Maxine, BA, CNP, PVT, COVT
Health, Happiness and Gratitude are words that best describe Maxine and her outlook on life. She is grateful for every experience life has given her, and for all the lessons learned that formed who she is today. Helping others is second nature and has been practiced over many volunteer positions, fundraising projects and through her work life – most recently in her career as Vision Therapist at A-Ha Vision in Oakville.
Maxine attended Vision Therapy Canada’s Practical Vision Therapy Accreditation Program (PVTAP) and was in the first graduating class where she obtained her PVT certification in 2017. In 2023, Maxine was nominated to the Board of Directors of Vision Therapy Canada, and is proud to represent all vision therapists across Canada, as Director, Therapist Relations. Most recently Maxine is thrilled to now also hold the designation of Certified Optometric Vision Therapist (COVT), which was awarded through the Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association (OVDRA) in the United States.
She has completed courses in Neuro-Motor Maturity: Optimizing Vision Therapy through Testing and Integration of Primitive Reflexes; Neurorehabilitation through the Ontario Brain Injury Association and Brock University; Concussion Management Workshops through Concussion Rehab Works and the University of Toronto; The Exotropia Seminar through the Optometric Extension Program Foundation (OEPF); Concussion Prevention, Detection and Management as a MOOC through the University of Calgary, Faculty of Kinesiology; and continues to expand her knowledge by attending continuing education courses and conferences at every opportunity!
Outside of the field of Behavioural Optometry, Maxine received her Degree in Business as well as a concurrent Certificate in Psychology at Ryerson University, and is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner through the Institute of Holistic Nutrition.
Currently, Maxine dedicates her professional time to vision therapy and vision rehabilitation for patients with learning-related vision problems, visual dysfunctions, strabismus, amblyopia, acquired/traumatic brain injuries, autism and children and adults with retained primitive reflexes.
“After many years in the corporate world, making money for big business, I realized that what was missing from my life was the opportunity to make a difference in other people’s lives. I started in optometry years ago, working in the dispensary, and enjoyed it because it was fun to help people look good, and see well. As a Vision Therapist, I have uncovered my true calling. Helping people learn to hone their visual skills directly impacts the quality of their lives. The happiness and gratitude I get back from the breakthroughs and “A-Ha” moments in the clinic are so rewarding that I can’t imagine being in a more meaningful career.”
With an eye toward all things health related, and a particular interest in helping patients better their lives through Vision Therapy, Maxine is thrilled to be part of the team at A-Ha Vision and part of this great community of Vision Therapists and Behavioural Optometrists.
Helen began her exciting journey as a Vision Therapist in 2012 and has since worked
with patients of all ages, with acquired traumatic brain injury, retained Primitive
Reflexes, learning-related vision problems, visual/vestibular dysfunctions, strabismus,
amblyopia, autism, and Sports VT.
As a Vision Therapist, she has found tremendous satisfaction in helping her patients
achieve their vision and life goals while creating a fun and nurturing environment to
learn. She loves creating personalized curricula to keep her patients motivated and to
increase their visual awareness thereby accelerating progress.
Helen continuously upgrades her skills and has completed courses such as Vestibular
Processing: A Key Component of Visual Function and Balance with Dr. Curtis Baxstrom and Dr.
Jason Clopton, Eyesight to Insight: Visual Vestibular Assessment and Treatment with Dr. Carl
Hillier, VT Procedures with Dr. Angela Peddle, Vision Development: Part of the Missing Puzzle
in Autism with Dr. Susan Daniel and Vision Therapy/Learning Related Visual Problems: VT2 from the Optometric Extension Program Foundation, Arizona, USA. She is also a Certified Optometric Assistant-Canadian Association of Optometrists since 2011.
Outside of Vision Therapy, Helen loves spending time with her family and their puppy,
Leia. She also enjoys hiking, exploring new places, and learning to garden.
Helen’s Favourite Quote: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are
powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask
ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you
not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is
nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around
you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory
of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own
light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are
liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ~ Marianne Williamson ~
