Dr. Mario Cappelli C.Psych
Clinical Director
Dr. Mario Cappelli is a Clinical Psychologist who for the past 25 years has specialized in working with children, youth and young adults. Considered an expert in his field, Dr. Cappelli is a sought after clinician, trusted advisor, educator and leader within the mental health community. He is known not only for his expertise but his committed, caring and honest approach. These same qualities and values are shared by and guide the team at Cappelli & Associates.
Dr. Cappelli has extensive experience with a wide range of child and youth problems, as well as the unique challenges faced by older teens and those emerging and transitioning into adulthood. He has further specialized training in Attachment Therapy and a particular interest in Mood & Anxiety Disorders, Disruptive Behavioural Disorders, Dual-Diagnosis, Concurrent Disorders and Attachment Disorder.
Highly regarded by his colleagues at hospital and community agencies in Ottawa, the National Capital region and across Ontario, Dr. Cappelli has worked tirelessly to provide effective mental health care, and to improve accessibility of mental health services for all young people.
Dr. Cappelli is also the Senior Clinician-Scientist at the Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions, Adjunct Professor of Psychology, Clinical Investigator, CHEO Research Institute Professor of Psychiatry, and a Member of the Faculty of Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies at the University of Ottawa.
In addition to his clinical activities, Dr. Cappelli has a passion for teaching and research, and has received several awards and recognition for his many years of work and support of mental health research and service. He sits on national, provincial and regional advisory and policy committees, and is currently on the Board of Directors for Stella’s Place – a unique and forward thinking centre for youth mental health. Dr. Cappelli is committed to the development and training of new psychologists and health clinical scientists, and is/has been a mentor to clinical trainees and post-graduate students, many of whom are currently working in Ottawa.
Dr. Cappelli’s research currently focuses on how we provide care to children and youth in crisis, in particular those who present in Emergency Departments and are in need of assessment and how to best transition care from youth to adult mental health services. This research is funded by both government and private foundations. Dr. Cappelli is one of the lead developers of the HEADS-ED assessment tool, a rapid mental health screening tool for pediatric patients in the emergency department that is used in hospitals across Canada.
Dr. Cappelli earned his Ph.D with a specialty in Health Psychology from Carleton University and completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Child Psychology at the Child and Family Centre at McMaster University.