Dr. Karen Black, Ph.D., C.Psych., is a child psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO). She holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical-Developmental Psychology from York University, and a BSc. in Psychology from the University of Toronto. She is a member of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA).

Dr. Karen received specialized clinical training related to autism, emotion regulation, disruptive behaviour and trauma-informed care for children, adolescents and their parents.  She holds additional certifications in relational, emotion-focused approaches for youth with complex needs and their parents, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). She received several competitive awards for her graduate clinical research; you can read more about her published work on her Google Scholar profile.

Dr. Karen also works at the Roncesvalles Psychology Clinic, where she sees children and families in person for therapy and parenting support, and for psychoeducational, autism, and complex diagnostic assessments.

Research shows that when parents learn new ways to respond and feel confident in their skills, children show improvements in emotional regulation and behavior. Kids need their parents to lead the way.

Rather than reactively managing outbursts after they happen, parent-focused support equips you with proactive systems to guide your child before the upset even starts.

[Read more here → Why Parents]

These sessions are actually just for parents! 💕 The general goal is to help you feel less stressed, and more confident to support your child to make gradual, meaningful changes in how they’re able to tolerate and soothe big, uncomfortable feelings, and in day-to-day behaviour.

Pixie Parenting sessions are intended for you — because as a parent, you are the most powerful (and wonderful!) agent of change in your kiddo’s world.

At times, though, it can be helpful to co-ordinate in-person support for children, in addition to virtual parent sessions. In this case, if families are able to travel to the West End of Toronto, in person sessions could be scheduled through the Roncesvalles Psychology Clinic. Otherwise, appropriate referrals within the GTA would be arranged.

Session fees are $275/hour.

OHIP does not currently cover psychological services. However, many extended insurance plans will do so. Please check with your provider to confirm details of your plan.

At this time, Pixie Parenting is not able to submit e-claims to bill insurance providers directly. You will always receive a detailed receipt following your session that you can submit for reimbursement.

She does! She has a beagle named Marty, and a kitty named Sara Bea. Marty prefers to sleep during sessions (wrapped up in a blanket like a burrito), but Sara Bea sometimes likes to make an appearance with her little white tail.