Frequently Asked Questions

Evolve Child Psychology was founded with a clear commitment to offering psychological services for children, teens, and families at the highest level of training and expertise available. Dr. Kincade holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with specialized training in Clinical Neuropsychology and neuroscience, earned through one of the most rigorous and selective graduate training programs in North America. She has been a fully registered psychologist in Alberta since 2004 and brings over two decades of experience working specifically with children, teens, and families.

In a landscape where the education and training of psychological service providers can vary enormously, Evolve offers something rare: a depth of clinical expertise grounded in exceptional academic training, hospital-based experience with children and families, and a genuine commitment to individualized, evidence-based care for every young person she works with.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed additional training in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are primarily focused on the diagnosis and medication management of mental health conditions, and may or may not offer therapy. A psychologist holds a graduate degree in psychology and is trained to provide assessment, diagnosis, and therapy, but does not prescribe medication. In many cases, psychologists and psychiatrists work collaboratively — for example, where a child may benefit from both therapy and medication management.

In Alberta, the title “psychologist” is protected by law and regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists. To use this title, a practitioner must meet specific educational and training requirements and pass licensing examinations. The titles “counsellor” and “therapist,” however, are not regulated in Alberta — meaning anyone can use them regardless of their level of education or training. While many counsellors and therapists are skilled and well-intentioned practitioners, the range of backgrounds and qualifications can vary widely. When choosing a mental health professional for your child, it is especially important to understand their specific credentials and training.

No. You do not need a referral from a physician to see a psychologist in private practice in Alberta. You are welcome to contact Evolve Child Psychology directly to book an appointment at a time that works for your family.

A provisional psychologist has completed a graduate degree in psychology but is still accumulating the supervised hours required for full registration with the College of Alberta Psychologists. A fully registered psychologist has met all educational, supervised practice, and examination requirements and is licensed to practice independently without supervision.

Dr. Kincade has been a fully registered psychologist in Alberta since 2004 — meaning she has over two decades of independent practice experience.

Clinical psychology programs typically place greater emphasis on the assessment and diagnosis of psychological disorders, research methodology, and the treatment of more complex or severe presentations. They are generally more competitive to enter and involve more intensive scientific and clinical training. Counselling psychology programs tend to focus more on adjustment, wellness, and personal development.

Dr. Kincade completed her Ph.D. in a Clinical Psychology program at Washington University in St. Louis — one of the most highly ranked and selective programs in North America, fully accredited by the American Psychological Association.

The American Psychological Association (APA) and the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) are the two primary professional bodies that accredit psychology training programs and internships in North America. Accreditation means a program has been independently reviewed and meets the highest standards for curriculum, clinical training, supervision, and ethical practice.

Dr. Kincade’s pre-doctoral internship at the Alberta Children’s Hospital and Foothills Medical Centre was accredited by both the APA and CPA — a distinction held by very few internship sites in Canada, and widely regarded as the gold standard of supervised psychological training.

If your child is experiencing emotional distress, persistent behavioural difficulties, struggles with learning or attention, or significant challenges in their social relationships or daily functioning, a psychologist may be able to help. You do not need to wait until things reach a crisis point — many families find that earlier support leads to better and faster outcomes.

As a parent, you know your child best. If something feels off, it is always worth reaching out. Dr. Kincade is happy to discuss your concerns and help you determine whether therapy, an assessment, or another form of support is the right next step.

The first appointment typically involves Dr. Kincade meeting with parents to gather background information about your child — their development, history, current concerns, and what you are hoping to achieve. Depending on the child’s age and the nature of the concern, the child may also be included in part or all of the first session.

By the end of the appointment, Dr. Kincade will share her initial impressions and outline her recommended next steps. There is no pressure to commit to anything at this stage — it is simply an opportunity to get started and make sure Evolve is the right fit for your family.

The length of therapy depends entirely on the child, their age, the nature of their difficulties, and the goals of treatment. Some children make significant progress in a focused number of sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. Dr. Kincade will work collaboratively with you to establish clear goals early in treatment and will regularly review progress. The pace and duration of therapy is always tailored to your child’s particular needs.

Yes. Virtual sessions are available for families who prefer to meet online or who are unable to attend in person. Virtual sessions are conducted via a secure, confidential platform and are covered by most extended health benefit plans in the same way as in-person sessions. Please contact us to discuss which format is the best fit for your child and family.

A psychoeducational assessment is a comprehensive evaluation that examines how a child thinks, learns, and processes information. It is designed to identify cognitive strengths and challenges, and to clarify whether a learning disability, ADHD, giftedness, or other factors may be affecting academic performance or daily functioning. Assessments are appropriate for children and teens experiencing unexpected difficulties with learning, attention, or achievement, or whose parents or teachers have questions about how they are processing the world around them.

A comprehensive assessment at Evolve typically involves four steps: an initial parent interview, two assessment sessions of approximately two hours each, and a feedback session to review the results. In total, your child will spend approximately six hours on-site across these appointments. From the initial interview to the completion of the written report, the full process typically takes around two weeks.

Once the assessment is complete, Dr. Kincade will prepare a comprehensive written report summarizing the findings, diagnostic impressions where applicable, and individualized recommendations tailored specifically to your child. You will then meet with Dr. Kincade for a feedback session to review the results together, ask questions, and discuss next steps. A copy of the written report is provided for you to share with your child’s school, physician, or other members of their support team.

Yes. A comprehensive assessment report from a registered psychologist is typically required to access formal accommodations in school settings — such as extended time on tests, modified assignments, or access to assistive technology. The recommendations included in Dr. Kincade’s reports are thorough, clearly written, and designed to be directly useful to your child’s school team. Where helpful, Dr. Kincade can also attend a school meeting to present findings and work collaboratively with parents and educators.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely known and well-researched approaches in psychology. It focuses on identifying and challenging unhelpful thinking patterns and building practical coping strategies. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a more recent development with close to 25 years of strong research support. Rather than focusing primarily on changing thoughts, ACT helps children and teens develop a different relationship with their thoughts and feelings — learning to accept what is outside their control while committing to actions that align with their values.

Both approaches are evidence-based and effective with young people, and Dr. Kincade integrates them based on what is most appropriate for each individual child.

You don’t need to know — that is Dr. Kincade’s job. During the initial sessions, she will take the time to understand your child’s concerns, history, and goals, and will recommend an approach tailored to their specific needs and developmental stage. Therapy at Evolve is never one-size-fits-all — the approach is always individualized and may evolve as the work together progresses.