Sarah McEvoy
Registered Psychologist
Calgary,AB
Summary
Registered Psychologist and Therapeutic Play Practitioner with a wealth of education and experience. Master's in Education specializing in School and Applied Psychology from the University of Calgary, along with a BSc in Psychology obtained in England. Currently working on registration as a Play Therapist, trained through the esteemed Rocky Mountain Play Therapy Institute. Conducts psychoeducational assessments and provides counseling to children aged 3-18, as well as adults, in private practice. Passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and their families, consistently exceeding expectations. Builds rapport and trust with children, establishing excellent relationships with their families and collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams. Maintains utmost confidence, trust, and respect of clients to provide the best services possible. Excels at connecting the pieces of the puzzle to establish a healthy foundation for learning. Aspires to help children flourish emotionally and socially, enabling them to reach their highest potential. Actively participates in workshops, webinars, and training opportunities to stay current and satisfy thirst for knowledge.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Language
Work History
Registered Psychologist
Southport Psychology
12.2024 - Current
- Increased client satisfaction by providing empathetic and compassionate care during therapy sessions.
- Conducted psycho-educational evaluations of school-aged children identified or suspected of having learning or behavioral disabilities.
- Consulted with school personnel to develop appropriate academic accommodations for students experiencing psychological difficulties.
- Developed individualized treatment plans targeting specific emotional, behavioral, and developmental issues in children.
- Actively participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in child psychology.
- Conducted thorough psychological evaluations to accurately diagnose mental health disorders in children and adolescents.
- Improved treatment adherence by maintaining consistent communication with families regarding progress updates, setbacks, and recommended modifications to therapy plans.
- Utilized play therapy techniques alongside traditional talk therapy methods to better engage young clients during sessions effectively.
- Delivered effective crisis intervention services, de-escalating potentially dangerous situations and ensuring the safety of clients.
- Observed children in classrooms, at home and in other settings.
REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST
Westbrook Counselling Services
Cochrane, Alberta
03.2021 - 01.2025
- Therapeutic play-based counselling
- Counselling children and youth for Calgary Family and Child Services, Employment Assistance Programs, Stoney Nakota and fee for service
- FSCD contracts
- SAFE home assessments
- Psychoeducational assessments
- Expanded professional knowledge by attending conferences and participating in continuing education opportunities to stay current on best practices in the field of psychology.
- Trained future psychologists on best practices, counseling techniques, assessment and consultation.
- Identified psychological, emotional or behavioral issues and diagnosed disorders using information obtained from evaluation techniques.
REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST (Self-Employed)
Sharon Blott Psychological Services
Calgary, Alberta
10.2018 - 02.2022
- Conduct psychoeducational assessments with children and adults
- Assessment measures include measures of cognitive, academic, social/emotional and behavioural functioning
- Specialize in evaluations for giftedness and reports for Westmount Charter school and GATE programming
- Conduct classroom observations and assessment for Program Unit Funding (PUF) with preschool-age children
- Create personalized recommendations for parents, children, and their teachers
- Provide counselling to children using therapeutic play techniques and activities, including sandtray play
- Drawing from child-centred, Adlerian, strength-based, and other therapy modalities, integrating methods in accordance with clients' needs/presenting issues
- FCSD team psychologist- DBA's and SAS programming
- AISH and PDD assessments
C0-FACILATOR
CanLearn Society
09.2019 - 02.2020
- Cofacilitate the FRIENDS program in various CBE schools
- Groups of 12 children in grade four-six
- Children targeted by school principal that would benefit from training in emotional regulation, social skills, and interpersonal skills
BEHAVIOURAL THERAPIST
Renfrew Educational Services
04.2018 - 07.2018
- Conduct psychoeducational assessments from intake to feedback
- Assessments take place with both children at Renfrew schools and in the community (fee for service model)
- Observation and collaborative assessments using ADOS-2 and ADI-R
- SAS Programming, coaching parents in home and community
- Collaborating with FSCD team in creating and implementing Individual Education Plans (IEP's)
- Design, implement and evaluate interventions such as the Social Thinking Curriculum
- Implementation in small groups and classroomwide
- Collaboration with team members on a day-to-day basis, including SLP's, OT's, PT's, teachers, and managers
- Working together as a multidisciplinary team to devise children's IEP goals, strategies, and interventions
- Evaluating and modifying IEP goals and strategies as necessary
- Support children and staff in preschool and kindergarten classrooms: Coaching teachers and Child Development Facilitators in implementing suggested strategies
BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT WORKER
Calgary Board of Education
09.2016 - 06.2018
- Provide educational support for students in the classroom from kindergarten-grade 12
- Provide social, emotional, and behavioural support to students with a diverse range of intellectual, social, behavioural, and emotional difficulties
- Support students in the classroom as well as in specialized programs such as Bridges, Paced-learning, mental health classes, and in the 'Communication, Sensory, and Social Interaction Program' (CSSI)
- Participate in the design and support of Individual Program Plans (IPP) and Behaviour Support Plans (BSP) for students
- Enable children to access education in accordance with their individual strengths and abilities
- Provide a broad spectrum of activities and experiences to students that foster development and learning
