Shawna MacKellar, M.Ed.
Passion, Experience & Family
‘Miss Shawna’ as her students often call her, provides Psychoeducational Assessment (testing) and consulting services based primarily out of Clarington, ON. She works with students of all ages, regularly consults with families, professionals and educators, and has provided various training services to assist graduate students and professionals who work in the field of education and/or psychology. Shawna has also taught Child Development for Durham College's dual credit program.
Shawna has 25 years of experience in the field of School Psychology attained in schools and clinics across Canada and the United States, and has also completed a wide variety of additional trainings related to child development and mental health.
In addition to working for the local school board (part-time) where she conducts Psychological Assessments, Shawna is in her second term as local President of the board's Student Services Union. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Shawna completed the "Science of Well Being" online course with her son Chayce through Yale University, created and ran several online mental health support groups for children, and created and filmed a series of mental health videos designed to help children with their mental health, with the support of Their Opportunity (see resource page). Career and personal highlights for Shawna include speaking at Church on the Beach in beautiful Crystal Beach, Ontario, and joining WDCX radio to speak about the trauma and impact of divorce and single parenting.
Outside of work, Shawna loves spending time with her family and 2 dogs (Duke and Levi), reading, writing, enjoying good coffee, dreaming in HomeSense, travelling, and anything to do with lake life. Like most people, she has also faced her own share of family challenges and so she knows first hand how important it is for families to receive quality care, support, and service. She is passionate about seeing people become all they were meant to be, and considers it a blessing to be a part of their journey. In 2015 Shawna and 2 of her boys traveled to Villa Altagracia in the Dominican Republic to meet one of their World Vision sponsor children, Maria, which was a life-changing experience for all. To read about this life-changing experience, check out page 5 of the WV Magazine at http://www.helpmesara.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/World-Vision-Canada-Childview-Magazine-Summer-2015.pdf.
Training & Credentials
Shawna has a Master's of Education Degree (specializing in School/Educational Psychology) and a Bachelor of Arts Degree (in Psychology and Law in Society). Additional training pertaining to mental health and learning is ongoing as part of Shawna’s commitment to understanding the changing and complex needs of children. Shawna is a trained ASIST provider (suicide intervention) and has completed threat assessment, non-violent crisis intervention, selective mutism, ASD, DBT, mental health first aid, and various trainings related to child development, mental health, equity, diversity, & inclusion.
Prior to moving to Ontario, all licenses were in good standing which include an Education Specialist Credential in Mild-Moderate Disorders (California) as well as a Clinical Psychologist License (Michigan). Shawna is a member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP), and provides Psychological services in consultation with Registered Supervising Psychologists in order to meet the legal and ethical standards in Ontario (which is a very common practice in Ontario for those trained outside of Ontario).
Welcome!
Thank you for stopping by! Please note that I am at full capacity until September 2026, though I do have some trusted colleagues I work with who may be able to assist you sooner. A list of some known Assessment providers are also cited at the bottom of the RESOURCES page which may be helpful. You may also wish to explore the College of Psychologists of Ontario directory, or the resources within your child's school.