Dr. Ellen Shumka

Associate, Registered Psychologist

Dr. Shumka provides assessment and treatment services for children and youth for a wide variety of referral concerns, including learning difficulties, mood and anxiety problems, obsessions and compulsions, and social-emotional challenges related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She is passionate about delivering evidence-based interventions primarily using cognitive and behavioural (“CBT”) approaches. She uses humour and a playful attitude to help youth better understand and communicate their thoughts and feelings. Dr. Shumka is highly skilled at developing collaborative relationships in the pursuit of achieving assessment and treatment-related goals.

Dr. Shumka completed her Ph.D. in School and Applied Child Psychology at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Dr. Shumka has specialized training and research interests in childhood anxiety, specifically selective mutism, and has since expanded her training to gain experience treating and assessing young people with neurodevelopmental disorders. Specifically, Dr. Shumka has unique clinical interests in anxiety (including selective mutism), autism, and their overlap. She also has experience with comorbid anxiety and functional (medically unexplained) symptoms, as well as autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Dr. Shumka believes that psychoeducation is fundamental to social-emotional development. She is available for public speaking engagements and has provided consultation to a variety of organizations, including Anxiety Canada, CBC Kids, Bespoke Canada, and the YMCA.

Dr. Shumka works in-person at Cornerstone on Fridays. She is currently registered with the College of Psychologists and Behavioural Analysts in Ontario and provides virtual services at a private clinic located in Waterloo, Ontario. She is a member of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) and is in the process of registering with the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia.