I work with adults navigating concussion recovery, adult ADHD,
performance pressure, and the anxiety and low mood that often travel with them.
Reaching out is the part most people find hardest. Everything after it is
something we do together.
Lorena Ruci, MA, C.Psych, PhD · Adjunct Professor, Carleton University
· Lecturer, University of Ottawa
Accepting new clients for ADHD assessments in Ontario and Alberta
·
Current wait: 3–4 weeks·
Updated July 2026
Areas of practiceAdults, 18+
Concussion
Post-concussion syndrome
When symptoms outlast the expected recovery window, the psychological side
of it needs treating too. I work alongside the concussion specialists at the
Sport Medicine Clinic on mood, sleep, irritability, and the return to work,
school, or sport.
Assessment
Adult ADHD
Full diagnostic assessment against DSM-5-TR criteria, plus treatment for
adults diagnosed late or not at all. The battery covers history, current
symptoms, cognitive functioning, and day-to-day impairment.
Performance
Sport psychology
For high-performance athletes and coaches: emotional regulation under
pressure, self-awareness, resilience, and the mental-health side of
competing. Member of the Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport.
Therapy
Psychotherapy
Individual therapy for depression, anxiety, burnout, self-esteem, and
relationship conflict, drawing on CBT, ACT, interpersonal, existential, and
supportive approaches depending on what fits.
Post-concussion syndrome
Adult ADHD
Sport performance
Depression & anxiety
Parkinson's and mental health
Emotional regulation
Relationship conflict
Self-esteem
Locations & availability
Where I practise
In person at the Sport Medicine Clinic on the Carleton
University campus in Ottawa.
Virtually for clients in Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, and
New Brunswick.
Insurance and direct billing
I am a registered Blue Cross provider and can direct bill for eligible
RCMP, Veterans Affairs Canada, Canadian Armed Forces, and Interim Federal
Health Program clients. Most extended health plans reimburse services
provided by a registered psychologist — check your plan for the
annual limit.
Teaching & research
The other half of the work
I teach psychology to first-, second-, and third-year students at Carleton
University and the University of Ottawa, and hold an adjunct professorship at
Carleton. My research sits at the intersection of self-regulation, motivation,
and mental health in competitive sport.
For the past three years I have coordinated and facilitated concussion
support groups at Carleton. I work to the researcher–practitioner
model: clinical work should be informed by evidence, and research should
answer questions that matter in the room.
Education, licences & memberships
Education
PhD, PsychologyCarleton University, 2011
MA, Counselling PsychologyUniversity of Ottawa, 2017
MA, PsychologyCarleton University, 2005
BA (Hons), Psychology & EconomicsMount Allison University, 2003
Licences
College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of OntarioCPBAO
College of Alberta PsychologistsCAP
Memberships
Canadian Psychological AssociationCPA
Ontario Psychological AssociationOPA
Psychologists' Association of AlbertaPAA
Ottawa Academy of PsychologyOAP
Canadian ADHD Resource AllianceCADDRA
American Psychological AssociationAPA
Sport Canada ScientistSCS
Get in touch
Clinic
Sport Medicine Clinic
Carleton University
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6
The quickest way to start is a short phone consultation. Tell me a little
about what is going on and what you are hoping for, and I will let you know
whether I am the right fit — and if I am not, who might be.
If you need help right now, this form is not the place —
messages are not monitored continuously. Call or text 9-8-8,
Canada's suicide crisis helpline, available 24 hours a day in English and
French. In an emergency, call 911.