Dr. Lauren Campbell, R.Psych.
Dr. Lauren Campbell is a Registered Psychologist specializing in the assessment and treatment of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents. For young children with behavioural challenges (e.g., aggression, non-compliance), Dr. Campbell works closely with parents to help them modify their current parenting strategies (e.g., use of rules and routines, effective limit setting, praise and rewards, time outs, emotion coaching), to strengthen parent-child relationships and improve children’s behaviours. Dr. Campbell also specializes in supporting children and adolescents cope with challenges associated with chronic health conditions (i.e. fear of needles/procedures, chronic pain, adhering to medical treatment, etc.). Dr. Campbell uses evidence-based (scientifically supported) techniques, mainly cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based approaches, and integrates motivational interviewing (MI) when appropriate. Dr. Campbell recognizes that it can sometimes be hard for children and their parents to open up and share personal information with a therapist. As a result, she creates a safe, warm, and nonjudgmental space for children, adolescents, and their families.
In addition to therapy, Dr. Campbell has extensive experience conducting psychoeducational and psychodiagnostic assessments in children and adolescents (4-18 years). The goal of these comprehensive assessments is to identify children’s individual strengths and challenges in order to provide tailored and targeted recommendations for implementation at school and at home, so that children can reach their full potential. Examples of assessment questions include but are not limited to: Learning Disabilities, Giftedness, ADHD, Intellectual Delay, Depression, and Anxiety disorders.
Dr. Campbell obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Honours Psychology from McGill University and a Master’s of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Developmental Psychology at York University. Throughout her training, she was the recipient of several scholarships at the federal (i.e. CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarship) and provincial (i.e. Ontario Mental Health Foundation) levels. She has published her research on parent-child interactions during medical settings in various scientific journals and book chapters, and has given research presentations at regional, national and international conferences. Dr. Campbell’s dissertation on children’s coping with painful procedures and the important role of parents was nominated for a university-wide award, findings from which have been disseminated in national media outlets (CBC, Today’s Parent, Radio Canada International).
Dr. Campbell completed her pre-doctoral residency in Toronto at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) where she provided psychological services to children and adolescents being treated for cancer. In addition, she conducted comprehensive neuropsychological assessments in the pediatric stroke clinic. Dr. Campbell has previously trained at the largest psychiatric hospital in Canada (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health), a mood and anxiety clinic at a community hospital (Markham Stouffville Hospital), and a university training clinic (York University Psychology Clinic). She has also worked as a mentor for young adults with high functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In addition to working at NSSAC, Dr. Campbell holds a position at BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH) providing long-term follow-up care to survivors of childhood cancer.
