Meet Dr. Jillian Roberts, a child psychologist with a big mission
For the past 30 years, Dr. Jillian Roberts (MEd ‘95) has helped children and families navigate some of life’s most difficult conversations. A psychologist, professor, author and public advocate, the OISE alumna has built a career focused on supporting children’s emotional wellbeing in an increasingly complex world.
After earning her Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from OISE, Roberts completed her doctorate at the University of Calgary before pursuing a clinical internship at Calgary General Hospital and post-doctoral research at SickKids. Today, she is a faculty member at the University of Victoria and founder of MindKey Health – a host of multidisciplinary clinics across British Columbia serving children and families through psycho-educational assessments and counselling.
Throughout her career, Roberts has focused on translating research into accessible, meaningful tools for parents, educators and young people. Her work has explored educational psychology, medically fragile children, resilience and child development, while her public advocacy has made her one of Canada’s most trusted voices on parenting and children’s mental health.
Making headlines for the modern parent
In media interviews and public commentary, Roberts has emphasized that children’s emotions should not be minimized but instead worked through with supportive adults. She frequently speaks about the importance of “emotion coaching” — helping children identify and name their feelings so they can develop emotional regulation and healthy coping skills. The approach reflects growing psychological research showing that children who feel emotionally validated can better manage stress and anxiety later in life.
Roberts has been a key voice on the impact of screens and digital culture on children’s wellbeing. Expanding on themes from her book Kids, Sex & Screens: Raising Strong, Resilient Children in the Sexualized Digital Age, she discusses how constant online exposure can contribute to anxiety, distorted body image and social pressures among youth. Rather than encouraging fear-based parenting, Roberts advocates for open, ongoing conversations between parents and kids about what they encounter online. Her message consistently emphasizes connection and communication over punishment or surveillance.
She also explores the realities of parental burnout, acknowledging the pressures many parents face balancing work, caregiving and their own mental health. Dr. Roberts often reminds families that children absorb how adults respond to stress, making emotional modelling an essential parenting skill. Her compassionate approach has resonated widely with parents navigating the lingering emotional effects of the pandemic and growing mental health concerns in our youth.
Big ideas for young readers
Her award-winning children’s books, including the bestselling series’ Just Enough and World Around Us, help children understand topics like grief, divorce, prejudice, poverty, bullying and environmental anxiety in age-appropriate ways. More recently, she has continued this work through books such as The Friendship Guide, which helps children navigate friendships, social conflict and belonging with empathy and resilience. Across her books, research and public speaking, she consistently encourages adults to approach difficult conversations honestly while providing children with reassurance and stability.
In 2020, Roberts received OISE’s Leaders and Legends Distinguished Service Award, recognizing her exceptional leadership and public impact. Reflecting on the honour, she shared that her “life’s work as a psychologist began at OISE.” Today, through clinical practice and public education, Dr. Jillian Roberts continues to shape national conversations about children’s mental health, helping families thrive.
Dr. Jillian Roberts is a columnist for the Globe and Mail. Would you like to connect with Dr. Roberts? Follow her on LinkedIn.