PSYCHOLOGY INTERN
Renfrew Educational Services
08.2017 - 04.2018
- Conduct psychoeducational assessments from intake to feedback
- Assessments take place with both children at Renfrew schools and in the community (fee for service model)
- Observation and collaborative assessments using ADOS-2 and ADI-R
- SAS Programming, coaching parents in home and community
- Collaborating with FSCD team in creating and implementing Individual Education Plans (IEP's)
- Design, implement and evaluate interventions such as the Social Thinking Curriculum
- Implementation in small groups and classroomwide
- Collaboration with team members on a day-to-day basis, including SLP's, OT's, PT's, teachers, and managers
- Working together as a multidisciplinary team to devise children's IEP goals, strategies, and interventions
- Evaluating and modifying IEP goals and strategies as necessary
- Support children and staff in preschool and kindergarten classrooms: Coaching teachers and Child Development Facilitators in implementing suggested strategies
STUDENT CLINICIAN
University of Calgary ISE clinic
06.2015 - 08.2017
- Conduct psychoeducational assessments independently, or as part of a group
- Direct administration of WIAT III, WISC V, CTOPP-2, KTEA-3, TOWL-4, TEMA-3, WJ-IV, VMI-5, WRAML, WPPSI
- Administration, scoring, and interpretation of rating scales such as the BASC-3, Connors-3, CEFIE, ABAS, CBRS
- Write full psycho-educational reports
- Conduct semi-structured parent interviews and feedback meetings
- Participation in case conceptualization meetings to discuss client's assessment results, reach diagnosis for clients if applicable, and establish recommendations
- Formulate appropriate interventions including modifications and/or adaptations for the classroom and the home environment
- Lead/supervising a team of students in psychoeducational assessments (Final practicum)
VOLUNTEER
Toronto Children's Aid Society
09.2011 - 12.2015
- Volunteer in the centres 'Child Access Programme' (CAP)
- Monitor visitations between parents and children in temporary care
- Ensure and maintain the safety of children at all times
- Advise guardians about adequate childcare and consoling families experiencing stressful circumstances
- Observe and record the visit, writing detailed case notes for court, social workers, psychiatrists etc
- Liaise with social workers, CAP coordinators, foster parents, children and parents
Education
Master of Education - School and Applied Child Psychology
University of Calgary
Calgary, AB 06.2014 - 06.2018
Bachelor of Science - Psychology (Honors)
University of Hull
Yorkshire 09.2005 - 06.2008
Advanced level Certifications - Psychology, Sociology, English Language, Business Studies
Colchester Sixth Form College
Colchester, Essex 01.2003 - 07.2005
Skills
- Psychoeducational Assessment
- FSCD/SAS/PUF
- NIHB Provider
- Experience with ASD population
- Therapeutic Play
- Sandtray Play therapy
- Parent Consultation
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Social Interventions
- Social skill and interpersonal skill groups
- Giftedness
- Behavioural management
- Coaching
- Attention to detail
- Report-writing
- Rapport building
- Strength-Based
- Positive Psychology
- Solution-Focused
- Narrative Therapy
- Integrative approach
- Self-Esteem building
- Empowerment
- Client-Focused
- PDD and AISH assessments
- Coping Skills
- Mindfulness and emotional regulation
Affiliations
- Canadian Psychology Association (CPA)
- Canadian Association of Play Therapy (CAPT)
- College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)
- Psychologists' Association of Alberta (PAA)
Training And Certificates
- Trauma-Informed play therapy training, PESI, 2021
- Yellow Stream- play therapy for children with trauma, RMPTI, 2021
- Substance use assessments and trauma informed-practice for first responders, 2021
- Multicultural Competence in the Playroom, 03/21
- Green stream foundation training in play therapy, Rocky Mountain Play Therapy Institute, 2020
- Yellow stream- Sandplay therapy with children and special populations, RMPTI, 2021
- Advanced Skills for Tele-Play Therapy, RMPTI, 2020
- Participant in the 2nd annual play therapy Symposium, 02/21
- Psychological assessment of children during COVID 19, 2020
- Parenting Capacity Assessments in Child Protection Matters, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, 2020
- Basic first aid and CPR level C, St Johns Ambulance
- Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training, CBE, 2017
- ASOS-2 introductory training, U of C, 04/17
- Grief Counselling, U of C, 06/17
- ASIST- Applied Suicide Intervention Skill Training, 10/17
- Social Thinking Curriculum conference/training, 11/17
Additional Information
#5487
Timeline
Registered Psychologist
Southport Psychology
12.2024 - Current
REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST
Westbrook Counselling Services
03.2021 - 01.2025
C0-FACILATOR
CanLearn Society
09.2019 - 02.2020
REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST (Self-Employed)
Sharon Blott Psychological Services
10.2018 - 02.2022
BEHAVIOURAL THERAPIST
Renfrew Educational Services
04.2018 - 07.2018
PSYCHOLOGY INTERN
Renfrew Educational Services
08.2017 - 04.2018
BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT WORKER
Calgary Board of Education
09.2016 - 06.2018
STUDENT CLINICIAN
University of Calgary ISE clinic
06.2015 - 08.2017
Master of Education - School and Applied Child Psychology
University of Calgary
06.2014 - 06.2018
VOLUNTEER
Toronto Children's Aid Society
09.2011 - 12.2015
Bachelor of Science - Psychology (Honors)
University of Hull
09.2005 - 06.2008
Advanced level Certifications - Psychology, Sociology, English Language, Business Studies
Colchester Sixth Form College
01.2003 - 07.2005
Similar Profiles
Samantha AbouzeeniSamantha Abouzeeni
General Member at The Michigan School of Psychology: Middle Eastern and North African Psychology ClubGeneral Member at The Michigan School of Psychology: Middle Eastern and North African Psychology Club
Brian RegisterBrian Register
Dispatcher at Southport Concrete CompanyDispatcher at Southport Concrete Company
Ralph DivinagraciaRalph Divinagracia
Hospitality Student at Southport State High SchoolHospitality Student at Southport State High School
Pranjali AmbekarPranjali Ambekar
Senior Manager at Capgemini Canada INCSenior Manager at Capgemini Canada INC
Natnael YhdegoNatnael Yhdego
Cashier / Customer Service Associate at Popeyes Louisiana KitchenCashier / Customer Service Associate at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen