Foundations for Emotional Wellness
Dr. Zia Lakdawalla
Psychologist
In my clinical practice, my approach to working with children, adolescents and families is grounded in a safe, nonjudgmental, and trusting relationship.
Once established, I aim to employ interventions that work and provide opportunities for sustainable change. My approach is client-centred and evidence-based. Children thrive in environments where they feel seen, understood and valued.
In therapeutic relationships and in life – one of my guiding beliefs is that this is the essential element in creating the foundations for emotional wellness.
In my clinical practice, my approach to working with children, adolescents and families is grounded in a safe, nonjudgmental, and trusting relationship. Once established, I aim to employ interventions that work and provide opportunities for sustainable change. My approach is client-centred and evidence-based.
ABOUT ME
I am a registered clinical psychologist who specializes in working with children, adolescent, and parents. My goal is to help clients cope with uncomfortable feelings, improve relationships, and increase competency and efficacy in managing the demands of each new stage of development.
I am also a strong believer that the environment in which kids are immersed is a critical factor for how they learn to regulate their emotions and build resilience. For this reason- I am passionate about parenting and early intervention. I aim to equip parents with knowledge and tools to strengthen the parent child relationship, decrease behaviour problems, and build long term emotional health and resilience.
I received my B.A. in Psychology from McGill University, and my Masters and Ph.D from the University of Illinois- Chicago. I have worked in a variety of mental health settings including community mental health, private practice, day treatment programs and hospitals. In 2017, I started Foundations for Emotional Wellness- where I maintain a private practice, run parenting groups and workshops, and give talks and training on various mental health issues.
When I am not working, you can find me hanging with my husband and three kids, or in my pottery studio getting messy 🙂
