Dr. Andrea Welder

Centre Director
Registered Psychologist
(BC #1605)

Biography

Dr. Welder completed her doctoral level training in clinical psychology through the University of Calgary. She then completed a clinical internship at BC’s Children’s Hospital and Sunny Hill Hospital for Children where she received intensive training in assessment of individuals with developmental disabilities, neurological, and complex medical conditions. She taught in the psychology department at Okanagan University College (now UBC Okanagan) for a few years and built up her private practice along with Dr. Nicholson, as co-owner and co director of the Okanagan Ability Centre. Dr. Welder has over 20 years of experience working in the Okanagan with children, youth and adults in the field of assessment and with those who experience various developmental and learning challenges. She has received specialized training (has been deemed a “qualified specialist or QS”) through the BC Autism Assessment Network since 2003 and is part of a provincial team of senior clinicians who work together on policy development as related to autism spectrum disorder. Through her varied assessment work, Dr. Welder has had the opportunity to continue to collaborate with other psychologists, as well as other specialized clinicians in our community including pediatricians, child psychiatrists and other mental health specialists, on multidisciplinary teams all around the Okanagan and Kootenay regions (e.g., Interior Health Children’s Assessment Network’s Complex Developmental and Behavioral Conditions program). Dr. Welder has a wealth of experience assessing individuals of all age ranges, from toddlers to adults, diagnosing various developmental, learning and mental health conditions, writing comprehensive and meaningful reports, and with providing recommendations to support success in home, school and community settings.