Children and Teen Mental Health, ADHD & Autism

Kassandra Smalley

MACP, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), BASc, CYC

Book a Free Consultation with Kassandra
Kassandra Smalley, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), with long wavy blonde hair, wearing glasses and a black shirt, smiling with arms crossed against a neutral background.

You’ve been holding a lot for a long time. You might feel stuck in patterns you don’t fully understand, even when you’re trying to do things differently.

Maybe you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck in patterns that are hard to break, especially in your relationships, your family, or how you see yourself. You might notice that certain reactions or emotions feel bigger than the situation, and you’re not always sure why.

For some, this shows up in parenting, trying to support your child while managing your own stress, self-doubt, or emotional load. For others, it shows up in people-pleasing, difficulty with closeness, or feeling disconnected from yourself.

I support adults navigating anxiety, relationship patterns, and life transitions, with a focus on maternal mental health and neurodivergent individuals, including ADHD and autism.

My approach is attachment-informed and trauma-aware, focused on helping you better understand long-standing patterns and build more supportive ways of relating to yourself and others.

A core theme in my work is understanding how early experiences shape how we relate to ourselves and others.

This often shows up as:

  • Anxiety, overwhelm, and self-doubt

  • People-pleasing and difficulty with boundaries

  • Relationship patterns and attachment-related concerns

  • Maternal mental health, including pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenthood

  • Navigating neurodivergence in an affirming and supportive way

Therapy with me is collaborative, paced, and responsive. I value emotional safety, reflection, and developing insight that can be applied meaningfully to everyday life.

At its core, my work is about creating space, space to slow down, make sense of your experiences, and move forward with greater clarity and self-trust, especially during times of stress, transition, or change.

Neurodiversity-affirming support

I take a neurodiversity-affirming approach and support neurodivergent individuals, including adults with ADHD and autism.

Over the past decade, I’ve worked across a range of settings supporting neurodivergent individuals, and this remains an important focus of my training and development.

Many of the people I work with have spent years adapting or masking in environments that weren’t designed with their needs in mind, which can be exhausting over time.

My approach is individualized and focused on reducing stress, building self-understanding, and supporting more authentic ways of relating, rather than trying to change who someone is.

Understanding patterns and relationships

A big part of my work is helping adults make sense of patterns that feel hard to break.

Much of my background has been working with children, youth, and families, which has given me a strong understanding of how early emotional environments and relationships can shape the way we relate to ourselves and others over time.

You might notice this showing up in relationships, in how you respond to stress, or in the way you see yourself. Sometimes these patterns can feel automatic, like you’re reacting before you have a chance to pause or understand why.

Together, we slow things down and begin to make sense of where these patterns come from and how they continue to show up in the present.

From there, we focus on building more supportive and intentional ways of relating, both to yourself and to others.

Working with children and families

While much of my work at Watkins focuses on adults and caregivers, I also work with children and teens, particularly those with ADHD, autism, or other developmental differences.

Many of the children I support are navigating big emotions, anxiety, social challenges, or confidence concerns. Our work focuses on helping them better understand what’s happening in their bodies and build skills in a way that actually works for them.

Working with parents and caregivers is an important part of this process. Supporting families in feeling more connected, improving communication, and responding to challenges in more supportive ways is often just as important as working directly with the child.

You Might Be Here If…

You’re a teen feeling anxious or overwhelmed. Expectations feel like a lot to carry. You want a space to talk openly, feel understood, and learn ways to cope.
You’re adjusting to postpartum life. This season may feel heavier or more overwhelming than expected. You don’t have to navigate it alone.
You’re dealing with anxiety or constant overwhelm Your mind feels busy, your body feels on edge, or everything feels like too much. You want to feel calmer, more grounded, and more in control.
You’re navigating ADHD or autism. You want support that actually understands how your brain works, not something that tries to change it.
You’re trying to support your child’s emotions or behaviours but aren’t sure what’s helping. You want guidance, practical tools, and a stronger connection.
You’re going through a life transition. Something in your life is shifting and it feels uncertain or overwhelming. You’re looking for support to navigate change with more clarity and confidence.
You’re feeling overwhelmed as a parent. You’re trying to support your child’s emotions but aren’t sure what’s helping or making things harder.
You may be navigating retirement, health changes, grief, or shifting roles. You want space to process, reflect, and move through this stage with support.
You’re feeling stuck in patterns. You notice yourself overthinking, people-pleasing, or repeating the same cycles. You want to better understand yourself and create meaningful change.
Book a Free Consultation with Kassandra

A space for different stages of life, identities, and experience

I work with individuals of all ages, especially those with ADHD, autism, or other developmental differences. A lot of the children I work with are dealing with big emotions, anxiety, social challenges, or confidence issues, and we focus on helping them understand what’s going on in their bodies and build skills in a way that actually works for them.

