welcome to rockland psychology

Here is a little about us to break the ice.

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Hi, I'm Julia.

I'm a Registered Psychologist and the founder of Rockland Psychology. I've been in practice for over a decade, and if there's one thing that has shaped how I work, it's this: "best" looks different every day — and different for every person.

My path into psychology started long before my degree. I've always been drawn to people who experience the world a little differently, and to the families and support people who love them. I hold two undergraduate degrees and a Master's in Counselling Psychology, plus a post-master's certificate in psychoeducational assessment from Queen's University. I've been registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists since 2015, and I keep learning — because good care should keep up with the research.

My clinical focus is all things neurodivergent. I offer assessment and therapy for autism, ADHD, giftedness, and learning differences, along with the anxiety, mood, and day-to-day struggles that so often travel alongside them. I work with kids, teens, and adults, and I work closely with parents and caregivers — because supporting a neurodivergent person usually means supporting the whole system around them.

How I work: I'm neuro-affirming, trauma-informed, and genuinely eclectic. That means I don't hand you a one-size-fits-all protocol. I pull from CBT, DBT, family systems, attachment, mindfulness, and sensory-based approaches, and I use visuals, art, play, and experiential exercises when words alone aren't cutting it. You are the expert on your own life. My job is to meet you where you're at, honour the strengths you already have, and walk with you toward what comes next.

The hardest part is usually reaching out. After that, we figure out the rest together.

You should leave my office feeling heard, seen, respected, and supported. That's the whole point.

The Person Behind the Practice

I became a psychologist after wanting to be a teacher like my mother was, then falling in love with psychology. Not long after I was registered, I lost my mother suddenly before learning that I was about to become one only a few weeks after she was gone. Shortly into my parenting journey I experienced working in acute mental health during the global pandemic, throwing a wrench into a job I loved and my start into parenting. I dusted myself off and left the hospital system to focus on growing my practice and expertise to align with my interests and values.

2024 is the year my life split into before and after. I heard the word cancer, and suddenly all the things I'd been telling clients for years — one day at a time, meet yourself where you're at, you're doing the best you can — stopped being professional advice and became survival instructions.

Here's what nobody tells you: you don't get to pause being a parent while you're sick. My kids still needed lunches packed and homework nagged and someone to sit on the floor and play with them. Some days I showed up for them with everything I had. Some days I showed up with maybe 40%. And they were fine. We were fine. That's the lesson I carry into every session now: children don't need a perfect parent. They need a real one who keeps showing up.

Being a patient changed me as a clinician. I know what it's like to sit in a waiting room with your heart pounding. To be handed a report full of words about your own body and have to ask someone to translate. To be terrified and capable at the same time. When I write an assessment or sit across from a nervous parent, I'm not working from theory — I'm working from memory. I know what its like to use deep breathing and mindfulness to get through pain, fear, and experineces you never thought would be a part of your story.

It also gave me a deep tolerance for uncertainty. Cancer taught me that healing isn't linear, that grief and gratitude share the same space, and that "best" genuinely looks different every single day. Those aren't catchphrases on my website. They're how I actually live and navigate metastatic breast cancer while not letting it define me, my day, or what my future will be.

So when I say I'll meet you where you're at — I mean it. I've been on the other side of the clipboard. I know how much courage it takes to walk through that door, and how much it costs to keep walking through it. You don't have to have it figured out. You just have to show up, and I'll meet you there.

Motherhood and survivorship made me a better psychologist. But honestly? They made me a better human. And that's the version of me you get in the room.

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A woman kneeling down and smiling at a young boy with red hair, who is sitting on a tricycle. They are indoors in a room with white doors and gray carpet.

