Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Nisku, AB.

I have worked with young children for about 10 years. I work from a family approach where the parents are involved. I like to involve parents in order to ensure strategies and parenting techniques are transferred from the therapy room to the home . You as the parent know your child best. Some of the approaches are: Theraplay, Art Therapy (drawing), Behavioral Mode.

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.

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.

Is your teen struggling with anxiety, substance use, or relationships with their peers? Do you see them withdrawing, acting out, or losing interest in things they once loved? Are you feeling helpless, worried, or overwhelmed as a parent, unsure of how to support them? I understand how heartbreaking it is to watch your child suffer and feel like you can't reach them. As a clinical counsellor, I specialize in helping teens navigate these challenges. Together, we can improve their emotional well-being, boost their self-esteem, and strengthen family connections. Let's work towards a happier, healthier future for your teen. Book your free 15-minute consultation now. *I see clients ages 15 and up*

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.

Is Your Child Struggling To Control Their Big Feelings? Are they dealing with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues? Have they been falling behind in school and getting in trouble more than usual? Do you feel like you’re at a loss for ways to help them? Maybe your child is having a tough time managing all the pressures of school, sports, and peer relationships. Perhaps they’re about to become a teenager and struggling to navigate all the changes in their life. Or maybe you recently remarried and your child is having trouble adjusting to a whole new family. No matter what their challenges are, you just want your child to feel happy, confident, and well-adjusted.

We have psychologists and counsellors who offer play, and art therapy to assist your child. Therapy can help your child who may be struggling at school, with friendships, adjusting to change, divorce and other difficulties. Art and Play therapy can be especially helpful with autistic, young children, and children and adolescents who struggle with articulating their feelings. Play and art therapy offer a non-verbal mode of expression. Through these treatment modalities children can learn new ways of problem solving, healthier ways of expressing themselves, develop empathy and respect for others.

I love working with children and am passionate about helping them grow into bright and confident young adults. I use play therapy, art therapy and music to help children get comfortable and feel safe, which in itself, is often therapeutic. In addition, I give importance to working with the parents, and keeping them in the loop, as I believe that this relationship is extremely important for the healthy development of the child.

In my work with young children I use Play Therapy, incorporated with the integrative approach, in order to prevent or resolve psychological, social and behavioral challenges. During Play Therapy, the children are provided with a safe and nurturing environment, where they are empowered to freely use their natural healing potential. This results in their optimal growth and development.

When we talk about mental health, we often don't consider the mental health of young children in our lives. Little ones cope with a lot though, significant changes in growth, changes in daily life, struggles in school, relationship dynamics with parents, siblings, and peers, and more. Help your child to learn to regulate their emotions and gain the tools for life long mental health.

Loving, good-enough parents are the natural vehicles through which children learn to engage the world. When children are said to "need help," it is generally the case that their adult caregivers need help, too. Psychotherapists who work with children do well to engage parent figures in the process. The impact of therapy upon children is strongly influenced by the parent-child system. That said, children commonly encounter personal issues which their parents are unprepared to help with or manage. Childhood depression is among the most under-diagnosed medical conditions. Children who learn to effectively engage in therapy enjoy lifelong benefits from this important experience.

With very young children, we feel that it is more important to spend our time working with parents- helping to build their capacity and strengthen their parenting skills rather than having a psychologist work directly with a very young child. We coach parents and teach them new behaviour management strategies that they can implement at home.