About Dark Horse Psychological Services
About Niki Hoffman, M.A., C. Psych.
Clinical Psychological Associate
Niki Hoffman is a registered Clinical Psychological Associate with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (Autonomous Practice). She has declared areas of competency in clinical psychology in assessment/evaluation, therapeutic intervention, and consultation with children, adolescents, and adults.
Real-World Solutions & Strategies
She has experience working with adults, children, and adolescents, as well as couples and families. Niki offers counseling for a variety of issues including: anxiety and depression, trauma and post-traumatic stress, marital and family relationships, divorce, self-esteem, grief and loss, gender identity, and other life-transition concerns.
Niki also has experience counseling and working with teens and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Assessments
Niki has conducted well over 1000 assessments of various kinds, including psychological assessments, psychoeducational (learning) assessments, developmental assessments (for things like ADHD, Autism, and Intellectual Disabilities) with children, adolescents, and adults. Her assessments are focused on providing practical, real-world recommendations to support people to meet their full potential and enhance learning, mental health, and well-being.
Niki’s Therapy Approach:
In therapy, Niki provides compassionate, challenging, and insightful support using evidence-based therapies. She understands the past informs the present, while placing a focus on moving forward both in the moment and toward the future. Niki’s focus is very practical, aimed at reducing the symptoms that interfere with daily life and well-being, and on developing strategies that work in the real world.
All of our life experiences, positive or negative, create the person we are and guide us to develop tools that allow us to thrive. She believes words have enormous power and with the right strategies, combined with empathy and personal determination, we can live our lives to our fullest potential.
Dark Horse Psychological Services
About The Farm
Niki Hoffman offers equine-assisted therapy on her farm in Chisholm Township, Ontario. “Horse therapy” includes hanging out with the horses, tending to them (petting, brushing, grooming), walking them, and herd watching. This has benefits in itself, but we combine it with other forms of therapy, including therapeutic exercises in which the humans and horses work together.
The farm is also home to Highland cattle, chickens, goats, geese and other animals which live in their own spaces. You’ll have the opportunity to watch them or interact safely with them.
There are short walking trails and a couple of “green rooms” (clearings in the bush) for private, outdoor talk therapy.
