Dr. Betül Alaca

CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGIST

Hello!

I am a Psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. My practice includes assessment and treatment for children and adolescents. I also provide parent consultations.

Be yourself

We all have aspects of ourselves that we find harder to share with the world. It can be so meaningful to find spaces and places where we feel comfortable discovering and being our true authentic selves. I aim to build strong relationships with those whom I work to create one of those spaces in which you can comfortably learn about yourself and be who you are.

 

Integrative and flexible

I use an integrative approach to treatment based on your needs and values. My foundational training is in cognitive and behavioural treatment approaches, and I have experience adapting these treatments to better capture the needs of neurodiverse children and adolescents. In addition, I believe that play is a powerful tool for learning and growth; I engage in play therapy with young children to support them in uncovering and communicating their feelings.

Playing detective

I provide assessment services to identify the underlying reasons for challenges experienced by children, adolescents, and their caregivers across developmental, school, and mental health domains. I also provide consultation services to caregivers to offer strategies that can be implemented at home to address challenges that they identify.

My background

I received my PhD in School and Clinical Child Psychology from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. In addition to my private work, I am currently a Sessional Lecturer at the University of Toronto teaching foundations of psychological assessment. I have provided assessment, treatment, and consultation for youth with complex mental health needs in hospital, community mental health, and youth detention settings. I have also worked in elementary and high schools where I primarily conducted psychological assessments and engaged in consultation with school staff.