Danika Quenneville, Ph.D.

Supervised Clinician

I’m a supervised clinician with a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Ottawa. I currently work under the supervision of a registered psychologist. I am completing the final steps needed to register as a psychologist.

I know that reaching out for support can be a big step. My goal is to help children and teens feel safe, understood, and accepted. I also want parents to feel heard and involved.

My approach is warm, honest, neuroaffirming, and focused on each person’s strengths. Neuroaffirming care means respecting each client’s way of thinking, communicating, and experiencing the world. I adapt my approach to each client’s needs, interests, and goals.

Along with my clinical training, I bring personal and family lived experience related to autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability. This experience guides the care, respect, and understanding I offer clients and families.

Who I work with

I work with children, teens, parents, and families. I especially enjoy supporting neurodivergent people and their families. This includes people with autism, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, and other differences in how they think, learn, communicate, or experience the world.

My focus on assessment

Comprehensive psychological assessment is one of my main areas of focus and a part of my work that I truly enjoy. I have a special interest in assessing neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and intellectual disabilities.

Over the years, I have also developed a strong interest in identifying autism in girls and in people whose autistic traits may be subtle or less easily recognized. These individuals may work hard to hide or cope with their differences, which can lead to their needs being missed or misunderstood.

I provide:

  • Autism assessments
  • Psychoeducational assessments for learning disabilities, ADHD, giftedness, and other learning needs
  • Psychodiagnostic assessments for concerns such as anxiety and depression
  • Comprehensive assessments when a child’s needs are complex or unclear

An assessment is about more than finding a diagnosis. I take time to understand the whole child, including their strengths, needs, emotions, learning style, development, and daily life. My goal is to give families clear answers and practical recommendations they can use at home, at school, and in the community.

My focus on therapy

Therapy is another important part of my work. I especially enjoy supporting neurodivergent children and teens, as well as their parents. My approach is warm, honest, neuroaffirming, and focused on each person’s strengths.

I adapt therapy to each client’s age, needs, interests, communication style, and goals. I can help with:

  • Concerns related to autism and ADHD
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Understanding and managing strong emotions
  • Perfectionism and self-esteem
  • Social skills and relationships
  • Parenting and family needs

I draw from several types of therapy, including:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Therapy is about more than reducing symptoms. I aim to help clients better understand themselves, build useful skills, and feel more confident in who they are. I also work with parents to help them understand their child’s needs and find practical ways to support them at home.

My experience

Throughout my doctoral training and professional work, I gained experience providing individual therapy, group programs, and psychological assessments in hospital, school, private clinic, and community settings. Much of my work has involved supporting neurodivergent children and teens, including those with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and complex needs.

I have also supported young people with a wide range of emotional, behavioural, learning, and developmental needs. I work closely with parents and families to help them better understand their child and find practical ways to support them.

My professional and training experiences have included:

  • The Child, Adolescent and Family Centre of Ottawa (CAFCO), where I completed my doctoral internship
  • The Centre for Healthy Active Living (CHEO)
  • The Pediatric Clinic at Montfort Hospital
  • The Ottawa Centre for Resilience (OCFR)
  • The Centre for Psychological Services and Research (CPSR) at the University of Ottawa
  • The Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO), through contract work
  • The Interdisciplinary Family Centre of Eastern Ontario (IFCEO), where I completed my first doctoral practicum

These experiences strengthened my interest in comprehensive assessment, neurodevelopmental conditions, and family-centred care.

My connection to the community

I am a proud Franco-Ontarian who grew up in Casselman. I feel deeply connected to the area and the people who live here. I know that families in rural communities may have fewer options for psychological services and may need to travel farther to get support. This makes it especially important to me to offer high-quality care close to home.

Languages: French and English