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CHILDREN

When it comes to your kids, you are aiming a lot higher than mere survival…your ultimate goal is to raise kids in a way that lets them thrive.You want them to enjoy meaningful relationships, be caring and compassionate, do well in school, work hard and be responsible, and to feel good about who they are. - Daniel J. Siegel

We are raising our children in unprecedented and complicated times. As such, emotional struggles among children are rapidly increasing. Psychological therapy is meant to treat a mental health condition or help a child manage their symptoms so that they can function well at home, in school and in their community. 

Individual child therapy includes working with the child one on one in parallel with parent coaching and other types of parent support. Some types of therapy also include working with the whole family or other important adults in the child’s life .

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How can you identify if your child may need therapy? It is normal at times for children to struggle and with your support, patience and sensitivity you and your child can figure it out. Sometimes what seems like normal childhood issues can turn into something more serious. Here are some signs to watch out for:

  • acting out/defiance

  • unusual/changes in behaviour

  • disconnection or withdrawal from you and others

  • problems with peer relationships

  • is dealing with a big event or change

  • difficulty managing big emotions

  • dealing with bullying

  • frequent emotional outbursts

  • changes in sleep and appetite

  • frequent temper tantrums

  • struggling with anxiety or excessive fearfulness

  • refusing to go to school

  • avoiding activities and social events

  • difficulties with executive functioning (i.e., attention, concentration and impulse control)

  • separation anxiety or excessive clinginess

  • experience of a traumatic event

  • regressions (i.e., bedwetting when already potty trained and/or "baby talk")

  • frequent nightmares

  • excessive worry about the future

  • changes in school performance

  • makes comments like “I wish I weren’t here,” or “nobody would care if I ran away”

  • has repetitive, self-destructive behaviors such as hair-pulling or skin-picking

  • expresses feeling bad about themselves, less confident or less effective

  • withdrawal from family, friends or activities they used to enjoy

  • talks explicitly about suicide or harming themselves

  • expresses hopelessness.


We can also provide comprehensive assessment services to help you to better understand your child.

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We can help you and your child to explore and navigate these issues. If you are uncertain how to proceed, contact us to arrange a Free Consult with a therapist.​

THERAPIES OFFERED

PLAY THERAPY

Play therapy utilizes play, children's natural medium of expression, to help them express their feelings more easily through toys instead of words.

A trained therapist can use playtime to observe and gain insights into a child’s problems. The therapist can then help the child explore emotions and deal with unresolved trauma. Through play, children can learn new coping mechanisms and how to redirect inappropriate behaviours.

For more information visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapy-types/play-therapy

THERAPLAY

Theraplay​ is an approach to child and family therapy that aims to address behavioral, emotional, or developmental issues and improve the parent-child relationship through play and healthy interaction. The Theraplay Practitioner guides the parent and child through playful, fun games, developmentally challenging activities, and tender, nurturing activities. The very act of engaging each other in this way helps the parent regulate the child’s behavior and communicate love, joy, and safety to the child. It helps the child feel secure, cared for, connected and worthy.

For more information visit The Theraplay Institute

OTHER THERAPIES AVAILABLE

  • Emotionally Focused Family Therapy

  • Cogniti​ve Behavioural Therapy

  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy

  • Polyvagal Theory 

  • Solution Focussed Therapy

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Reality Therapy

  • ComB Therapy

  • Collaborative Problem Solving

  • Internal Family Systems

  • Mindfulness Based Therapy

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