Vanessa Wotherspoon is a Registered Psychologist and former teacher from the Annapolis Valley. She holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Arts in School Psychology from Mount Saint Vincent University and is registered with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology.
With more than 20 years of experience, Vanessa has provided assessment services within regional centres for education, community organizations, and post-secondary institutions. She specializes in psychoeducational and ADHD assessments for children, adolescents, and young adults, helping to identify learning disabilities, attention difficulties, intellectual disabilities, giftedness, and other factors that may affect learning and academic functioning.
Vanessa believes that an assessment should do more than identify areas of difficulty. Her goal is to help individuals and families develop a clearer understanding of both the person’s strengths and the challenges that may be affecting their potential. Drawing on her experience in psychology and education, she also helps families understand the programs, strategies, school supports, and accommodations that may help reduce barriers. It is important to Vanessa that the assessment process feels comfortable, collaborative, and empowering.
Vanessa also provides individual counselling to children, adolescents, and young adults ages 5–25. She supports young people experiencing anxiety, depression or low mood, low self-esteem, emotional or behavioural concerns, and difficulties associated with ADHD, autism, learning, attention, and executive functioning. She also works with children navigating school-related concerns, peer relationships, family separation or divorce, and other life challenges.
In therapy, Vanessa draws from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing. Regardless of the approach used, she leaves plenty of room for creativity, play, and collaboration. Her experience facilitating self-regulation groups and completing Yoga in the Schools teacher training further informs her supportive, developmentally responsive approach.
Vanessa is also a certified Yoga in Schools instructor and has experience facilitating groups focused on self-regulation. This training complements her therapeutic work by supporting a developmentally responsive understanding of how mindfulness, movement, and body-based practices can help children and young people build emotional awareness, regulation, and resilience.
When she is not working as a psychologist, Vanessa enjoys writing, Pilates, spending time with her family, and being with her dogs.
ADHD
Anger Management
Anxiety/Phobias/Panic
Assertiveness and Social Skills
ASD-Related Support
Behavioural Concerns
Coping Skills
Depression/Low Mood
Emotional Dysregulation
Executive Functioning Difficulties
Learning Challenges
Parenting and Child Development
Peer/Friendship Struggles
Personal Growth and Wellness
School-Based Issues
Self-Esteem
Separation and Divorce
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Motivational Interviewing
Collaborative, Creative and Play-Based Approaches
ADHD Assessments
Learning/Psychoeducational Assessments for:
Children ages 5 and up
Teens
Young Adults up to age 25
Psychoeducation and support following a new ADHD or learning disability diagnosis
Navigating school supports, IEPs, and accomodations
Supportive counselling for individuals with diverse needs
Mindfulness and self-regulation skills
Yoga-based practices for children and youth
Existing clients can book an appointment for therapy with Vanessa HERE.
New clients can book by contacting us HERE, calling 902-499-0089 or emailing admin@breathemindfulness.com.