Tara’s professional training as both a certified elementary school teacher and registered child psychologist gives her the edge to assessing childhood developmental concerns, as well as providing practical and effective support to parents and school personnel.

Tara is a graduate of the School and Applied Child Psychology program from the University of Calgary and specialized in the formal assessment and diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. Tara also received post graduate training in the identification of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) through the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), as well as training in the assessment of autism in the youngest of children (toddlers). Tara’s expertise in psychoeducational assessment allows her to differentiate between complex and often overlapping neurodevelopmental concerns, as well as to provide diagnostic clarity to promote confidence in the steps required to achieve success. In addition to formal psychoeducational assessments, executive function support and ADHD coaching are amongst her treatment areas.

Prior to coming to Westside Child Psychology, Tara worked as an elementary teacher at Rundle College for nine years. She completed her psychology internship and provisional training at Foothills Academy where Tara completed comprehensive psychoeducational assessments, provided support for grade 12 students as they transitioned into post-secondary education, and facilitated social skills groups including the Let’s Be Social and Survive and Thrive in Junior High skills groups. Tara also previously worked at Kaizen Education Services providing one on one executive functioning support for children and adolescents. For Tara, her special interests surround ADHD, LD, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, executive functioning skills, social skills, developing and maintaining friendships, building confidence and self esteem, and identifying and leveraging natural strengths and talents.