Working with parents and caregivers is a big part of what I do. Supporting families in feeling more connected, improving communication, and responding to challenges more supportively is often just as important as working with the child.

A core theme in my work is understanding how early experiences shape us. This shows up in supporting older teens and adults who are unpacking childhood emotional wounds and attachment patterns, as well as in maternal mental health work, where pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenting are understood within the context of the family system and a parent’s own early experiences.

  • I integrate a range of evidence-informed modalities depending on your needs, including:

    • Attachment-Based Therapy

    • Family Systems Therapy

    • Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)

    • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

    • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

    • Trauma-Informed Therapy

    • Strength-Based Therapy

    • Person-Centred Therapy

    • Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    • Mindfulness-Based Therapy (MBCT / mindfulness-based approaches)

    • Motivational Interviewing

    • Humanistic Therapy

    • Culturally Sensitive Therapy

    • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

    • Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology

      Yorkville University — 2025

    • Bachelor of Applied Science in Family and Community Social Services

      University of Guelph — 2023

    • Social Service Worker Diploma

      Humber College — 2023

    • Child and Youth Care Advanced Diploma

      Seneca College — 2020

  • Trauma, Attachment & Parts Work

    Training focused on trauma-informed and attachment-based psychotherapy.

    • Targeting Attachment Wounds | Personal Transformation Institute | Tyler Orr | 2026. 2 hours

    • Deciphering Dissociation: Understanding and Screening for Dissociation | Personal Transformation Institute | Laura Mullis, LCSW, CAADC | 2026. 2 hours

    • Treating Adult Children of Personality Disordered Parents: From Assessment to Treatment Strategies | Envision | Dr. Daniel Fox | 2026. 5 hours

    • An Attachment Focused Approach to Trauma and Loss | NICABM | George Faller & Leanne Campbell | 2026. 3 hours

    • 2-Day Intensive Trauma Treatment Certification Workshop | PESI | Arielle Schwartz, PhD | 2025. 12.5 hours

    • Getting Creative with Parts | PESI | Lisa Ferentz, LCSW-C | 2025. 4 hours

    • Emotionally Immature Parents and the Impact on Adult Children | Leading Edge Seminars | Dr. Lindsay Gibson | 2025. 3 hours

    • Trauma-Focused School Counseling | Mental Health Academy | Dr. Mark Brackett | 2025. 1 hour

    • Polyvagal Meets Attachment-Centered Play Therapy | PESI | Dr. Stephen Porges & Clair Mellenthin | 2025. 1.5 hours

    Suicide Risk, Self-Harm & Crisis Assessment

    Training related to suicide prevention, risk assessment, and crisis support.

    • Foundations of Risk Assessment & Crisis Conversations in Clinical Practice: Level 1 | Finding Solutions | Alexandra Myers | 2026. 1.5 hours.

    • Self-harm in Teenagers: The Spectrum from Nonsuicidal Self-Injury to Suicidality | SickKids CCMH Learning Institute | Marshall Korenblum, MD, FRCP©, Dip. Child Psych. | 2026. 6 hours

    • Understanding Youth Suicide Risk | Mental Health Academy | Dr. Jonathan Singer | 2025. 1 hour

    • Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) | Columbia Lighthouse Project | Kelly Posner, PhD | 2025.

    • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
      LivingWorks | 2018.

    Neurodiversity & Neuro-Affirming Care

    Training related to supporting neurodivergent clients, including ADHD and autism.

    • Neurodiversity in Women: Therapeutic Strategies for Empowering Women with Autism or ADHD | PESI | Jennifer Gerlach, LCSW | 2026. 4 hours

    • Affirming Play Therapy Approaches – The Agent of Change for Neurodivergent Kids | PESI | Robert Jason Grant, EdD | 2026. 1.5 hours

    • Neurodiversity Fundamentals | Mental Health Academy | Elaine Taylor-Klaus | 2025. 1 hour

    • Neurodiversity & Neuro-Affirming Counseling | Mental Health Academy | Dr. Emily Goodman-Scott | 2025. 1 hour

    • Autistic Children and Youth: Effective & Affirming Care | Leading Edge Seminars | Katy Albert, MEd | 2025. 6 hours

    Child & Adolescent Mental Health

    Training related to supporting children and adolescents.

