Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Niagara on the Lake, ON.

Raising children can bring great joy, however parent-child relationships can be extremely challenging at times. It is important to create and model healthy boundaries for our children. It is also important to promote our children’s emotional health. In therapy I work with you and your child or children to find positive ways to address difficulties and develop healthy relationships.

Children and teens are growing up in a fast-changing world. Life can be overwhelming. How can counselling help? Younger children express themselves best through play. Both parents and therapists may learn a great deal by watching children play or from their art work. We ask questions to explore the child’s feelings and support the child’s own problem-solving. Older children may like workbooks, exercises. Family Therapy is yet another approach. With help from the therapist, all family members can express themselves and hear each other in ways that usually do not happen in today’s busy households. Family Therapy works better if the children are old enough to stay focused for an hour.

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.

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’s behaviour is often a reflection of their internal experience. Including parents/caregivers in therapy can provide the opportunity for parents to help their child better understand their emotional experiences, to facilitate helpful communication, and to provide an environment that fosters both security and independence. I work with individuals, couples, children and families. Book a free consultation to explore if we are a good fit for therapy.

While I do not work with youth under the age of 18, 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 supporting children and youth through therapy, Nicole offers a unique approach to each child. Nicole is a Registered Social worker and a trained kids yoga instructor. Combining these specialties offers a unique opportunity to help children explore and understand their experience, feelings and emotions. Through body movement, play, art and other approaches, Nicole focuses on building a relationship of safety and trust with each child, understanding that this is key to supporting a child through therapy.

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.

[I OFFER VIDEO SESSIONS THROUGHOUT ALBERTA AND ONTARIO]. I have seen children with various disorders, but mostly those who are 6 years of age and older. I have been a psychologist since 1986, and I have expertise in several approaches. My main approaches include cognitive behaviour therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and humanistic therapy. BOOK AN APPOINTMENT NOW: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14249112

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

Imagine how your life would have turned out if someone helped heal your fears, traumas, and insecurities experienced as a child. I enjoy working with children because I believe it's an opportunity to help heal things that have no purpose in carrying through into adulthood. I'm grateful for the opportunity to see the world through a child's lens and understand they ways in which we as adults can work to better care for future generations. My work with children borrows from play therapy, art therapy and narrative therapy.