Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Devon, AB.

Most of my experience working with young children has been related to trauma. I find that children are incredibly resilient, and although they may struggle with language there are many ways to provide healing. I use interventions that involve creativity, providing a variety of avenues for the child to express his or her experience. I also use an EMDR with both children and adult clients. EMDR is an integrative approach to healing that allows for treatment to be tailored to the specific needs of the individual, while address the physical, emotional, and mental needs of the client. This approach allows healing to take place on all levels of functioning.

Through play and art therapy, I am often able to engage young children and explore their problematic thoughts and feelings. I take great pride in working with the individual strengths and weaknesses of children to help them better process difficult situations and change their behaviours. Supportive parenting strategies and psychoeducation are often vital to long-term success with children.

I have specialized training in Play Therapy and years of experience supporting children through play-based approaches in both school and community settings. My background includes working with children facing trauma, anxiety, attachment disruptions, and emotional or behavioural challenges. Through play, I help children express feelings, process experiences, and build resilience in a way that feels natural and safe for them. This creative, developmentally attuned approach allows me to meet each child at their level, fostering healing, emotional growth, and stronger connections with caregivers.

While I don’t provide direct therapy for young children, I work closely with parents and caregivers to improve communication, emotional regulation, and family dynamics that impact children’s wellbeing. Sometimes, the best way to help a child is by equipping the adults around them with better tools, language, and support. If your child is struggling with emotional, behavioural, or relational issues, therapy can help you respond with clarity and confidence. You don’t have to navigate parenting stress or conflict alone—support is available, even if your child isn’t in the room.

Children are experiencing serious mental health challenges early in life these days. Whether they have personality issues (low confidence/self esteem issues, need for control, perfectionism ideals) that make them more susceptible to stressful emotional moments or whether they are facing external life factors (school, family, friends, peer pressures, bullying issues) that result in a breakdown of their ability to function successfully, our children need just as much support as adults do. And it is only with the support and encouragement of the significant adults in their lives that our children can overcome these challenges and build the resiliency they need to grow into capable adults.

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.