Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Hamilton, ON.

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.

Children explore and make sense of their world through imagination and play, so why should therapy be any different? Your child will experience upbeat, playful, and engaging ways to tackle even the most difficult/serious problems. My hope is that our sessions will be a place where your child experiences themselves as capable, knowledgable, and clever. And hey, let's still find a way to have some fun too! I've been told by many parents that their kids are so excited for the next session they can't wait to come back... A far cry from feeling like you have to convince them to do something. *Please note, I work particularly well with children from the ages of six years old and up.

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.

I specialize in working with children ages 4 and up. My goal is to create a warm, inviting environment where children need the opportunity to express themselves, but they also need to be able to do it in the way that comes most naturally to them: play. I believe it's important that kids can have a place where they can have fun and develop their natural potential. This may mean learning to express emotions, improving behaviour or learning coping skills

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

Therapeutic art making works really well with young children as they often have difficulty expressing their feelings with words. I use this technique in counselling young children along with interview style counselling, to provide a non-threatening way to communicate with young children about their feelings and experiences. Children are far more expressive in their artwork, and tend to communicate their inner worlds through their drawings. I tap into their experiences using their art and work with parents to resolve issues the child may be dealing with. Often I have parents create art with their child to help them gain insight into their child’s experiences.

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.

Instead of working directly with young children, our practice believes that the best work can be done by supporting parents. When we can learn to regulate our own emotions, heal our own wounds, manage conflict in our relationships, and learn to understand the needs and messages underneath our children's behaviour, we can help create the change we hope to see in our household. Our therapists know that parenting isn't easy, and have a deep compassion for this role. We can create a space for your process the difficulties of parenting, as well as help you find ways to intervene and cope better. If you want support now, book a consult or session today! www.kaleidoscopecounsellingco.com

It can be especially scary when a child struggles, because it can be so hard for them to communicate and as adults, we often want to protect them from the things that can hurt them. On top of that, we know that the struggles of childhood can go on to affect adulthood. Fortunately, through different types of counselling, such as play therapy and attachment therapy, young children are often able to find a means of communication and are able to express themselves and their struggles.

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.

Children can be impacted by transitions and traumas in their lives. When they don’t know how to cope, the stress can build up. I provide safe and compassionate counselling where the child can talk about their feelings without the fear of being judged, better understand why they feel this way and learn strategies to move forward. I help children express their feelings and emotions through the lenses of play and art therapy combined with cognitive behavioural therapy for children. examples of common problems that can be addressed in my therapy: -bullying -loss/grief separation/divorce -depression, anxiety and panic -attachment disorder -behavioural challenges -learning difficulties