Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Port Perry, ON.

Is your child bullied or isolated from others? Is your child reluctant to go to school, has trouble making friends, or seems withdrawn and lonely? Many children have trouble with self confidence, anxiety or social skills. Improving self esteem, emotional regulation, and social skills deficits in the younger years reduces difficulties later. We all want the best for our children, and as a parent myself I know how it can hurt to watch your child suffer and not know how to help. Find out how your child can be helped by in-person counselling, online coaching, or online educational programs.

Since the pandemic, many youths are struggling personally, socially, and academically. Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, I spent 10 years working with children and youth as a guidance counsellor helping youth navigate their challenges and direction in life. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with me to see if I am the proper fit for your journey.

Here at JP&A we offer counselling approaches for children, drawing upon art and play therapy modalities to assist children with the challenges they may be facing. We also work with parents to coach steps and strategies you can use at home to assist your child with recovery, coping and enhancing their level of functioning (e.g. social, spiritual, intellectual, emotional etc.)

Young children often express their feelings through play, behaviour, and imagination. At Willow Tree Wellness, I provide a warm, safe, and playful environment where children can explore big emotions, build confidence, and develop healthy coping skills. Using child-centered, evidence-based approaches, I support children in understanding their feelings, navigating challenges, and strengthening connections with caregivers. Therapy is gentle, engaging, and focused on helping your child feel seen, supported, and empowered as they grow.

I work with each child at their own pace, using creative, playful and meaningful strategies to understand and address their emotional and behavioural needs. If appropriate or necessary, I might also incorporate parents/guardians into the therapeutic work. I can also suggest resources and strategies alongside the individual work with the child to assist parents in supporting the child's therapeutic process and personal growth.

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

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.

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.

When doing therapy with young children, my primary goal is to first make them feel safe and comfortable. I use Play Therapy and Emotion Focused techniques to address concerns and help them regulate their emotions to be able to navigate significant changes in their lives. I find that it is helpful to collaborate with parents for a smoother transition of therapy tools into their lives at home. These younger years can greatly impact their adulthood, which makes therapy a useful tool in building long-term resilience. Call today to see if your child’s needs and my expertise are a good fit.

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