About Dr. Danielle Droucker

Education, Research, and Training

Dr. Danielle Droucker is a Registered Psychologist who earned a doctoral degree from the University of Calgary in 2013. After completing her undergraduate degree from the University of Victoria in 2004, she moved to Calgary to pursue graduate studies and research with a focus on understanding early markers of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Dr. Droucker’s doctoral research was competed as a part of a longitudinal research group called the BabySibs Project, which was investigating early presentation of ASD. She received several grants and scholarships for her graduate work and has been published in Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research (JSLHR).

Previous to her work with the Baby Sibs Project, Dr. Droucker was published in Frontiers in Neuroscience in 2011 for her earlier research in visual perception. While at the Brain and Cognition lab at the University of Victoria, she was able to contribute to research investigating face perception using electroencephalogram (EEG) technology. She has presented numerous research findings at conferences and workshops over the past 2 decades.

Dr. Droucker has completed the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) training at the University of Michigan Autism and Communication Disorders Center in 2010. Thereafter, she completed the updated training of the ADOS-2, as well as training to administer the Autism Diagnostic Inventory-Revised (ADI-R), which are considered “gold-standard” tools and require significant clinical expertise. Dr. Droucker has also completed specialized training in best practice in assessment, and assessment and understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, giftedness, adolescent depression, and communication and symbolic play. Other training has included Mental Health First Aid, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Trauma Competency Training, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Leading Mentally Healthy Workplaces, Neurosequential Model for Therapeutics (NMT), Developmental Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and TEAM Techniques, and many more.

Experience

Early in her clinical work, Dr. Droucker provided assessment and consultation at a large multidisciplinary private practice, completing Autism assessments for children and families in Calgary. Thereafter, she worked at Renfrew Educational Services as a Registered Psychologist on multidisciplinary teams in their schools and within homes, providing therapy supports to children and their families. During her 10 years working at Renfrew, she also worked as Manager of Clinical Training, Manager of Tsuut’ina School and Health teams, and eventually as Director of Clinical Educational and Training. In this role, Dr. Droucker developed and delivered bi-annual training to all clinical and direct support staff, as well as provided Crisis Response training to staff working with children with complex behavioural challenges.

Dr. Droucker has worked with several agencies within Alberta providing assessment and intervention to children and youth with complex and neuro-diverse presentations. She has worked with Children’s Services in providing comprehensive assessments to children and youth with a history of trauma or adverse childhood experiences, and acted as an expert witness when required to attend court proceedings. Dr. Droucker has also collaborated with Indigenous Services Canada in providing mental health and school supports to children and youth living on Indigenous Nations. She has had to opportunity to travel to South Africa, Singapore, and Hong Kong in an effort to collaborate with international agencies providing care to youth at-risk for mental health challenges, poverty, and abuse. In her practice and training, Dr. Droucker has developed competency in the application of social skills training programs, sensory regulation strategies, assistive technology, and visual support systems when working with children with communication, sensory, and/or motor challenges. Finally, Dr. Droucker has worked within a contract with Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), providing comprehensive psychological, psycho-educational, and vocational assessments to young adults with and without a diagnosis of ASD.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Droucker consults with and provides supervision to other professionals and students. She has supervised provisional psychologists, practicum students, and doctoral interns. She has also managed multidisciplinary teams in health centres and schools on Indigenous Nations surrounding Calgary, as well as managed and supported clinical team leads of large teams of clinical professionals (e.g., SLPs, OTs, TAs).

At Blossom Psychology, Dr. Droucker continues to provide gold standard assessments to children, youths, and adults who may be living with ASD, ADHD, learning disorder(s), anxiety, and/or depression, as well as those who may be gifted. She takes a strength-based, family- centered approach to understanding how an individual thinks and learns about the world, what may be underlying any struggles they experience, and how they can best be supported in achieving their potential.