ABOUT

I'm a Clinical and Health Psychologist providing services to children, adolescents and their families in Ottawa, Ontario. My office is located within Centrepointe Professional Services. I provide assessment and treatment (individual and family therapy) for a variety of conditions including:​​

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  • Anxiety disorders (e.g. Social Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder [OCD])

  • Attachment disorders

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Behavioural difficulties

  • Chronic health conditions (e.g. chronic pain or coping with chronic illnesses)

  • Developmental disorders (e.g. Autism Spectrum Disorder [ASD])

  • Developmental disabilities

  • Gifted testing

  • Learning disabilities

  • Mood disorders (e.g. depression)

  • Parent-child relationship difficulties

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I obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Honours Psychology from Concordia University (Montreal, Quebec) in 2005, and a Master's of Arts (M.A.) degree in Clinical Developmental Psychology from York University (Toronto, Ontario) in 2007. In 2012, I completed a Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) accredited Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Clinical Developmental Psychology and a Health Psychology Graduate Diploma at York University.​ My graduate research was funded by provincial and federal scholarships and I've co-authored several publications in the areas of pediatric pain, parent-child relationships (e.g. caregiver emotional availability) and infant emotion regulation. 

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​I've worked with children and families from various cultural backgrounds, who were experiencing a wide range of clinical, learning and developmental difficulties, across various age groups (infancy to adulthood). I've worked in a variety of settings including children’s mental health centers (e.g. Thistletown Regional Centre, Reach Out Centre for Kids and Mothercraft - Breaking the Cycle), university clinics (e.g. York University Psychology Clinic) and pediatric hospitals (e.g. Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital) in Toronto, Ontario. In addition, I completed a CPA accredited pre-doctoral internship in Clinical Child Psychology at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa, Ontario, where I gained additional experience in the areas of Pediatric Health Psychology, Inpatient Mental Health, Crisis Assessment, Autism Assessment, Neuropsychology, Family Therapy, Individual Therapy and Program Evaluation.​ 

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My approach to case conceptualization and intervention is based on a Developmental Psychopathology framework. I believe that a child is influenced by a dynamic interplay of biological, psychological and social influences. For example, I consider the roles of child factors, family and school environments, peer relationships, and social-cultural contexts in the etiology of a child’s difficulties. Given that children and youth thrive in the context of healthy and supportive relationships, I place a lot of importance on strengthening family and social connections in therapy.

 

I believe in the scientist-practitioner model, namely that clinical practice should be informed by research. My main theoretical orientation is Integrative meaning that I combine different evidence-based (empirically supported) therapeutic tools and approaches to fit the needs of my clients. Although I mainly use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), I also draw from elements of Motivational Interviewing, Brief-Solution Focused Therapy, Family Systems and Attachment Theory.  Despite the chosen course of treatment, I strongly believe that the therapeutic alliance between a client and therapist is of equal importance. As such, I aim to provide a supportive environment in which my clients feel safe to disclose personal information and build trust in the therapeutic relationship. 

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I'm registered with the College of Psychologist of Ontario (CPO) and I maintain memberships in several local, provincial and national professional associations.

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Degrees
 
  • 2012: Ph.D. in Clinical Developmental Psychology from York University, Toronto, ON.
  • 2012: Graduate Diploma in Health Psychology from York University, Toronto, ON.
  • 2007: M.A. in Clinical Developmental Psychology from York University, Toronto, ON.
  • 2005: B.A. in Honours Psychology from Concordia University, Montreal, QC.
 
Awards and Scholarships
 

  • 2011: Nominated for a York University Dissertation Prize

  • 2009-2012: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) Doctoral Award

  • 2009: Lillian Wright Maternal-Child Health Scholarship Training Award  

  • 2009: Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Doctoral Award

  • 2008: Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Doctoral Award

  • 2007: Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Doctoral Award

  • 2009; 2010: Canadian Pain Society (CPS) Trainee Travel Award

  • 2008; 2009; 2010: CIHR Strategic Training Program Pain in Child Health Travel Awards​​

  • 2006: CIHR Master’s Training Award

  • 2005-2007: Fonds québécois de la recherche sur la société et la culture (FQRSC) Master’s Training Award

  • 2005: York University Entrance Scholarship

  • 2007; 2007: CIHR Strategic Training Program Pain in Child Health Travel Award      

  • 2005: Graduated from Concordia University with Distinction

  • 2003: Golden Key International Honours Society​

 

Publications and Presentations

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Peer-Reviewed Articles​:

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​Din Osmun, L., Pillai Riddell, R.R. & Flora, D.B. (2014). Infant Pain-Related Negative Affect at 12 Months of Age: Early Infant and Caregiver Predictors. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 39(1), 23-34.

