Our Team
Dr. Jennifer L. Newby, C. Psych.
Clinical Psychologist
Working with Children, Adolescents, and Adults
Dr. Newby began her undergraduate education specializing in Psychology and Teacher Education. Dr. Newby is passionate about psycho-educational assessment and intervention and is certified with the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. She has over 10 years of experience in conducting psycho-educational evaluation.
In her Master's and Doctoral training in Clinical Psychology, Dr. Newby made several significant empirical contributions to the field of Personality Psychology, and more specifically in investigating personality characteristics such as Competitiveness and Perfectionism. She maintains her passion for scientifically-supported methods and emphasis on empirical evidence in assessment and therapy.
Dr. Newby assesses and treats individuals with the following presenting difficulties and diagnostic presentations.
Assessment:
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Learning/psychoeducational
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Attention and executive functioning problems
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Hyperactivity and Impulsivity
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Giftedness
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Psychological (psycho-diagnostic) for difficulties listed
Treatment:
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Depression and mood-related problems
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Bipolar disorder and cyclical mood challenges
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Perfectionism
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Competitiveness
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Anxiety
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Panic
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Phobias
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School and work-related stress
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Interpersonal stress
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Body image
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Low self-esteem
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Adjustment to major life changes
Dr. Newby works collaboratively with patients to determine and meet their needs on an individual basis tailored to their clinical symptoms. She incorporates a variety of therapeutic styles into her work (e.g., supportive, mindfulness, DBT, solution-focused, ACT, emotionally-focused, behavioural activation), but her primary therapeutic orientation is best described as cognitive-behavioural (CBT). Dr. Newby has a strong basis in assessment and her case formulation and treatment are informed by evidence-based practice, meaning they are grounded in sound and effective science, research, and theory. Dr. Newby works to provide clients with a nurturing, collaborative, light-hearted, and accepting atmosphere.
Dr. Newby is passionate about psychological research and is often involved in research collaborations. Her primary area of research is personality psychology, perfectionism, and competitiveness. Dr. Newby is a voluntary member of several organizations including the Canadian Psychological Association, the Ontario Psychological Association, the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the Association for Psychological Science, the Ottawa Academy of Psychology, and the Society for Personality and Social Psychology.
Dr. Newby has been awarded numerous Provincial and National scholarships and has over 15 peer-reviewed publications, articles, book chapters, national, and international conference presentations. Dr. Newby continues her professional development through regular supervision, conferences, and keeping current with scientific and clinical literature.
Dr. Mohamed Bekkari, C.Psych.
Clinical and School Psychologist
Working with Children, Adolescent, Adults, and Families
Dr. Bekkari is a registered clinical and school psychologist. He is a member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario. He provides a range of clinical services in a virtual format. Services are provided in English, French and Arabic.
Dr. Bekkari has more than 30 years experience in the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Bekkari is experienced in application of theory, principles, and techniques of clinical and educational psychology in addition to the principles and applications of psychological assessment techniques. He is knowledgeable in the application of current trends, and empirically-based theoretical orientations to child, adolescent, adult, and family psychotherapy.
Dr. Bekkari provides services in the following areas of practice:
Anxiety disorders
Depression and other mood disorders
PTSD
Personality disorders
Bilingual and multicultural issues
Intellectual, learning, and school adjustment difficulties
Giftedness
Disruptive behavior problems (e.g., ADHD, ODD and CD).
Parenting support
Attachment difficulties
Consultation services for individuals, schools, and health professionals
Dr. Bekkari has past experience in psychiatric, child mental health, child protection, secure custody, and school settings.
Dr. Bekkari maintains professional memberships with The Ontario Psychological Association and the Ottawa Academy of Psychology
Rachel Côté, B.A., M.Sc.
Psychometrist
Working under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer Newby, C.Psych. with Children, Adolescents, and Adults
Rachel received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her Master’s of Science degree in Neuroscience from Carleton University.
Rachel has been working as a psychometrist in clinical settings since 2016, working with children, youth, and adults. She performs assessments in order to document the client’s neurocognitive, academic, and social-emotional status. Rachel’s patient and calm demeanor helps put clients at ease. She very effectively establishes a good working rapport, which assists in ensuring that clients are performing to their optimal ability.
Vicki Armstrong-Bradley, M.A.
Psychometrist
Working under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer Newby, C.Psych. with Children, Adolescents, and Adults
Vicki received her Bachelor degree in Psychology from York University and her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of New Brunswick. She also has a teaching degree from the University of New Brunswick.
Vicki has been working as a psychometrist for over 20 years in various clinical settings gaining experience with children, adolescents, and adults.
Vicki’s strengths as a clinician lie in her considerable experience and knowledge administering a wide range of psychological measures, as well as her ability to effectively establish a good working rapport with her clients, and to make insightful behavioural/qualitative observations. Essentially, Vicki’s objective when conducting psychological/psycho-educational assessments is to obtain the most reliable and valid data possible in order to accurately document clients’ psychological, academic, and social/emotional/behavioural status.
Katie Lawrence, M.Sc.
Candidate in Master of Psychology: Clinical & Counselling Psychology
Working under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer Newby, C.Psych. with Children, Adolescents, and Adults
Katie obtained her Bachelor’s degree from McGill University where she majored in Psychology and completed a double-minor in behavioural science and political science while earning recognition as a Dean’s Honour List recipient. Katie subsequently completed her Master of Science degree in Psychology at Queen’s University where she was recognized as an Academic All-Canadian. Katie is currently completing her Master of Psychology degree at the Adler Graduate Professional School.
Under the supervision of Dr. Newby, Katie provides assessment and counselling services utilizing a variety of therapeutic styles including Cognitive-Behavioural, Dialectical Behavioural, and mindfulness. Katie prioritizes fostering a welcoming and non-judgmental environment in which clients feel empowered to collaborate and share openly.
Throughout the course of Katie’s post-secondary education, she has investigated numerous research topics including: relationships; attitudes and persuasion; stress; affiliation and prosociality. Katie’s research has been presented at international conferences such as the annual Society for Personality and Social Psychology Convention. Additionally, Katie is a registered member of both the Canadian Psychological Association and the Ontario Psychological Association.
Dr. Beth-Anne Van Noppen, MD, CCFP
Consulting Physician
Dr. Van Noppen completed her medical training and family medicine certification through the University of Ottawa in 1996. She spent many years homeschooling her four children, one of whom has a learning disability, and another who has ADHD. Through this experience, she became fascinated with how children learn and with the particular struggles of those with a learning challenge or ADHD. This led her to get more training in the area of ADHD and learning disabilities, through the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. She now has a focused practice dedicated to assessing and treating children, adolescence and young adults with ADHD and their co-morbidities.
Sarah
Administrator
In addition to providing administrative support at Psychology West, Sarah is a Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga Teacher, Postpartum Doula, and Birth Coach. Sarah is also the Founder and Creator of Mama Awakened Yoga + Collective.