Dr. Vanessa Schell, PhD, C.Psych. Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Vanessa Schell is a registered clinical psychologist registered to work with children, adolescents, and adults.
At Toronto Psychology Centre, Dr. Schell primarily works with adults conducting psychological assessments for Autism, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and Learning Disabilities.
Additionally, she provides psychotherapy for adults facing various mental health concerns such as low mood, anxiety, emotion regulation, anger, perfectionism, shame, parenting challenges, life transitions, and interpersonal difficulties.
Embracing a client-centered and integrative therapeutic approach, Dr. Schell draws from her expertise in evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion.
Dr. Schell adopts an empathetic approach, deeply attuned to the unique experiences of the individuals under her care. Grounded in the belief that each person is the foremost expert on their own journey, she endeavors to establish a secure environment for clients to navigate, confront, and address challenging emotions and experiences. The emphasis lies on individual strengths and autonomy.
Dr. Schell is dedicated to fostering clients’ connection with their inner experiences and personal values, aiming to enhance self-awareness, resolve internal conflicts, cultivate resilience, and facilitate meaningful therapeutic change. Her objective is to assist clients in refining emotion regulation, nurturing their strengths and self-perception, improving relationship quality, and enhancing their ability to cope with life’s stressors.
Dr. Schell is committed to conducting assessments with a compassionate and neurodivergent-affirming perspective. Her passion lies in supporting those individuals who have felt different growing up, understand that their experience of the world may differ but is not inherently incorrect. With significant experience in the realm of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, she adopts a comprehensive assessment approach, acknowledging that neurodivergence can manifest uniquely in women, transgender, and BIPOC individuals. She is dedicated to helping neurodivergent individuals live an authentic and unmasked life.
Dr. Schell completed her Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology at Queen’s University. She finished her Residency and Supervised Practice at Surrey Place, where she worked with children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities. There, she gained extensive experience with comprehensive psychoeducational and psychodiagnostic assessments, as well as psychotherapy with a diverse population. She has worked in a range of community mental health settings, university clinics, and private practices.
Online therapy available.