    We specialize in assessing and treating:

    Fine motor functioning (muscle coordination and strength) which is required for tasks such as handwriting, zippers, cutting food, and catching a ball.

    Sensory integration (sensitivity to sounds, texture, touch that impacts daily activities) to support interaction with different environments, foods, and textures of clothing for example.

    Gross motor skills (sitting, rolling, standing) for infants and toddlers with developmental delay

    Executive dysfunction (planning, organization, and monitoring) which is required for tasks that have multiple steps such as completing assignments and following instructions.

    Self regulation to help with managing those big emotions that can make it challenging to complete or participate in our everyday activities.

    ADHD which is impacting paying attention in school/ home and learning of academic and life skills.

  • In addition to our child and adolescent services, our clinic also provides therapy and assessment services for adults. Our experienced therapists provide evidence-based therapy approaches to help adults manage a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and relationship difficulties.

    We offer individual therapy for adults who may be experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, relationship problems, or other mental health concerns. Our therapists work collaboratively with adults to identify their goals and develop personalized treatment plans to help them achieve their desired outcomes.

    In addition to therapy services, we also offer psychological assessments for adults, including assessments for ADHD, learning disabilities, and other mental health concerns. Our assessments are conducted by licensed psychologists and can provide valuable insights into an individual's strengths, challenges, and needs.

    At our clinic, we believe that therapy and assessment services for adults can be an essential tool for personal growth, healing, and improved well-being. Our therapists are committed to providing compassionate and evidence-based care to help adults overcome their challenges and achieve their goals.

  • Marie Hooper

    Marie Hooper, M.A., Ph.D. Candidate (She/Her)

    DIRECTOR & FOUNDER

    Marie is a local Beaches mom to Sloane (9) and Ashton (7) and is in the final stages of her Ph.D. in Clinical Developmental Psychology program at York University. She obtained both her B.A. and M.A. at York University. Her overall approach is strengths based, evidence based, neurodiverse affirming, relational, and integrative. Flourish is the culmination of Marie's lifelong dream to create a community hub for children's mental health services.

  • Kyla McDonald

    Dr. Kyla McDonald, C.Psych. (Supervised Practice) (She/Her)

    DIRECTOR

    Kyla McDonald is also a local Beaches mom to two young boys. She received her B.Sc. degree with Honours in Psychology from Trent University (2011) and completed an M.A. (2013) and Ph.D. in Psychological Science at Ryerson University (2017). Kyla completed her training in York University’s Clinical Developmental doctoral psychology program in 2023. Her approach to assessment and therapy is integrative and family centred.

Meet Our Team

Our vibrant and wonderful team consists of individuals from various disciplines including psychology, social work, speech language pathology, occupational therapy, and academic specialists who are committed to delivering effective services in accordance with best practice standards and principles. 

Our Commitment To Diversity & Inclusion

We believe that every child is unique and deserves to be treated with respect, compassion, and understanding. We strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all children and their families, regardless of their background, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, or abilities. We recognize the importance of cultural competency and seek to understand and appreciate the diversity of the children we work with. Our goal is to provide an environment where children feel safe to express themselves and are empowered to reach their full potential.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the land on which Flourish Health Services operates, here on Queen Street East, is situated upon the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands. We are grateful to be able to work on this land and we pledge to both continue our own learning about how we support the process towards truth and reconciliation and find opportunities to take action both professionally and personally.