Our clinic story

Westcoast Child Development Group (WCDG Inc.) and Spectrum Works Consulting Group

Westcoast Child Development Group Inc. was founded in 2003 and brought together a multidisciplinary team of experienced mental health professionals who worked with pre-school and school-age children, youth, young adults, and families. Over the years we have grown with our clients and as these children grew up, we expanded and focussed our services to meet the needs of this older population.

Now, our highly experienced Registered Psychologists provide ADHD and Autism assessments and evidenced-based therapies for youth 16 to 18 and adults of all ages. Our Registered Clinical Counsellor provides support for adult clients with career exploration and life stage planning, post-secondary academic strategizing, and overall mental health counselling as well as parent consultation for parents of youth and young adults. Meet our clinical and administrative team below...

Dr. David Worling

Director, Registered Psychologist (#1365)

Dr. Worling has been a registered psychologist in BC for over 25 years. In addition to providing a range of diagnostic assessments, he has developed innovative treatment protocols for social competence, OCD, depression, autism, and anxiety.

Dr. Worling co-founded the Westcoast Child Development Group as a full-time private practice for children, youth, and families in 2003. As his clinical population matured and encountered new challenges (e.g., relationships, employment, post-secondary educations, etc.), he responded to his clients' needs shifting his practice to support older youth and adults.  Dr. Worling established Spectrum Works Consulting Group in 2015, offering specialized assessment, treatment, and consultation for neurodiverse clients, their families, and their academic and/or employment environments.

He has presented and consulted to school boards across Canada, and BC universities, large corporations, mental health clinics, hospitals, and other small teams looking to better understand, work and partner with their neurodiverse colleagues, employees, and students. Dr. Worling has held academic affiliations with the Psychology Clinic at SFU and UBC. He has created and taught an undergraduate course on Autism as a Sessional Instructor with the Psychology Department at UBC. He has been a 'Qualified Specialist' affiliated with the British Columbia Autism Assessment Network and is a sought-after speaker and consultant. 

Dr. Kimberly Armstrong

Registered Psychologist (#2322)

Dr. Kimberly Armstrong is a clinical psychologist who works primarily with autistic adults. She conducted autism research for over ten years, both as a doctoral student with Dr. Grace Iarocci at SFU, and with Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen at the University of Cambridge. She is an author of peer-reviewed research in The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Autism Research, Molecular Autism, and the Journal of Vision. Dr. Armstrong was awarded funding from CIHR and SSHRC for her graduate research on autism.
Dr. Armstrong has trained and worked in positions at BC Children's Hospital, Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH), and Queen's University's Developmental Disabilities Consulting Program. She holds academic affiliations as a Clinical Associate in the Department of Psychology at SFU, and a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at UBC. She has worked with hundreds of autistic people over the past two decades, ranging in age from two to sixty-eight and has particular expertise and experience working with autistic individuals born female.

Leah Marks

Director, Registered Clinical Counsellor (#16138), Canadian Certified Counsellor (#10007526)

In addition to her UBC graduate training in counselling psychology, Leah draws on skills and knowledge built through her work and research over the past 25 years in academic, clinical, and university settings. Leah co-founded the Westcoast Child Development Group in 2003. At that time, she provided program oversight and co-ordination while working with very young clients fostering their social, emotional, and language development. Through the years, the ages and stages of her client population changed as she pursued work outside the clinic in various educational settings and at The University of British Columbia in academic advising.  

In 2018 Leah earned her M.A. in counselling psychology at The University of British Columbia. Her graduate thesis examined the factors that influence academic persistence and wellbeing in first year university students. Currently Leah works with a wide range of adult clients, experiencing anxiety, depression, perfectionism and/or burnout and those diagnosed or self-identified with ADHD and/or Autism. Her clients are supported to recognize their strengths, build confidence in decision-making, develop stronger relationships, and persist in and achieve their career and academic goals.

Ameera Ali

Clinic Administrator

Ameera supports the clinic front desk and general administration on Thursdays and Fridays. She provides information to clients about services at the clinic, provides referrals, schedules assessments and therapy appointments, helps with invoicing, and supports the daily front desk procedures.

Ameera completed her Bachelor of Arts with a focus on psychology and criminology at Simon Fraser University and is currently pursuing a career in the field of counselling psychology at Yorkville University.

In her spare time, Ameera paints, plays soccer and reads a myriad of books.

Krista Reemeyer

Clinic Administrator

Krista supports the clinic front desk and general administration on a part time basis. She provides intake information to clients about services at the clinic, schedules assessments and therapy appointments, assists with invoicing, provides referrals, and supports the daily front desk procedures.

Krista is currently studying Sociology and Psychology at Simon Fraser University, and is interested in pursuing a career in Education and/or Mental Health. She graduated high school in 2020 with her double dogwood and can speak both English and French.

She has a drive to assist others and create a positive, inclusive, and uplifting environment for everyone.

In her spare time, Krista enjoys spending time with her dog, listening to music, playing Pitch and Putt golf, connecting with friends, and traveling.

David Reemeyer, MBA

Business and Administrative Consultant

Dave has provided the clinic with business administration consultation and hands-on accounting and change management support since 2015. He works with the front desk staff as needed especially in accounts receivable, creating efficiencies, and improving organizational systems. He has coordinated and assisted with many clinic projects including our move from paper to the Jane system for scheduling and records management. Dave has a passion for working with the community and a commitment to best practices.

In addition to his work with Westcoast Child Development Group and Spectrum Works, Dave brings 25 years working in the not-for-profit sector as well as many years teaching high school mathematics and calculus in public schools and privately as a tutor.  

When not working, Dave enjoys skiing, playing chess, and co-ed soccer with his wife and children (see one of the four above) and relaxes on walks with the family's Golden Retriever, Jovi.