Ottawa Centre for Resilience

12/13/2025

Some helpful guidance on setting healthy boundaries with grandparents with the holidays coming up so you can enjoy time with extended family more.

10/28/2025

Former OCFR clinician Carol Manseau hosts an important talk on how children experience grief and and how adults in their lives can help.

Please share with anyone who may benefit

Grief is a complex journey for children, and knowing how to support them can feel overwhelming. You don't have to navigate it alone.

Join us for November 13th for a webinar where experts will share practical strategies and community resources to support children experiencing loss.

Register now: https://ow.ly/Ll8R50XilUu

10/15/2025

We currently have openings for reduced-fee psychological services with Clinical Psychology Intern Amanda Krause at OCFR.

Amanda provides compassionate support for children, teens, and caregivers dealing with anxiety, emotional regulation, and relationship challenges.

All services are supervised by an OCFR psychologist and may be covered under extended health benefits.

✨ Limited spaces available! Visit OCFR.ca to book your free intake call.

10/07/2025

Our team recently talked about new research on how the adolescent brain develops and what it means for the teens and young adults in our lives.

One of the most interesting findings is that even into the early twenties, the brain is still wired to focus on what feels good right now rather than long-term consequences. This helps explain why things like reward charts or long-term privilege systems don’t always motivate teens the way adults hope they will.

Peer influence also plays a big role. Being around friends or peers makes that pull toward immediate reward even stronger. And for young people who have faced early adversity, it can be even harder to think ahead or wait for rewards.

So what actually helps?
• Positive, consistent relationships with trusted adults
• Immediate feedback and encouragement, rather than delayed rewards
• Real-life practice with problem-solving and responsibility
• Understanding that regulation and connection must come before learning or change

The takeaway: teens are not defiant or unmotivated. Their brains are still catching up. When we meet them where they are developmentally, we create space for growth and connection.

Read the full paper here: https://clbb.mgh.harvard.edu/white-paper-on-the-science-of-late-adolescence/

09/30/2025

At OCFR, our clinicians meet every week to support one another and strengthen the care we provide to families.

Once a month, we also read and talk through an article together. These conversations help us stay up to date with research and make sure our work reflects the best knowledge available.

Next week, we’ll be looking at a paper called The Science of Late Adolescence; https://clbb.mgh.harvard.edu/white-paper-on-the-science-of-late-adolescence/. It explains how the brain keeps developing into the early twenties, which helps explain why older teens may still struggle with things like decision-making, risk-taking, and managing responsibilities.

For parents and caregivers, this research is an important reminder: turning 18 doesn’t suddenly make someone “an adult.” The brain is still catching up, and support and guidance are still very much needed.

We’ll be sharing some of our key takeaways next week.

09/23/2025

Sometimes school testing isn’t enough to explain what’s going on.

A neuropsychological assessment looks deeper at how the brain is working — memory, attention, problem-solving, and self-regulation.

This type of assessment is especially helpful for children with trauma, adoption, prenatal exposures, or medical conditions.

At OCFR, we provide trauma-informed assessments that give families clear answers and strategies for support at home and school.

09/16/2025

Children with trauma or adoption histories may struggle at school in ways that aren’t always understood. A psychoeducational assessment helps uncover how your child learns best, whether attention or memory difficulties are playing a role, and what supports will help them succeed.

If you’re wondering whether an assessment could help your child, reach out to our team. We’ll walk you through the process and answer your questions.

09/09/2025

It can feel uncomfortable when kids say, “I’m bored.” But boredom is not a problem to fix, it’s an opportunity!

When children have unstructured time, their brains wander, reflect, and imagine. That’s when they build:
• Emotional awareness
• A sense of self
• Creativity
• Empathy

This doesn’t happen on screens. It happens when kids play freely indoors or outdoors, daydream, or just have space to think.

Try leaving a little room in the schedule this week. You may be surprised at the creativity and growth that follow.

If you’d like support in encouraging healthy growth and resilience, our team at OCFR is here to help.

09/02/2025

Back-to-school can be exciting, but it can also bring big emotions.

Some kids need help calming their bodies, while others need a little boost of energy to get going.

Our team has put together simple sensory strategies you can try at home or at school, like taking deep breaths, squeezing a stress ball, swinging on the playground, or even trying a crunchy or sour snack.

Every child is different, and sometimes the smallest shift can make a big difference.

We also have availability to support children, youth, and families who are finding the transition back to school especially tough, visit ocfr.ca to learn more.

08/26/2025

Meet Ganiyat Zurakat — Therapist at OCFR, under the supervision of Dr. Horvath.

Ganiyat supports children, teens, and caregivers who are navigating anxiety, low mood, trauma, and major life transitions. Her work is grounded in curiosity, collaboration, and deep respect for each client’s lived experience.

She brings a thoughtful and culturally responsive approach to therapy, and also conducts psychoeducational assessments to help clarify learning, behavioural, and mental health needs.

In addition to her work with youth, Ganiyat supports caregivers in navigating their parenting role and building stronger, more connected relationships with their children.

Now for a few lighter notes:

🧕 Always colour-coordinates her hijab to her outfit (and never misses).
📚 Avid reader, nothing beats a quiet moment with a good book.
🌊 Known for staying calm and grounded—even when emotions are running high.

Ganiyat is currently accepting new clients for therapy and assessment, virtually across Ontario and in person in Ottawa.

08/19/2025

*Open Assessment Spots This Fall*
If your child is struggling with learning, focus, or behaviour, now is the time to act.
We’re booking psychological and neuropsychological assessments for September and early fall, and spaces are limited.

We assess for:
- ADHD & attention challenges
- Learning disabilities
- Emotional and behavioural concerns
- Complex medical conditions (epilepsy, brain injury, FASD, etc.)

Start with a free consultation to learn how we can help.
Book today at ocfr.ca

08/12/2025

We know how hard it can be to stay grounded when your child is having a meltdown, shutting down, or acting out. But in those moments, what they need most isn’t a lecture—it’s your calm presence.

That’s why we created the Co-Regulation Checklist.
It’s a simple guide to help you stay steady when your child can’t.
And it works. Especially for kids who’ve experienced stress, trauma, or loss.

Here are a few of the reminders it includes:
• Take a few deep breaths before reacting
• Soften your voice and body language
• Offer something sensory, like a cold drink or soft toy
• Say something safe like, “I’m here” or “You’re not in trouble”
• Don’t rush to fix it—just stay close

We share this tool with parents and caregivers because it’s practical, compassionate, and built for real-life moments.

If you’d like a copy, just send us a message.
And if your family could use extra support, schedule your initial call at www.ocfr.ca

📍OCFR currently has availability for therapy, parent support, and assessments.