Bringing Families Together Through Collaborative and Proactive Solutions™ and SPACE™
Sometimes parents feel abandoned and alone when they are raising a challenging child. Parents have often tried everything from sticker charts to rewards and punishment at home, yet their child is still struggling to meet expectations.
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As a Certified Provider and Trainer in the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions ™ (CPS) model, I am dedicated to helping children, youth and their families overcome behavioural, emotional, and social challenges through an empathetic, non-punitive approach.
Developed by Dr. Ross Greene, Clinical Psychologist and author of several books including The Explosive Child, the CPS framework is evidenced based and recognizes that children do well if they can - not if they want to. By identifying the unsolved problems and working collaboratively and proactively to find mutually satisfactory solutions, the root causes of concerning behaviours can be addressed while children become equipped with the tools that they need to succeed. By fostering a compassionate, problem-solving dynamic, children and adults feel heard, respected and empowered to problem solve proactively and collaboratively.
Through consultation, modeling and practice, parents and children are guided through the three steps of the CPS model. Check out the CPS website to find some great free resources and an overview of the CPS model:
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)
I am trained in SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), a parent-based treatment developed at Yale University to support children experiencing anxiety and related challenges. SPACE focuses on empowering parents to reduce accommodations, respond to anxiety in supportive ways, and gently build a child’s capacity to cope—without requiring the child to participate in treatment sessions. This approach is especially helpful for children who are reluctant to engage directly in therapy or who struggle with separation anxiety, school refusal, generalized anxiety, or OCD-related behaviours.
SPACE–ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder & Picky Eating)
I am also trained in SPACE–ARFID, an adaptation of the SPACE model designed for families navigating ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and extreme picky eating. This parent-focused approach helps caregivers shift out of patterns that unintentionally reinforce avoidance, while increasing confidence and supportive responses at home. Families learn structured tools to reduce mealtime conflict, promote more flexible eating, and create a calmer, less pressured food environment—prioritizing relationship, attachment, and gradual change over force or fear.
*Animals are generally not part of teaching parents the CPS or SPACE model, but animals may be present during sessions.