Karen Cloutier
Clinic Coordinator
Karen is the heart of the Prairie Centre for Child Development, ensuring everything runs smoothly from the first phone call to ongoing support. As our clinic coordinator, she manages communications, scheduling, and health records with skill and efficiency. She welcomes clients with a friendly smile and helps keep the team organized so they can focus on providing the best care possible.
Jocelyn Poock
Ph.D., R.D.Psych., Founder
Dr. Jocelyn Poock earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Saskatchewan in 2012. With over 10 years of specialized experience, she focuses solely on diagnostic assessments and related recommendations for children and youth. Dr. Poock has worked across diverse settings—including hospitals, clinics, and multidisciplinary teams—serving urban, rural, and northern communities throughout Saskatchewan. She is a registered psychologist with the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists and a member of the Canadian Psychological Association, including its Rural and Northern Psychology branch.
Dr. Poock provides comprehensive psychological and psychoeducational evaluations for a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Developmental Disorder, Specific Learning Disorders, and trauma-related mental health issues. Her assessments are collaborative, involving parents and stakeholders to ensure the evaluation is tailored to the child’s unique strengths and challenges. Dr. Poock is skilled at crafting individualized options for interventions in both home and school environments and works closely with physicians, schools, and community agencies to provide practical, and measurable outcomes to each assessment.
Christopher Singleton
Psy.D., R.D.Psych.
Dr. Singleton provides evidence-based therapy for children and adolescents experiencing challenges such as anxiety, depression, and difficulties with emotion regulation. He has extensive experience working with autistic individuals and those with developmental delays or disabilities. He also has a particular interest in supporting young people with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, as well as those with related concerns like negative body image.
Dr. Singleton draws on a range of evidence-based treatment approaches, tailoring therapy to each client’s needs. He works closely with parents and caregivers, offering practical strategies to support their child’s well-being. He often uses play-based techniques with younger children or those who find it hard to engage in talk therapy. Above all, he strives to create a warm, collaborative, and non-judgmental therapeutic space where meaningful change can unfold.
In addition to therapy, Dr. Singleton provides comprehensive psychological and psychoeducational assessments to help families better understand their child’s strengths, challenges, and learning needs.
Dr. Singleton earned his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Memorial University of Newfoundland (CPA-accredited) in 2020. He is registered with the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists and has worked in hospital, school, and private practice settings.
Vanessa Strong
Psy.D., R.D.Psych.
Dr. Vanessa Strong is a registered psychologist with the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists (APE qualification) and a member of the Canadian Psychological Association. She earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Memorial University of Newfoundland (CPA-Accredited) in 2021 and completed her Doctoral Residency with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, specializing in adult forensic psychology. Dr. Strong has declared competencies in both clinical and forensic/correctional psychology for adults.
Dr. Strong has extensive experience providing psychological assessments and therapy for a wide range of mental health concerns, including complex mental health needs and serious mental illness. She joined private practice in 2023, offering therapy and assessment services for adults.
Dr. Strong provides evidence-based therapy for a variety of concerns, including depression and mood disorders, anxiety, anger management, behavioural difficulties, addictions, life transitions, stress, interpersonal and relational challenges, serious mental illness, and post-traumatic stress. She takes a person-centered, collaborative approach to treatment, tailoring therapy to each client's unique needs. Her goal is to create a safe and supportive space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered.
Dr. Strong's therapeutic approach is primarily rooted in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and is enriched by process-oriented principles. She also integrates evidence-based techniques from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) to best support her clients’ goals.
Salma Ackbar
Ph.D., R.D.Psych.
Dr. Salma Ackbar has a Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Windsor, Ontario. She is registered with the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists and is a member of the Psychology Association of Saskatchewan. She has over 13 years of experience in the field of clinical/developmental psychology with children and adolescents. Her professional experience spans community, pediatric outpatient, and private practice settings.
Dr. Ackbar works with children and adolescents 2 to 17 years of age. She provides comprehensive assessments for a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Global Developmental Delay, Intellectual Developmental Disorder, and Specific Learning Disorders. Her assessments may also include evaluation of anxiety, mood, and other emotional/behavioural challenges.
Dana Babcock
M.Ed., R.Psych.
Dana Babcock completes comprehensive diagnostic assessments, with relevant recommendations, for children and youth for various neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions, including: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Intellectual Developmental Disorder, Global Developmental Delay, and overall mental health and trauma-related conditions. Her assessments are completed in collaboration with parents/caregivers, and considers information from schools, early learning centres, physicians, or other healthcare providers to obtain the most comprehensive understanding of a child the child’s individual strengths and needs.
Dana earned her Masters Degree in School and Counselling Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan, is registered with the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists, and is a member of the Psychology Association of Saskatchewan. She has almost 15 years of experience in providing counselling and assessment to children and youth, specializing in child development, attachment (the parent-child relationship), trauma, parenting, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviours, and neurodevelopmental conditions. Dana has declared competencies in clinical and counselling psychology with children, youth, and families, and in counselling psychology with adults. She has experience in group home, community, and private practice settings, and works part-time completing assessment with the Prairie Centre.