    • Empowering Children Facing Cultural Trauma: Play Therapy Approaches to Build Resilience | PESI | Carmen Jimenez Pride & Catherine Denham | 2026. 2 hours

    • DBT for Adolescents (DBT-A) – Level 2 Accreditation | Association for Psychological Therapies (APT) | Online Modules | 2025. 18 hours

    • Adolescent Substance Use | Mental Health Academy | Dr. Amanda Giordano | 2025. 1 hour

    • The Purposeful Use of Daily Life Events (DLE)
      TransformAction Consultation & Training | 2019.

    Therapeutic Modalities & Clinical Skills

    Training in psychotherapy approaches and clinical interventions.

    • Recognizing and Treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder | Live Webinar CE Provider | Dr. Mia Nunez | 2026. 2 hours

    • Solution Focused Brief Therapy Certification – Level 1 | PESI | Elliott Connie, MA | 2025. 3.75 hours

    • Mindfulness Certification Course | PESI | Richard Sears, PsyD | 2025. 12 hours

    • Braving New Conversations: From Problem Solving to Deep Healing | PESI / Psychotherapy Networker | Jon Kabat-Zinn & Daniel Siegel | 2025. 2 hours

    • Permission to Feel | Mental Health Academy | Dr. Mark Brackett | 2025. 1 hour

    • Mental Health First Aid
      Mental Health Commission of Canada | 2021

    Family Therapy & Relational Work

    Training focused on systemic and family therapy.

    • EFFT Essentials – Emotionally Focused Family Therapy | ICEEFT | Gail Palmer & Jim Furrow | 2025. 24 hours

    • Restorative Practices
      International Institute for Restorative Practices | 2020

    Cultural, Equity & Social Context

    Training related to cultural awareness and equity in mental health care.

    • Aging and Mental Health: Health Equity, Diversity and Anti-Racism | CAMH – PSSP | 2026.

    • Utilizing a Multi-Tiered, Multi-Domain System of Supports | Mental Health Academy | Danielle Duarte | 2025. 1 hour

    • Village Key-ple | Mental Health Academy | Chanelle Joseph-Nwosu & John Nwosu | 2025. 1 hour

    Specialized Topics

    Training related to specific areas of practice.

    • Maternal Mental Health Certificate Training Course | Postpartum Support International | Live Webinar Series | In Progress (Feb–Jun 2026). 18 hours at completion

    • Counselling Approaches to Grief and Loss | The Teaching Clinic | Bella Krieger | 2026. 1 hour

    • The Foundation of Sexual Wellness: A Holistic Approach | AASECT | Taylor McConnachie | 2025. 3 hours

    Ethics & Inclusive Practice

    Training focused on inclusive and affirming practice.

    • Self-Guided Foundational Safe Zone Training | Safe Zone Project | 2025.

    • Channeling the Potential of AI | Mental Health Academy | Dr. Carol Dahir | 2025. 1 hour

    • Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

      College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)

    • Professional Member

      Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)

    • Professional Member: EFFT Therapist

      International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)

    • Professional Member

      Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OACYC)

Book a Free Consultation with Kassandra

The Person Behind the Therapist

  • Kassandra Smalley, a woman with long blonde hair, glasses, and a black top smiling outdoors in a backyard with trees and a fence.

  • Kassandra Smalley, a young woman with glasses smiling and holding a fluffy light-colored dog with a blue collar.

  • Kassandra Smalley, a young woman wearing red jacket and sunglasses smiling while leaning on a wooden railing at a scenic overlook with a lake, mountains, snow-capped peaks, and cloudy sky in the background.

  • Kassandra Smalley, a woman with long wavy blonde hair, wearing a brown plaid shirt over a yellow top, sitting in a room with soft lighting, a decorative shelf with plants, a lamp, and a sculpture of a face.

  • Kassandra Smalley, a woman with long blonde hair, wearing sunglasses, smiling and holding a fluffy white dog in her arms. They are sitting outside on a porch.

  • Kassandra Smalley, a close-up of a smiling woman wearing glasses with a beanie hat, outdoors at night with colorful lights and outdoor furniture in the background.

My path into this work has not been linear, but it has always been rooted in a deep respect for people’s lived experiences and a belief that support should be compassionate, accessible, and human.

Over the past decade, I have worked across schools, treatment centres, social services, and medical settings. These experiences shaped my understanding that emotional well-being is influenced not only by individual experiences, but also by relationships, environments, and access to care.

Early in my career, I was drawn to working with children and youth. That work gave me a lasting understanding of how early emotional environments, especially those marked by stress, inconsistency, or unmet needs, can shape how we relate to ourselves and others later in life. Today, that foundation continues to inform my work with adults.

White neon cursive signature reading "Kassandra Smalley" on a black background.