Psychology Services

Educational Psychological Services

Peace Collaborative Services (PCS) has a team of full-time Educational Psychologists who provide support to students, schools, and families across the region. Psychologists tailor their services to the unique needs of each student and situation, helping to promote success in learning, behaviour, and emotional well-being.

Educational Psychologists provide support through:

• Consultation with school staff and families to understand learning and behaviour concerns and offer evidence-based strategies
• Participation in student planning teams to help adapt classroom programming and support inclusive practices
• Collaboration during crisis situations, including support after illness, loss, or community trauma
• Support with classroom management and behaviour planning, including data collection and progress monitoring
• Participation in risk assessments, including Violent Threat Risk Assessments and Suicide Risk Assessments
• Fostering understanding of child development and learning differences within the school community

Psychoeducational Assessment

Psychologists conduct formal assessments to better understand a student’s strengths and challenges. These assessments help identify:

• Cognitive functioning (e.g., problem-solving, memory, reasoning)
• Academic skill levels
• Attention and executive functioning
• Social, emotional, and behavioural development
• Adaptive and functional living skills

Assessment results may lead to diagnoses such as Learning Disabilities (LD), ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or Intellectual Disability, and are used to guide:

• Classroom strategies and supports
• IPP goals and accommodations
• Referrals to other services as needed

A full assessment process includes background reviews, interviews, classroom observations, one-on-one testing, and collaborative debriefs with parents and school staff.

Professional Development and Inservices

PCS Psychologists offer presentations and training for school teams and parents on a wide range of topics, including:

• Anxiety and emotional regulation
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Learning Disabilities (LD)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Behavioural strategies and classroom management
• Executive functioning
• Trauma and attachment
• Inclusive education and programming modifications

Educational Psychologists at PCS are committed to working in partnership with school communities to create safe, supportive, and effective learning environments for all students.

Consider a referral when a student:

• Is significantly struggling with reading, writing, math, or focus despite classroom support
• Displays frequent behaviour challenges that interfere with learning
• Has difficulty regulating emotions or coping with stress, anxiety, or peer interactions
• May need a psychoeducational assessment to better understand learning strengths and challenges
• Requires programming adaptations beyond typical classroom differentiation
• Is suspected of having a learning disability, ADHD, autism, or developmental delay
• Has experienced trauma, loss, or emotional distress affecting school performance
• Needs support with classroom or behaviour planning, or when staff need consultation on how to best support the student

Useful Books

• How To Behave So Your Preschooler Will, Too! - Author: Sal Severe, Ph.D.
• How To Behave So Your Children Will Too! - Author:  Sal Severe, Ph.D.
• The Parent's Handbook: Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) - Authors: Don Dinkmeyer, Ph.D. and Gary D. McKay, Ph.D.
• The Tough Kid Parent Book - Authors: William R. Jenson, Ph.D., Ginger Rhode, Ph.D., Melanie Hepworth Neville, M.A.