Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Calgary, AB.

Young children often have difficulty expressing their thoughts and feelings using language, especially if they have experienced trauma. Difficulties can result in disruptive behaviors. In my custom built play therapy rooms, children are able to explore the underlying issues that have resulted in these behaviors and together we can develop their skills to express themselves in more acceptable ways. Parenting young children can stressful. You may find yourself feeling guilty about yelling at your child and wondering what are the long-term impacts? I can guide you in understanding your child's behavior, build a stronger relationship, and to raise happy, successful children.

In today's world, children encounter a great deal of stress, on multiple fronts: academic performance, high achievement standards, heavy scheduling, peer pressure, bombarded by media (TV, Internet, Messaging), as well as family tension. When they don't have adequate solutions to help them cope with their stress, they tend to act out, or give up, or get into unhealthy behaviours. In working with me, I can offer them a non-judgmental sympathetic ear, as well as strategies that can help them make wiser decisions, be aware of their strengths, deal effectively with stress, encourage hope and optimism, develop tangible skills to navigate their world, and take care of their mind and body.

Having young children and problems surrounding children can both result from distress in relationships and precipitate distress. Support in addressing these issues can have a signifiacant positive impact on overall relationship functioning. The fact that relationships are one of our primary coping mechanisms multiplies the potential distress when these are present as it impacts the very mechanisms we use to cope.

For children needing to talk, needing a venue to express themselves. It could be about stuff at home or at school, parent's divorce, tension, bullying, difficulty with friends or questions about what to do when they finish school. Parents can learn to respond to their children more effectively, the difference between parenting to protect and parenting to prepare and the principles of less talk and more action. Testing for learning disability, giftedness and emotional challenges also offered including psycho-educational assessments for children of all ages. Recommendations are made for school and home settings and these reports can be used as part of your application to independent schools.

Children receiving therapy with Lurline will benefit from advanced training in a number of play and creative arts strategies, as well as parent-child attachment. Play methods are more naturally designed to assist children with processing their emotional difficulties. Children feel more comfortable dealing with their strong emotions using play and art. The expectation of working through difficult themes using traditional talk therapies that were never designed with children in mind is rarely successful. Parents who bring their children in are kept informed, given suggestions for how best to support their child, and often may be asked to become involved in therapy sessions to improve success.

I can help your child with their transition to separation and divorce. I have worked with children as young as seven years old and with adult children who continue to struggle to make sense of the transitions in their families. Children at times become fearful and anxious as a result of school issues, family transitions or grief and loss. I understand developmental stages and how that capacity grows as they age.

Gerard has many years of experience as a school psychologist and provides Psychoeducational Assessments for children, adolescents and adults with learning challenges, including reading, writing, mathematics, ADHD, and emotional/behavioural issues. He has diverse experience as a psychologist and leader in social services, schools, university, workplaces, and his private practice. Using a theoretical foundation of social learning and cognitive-behavioural training, he is well-versed in various kinds of formal and informal assessment and solution-focussed approaches. He listens carefully to understand your needs and relies on his extensive experience to help you find solutions.

Is your child bullied or isolated from others? Is your child reluctant to go to school, has trouble making friends, or seems withdrawn and lonely? Many children have trouble with self confidence, anxiety or social skills. Improving self esteem, emotional regulation, and social skills deficits in the younger years reduces difficulties later. We all want the best for our children, and as a parent myself I know how it can hurt to watch your child suffer and not know how to help. Find out how your child can be helped by in-person counselling, online coaching, or online educational programs.

I work with children as young a five years of age and find that it is necessary to have parents' actively participate in therapy with their child. Children typically respond well to therapy when they understand that they are not the problem and they can see that their parents are learning and trying new skills and strategies too. Children are developmentally primed to learn new things with the right skills and strategies they make great progress.

Children are just little people. They hear what you hear, they see what you see and, though differently, they understand and their little hearts get broken too. When little hearts get broken they need a safe place where they can come and, right along side of mom, learn what it means for both of you to care for their heart. Come, and learn how our Christian counselling and play therapy can both heal your child's heart and empower you to continue that healing.

As children we acquire non-nurturing elements in our formative years we can either be raised in nurturing environments or non-nurturing environments. Regardless of which environment we were raised in there are always flaws that get in the way of us being adaptive or feeling like we’re unconditionally supported and loved. There can be themes such as a caregiver being critical or controlling, never being home, or having addictions.

It is not always easy to understand our young children. Through the use of art and play therapy for the child and an interview with parents, I can provide parents of young children with practical ways and ideas to better address a particular issue they are dealing with (e.g., anxiety, defiance, nightmares). For more information or to set up your first appointment, you can visit my website at www.Verlyne.com

Occasionally a child's response to life's pressures may become severe, and the parents' attempts to help their child may be unsuccessful. Children who have experienced considerable change in their lives or who have survived traumatic events need to express and understand their feelings. Stress related to a major life transition such as parental divorce may be impairing a child’s ability to cope and function. Separation anxiety, life-threatening medical problems, and repeat encounters with bullying are common difficulties for young children entering therapy. Through the therapeutic use of play, children are given the opportunity to express their feelings naturally, and safely, thus enabling the....