Education and Experience
Dr. Mann received her PhD from the University of Western Ontario in 1982. Dr. Mann brings three decades of experience to the practice of psychology working with children, adolescents, families and adults. Over that period of time she has worked in a variety of settings beginning with frontline work in a secure treatment setting for children and youth. Early in her career she participated as a member of a unique travelling multidisciplinary team providing assessment and treatment services to children and adults in their own home. For a decade, Dr. Mann worked in various roles within a large province wide children’s mental health center providing a range of services including residential and educational treatment services to high risk children with severe mental health problems. Within these settings, she gained extensive experience providing assessment and treatment services to children and adults with developmental delays, neurodevelopment disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, early histories of disordered attachment, neglect, physical and sexual abuse and other types of trauma. Dr. Mann also worked as a school psychologist and consultant to several boards of education. Beginning in 1998 Dr. Mann established a full-time private practice with Telka Smith. Her practice includes working with children and adults with a wide array of diagnostic presentations and treatment needs. She provided individual therapy to women participating in a research study at Trent University to address postpartum depression and other postpartum conditions. Both professionally and personally Dr. Mann views herself as a “work in progress” looking for opportunities to grow and develop. Currently she is exploring the use of new technologies such as portable EEGs to assist individuals to achieve a calm, alert and focused mind. Dr. Mann is a member of the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA).
General and specific populations served:
- Children, adolescents, families
- Adults
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender or gender nonconforming
- Indigenous peoples
- Children and adults with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Common issues:
- Separation anxiety, shyness, social anxiety, panic, illness anxiety, worry, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), perfectionism and other related problems
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) chronic childhood trauma, recent single or multiple traumatic events
- Healing from sexual, physical or emotional abuse
- Postpartum depression, anxiety, and other postpartum conditions
- Grief and traumatic loss
- Attachment difficulties in children and adults
- Emotional and behavioural challenges in children and adolescents
- Interpersonal difficulties
Approach:
Dr. Mann’s first priority is to establish a safe, comfortable and respectful therapeutic relationship with each client. Non-judgment, kindness and compassion are key to a caring and productive relationship. Dr. Mann practices an integrative approach using techniques from many modalities to fit each client’s unique presenting needs, preferences, goals as well as personalities and life experiences. A treatment plan may commonly include interventions from the following modalities: cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), trauma related therapies including EMDR, schema therapy and solution-based therapies.
Providing information and education is a critical component of each session. Information that makes sense and is useful gives each client the power to understand what’s happening and what to do about it! Dr. Mann is known for her direct and straightforward approach as well as providing practical information that assists you to use your own wisdom and expertise to create change. Therapy commonly includes making changes in how you think, feel and act. Similar to playing hockey or a musical instrument, making progress requires practice. Dr. Mann assists clients to practice in a way that is both manageable and effective, even fun! Expect Dr. Mann to be an active participant in each session, working hard along with the client to achieve positive outcomes. Dr. Mann is always happy to talk to you directly and answer any specific questions you may have prior to booking an appointment. Barb can be reached at 705-742-3120. In most cases your call will be returned within a 24-hour period.