Dr. Karen Colburne
Registered Psychologist
Virtual and In-Person Sessions Available
Dr. Colburne sees families and parents of children aged 0-12.
Dr. Karen Colburne is a psychologist with a passion for journeying alongside parents and their children as they navigate the wondrous yet sometimes challenging aspects of family life. A child’s early development takes place within the context of their close relationships. This is why Dr. Colburne works alongside the entire family to help strengthen the parent-child relationship and to provide the foundation for the child to reach their potential, allowing for the best possible start in life.
Dr. Colburne has over 25 years of experience working with families of infants to children up to elementary school age, including those with developmental differences and various medical challenges. Her previous experience includes working at the Montreal Children's Hospital, the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, and the Alberta Children's Hospital.
Dr. Colburne’s Main Specializations
Parents & Children
Dr. Colburne works collaboratively with parents on common issues encountered with young children such as picky eating, sleep difficulties, toileting issues, tantrums, emotional regulation, and anxiety. Challenges such as tantrums are part of the normal developmental process given a child's age and stage. We can work together on how to best move through these stages by cultivating an environment that will help your child thrive. Some parents may not have a specific area of need, but choose to seek some professional input which can help develop confidence in their intuition as they commence their parenting journey.
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Anxiety
Anxiety in young children can manifest in various ways, such as separation anxiety or fear of specific situations. Dr. Colburne provides parents with tools and techniques to help their children overcome anxiety, promoting resilience and the development of coping strategies.
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Developmental Issues
From delayed milestones to learning difficulties, Dr. Colburne assists parents in understanding and addressing developmental issues. Through personalized interventions, she promotes healthy growth and development.
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Emotional Regulation
Developing regulation skills is crucial for a child’s social and emotional well-being. Dr. Colburne helps parents learn to guide their children's emotional expression, fostering healthy emotional development and supporting positive behavior.
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Sleep Difficulties
Sleep problems can be a challenge for both children and their parents. Dr. Colburne works closely with parents to identify the underlying causes of sleep difficulties and develop effective sleep routines that promote better sleep habits for your child.
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Tantrums & Aggression
Tantrums are a common part of early childhood development, but they can be difficult for parents to handle. Dr. Colburne offers practical strategies to help parents manage tantrums effectively, teaching children healthy ways to express their emotions and reducing the frequency and intensity of tantrum episodes.
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Trauma
Experiencing traumatic events like accidents, loss of a loved one, or injury can profoundly impact a child's emotional and psychological development. Dr. Colburne helps children process trauma in a safe and supportive environment.
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Toileting Issues
Toilet training can sometimes be a source of stress and frustration for both children and parents. Dr. Colburne provides guidance and support to help parents navigate through any toileting issues, such as difficulty transitioning from diapers to using the toilet.
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Picky Eating
Many young children go through a phase of picky eating, where they become highly selective about the foods they will eat. Dr. Colburne understands the frustration this can cause parents and offers collaborative strategies to help bring an end to mealtime struggles.
Dr. Colburne’s Approaches
Dr. Colburne takes a developmental-relational approach inspired by psychologists Dr. Gordon Neufeld and Dr. Deborah MacNamara from the Neufeld Institute in Vancouver, British Columbia. All behavior is communicative, and developing insight into what needs the child is communicating through their behavior is key in clearing the way for their development to unfold as nature intended.
Dr. Colburne delights in helping parents to see the wonder of the world afresh through the eyes of their children. She aims to empower parents as the "bigger, stronger, wiser, and kind" half of the parent-child relationship, and as such, she walks alongside them as they make shifts in order to bring about the change within the family that they desire. With infants and very young children, Dr. Colburne works mainly through the parents, and with elementary school-aged children, she may combine working with parents in addition to some individual sessions with the child depending on the presenting issue and the unique client needs.
More About Dr. Colburne
Growing up in the scenic surroundings of Bragg Creek, Alberta, Karen has cultivated an enduring passion for outdoor adventures. She currently resides in Calgary with her husband and two teenage children. In her leisure time, Karen finds joy in camping, hiking, canoeing, biking, and cross-country skiing. Amidst the busyness of family life, she cherishes solitary moments with a captivating book and a steaming cup of tea.