  • Availability and Cost

    • Currently accepting new clients ages 7+ for assessments and treatment

    My rates are in keeping with the PAA fee schedule:

    • $235 per hour for therapy

    • $250 per hour for assessment

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    Appointment Styles

    • In person
    • Virtual

    In Person: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays

    Virtual: Tuesday through Friday

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    Top Specialties

    Autism, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions, Emotional and Sensory Regulation, Interpersonal and Social Skills, Executive Functioning Skills, Self Advocacy and Compassion

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    Credentials

    • In practice for over a decade
    • License: College of Alberta Psychologists (2015)
    • Membership with Psychologists Association of Alberta (2015)
    • Two undergraduate degrees and a Masters In Counselling Psychology
    • Queens University RARC, post masters certificate Psychoeducational assessment

Circle logo with the text 'FOCKLAAND PSYCHOLOGY' around the edge and a small flower illustration at the bottom.

Hi, Im Howard.

My journey into psychology has taken a few different paths, but each one has shaped the way I understand people, relationships, and healing. At the heart of my work is a belief that every person has a story worth understanding, and that meaningful change begins when we feel safe, supported, and genuinely seen.

I began my academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Alberta before pursuing nursing and completing my Licensed Practical Nurse education at Prairie College, a rural Bible college. My faith has been an important part of who I am, shaping my values, guiding my path, and influencing the way I approach caring for others.

My passion for mental health became especially clear during my final nursing practicum on an adolescent mental health unit here in Calgary. What began as a clinical placement grew into a deep commitment to working with young people and their families. Over the past five years, this experience has continued to shape my interests and inspired me to pursue psychology more fully. While working full-time on the unit, I returned to school and completed my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University.

I am now beginning the next chapter of my professional journey as a provisional psychologist, working under the supervision of Julia. I look forward to continuing to learn, developing my assessment skills, and growing as a clinician while supporting children, adolescents, and their families.

How I work: My approach is trauma-informed, relational, and grounded in curiosity and compassion. I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), family systems, attachment-based approaches, mindfulness, and the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics. I believe that understanding a person's experiences, relationships, developmental history, and environment is an important part of understanding their needs. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, I aim to meet each person where they are and adapt my work to their unique strengths, challenges, and goals.

My clinical interests centre on children and adolescents, particularly understanding their emotional, behavioural, developmental, and relational needs. I am also developing my skills in psychological assessment, with the goal of helping children, young people, and families better understand their strengths and challenges and identify meaningful ways forward.

I feel grateful to have found work that brings together my background in psychology, nursing, and my personal values. I believe that growth takes time, that every young person deserves to feel understood, and that families do not have to navigate challenges alone. My hope is to create a space where children, adolescents, and families feel heard, supported, and empowered to take their next steps."

The Person Behind the Practice

My family and I immigrated to Canada from Taiwan when I was in junior high school. Like many young people navigating a new environment, I experienced culture shock and struggled with learning English, making friends, and finding a sense of belonging in a new country. Looking back, those experiences have shaped the way I understand the challenges that come with growing up. Being a teenager today comes with its own unique pressures, but I remember how difficult it can be to navigate the world around you while trying to figure out who you are. That is one of the reasons I feel so drawn to working with young people.  

Growing up between cultures has also taught me that everyone comes from a different story. Our cultural backgrounds, family dynamics, values, and beliefs all shape how we see ourselves and the world around us. I carry that curiosity into my work and try to approach each person with an open mind, recognizing that there is always more to someone's story than what we see on the surface.  

Outside of work, I'm a big sports fan. I enjoy watching just about any sport you can think of, and when I'm not watching, I'm often playing! I play in a men's basketball league and enjoy recreational volleyball and slo-pitch during the summer. I've also competed in several marathons and even an ultramarathon. Running has been a meaningful part of my life, and I'd love to get back into it when life allows for a little more time. Sports are one of my favourite ways to stay active, challenge myself, and enjoy time with others.

At home, life is a little busier these days with a toddler keeping me on my toes! Being a parent has brought me so much joy, especially getting to watch my little one grow, discover new things, and light up with a smile. It's a reminder to appreciate the little moments in life, even in the middle of a busy day.  

Whether I'm on the basketball court, spending time with my family, or getting to know someone new, I value connection, curiosity, and the opportunity to keep learning along the way.