Exploring the social world

Ruth Stamp, CYW with Distinction

Administrative Director,  Co-Director Social Cognitive Programs

Ruth holds a Diploma of Distinction in Child and Youth Care and has completed the Mentor Training with Michelle Garcia Winner at the Think Social center in San Jose, California.

Ruth’s expertise in working with students with developmental disabilities is derived from her experience and extensive professional development. Ruth has completed a seminar with Ivaar Lovass, POPARD Autism Course, The Explosive Child with Ross Greene, Smart IEP Goals from the Victoria Society for Children with Autism, Social Thinking training with Michelle Garcia-Winner, and specialized seminars related to individuals with ASD, ADD/HD, FAE/FAS and LD, Ruth has gained extensive experience working with children with a variety of developmental learning disabilities during her work for the Victoria School District. In the last 3 years she has developed and implemented small Social Thinking programs with various students at the elementary and secondary school levels. Ruth has also worked for the Surrey School District as a Child and Youth Worker.  

Julie Madden

Therapeutic Co-Director/ Social Cognitive Therapist

I am so excited to be joining the Group Perspectives team as Co-Director.  Along my journey, throughout many years in this field, I've had the privilege of working with children with a variety of challenges; I have learned that each child perceives the world in their own way.  My goal is to meet each child where they are and work towards meeting their potential through activities that are fun and engaging for them.  I have found that this approach not only encourages the child and gives them confidence and hope, but it also helps me along my own journey of growth.  I really look forward to working with you to encourage and support your child's growth and development. 

Julie joins Group Perspectives with 8 years of direct experience working with children and their families in private settings, the Chehalis Community School (First Nations)  and as a District Educational Assistant with the Greater Victoria School District.  Among other credentials Julie is certified in Level 1 D.I.R. Floortime Model of Early Intervention (Greenspan), Teaching Assistant Certificate Program, the POPARD Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders, MANDT  and a considerable number of other professional development seminars relating to ASD, ADD/HD, Learning Disabilities and sensory integration.

Alexa Tuton

Social Cognitive Therapist

My name is Alexa Tuton. I grew up in Prince Rupert BC, and have been in Victoria for over 5 years now. I began these five years at Camosun College and completed my Community, Family and Child Studies Diploma. Through my program, I gained employment at a local Out of School Care Program. After three years of employment in a variety of their programs and predominently with a variety of special needs children, I began working for the Greater Victoria School District as an Educational Assistant. This past summer I also began working with Group Perspectives in their summer camps, and have learned and gained so much. I love working with kids, and as much as we can guide and teach them, they can also remind us of the many wonderful simplicities of life that we may have forgotten!

Dr. Robert Oppenheimer, Psy.D

D.I.R. Floortime Director, Autism Consultant

Robert completed a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the Michigan School of Professional Psychology and worked in the USA as a licensed psychologist for 25 years. He specializes in using Play Therapy with young children and uses the DIR/Floortime model in his work with ASD and other developmentally challenged children and their families.

Since 2009 Robert has been offering this approach in Victoria. Through his work at Group Perspectives he and his team coach parents in using Floortime at home, offer developmental assessments and train and supervise Floortime interventionists who work with children in their homes.

Maya Herzog

D.I.R. Floortime Interventionist

Maya Herzog recently started working with Group Perspectives as a part-time Floortime interventionist after completing mastery in the Basic Course on the Greenspan Floortime Approach. Maya has extensive experience working with children including, public art facilitation, teaching assistance, camp counseling, child care and clowning. This past summer, she joined the team as a co-leader for the Group Perspectives Summer Social Thinking Camp. Maya is currently finishing her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology at University of Victoria and is dedicated to developing and building her career in play therapy.   

The founders of Victoria Group Perspectives Helen Lovallo & Ruth Stamp enjoying their first summer camp 2009