Play and Expressive Therapy

Child and Youth Therapy  

"What a child can't express verbally, they will make you feel." 

Children and youth also struggle with mental health. Early intervention is very important with young people. We offer a safe, supportive and positive introduction to the experience of child-focused counselling for a range of presentations such as neurodevelopmental delays (ADHD, FASD, ASD, structural dissociation), aggression and anger outbursts, mood swings and low affect, persistent parent-child conflicts (especially around limits to technology), persistent emotional dysregulation, reactive attachment, social challenges such as lying, stealing or other destructive behaviours. We can offer support if your child/youth is experiencing suicidal ideation or self-harming.  

Often children do not communicate their needs verbally. They are more likely  to communicate through behaviours and acting out. We help parents see behaviour through the lens of attachment. All challenging behaviours are bids for connection from the child or youth. Big behaviours in children are a form of communication.  We encourage parents to pause, understand and be curious while providing the child with an alternative experience to the one that is causing the distress or pain in their lives.  

Attachment needs change and evolve throughout our lifetime. We will help you establish the right balance between autonomy and connection, help you repair relational ruptures and strengthen secure attachment with your child. Challenging behaviours tend to subside through this therapeutic process and both the child and parent feel seen, heard and validated. 

Therapy is offered for children 5 years and older. Parent-child session (filial therapy)  may be suggested as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. The child/youth therapy program typically involves a minimum of 8 weekly sessions depending on the presenting issues and following a clinical assessment. 

Mental Health and Wellness

Parenting Support 

"You can't give what you never received. Parenting is a lifelong learning journey." 

Parenting is a very complex responsibility and it happens in the context of some very  challenging socio-economic circumstances no matter what the caregiving configuration is for your children. Furthermore, children are influenced by forces outside the home such as school, peer groups, online activity, and  extracurricular community activities. Different homes have different rules and children notice! That can make parenting even more stressful, frustrating and confusing at times. 

Raising a child can also mirror back to us some unhealed parts of our own self. Watching your own children grow can remind you of your own experiences growing up. You may be reflecting on what you experienced as a child and your own parenting styles may be deeply influenced by your upbringing. Triggers can emerge that leave you somewhat puzzled and blind sided. This is a common experience. We offer a safe space to process these childhood memories as well as navigate how you choose to parent today. It's never too late to make changes for the better. 

Parenting can also reveal unexpected  differences  with your partner when it comes to  values, boundary styles and approaches to dealing with conflict in child-parent relationships. 

We can help you find common ground with your partner or co parent and help improve mutual  respect, acceptance and accountability. We can help you explore your communication style and needs within your family relationships.  Clear and compassionate communication is a skill that can be learned and practiced. 

Above all we will help you nurture a healthy self care routine to  prevent parental burnout. Consistent self care practices are the key to being a well-grounded and regulated caregiver.  

Let us help you be the best version of yourself! 

Healing from Trauma  

Trauma Recovery 

"The scariest part of trauma is feeling alone and isolated in the experience of it." 

Many people have experienced some form of trauma. Unresolved  traumatic events in your life can impact your wellbeing emotionally, physically and cognitively. Left unresolved, old trauma wounds can impede your ability to function optimally in work, family, everyday life. Unresolved trauma may continue to impact all of your relationships. 

Trauma therapy will help you understand what happened to you and how triggers emerge as a result. You will explore new ways of understanding the traumatic experiences in a safe, non- judgmental, compassionate and regulated manner. You determine the pace of the therapy and what you are ready to work on.

Healing from trauma means that those charged experiences no longer cause chaos and struggle in your life or lead you to unhealthy coping patterns. Trauma therapy can help you identify new choices and strategies that will serve you better.

If you are ready to make changes in your life we are here to support you through that process. We will be your greatest advocate and help you get your needs met. Healing is possible! 

Ask us if trauma therapy could help you move towards your wellness goals. 

Adults, Youth and Children 

EMDR Therapy  

What is EMDR? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a neurological approach that helps individuals quickly and successfully resolve past experiences that were left emotionally charged. These memories continue to negatively influence your present emotions, thoughts and sensations about yourself. As an example: "Do you ever feel like a failure although you know that you are not a failure?" 

EMDR processing helps you break through the emotional blocks that are keeping you from living a thriving,  adaptive, and emotionally fulfilling life. EMDR can be a helpful therapy for adults, children and youth. Ask us about EMDR Play Therapy for children and youth. 

EMDR is a safe, effective  and clinically proven therapeutic intervention with decades of clinical research to support its merits. It uses bilateral stimulation to activate the memory networks holding limiting beliefs. EMDR helps you update disturbing experiences from your past so that they no longer hold you back. This reprocessing is very similar to what happens in our brains during REM sleep. The rapid eye movement in this sleep cycle helps the brain process experiences and tap into our adaptive neural  networks. The memories are consequently reprocessed and updated into a healthier present perspective. 

Ask us if EMDR is a good fit for the achievement your metal health goals and overall treatment plan.