Dr. David Worling (#1365) Registered Psychologist
Dr. David Worling (he/him) co-founded Westcoast Child Development Group in 2003 and is the clinical director. Dr. Worling worked at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver for 7 years in the Adolescent Inpatient and Mood and Anxiety Outpatient Psychiatric clinics. Over the past several years he has grown the practice to include psychological assessment and therapeutic work with adults.
Dr. Worling enjoys working with youth and adults with a number of mental health challenges that include depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, ADHD, and learning disabilities and also specializes in assessment and therapy for individuals on the Autism Spectrum.
Dr. Worling created Spectrum Works Consulting Group in 2015 to help support adolescents and adults on the Autism Spectrum with co-occurring mental health conditions in work and post-secondary settings. (http://spectrumworks.consulting/)
Dr. Worling has taught as a sessional instructor for the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia and has held academic affiliations with the department of Psychology at Simon Fraser University. He has over 30 years of experience as a clinician and has specialized training in the areas of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Autism Diagnostics, Group Therapy, and Learning Disabilities.
Dr. Worling sits on a number of clinical advisory boards and consults to schools, mental health facilities, and government agencies. He has published in the areas of learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and was a co-author on the Dealing with Depression Workbook for teens. http://www.comh.ca/publications/resources/dwd/DWD_PrintVersion.pdf.
Dr. Worling is also a sought-after speaker who brings a great deal of enthusiasm, professionalism, and humour to a wide range of audiences.
Leah Marks (#16138) Registered Clinical Counsellor, Canadian Certified Counsellor
Leah Marks CCC, RCC (she/her) co-founded and co-directs the clinic. She completed her Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia. She is a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.
Leah enjoys guiding adult clients to explore their strengths and opportunities for growth and to build hope and momentum – especially in times of transition.
Leah began her career over 30 years ago as an educator, teaching post-secondary students and as a teacher therapist designing individual education plans for children on the Autism Spectrum, with ADHD, and with Learning challenges and consulted to their parents and teachers. She now focuses her parent consultation work with parents of older teens and young adults and specializes in supporting individuals through life decisions, relationships, and navigating the world of work and school.
Leah’s post-secondary academic counselling draws on several years experience as an Academic Advisor and researcher in academic persistence at The University of British Columbia. She has assisted hundreds of students to navigate rigorous academic demands and chart viable career paths. Through her training and work with the UBC Life and Career Centre; the Centre for Student involvement and Careers; and Alumni UBC, Leah has assisted a wide range of clients in designing and achieving personal, academic, and career objectives. Leah has completed levels 1 – 3, and practicum training in Gottman Methods Couple Therapy and provides evidenced-based relational therapy for couples.
Leah provides a holistic approach to her clients grounded in theories of positive psychology, human development, mindfulness, and cognitive behaviour therapy. Her approach is also informed by current research in decision-making, motivation, self-regulated learning, executive functioning, couples counselling, and career development.
Dr. Kimberly Armstrong (#2322) Registered Psychologist
Dr. Kimberly Armstrong has provided services to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families since 2004. She has worked and trained in a number of different setting, including the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge, the Autism and Developmental Disorders Lab at SFU, the Queens University Developmental Disabilities Consulting Program, BC Children’s Hospital, and Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH).
Dr. Armstrong has published research in a number of peer-reviewed journals, including The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Autism Research, and Molecular Autism. She is currently a Clinical Faculty member of the Neurodevelopmental Disorders Program with the Department of Psychiatry at UBC. She is also a Clinical Associate with the Department of Psychology at SFU. Dr. Armstrong’s clinical work includes providing diagnostic assessments, consultation, and therapy for adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, with a focus on individuals born female.
Krista Reemeyer Clinic Administrator
Krista supports the clinic front desk and administration at Westcoast Child Development group on Wednesdays. She provides information to clients about services at the clinic, provides referrals, schedules assessments and therapy appointments, helps with invoicing, and supports the daily front desk procedures.
Krista is currently studying psychology, among other social sciences at Simon Fraser University, and is interested in pursuing a career in the field. She graduated high school in 2020 with her double dogwood and can speak both English and French.
She has a drive to assist others and create a positive and uplifting environment for everyone.
In her spare time, Krista enjoys listening to music, getting outside, and spending time with her friends.
Ameera Ali Clinic Administrator
Ameera supports the clinic front desk and administration at Westcoast Child Development group on Thursdays and Fridays. She provides information to clients about services at the clinic, provides referrals, schedules assessments and therapy appointments, helps with invoicing, and supports the daily front desk procedures.
Ameera completed her Bachelor of Arts with a focus on psychology and criminology at Simon Fraser University and is currently pursuing a career in the field of counselling psychology at Yorkville University.
In her spare time, Ameera plays soccer and reads a myriad of books.
Christopher Marks-Worling Clinic Administrator (part-time, seasonal) and Project Co-ordinator
Chris supports the administrative team at Westcoast Child Development Group seasonally as needed. He helps to provide information to clients about services at the clinic, provides intake and referrals, schedules appointments, and supports the management of daily front desk procedures. In addition to supporting the administrative and clinical team and clients, he leads clinic and company projects as needed.
Chris is interested in the power of cultivating healthy minds along with healthy bodies completing a Bachelor of Kinesiology with a specialization in Psychology in 2020 at the University of British Columbia. Chris enjoys contributing to the positive experience of clients and clinicians at the clinic.
Following the completion of his Bachelor’s degree, Chris took the time to pursue his interest in music composition and sound engineering and completed a diploma in Audio Engineering and Music Production with the Vancouver School of Audio Engineering (SAE). He now combines his love of music production and supporting others as a part-time instructor, teaching assistant, and tutor at SAE. When he is not teaching at SAE or working at our clinic he volunteers at the Vancouver Crisis Center as a distress services responder or at a local gym training their clients in physical fitness and health.