Integrative health clinic specializing in mental health, clinical nutrition, and integrative natural medicine
Bellis Child Development & Learning Center
An international center for supporting the development of children and adolescents, bringing together psychology, psychonutrition, psychopedagogy and family support.
Understanding each child. Supporting their development. Nurturing their potential.
Each child has their own way of growing, feeling, learning, and interacting with the world.
Some experience eating difficulties, others encounter obstacles in their learning, in managing their emotions, or in adapting to changes in their environment.
Within Bellis Wellness Clinic, we have created the Bellis Child Development & Learning Center, a multidisciplinary support space dedicated to the development of children and adolescents.
Our approach combines psychology, psychonutrition, psychopedagogy and family support, in order to offer personalized interventions that respect the pace and needs of each child.
Our services are offered primarily via teleconsultation, in French and English, depending on the services and applicable regulations.
Our philosophy: a holistic view of the child
Child development relies on complex interactions between several dimensions:
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His cognitive development and learning abilities.
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His nutritional health and his relationship with food.
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Her emotions and her emotional security.
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His family, school and social environment.
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Its sensory and behavioral characteristics.
These dimensions can influence each other.
Difficulty concentrating can, for example, be associated with sleep problems, significant stress, learning difficulties, or other factors requiring evaluation.
Similarly, food selectivity may be linked to sensory peculiarities, a developmental stage, or medical difficulties.
Our goal is to understand these interactions without reducing the child to their symptoms or difficulties.
Our areas of support
Infant psychonutrition
Developing a peaceful relationship with food.
Nutrition plays a vital role in a child's growth, development, and emotional life.
We provide support, in particular, to families facing:
Food neophobia and selectivity.
Repeated tensions or refusals during meals.
Emotional eating.
Difficulties in structuring meals and snacks.
Specific nutritional needs.
Concerns about the child's eating habits.
The support provided emphasizes nutritional education, understanding eating behaviors, and respecting feelings of hunger and satiety.
Situations requiring diagnosis or medical attention are referred to the appropriate professionals.
Emotional development and parental support
Supporting the child also means supporting their environment.
Parents play a vital role in their child's development and learning.
Our center offers parental support aimed at better understanding daily difficulties and implementing appropriate strategies.
The consultations may cover topics such as:
Difficulties surrounding meals.
Autonomy and daily routines.
Family and school changes.
Motivation and homework.
Parent-child communication.
Supporting a child with special needs.
The goal is to foster a safe, consistent environment that respects the child's development.
Educational psychology and learning strategies
Helping each child discover how they learn.
Educational psychology focuses on learning processes, motivation, and strategies that enable children to develop their skills.
Our support can cover:
Methods of working and memorizing.
The organization and planning of tasks.
Attentional strategies.
Motivation and confidence in learning.
Executive functions in school life.
Adapting educational methods to individual needs.
Specific support can also be offered to children with a learning disability profile or ADHD, in addition to the support indicated.
Educational psychology does not replace diagnostic assessments or specialized rehabilitation.
Psychology and assessments
Better understanding of the difficulties in order to offer appropriate support.
The psychology unit, run by Dr. Matt Lacoste, a doctor of psychology, allows for the integration of psychological expertise into the child's journey.
Depending on the indications, professional qualifications and implementation conditions, this center can offer:
Psychological interviews and assessments.
Appropriate psychometric assessments.
Exploring emotional or behavioral difficulties.
The assessment of certain cognitive and learning difficulties.
Specialized recommendations and guidance.
Assessment tools are selected based on their clinical relevance, validation, and conditions of use, particularly when remote administration is envisaged.
Adolescence, learning and autonomy
Supporting the transitions to adulthood.
Adolescence is a period of physical, cognitive, emotional, and social transformations.
Our support can include:
The organization of schoolwork.
Managing stress related to studies.
Motivation and autonomy.
The relationship with food.
Concerns surrounding body image.
School and family transitions.
Interventions are tailored to the age, maturity and needs of the young person, respecting their confidentiality and the applicable legal framework .
A team with complementary skills
The Bellis Child Development & Learning Center relies on the complementary skills of professionals working in their respective fields of expertise.
Dr. Céline McKenzie
Clinical nutrition, child psychonutrition, educational support and development of psychopedagogical strategies.
Her background combines nutrition, integrative health and extensive experience in teaching and training.
Dr. Matt Lacoste
Doctor of Psychology.
He intervenes in the field of psychology, psychological assessments and support within his professional skills and authorizations.
This collaboration makes it possible to build coordinated pathways when the child's situation requires it.
How does a support session work?
Step 1 — Initial Interview
An initial exchange helps to understand the family's concerns, the history of the difficulties, the child's needs and the objectives sought.
Step 2 — Needs Analysis
Depending on the situation, nutritional, psycho-pedagogical, parental support or a psychological assessment may be offered.
Step 3 — Personalized Program
Concrete and progressive objectives are defined with the family and, depending on the child's age, with the child.
Step 4 — Follow-up sessions
The sessions allow us to work on the chosen strategies, to support their application and to adjust the interventions.
Step 5 — Review and Outlook
Progress and ongoing needs are reassessed. Referral to a complementary professional may be recommended.
Support accessible to international families
Changes of country, language, or school system can pose particular challenges for some children.
Our center pays particular attention to expatriate families and multicultural environments.
We offer support in French and English, mainly remotely, in the territories where the professionals concerned are authorized to operate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my child need to have a diagnosed disorder to be seen?
No. Support can be considered for eating, school or educational difficulties, even in the absence of a diagnosis.
Is a psychological assessment mandatory?
No. It is only offered when there is clinical interest or when a specialist assessment is required.
Can parents consult on their own?
Yes. Some consultations are dedicated to parental support, without requiring the child's presence.
Are the consultations suitable for young children?
Yes, some interventions rely primarily on working with parents. The methods are adapted to the child's age.
Can all assessments be carried out online?
No. Some tools require in-person administration or specific conditions. The professional determines the appropriate arrangements.
Can the center replace the pediatrician or school professionals?
No. It intervenes in addition to healthcare professionals, educators, and other relevant specialists.
Let's take the time to understand your child's needs
Every child deserves support that respects their development, their particularities and their resources.
Whether your concerns relate to nutrition, learning, or emotional balance, our team can help you identify the first steps appropriate for your situation.
Bellis Child Development & Learning Center
Understand. Support. Grow.
Request an initial appointment
The services offered depend on the qualifications of the professionals, individual indications, and the regulations applicable to the place of practice and the patient's place of residence.