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

Director & Founder

Marie, a Beaches mom to Sloane (10) and Ashton (8), is completing her Ph.D. in Clinical Developmental Psychology at York University. She obtained both her B.A. and M.A. at York University. Her approach is strengths-based, evidence-based, neurodiverse affirming, relational, and integrative.

With extensive experience in assessing and working with Autistic children, youth, and adults, Marie focuses particularly on autistic girls and women. She is a subject matter expert for Autism Ontario, focusing on autism in girls and women, and trains clinicians to provide compassionate care in interdisciplinary teams.

Marie also has vast experience providing therapy to children and youth, addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, emotion regulation, disordered eating, addiction, and trauma. Trained in various therapeutic modalities, she excels in delivering group therapy. Marie is the creator and facilitator of Club Au-Some, a neuroaffirming girls’ group at Flourish.

She completed her pre-doctoral residency at the YRDSB and Etobicoke Psychological Services and has held positions at the Hospital for Sick Children, Holland Bloorview Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, and Launch Behavioural Health. Marie holds contract teaching positions at York University and consults for various private schools in the GTA.

Marie is deeply committed to training clinicians to provide neuroaffirming and compassionate care. She dedicates much of her time at Flourish to this endeavour and sits on the Family Network Steering Committee for Children's Healthcare Canada.

Flourish has been a long-time dream for Marie, driven by her desire for a pediatric hub for struggling children and youth. Her doctoral research focuses on the impact of stress on families of children with complex needs. As a parent to a child with a complex medical and cognitive profile, Marie brings a unique perspective to her work, providing support and calm to her clients and their families.

While completing her final doctoral degree requirements, Marie works under the supervision of licensed clinical psychologists at Flourish.