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Pillai Riddell, R. R. Campbell, L., Flora, D., Racine, N. M., Din Osmun, L., Greenberg, S. & Garfield, H. (2011). Caregiver sensitivity and infant pain: The relative relationships between infant behaviors and caregiver sensitivity over the first year of life. Pain, Epub ahead of print. DOI: doi:10.1016/j.pain.2011.09.011

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Pillai Riddell, R. R., Racine, N.M., Turcott, K., Uman, L., Horton, R., Din Osmun, L., Ahola Kohut, S., Hillgrove Stuart, J., Stevens, B, & Lisi, D. (2011). Nonpharmacological management of procedural pain in infants and young children: An abridged Cochrane review. Pain Research and Management, 16(5), 321-330.

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Pillai Riddell, R. R., Racine, N. R., Turcotte, K., Uman, L., Horton, R., Din Osmun, L., Ahola Kohut, S., Hillgrove Stuart, J., Stevens, B. J., & Gerwitz Stein, A. (2011). Nonpharmacological management of infant and young child procedural pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD006275. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006275.pub2.

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Horton, R. E., Din Osmun, L., Pillai Riddell, R. R., Stevens, B. J., & Greenberg, S. (2010). Maternal relationship style, paediatric health care use and infant health. Paediatrics and Child Health, 15(7), 432-436.

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Pillai Riddell, R. R., Stevens, B. J., McKeever, P., Gibbins, S., Asztalos, L., Katz, J., Ahola, S., & Din, L. (2009). Chronic pain in hospitalized infants:  Health professionals’ perspectives.  Journal of Pain, 10(12), 1217-1225.

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Din, L., Pillai Riddell, R. R., & Gordner, S. (2009). Brief report: Maternal emotional availability and infant pain expressions during routine immunizations. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 34(7), 722-726.

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Professional Presentations:​

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Lefaivre, M. J., & Din Osmun, L. (2012, March). The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) presents an evening of information - Parenting your anxious child. Symposium presented ​ at the Cornwall Community Hospital, Cornwall, ON.

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​Pillai Riddell, R. R., Din Osmun, L., Racine, N., Hillgrove-Stuart, J., Campbell, L. (2011, April). The OUCH Cohort: Preliminary data regarding the development of infant pain responses and the impact of parental soothing. Symposium presented at the Canadian Pain Society Annual Conference, Niagara Falls, ON.

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Pillai Riddell, R. R., Ahola Kohut, S., Din Osmun, L., & Racine, N. (2011, April). Infant pain-related distress regulation:  Sharpening our understanding of infant expression, parental sensitivity and soothing behaviours in a painful context. Symposium presented at the Expanding Horizons for the Early Years 2011: Making Relationships Work for Infants & Toddlers – An Infant Mental Health Promotion (IMP) Conference, Toronto, ON.

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Pillai Riddell, R. R., Horton, R., Hillgrove-Stuart, J., & Din Osmun, L. (2010, March). Understanding the role of caregiver behaviours on infant pain expressivity. Symposium presentation at the International Symposium of Pediatric Pain, Acapulco, Mexico.

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Pillai Riddell, R. R., Horton, R., Din, L., & Hillgrove, J. (2008, April). Understanding the role caregiver behaviours on infant pain expressivity. Symposium presented at the Expanding Horizons for the Early Years 2008: Practice, Research & Promoting Change – An Infant Mental Health Promotion (IMP) Conference, Toronto.

 

Published Abstracts:

 

Din, L., & Pillai Riddell, R. R. (2009). The relationships between maternal emotional availability and maternal soothing behaviours during routine infant immunizations. Pain Research & Management, Abstracts of the 2009 Annual Canadian Pain Society Conference, 14(2), p146.

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Din, L., & Pillai Riddell, R. R. (2008). The relationship between maternal emotional availability and infant pain related distress. Pain Research & Management, Abstracts of the 2008 Annual Canadian Pain Society Conference, 13(2), p8.

 

Din, L., Danson, J., Kalousek, K., Pillai Riddell, R. R., Stevens, B. J., & Greenberg, S. (2007). Maternal relationship style and maternal soothing behaviours during an acute painful procedure. Pain Research & Management, Abstracts from the 2007 Annual Conference of the Canadian Pain Society, 12(2), P16.

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Horton, R. E., Din, L., Pillai Riddell, R. R., Stevens, B. J., & Greenberg, S. (2007). Pediatric health care utilization and infant health: the role of maternal and infant factors. Pain Research & Management, Abstracts from the 2007 Annual Conference of the Canadian Pain Society, 12(2), P29.

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Din, L., Pillai Riddell, R. R., Stevens, B. J., Ahola, S., & Greenberg, S. (2006). The relationship between maternal psychological distress and maternal pain judgments post immunization. Pain Research & Management, Abstracts of the 7th International Symposium on Pediatric Pain, 11(B), 71b.

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Ahola, S., Pillai Riddell, R. R., Stevens, B. J., Din, L., & Greenberg, S. (2006). Occupational variables and the maternal perception of infant pain. Pain Research & Management, Abstracts of the 7th International Symposium on Pediatric Pain, 11(B), 70b.

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