New Name, Same Services! The Wishing Star is now The North Star Developmental Clinic!

We believe that every person, big or small, has the right to be respected, be understood, be heard, and be supported.

Click one of the following three services below to book your next session:

Psychoeducational Assessments

Counselling With Our Independent Contractors

Dr Vanessa's Parent Counselling Team

Founded by Dr. Vanessa Lapointe and directed by David Loyst, The North Star Developmental Clinic offers support through parent consultation, Parenting 2.0 consultation and groups, counselling, psycho-educational assessments, autism assessments, learning programs and support, and workshops. We have a caring team of highly-skilled and approachable Registered Psychologists, Counsellors, and other professionals who have expertise in supporting infants, children, young adults and parents.

Parent Consultation
Our clinicians provide parent consultation, seeing each parent as the true expert on their child. Parent consultation involves deeply understanding your child and yourself in order to make sense of challenging behaviors and other symptoms.
Counselling
We have a team of highly skilled clinicians who are able to provide support to infants, children, adolescents, young adults, and parents.
Psychoeducational Assessments

Our registered psychologists have completed intensive and comprehensive assessment & counselling training. With this dual focus they are brilliantly positioned to bring a holistic lens to each psychoeducational assessment they complete.

Workshops

We are proud to offer the opportunity to collaborate with parents, educators, childcare providers, early interventionists, mental health clinicians, and other professionals, community members, and “big people” in supporting children via the delivery of a variety of workshop topics.

Getting Started
Want to learn more about our available services and frequently asked questions? Click the button below and begin your journey with our The North Star team.
Our Newsletter
Sign up for The North Star’s newsletter to get articles, videos, and upcoming workshop information sent directly to your inbox.

At The North Star Developmental Clinic, we strive to create an environment of nurturing support. Our collective goal is to ensure each of our clients and families has their needs addressed skillfully and with compassion.

Dr. Vanessa Lapointe

Dr Vanessa Lapointe, Clinic Founder

Dr. Vanessa Lapointe is a mom, parenting educator, best-selling author, international speaker, and a regularly invited media guest. She holds a doctoral degree in psychology, and practiced as a psychologist for nearly 20 years, before devoting her full-time energy to connecting with parents and other “big people” around the globe in 2023. Founder of The North Star Developmental Clinic, Dr. Vanessa has long been supporting families and children in her developmental clinic alongside her team, and has previous experience in community mental health and the school system. Dr. Vanessa is known for bringing a sense of nurturing understanding and humanity to all of her work. Her passion is in walking alongside parents, teachers, care providers, and other big people to really see the world through the child’s eyes. She believes that if we can do this, we are beautifully positioned to grow up our children in the best possible way.
 

Dr. Vanessa Lapointe provides guidance as well as administrative and  theoretical training to the amazing North Star team. Dr. Vanessa does not see clients through the clinic and rather provides consultation support to parents worldwide through her Parent Transformation program, speaking and seminars, media appearances, and sessions. 

For more information about Dr. Vanessa, her best-selling books, media, speaking and everything else, please click on the button below:

David_Loyst

David Loyst
Clinic Director
Parent Consultant

Dr. Tim Johnston
Registered Psychologist (B.C. #2202

Dr. Erin van der Pauw
Registered Psychologist (B.C. #1804)

IMG_8892 - small

Keli Johnston
Therapist

Dr. Sukhjeevan Kaur Assessment Clinician

Dr. Diana Jahnsen
Assessment Clinician

Dr. Priya Sandhu
Assessment Clinician

Veronica Shim
Assessment Clinician

Emily Skolsky
Assessment Clinician

 

Alexa Fournier Assessment Clinician

Dr Vanessa Lapointe is a best-selling author of Discipline Without Damage: How To Get Your Kids To Behave Without Messing Them Up. Her newest book, Parenting Right From The Start: Laying a Healthy Foundation in The Infant and Toddlers Years is available now! Learn more about Dr Vanessa’s books and how to order your copies via the link below!