Marie Hooper, Ph.D. (She/Her)

Director & Founder

Marie, a Beaches mom to Sloane (11) and Ashton (9), completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Developmental Psychology at York University, where she also earned her B.A. and M.A. Her approach is strengths-based, evidence-based, neurodiverse-affirming, gender-affirming, relational, and integrative, reflecting her commitment to creating inclusive and supportive environments for diverse individuals and families. As a late-diagnosed ADHD’er, Marie integrates her lived experience into her work, fostering understanding and empathy in her clinical practice. 

As the founder of Flourish Health Services, Marie provides comprehensive assessments and therapy to toddlers, children, teens, and adults. Flourish is a teaching clinic, and Marie is deeply committed to the power of training the next generation of clinicians. She also serves as a contract undergraduate professor at York University’s Glendon Campus, where she ensures budding clinicians are trained in neuroaffirming practices that honour the strengths and needs of neurodiverse individuals.

As a co-creator of Club Au-Some, Marie has been instrumental in fostering neuroaffirming spaces for autistic girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. The group provides opportunities to build confidence, form meaningful connections, and develop self-advocacy skills in an environment that celebrates individuality and diversity.

Marie is a recognized Subject Matter Expert for Autism Ontario, focusing on autism in girls and women, as well as the unique challenges faced by 2SLGBTQIA+ and transgender youth. She frequently trains clinicians, educators, and parents on how to provide compassionate, neuroaffirming, and gender-affirming care tailored to these populations.

Marie is also leading a groundbreaking initiative to open North America’s first school exclusively for autistic girls, inspired by Limpsfield Grange School in the UK. This school will feature a therapeutic, sensory-friendly, and neurodiverse-affirming environment, while incorporating specific supports for 2SLGBTQIA+ and transgender students.

Marie’s Ph.D. research focused on the psychosocial outcomes of siblings in families of children with complex needs, utilizing a participatory research approach. Drawing from her lived experience as a parent to a child with a complex medical and cognitive profile, Marie explored how caregiving dynamics and family cohesion influence sibling resilience and well-being. Her work highlights the importance of tailored, family-centred supports, which inform her compassionate and relational clinical practice.

Marie’s advocacy work also includes promoting flexischooling options for children with trauma-assumed Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profiles. She works to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by children with PDA and collaborates with families, schools, and clinicians to create environments that prioritize trust, reduce anxiety, and encourage collaboration. Her approach emphasizes flexibility, understanding, and removing unnecessary demands to help children with PDA feel safe and supported.

In addition to her clinical, research, and advocacy work, Marie is active in the community, fostering partnerships with organizations such as Strides Toronto, the Bloorview School Authority, and the Children’s Aid Society.

While wrapping up the final stages of her training as a clinical psychologist, Marie works under the supervision of Drs. Alex Porthukaran and Stephanie Lavoie, ensuring the highest standard of care for her clients. Marie’s dedication centres on empowering diverse and marginalized populations to thrive in ways that honour their unique identities and strengths.