Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Woodbridge, ON.

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 do not work directly with young children, but I work with parents who are navigating the complexity of raising them. Parenting often surfaces unresolved dynamics — from one’s own upbringing, attachment history, or relational wounds. Together, we explore how your internal world interacts with the demands of parenting: how stress, burnout, or disconnection may influence how you show up for your children. This work supports parents in creating healthier relational systems at home — fostering emotional safety, attunement, and clarity for both themselves and their children.

Working with young children requires a gentle, playful, and creative approach that meets them at their developmental level. In counselling, I create a safe and engaging environment where children can express themselves through play, art, and other age-appropriate activities. These methods help them explore feelings, build coping skills, and develop healthy ways to communicate. I work closely with parents and caregivers to understand the child’s needs and provide consistent support at home. Whether addressing anxiety, behavioural challenges, social skills, or the effects of life changes, my goal is to help children feel understood and strengthen their emotional resilience.

Children experience big emotions, even when they don’t have the words to express them. Our child therapists use play, creativity, and connection to help children process difficult feelings, build confidence, and feel safe in their world. Whether your child is dealing with anxiety, tantrums, grief, or school challenges, we work closely with caregivers to ensure that your child feels supported at home and in therapy. Every session is designed to help your child feel seen, heard, and understood.

Parents bring their young children or adolescents to see me for counselling when they are having severe conflicts with them, when they see that their kids are struggling with school-work or with peer relationships, and when their children are experiencing psychological distress such as anxiety, depression, or difficulty adjusting to change. In all my work, I include the parents as partners in the treatment process.

Growing up is a unique phase of life, filled with new experiences, challenges, and developmental changes. Navigating this period can feel overwhelming and intense. Our work together will involve exploring these aspects of yourself and processing the emotions that arise along the way. Many young people can struggle to express their feelings and may not feel comfortable sharing with family so speaking with a therapist can feel reassuring, as it offers a safe, compassionate environment where you can express your emotions freely, without judgment or expectations. Book a free 15-minute consultation with me to see if I’m the right fit for you.

Child therapy utilizes a number of techniques that allow children to express their thoughts, feelings, and conflicts in order to heal and change their maladaptive behaviours and modes of expression. In play, children learn how to express themselves in constructive ways, to control their behaviour, to make better decisions, and to accept responsibility for their actions. When children can communicate or play out how they feel to someone who understands and validates them, they feel better because their feelings have been released and transformed. This also allows them to form a positive and healthy attachment to a caring adult, further enabling them to develop positive feelings for others.

I love working with children!! Children are wired to learn. Often, though, they struggle to communicate their needs, wants and wishes with others in a proper way. Likewise, adults struggle in the same way and/or feel inadequate in coaching their children. Broken communication lines can cause major side effects. This is where I come in. I'm able to connect with most children quit rapidly. I find that whenever children feel understood, they quickly establish a safe bond and share their stories with me. Once this bond is built, most children can't wait to come back to see me for more life coaching/counselling. Parents are always surprised by this.

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

There are a wide range of issues that affect children - they are vulnerable to many kinds of maltreatment and increasing stressors in our culture. However children often find it difficult to express their feelings and fears, which means that problems can be left undetected and unresolved. It is helpful then, to seek professional help if a child seems unhappy or distressed. With children, the construction of a trusting relationship between counsellor and client is especially important. Sometimes the counsellor will use puppets or sandboxes or play therapy to allow the child to tell their own story. In a safe trusting environment, the child can find their way towards emotional health.

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.