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 Bachelor of Science 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 certification in Attachment-Based Family Therapy (Level 1) and in Emotion-Focused Therapy (Level 2 & Complex Relational Trauma). She received several competitive awards for her graduate clinical research; her dissertation looked at how aspects of family and child mental health may be related to differences in coping skill improvement for autistic children who participate in CBT-based therapy. You can learn more about Dr. Karen’s 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 more confident in their parenting skills, children show improvements in behaviour and emotionality. 

The key is in moving away from “managing” to learning how to get in there before the upsets happen in the first place. Learning how to put collaborative, consistent systems in place to support your child to practice what to do instead of what not to do.  For example, when you take away the Ipad, your child learns that after everyone yells, the Ipad goes away. They don’t learn that next time they should turn it off the first time you ask, or to stop negotiating for extra time.

This isn’t willful or defiant — your kid loves you. This is behaviour, and patterns, and understanding where your kiddo falls and how to help them feel good within a much bigger picture. Because yes, not turning off the Ipad is a tricky behaviour — but it’s also never just about the thing.

Your kiddo needs you to learn first so that you can lead the way towards meaningful change. And more joy for everyone.💕

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.