Dr. Kim Fitzer
Dr. Fitzer holds a Ph.D in Applied Psychology with interdisciplinary studies in Pediatric and Rehabilitative Medicine, Neuroimaging, Neuroscience, and Educational Psychology as part of the BrainGain Lab at the University of Calgary and Alberta Children’s Hospital. Areas of specialization include child psychopathology, neurological basis of learning, cognitive neuropsychological assessment, dynamic assessment, and intervention. Residency placements included Behavioural Research Unit (Clinical Outpatients), Queen Alexandra Centre for Children’s Health (Pediatric Neuropsychology), and Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH).
With over thirty years of service with children and families in the Ministry of Education (elementary, middle, and secondary school-aged children), Dr. Fitzer has conducted numerous pediatric assessments across multiple settings (education, hospital, rehabilitation, private practise). With a primary focus in specific learning disorders (SLD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and mTBI/concussion and post-concussion symptoms (PCS), a central tenet of her work focuses on individual strengths, psychoeducation (brain-based focus), therapeutic intervention (cognitive-behaviour therapy, bibliotherapy, play therapy), as well as the provision of evidence-based recommendations/accommodations for individual educational plans (IEPs) and student learning plans.
In addition, Dr. Fitzer has worked closely with multidisciplinary professionals and student services teams (speech-language, occupational, and physical therapists), special educators, classroom teachers, counsellors, youth and family workers, Indigenous teams, educational assistants, medical professionals (paediatricians, neurologists, psychiatry, psychology), and community agencies (Community Living B.C, MCFD) to provide services and advocate for child and family supports.
Dr. Fitzer has taught at Vancouver Island University, University of Calgary, and designs and teaches assessment courses through Queen’s University. She continues to enjoy developing and presenting workshops, training, and development programs for community professionals, teachers, and parents.