Kristen McCoy

I am a trained Voice of the Child report practitioner.

In addition to providing therapy, I am a trained Voice of the Child report practitioner, and I complete Parenting Plan Evaluations (Section 30 assessments) funded privately or through Legal Aid.

I have a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Carleton University and a Master of Social Work from Memorial University. I am a registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers, a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers, and a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.

Areas of Specializtion

Depression

Depression can affect mood, motivation, and overall well-being. With over 25 years of experience, I offer a supportive, client-centred approach to help individuals navigate their experiences with depression. Drawing from therapies like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy (MB-CBT), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), I aim to address the root causes of depressive thoughts. Together, we work to build emotional resilience, develop coping strategies, and restore a sense of balance, purpose, and well-being.

Life Transitions

Life transitions — whether they involve career changes, relationship shifts, aging, or other major life events — can bring both challenges and opportunities for growth. These periods of change often stir up feelings of uncertainty, stress, or loss. My approach provides a supportive and client-centred space to help you navigate these moments with greater clarity and confidence. Using relational methods and evidence-based therapies like Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy (MB-CBT) and Motivational Interviewing, I support clients in processing their experiences, managing stress, and finding a renewed sense of purpose as they move forward.

Coping with Traumatic Experiences

Traumatic experiences can leave lasting emotional impacts that affect daily life and relationships. I provide a safe, supportive space where clients can process their experiences at their own pace. Using evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and relational psychoanalysis, I help clients develop healthy coping strategies, foster emotional resilience, and work toward healing and empowerment.

Childhood Trauma

Childhood trauma can have a profound and lasting impact on emotional well-being and relationships. I offer a safe, compassionate space to explore and process these early experiences. Using evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and relational psychoanalysis, I support clients in understanding the effects of childhood trauma, fostering emotional healing, and building healthier patterns of thinking, feeling, and relating to others.

Families in Conflict

Family conflict can create stress, disrupt relationships, and impact emotional well-being for everyone involved. I provide a neutral, supportive space where families can address underlying issues and improve communication. Using a relational, client-centred approach, I help family members understand each other’s perspectives, build empathy, and work toward healthier, more effective ways of relating. Through structured guidance and evidence-based strategies, families can find resolution, restore connection, and strengthen their relationships.

Parent Support

Parenting comes with unique challenges at every stage of a child’s development. I offer a supportive space where parents can navigate these challenges with confidence and clarity. Through a relational, client-centred approach, I help parents strengthen their emotional well-being, develop effective parenting strategies, and better understand their child’s needs. Whether it’s managing stress, supporting a child through difficult transitions, or addressing family conflict, I provide the tools and guidance parents need to foster a healthier, more connected family environment.

Emotion Regulation

Struggling to manage intense emotions can impact relationships, decision-making, and overall well-being. I provide a supportive space to help clients build skills for understanding, managing, and responding to their emotions more effectively. Drawing from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy (MB-CBT), and relational psychoanalysis, I guide clients in developing practical strategies for emotional regulation. The goal is to reduce emotional overwhelm, increase self-awareness, and promote healthier, more balanced emotional responses in daily life.

Work-Related Stress

Work-related stress can affect mental well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life. I provide a supportive space to explore the sources of stress and develop effective coping strategies. Using evidence-based approaches like Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy (MB-CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and relational psychoanalysis, I help clients manage burnout, improve work-life balance, and build emotional resilience. The goal is to reduce stress, foster a sense of control, and support overall mental well-being both in and outside of the workplace.

Aging and Elderhood

Aging brings unique opportunities and challenges as individuals navigate changes in health, identity, and relationships. I provide a supportive space for older adults to explore these transitions with dignity and purpose. Through a relational, client-centred approach, I help clients address feelings of loss, manage life transitions, and strengthen emotional well-being. Using evidence-based therapies like Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy (MB-CBT) and Motivational Interviewing, I support older adults in finding meaning, fostering resilience, and embracing this stage of life with greater confidence and clarity.

Grief and Bereavement

Grief is a natural response to loss, but the experience can feel overwhelming and isolating. I provide a compassionate, supportive space where clients can process their grief at their own pace. Using a relational, client-centred approach, I help individuals explore their feelings of loss, make sense of their experience, and find a path toward healing. Through evidence-based methods like Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy (MB-CBT) and Motivational Interviewing, I support clients in honoring their loss, building emotional resilience, and rediscovering meaning and hope in their lives.

Voice of the Child Reports

A Voice of the Child Report (VOC) is a succinct document presented to the court that speaks to a child’s viewpoints on specific issues amid parental separation or divorce. The procedure entails an intake questionnaire completed by each caregiver, followed by two confidential child interviews. This report is non-evaluative, providing the child’s perspective and the clinician’s observations without extraneous insights from collateral contacts, court document reviews or parent-child interaction observations. Only information explicitly consented to by the child is incorporated in the report. The VOC reports provide a unique avenue for children to voice their opinions and preferences in a supportive and impartial setting, devoid of interpretation.

How does a VOC Report benefit Legal Counsel and Judges?

With the recent amendments to Canada’s Divorce Act (2021) and Ontario’s Children’s Law Reform Act (2021), the necessity to consider children’s views and preferences when ascertaining their best interest has been underscored, aligning with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1991). The VOC acknowledges the critical role of the child’s voice in crafting a meaningful parenting plan, serving as a cost-effective, efficient mechanism for the court and legal professionals to garner the unbiased perspective of the child, a facet often overlooked in family court deliberations.

How does a VOC Report Benefit Families?

Children, naturally inclined to appease their caregivers, are sensitive to familial stress during the tumultuous times of separation and divorce. Attachment theory elucidates how children tailor their behavior towards each caregiver to optimize safety and fulfill emotional needs, often leaving parents in the dark about their children’s authentic views and preferences. The VOC empowers parents to ensure children’s involvement in decision-making processes, acting as a resource for positive adaptation to the familial transitions accompanying separation and divorce.

Kristen McCoy

VOICE OF THE CHILD REPORTS

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Parenting Plan Evaluations (Section 30 assessments)

About

In the province of Ontario, a parenting plan evaluation or a Section 30 Assessment (previously known as a custody and access assessment) is a report prepared by an assessor to determine the best interest of a child in terms of parental decision-making and parenting time (formerly called custody and access). The court may order an evaluation, or it may be conducted at the request of,and with the consent of, both parents (or caregivers) under a private arrangement.

The parents (or caregivers) may reach an agreement about parenting arrangements during the evaluation or at any point after its completion. If they disagree, the evaluation may be used as an additional source of information to be considered by the court in arriving at a plan that reflects the child’s best interests.

The evaluation process involves a series of clinical judgments drawn from interviews with the parents (or caregivers) and child, observations of the parents (or caregivers) and child, and consultations with service providers (such as the family doctor, therapist and child’s teachers). Sometimes, the parenting plan evaluation may include a psychological consultation regarding the parents (or caregivers).

I am obligated to focus on the child’s best interest, and my opinion may differ from the views and/or preferences of the parents (or caregivers) or the child. Although I will make recommendations, the parents (or caregivers) and/or the court make the final decision.