Dr. Shirley Ong

I am a clinical psychologist in supervised practice who provides treatment and assessment services to children, adolescents, and adults, as well as parent support. Because a strong therapeutic relationship is the foundation for effective therapy, I collaborate closely with individuals (and parents, when relevant) to create a process that is open, supportive, and non-judgmental. My approach is rooted in building a safe space for clients to discover their strengths and develop new strategies for coping and growth. I am also committed to providing culturally responsive care, tailoring treatment to honour the unique identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences of each of my clients. 

I have conducted comprehensive psychoeducational and diagnostic assessments for individuals across a range of cognitive, learning, behavioural, developmental, and social difficulties. I also have experience providing therapy to clients with a number of concerns including anxiety, mood, and social challenges. My therapeutic orientation is integrative. I incorporate elements from other evidence-based modalities such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), emotion-focused therapy (EFT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), to tailor treatment plans to meet the unique needs of each client. 

I completed my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Waterloo, and my predoctoral residency training at the Toronto Area Residency Consortium (OISE at University of Toronto). Prior to working at Young Minds Psychology, I held positions at Broadview Psychology, Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), Hamilton Health Sciences at the Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre in the Child and Youth Mental Health Outpatient Clinic program, Kitchener Psychology Centre, Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB), and the Centre for Mental Health Research and Treatment (CMHRT) at the University of Waterloo.