Child Counselling
For Parents
Few things hurt as much as watching your child in pain - seeing them overwhelmed by anxiety, or stuck in unhelpful habits. Their emotions and behaviour impact the whole family. Sometimes home can feel like a minefield, or we have to carry the added weight of guilt, wishing we knew what to do, or how to change things for our family and our child.
It’s ironic for such a “busy” job, but parenting can feel very lonely. Child therapy includes reframing the goals and opportunities in a way that brings direction and hope to parents as well.
Whether your child struggles with certain behaviours, depression, or anxiety, or there is a problem they can’t seem to make progress with—you and your child are welcome here.
Navigating their world
"Pooh knew what he meant, but being a Bear of Very Little Brain, he couldn't think of the words."
— A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
Children don’t have all the words adults do, but their inner world of feelings and imagination is just as rich and complex as ours.
All children’s behaviour is an attempt to communicate something, and is motivated by valid and legitimate needs.
Counselling is an opportunity to discovery the child’s needs - and it’s a space to explore and provide a pathway for more regulated and integrated expression of those needs.
Finding a path forward - our work together
In our initial sessions, I facilitate a collaborative process where we identify what "better" looks like for your family.
For you as a parent - We identify the shifts you want to see happening, and the support you need.
For your child - We look for the unmet needs and/or stuck emotions behind the behaviours.
Once we are clear on the goals, and I then communicate the suggested interventions we will be using with your child to work on their presenting problem. This often includes hand outs and resources for you and your child.
Person-centred therapy means that understanding and acceptance are central to our process.
I want to understand what it is like to be a parent to your child when they are hurting. Moreover, I want to understand what it is like to be a child who is stuck.
Because a child’s prefrontal cortex isn’t fully online yet, traditional "talk therapy" can be frustrating for them. I use trauma-informed, creative, and evidence-based approaches to help your child communicate with me. While your child is given the space to “lead” the session - which builds trust and agency - I am constantly monitoring our shared objectives to ensure we are moving toward growth and change.
As a parent, I have experience with neurodivergence and understand that this journey looks very different for each child. While primarily person-centred, my work is also eclectic, drawing on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing to ensure our approach fits your child’s unique world.
Book a free 15 - 20 minute consultation. This can be done virtually or in person at the clinic