Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Manotick, ON.

Sandra Forbes, Relationship Solutions helps parents help their children. Challenges faced by children are addressed by understanding the child and people involved and the family. In some situations the children who come to Relationship Solutions have been diagnosed with for example aspergers syndrome, ADD or ADHD. They also may have no diagnosis and yet there are challenges identified. How parents work with their children in a way that works best for all family members (including themselves!) is where we focus. We are experts at Identifying family patterns that are working well and others that were once effective and may need now to shift.

With my many years in education I am able and skilled at working with and relating to children and adolescents. Childhood should be a time for healthy growth and development. For many children and teens, it is a time of great emotional stress. Children react to stress in many ways including withdrawal and acting out behaviors at home and school. I am here to help children and families learn the life skills necessary to be successful and happy. Family counseling may help to promote better relationships and understanding within your family. There is no shame in needing support. Family counseling during a divorce, or a child experiencing trauma can help all of you find some peace.

One of our lovely psychotherapists, Anna, is passionate about supporting children, youth, and young adults, as well as their parents. As a psychotherapist and a teacher, she is interested in supporting children and adolescents with challenges related to school, including academic success, special education needs, bullying, self-esteem and peer relationships. She draws on various interventions, theories, experiences and techniques to support our young clients well, including art therapy, movement based psychotherapy and dialectical behavioural therapy.

I can work with children over the age of 6 to process difficult feelings that stem from situations of abuse, neglect or who have had a lack of consistency in their upbringing. I will utilize tools such as drawing pictures and I will use other objects to represent feelings to teach the skills to your child in a less traumatic way. I also work on the early teaching of anxiety reduction skills with your child to better allow them to cope with their feelings. I also believe in your involvement as a parent because you know your child best and all these skills need to be practiced at home with you and your child!

While I do not work with youth under the age of 16, our clinic has many child and family therapists who are availability to schedule a free consultation. Since children are often impacted by family dynamics, we often find the most effective way to work with children, ages 6-11, is within the context of family therapy. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with one of our child and family therapists by visiting https://www.psychotherapycollective.ca/services/child-and-family-therapy

I have extensive experience working with young children and youth who are survivors of trauma and/or struggle with mental health. While I typically focus on clients 14+, I will gladly work with parents and their children who need support. I'll initially meet with the parent/guardian, and then parents are welcome to join initial sessions with the child if that is preferred. Parents are always part of mapping out plans for care for children/youth under 14.

I work virtually and in-person with children and adolescents. Parents have told me that their children are more emotionally regulated and, overall, happier, as a result of therapy. The initial session is free so there is little risk in reaching out to schedule a session to determine if I am a good fit for your child. I offer in-person therapy in Orangeville (Mondays) and Inglewood (Fridays and Sundays). I offer virtual appointments on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings as well as Sunday mornings and afternoons.

Children need safety, nurturance, affirmation, structure, and guidance to gain a positive sense of self, of others, and of the world around them. Centre for Interpersonal Relationship psychologists and clinicians assist children to develop a positive self-concept. Through our work, we help children build a more positive view of themselves and improve their capacity to connect and relate effectively with others in their home and school environment.

Our therapists will provide a safe and supportive space for children to express their thoughts and emotions, develop coping skills, and build resilience. Children will receive help in navigating challenging life experiences, such as divorce, trauma, or loss, and develop healthy ways to process and manage their feelings. It can also address behavioral issues, social skills development, and academic challenges. Additionally, this can help support parents in understanding their child's needs and provide strategies to enhance their relationship and communication.

Children and youth may need a neutral, safe place to express themselves. Therapy can help healing, develop coping skills, and relieve stress. If you notice a change of personality, loss of pleasure in enjoyable activities, sleep difficulties, withdrawal, fears and anxieties, or a behavioural regression, therapy might be recommended. When dealing with children and youth using the least invasive method is proven to be the most effective. Accordingly, if possible, I like to counsel the parent(s) to help the child, and only meet with their child if required or if it is requested by the child.

Based on the evidence-based research, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is typically implemented when working with young children. EMDR is adaptable and suitable to children as young as two years old and has shown to be effective in treating a number of presenting concerns in children including anxiety, depression, trauma, pain and sleep disturbances.

Growing up can be challenging and sometimes leave youth feeling confused, frustrated, or misunderstood. I strive to make them feel accepted for who they are and feel heard and validated. Promoting a safe and judgment free environment is a priority and necessary for youth to be able to let their guard down and communicate openly. Together we look at areas of life that are challenging for them and identify the factors that are contributing to the difficulties they are experiencing. We then work on managing those areas more effectively by developing positive coping strategies and emotions management skills. I have a passion working with youth and encourage you to book a free consultation.