Dr. Otávia Propper

Psychologist
Populations seen: Children, Adults and Adolescents

Offers virtual services only

Dr. Propper practices in the area of clinical psychology. She takes a strengths-based, client-focused approach, working collaboratively with clients to identify goals for treatment. Dr. Propper uses a systems lens to understand her clients’ concerns within the context of their lives and backgrounds. Her work draws from evidence-based practices such as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Strongly influenced by narrative therapy, Dr. Propper respects the lived experience of her clients and takes a non-pathologizing approach. She has special interests in perinatal mental health and the transition to motherhood, LGBTQ+ issues, and complex assessment cases.

Dr. Propper provides individually tailored psychotherapy and psychodiagnostic and psychoeducational assessments for children, adolescents, and adults for a wide range of concerns, including those related to:

  • Relationship and family

  • LGBTQ+

  • Perinatal mental health concerns

  • Parenting

  • Gender identity, transgender issues

  • Depression and other mood concerns

  • Anxiety

  • Self-esteem and assertiveness

  • Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress

  • Attention regulation (ADHD)

  • Stress/Adjustment

  • Behavioural concerns

Dr. Propper received her PsyD from William James College (formerly The Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology). Before moving to Waterloo, she provided a wide range of psychological services including psychodiagnostic and psychoeducational assessments for children, adolescents, adults, groups, and families with complex mental health and/or behavioral challenges. She has previously worked in school board, university, and community mental health settings.

Dr. Propper completed her APA-accredited residency in the William James College Consortium. She provided psychotherapy and psychoeducational and psychodiagnostic assessments in a community mental health clinic for children, adolescents, adults, groups, and families. There, she worked with a wide range of presenting problems and comorbidities.

Dr. Propper also holds an MSc in Population and Development from the London School of Economics and an MTS in Religion and Society from Harvard University. Her research interests include the use of social media and the transition to motherhood.

Dr. Propper is fluent in English and Portuguese.

Professional memberships:

  • Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)

  • Ontario Psychological Association (OPA)