Dr. Sarah Setchell
Hons. BSc., M.A., Ph.D., C.Psych.
Registered Clinical and School Psychologist
At Bay Psychology, I provide comprehensive psychological assessments to help you gain a deeper understanding of your child’s unique profile of strengths and challenges, with the goal of identifying what your child needs to be happy and successful. I also see a limited number of therapy clients, with a focus on treatment of anxiety symptoms/disorders.
Psychological assessments are an investment in your child’s health, well-being, and future. Assessments lead to specific, evidence-based recommendations about how to help your child. There are several reasons why you might consider pursuing an assessment for your child. Do you wonder if your child’s challenges are consistent with a particular learning, developmental, or mental health diagnosis, and want to understand them better? Perhaps your child has had an assessment in the past and you would like updated information on their skills and functioning. Maybe your child is approaching adulthood and needs an assessment for postsecondary purposes or to assist with determining eligibility for Developmental Services Ontario (DSO). I would be happy to discuss your unique situation with you to help you decide.
One of my general philosophies is that people do the best they can with the knowledge, skills, and resources they have at the time. Many young people struggle because they are slower to develop important cognitive and social-emotional skills, which leads them to communicate their difficulties through extreme emotions and challenging behaviours. When working with children and adolescents, I believe it is important to work collaboratively, as a team. Even though assessments can generate a lot of detailed, complex information, I want you to have a solid understanding of the results and be able to put the recommendations into practice.
As a doctoral-level psychologist, I have extensive training in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of problems typically experienced in childhood and adolescence. I completed my Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Psychology at Queen’s University, followed by my Master’s and Doctoral Degrees in Child Clinical Psychology at the University of Windsor. I became registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario in 2013 and was authorized to practice independently in the areas of Clinical and School Psychology. I have clinical experience in a range of settings including school board, hospital/rehabilitation, inpatient and outpatient mental health agencies, university clinic, and private practice. As a registered psychologist, I am committed to ongoing learning and professional development. I also strive to provide culturally sensitive and trauma-informed care. I work hard to create collaborative partnerships where children and families feel safe and supported, and never judged.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my young daughter, partner, and dog. We enjoy exploring the outdoors, attending music concerts and community events, swimming, gardening, and doing creative projects.