Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Melancthon, ON.

We have worked with children as young as 3 years of age. We have helped client deal with parenting issues as well as with trauma issues. Often, parents need help understanding why their children are behaving in the manner in which they are and how to help their children cope. Parents need coping skills too, especially when dealing with childhood trauma. With the children I have used therapeutic play as well as social stories. Children are very resilient and can give us all hope for healing.

Since the pandemic, many youths are struggling personally, socially, and academically. Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, I spent 10 years working with children and youth as a guidance counsellor helping youth navigate their challenges and direction in life. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with me to see if I am the proper fit for your journey.

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.

My approach when working with children under 12 years old is to ensure that they are provided with a positive and safe experience of therapy. I prefer to tailor therapy to their developmental stage by creating a fun environment that may involve play, art, and activities during sessions. Discussions about their interests, skills, and special talents and abilities are at the forefront of our therapeutic conversations to help build confidence and feelings of positivity. My background in relational therapy may invite parents or siblings into sessions as well. Please contact me for a free consultation if you are interested in determining if I would be a good fit for your child/children.

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

In my practice I work with children in conjunction with the parents and sometimes the whole family. Children are often the 'canary in the coal mine' of the family dynamic and become mirrors of challenges individual members or the family as a whole is experiencing. As it takes a whole village to raise a child, it takes a whole family to help a child in distress heal. That is where my working with children begins, addressing the issues of the family.The family is the garden in which they grow, lets make your 'family garden' as healthy as possible so your children will thrive.

When doing therapy with young children, my primary goal is to first make them feel safe and comfortable. I use Play Therapy and Emotion Focused techniques to address concerns and help them regulate their emotions to be able to navigate significant changes in their lives. I find that it is helpful to collaborate with parents for a smoother transition of therapy tools into their lives at home. These younger years can greatly impact their adulthood, which makes therapy a useful tool in building long-term resilience. Call today to see if your child’s needs and my expertise are a good fit.