Child and Youth Therapy

At Creating Connection, we specialize in child therapy for kids aged 3 to 12 in the Timmins area and virtually across Ontario. Our therapeutic approach is designed to support children in expressing their thoughts and emotions in a safe and nurturing environment. We help children navigate various challenges, fostering their emotional and social development.

How Caregivers Can Support Their Child’s Therapy

We believe that caregiver involvement is crucial to a child’s therapeutic success. We provide resources and strategies to help parents support their child’s emotional growth and reinforce skills learned in therapy at home.

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Child therapy session in Ontario with a therapist and young girl holding a stuffed animal, creating a comfortable and supportive environment.
Child therapy session in Ontario featuring a therapist and young girl engaging in play therapy with colourful blocks, fostering a supportive environment.

Tailored Therapeutic Approaches

Our therapists adapt each session to fit the unique needs and age of your child, combining various methods to create a supportive and engaging environment. Some of our core approaches include:

  • Art and Play Therapy: Through art and play therapy, children can express emotions in ways that feel natural and safe, promoting self-discovery and emotional growth.
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Coping Skills: Children learn practical techniques to manage difficult emotions and reshape unhelpful thought patterns, building resilience over time.
  • Role Play and Social Skills Development: Practicing real-life scenarios through role play helps children build confidence and improve interactions with others.

We also offer parental guidance to support therapy goals at home, providing strategies like emotion coaching and psycho-education to reinforce skills learned in each session.

In-person & Secure Video Sessions Available

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PHIPA Compliant

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Common Issues Addressed in Children's Therapy:

  • Anxiety and Depression
  • Behavioral Issues
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
  • Effects of Bullying
  • Grief and Loss
  • Emotional and Physical Trauma
  • Building Self-Esteem
Child therapy session addressing common issues like anxiety, ADHD, and self-esteem with a therapist in Ontario.
Child therapy session highlighting benefits like emotional expression, coping skills, and social development with a therapist in Ontario.

Benefits of Children's Therapy

Children’s therapy can be particularly helpful for children experiencing emotional distress, behavioral challenges, or significant life transitions. Through therapy, children learn to:

  • Express their feelings constructively
  • Develop healthier coping mechanisms
  • Improve their social skills and relationships

Frequently Asked Questions

Get Started with Therapy

Book a free consultation via our online booking tool or send us a message. Offering evening and weekend appointments, online across Ontario and in-person in Timmins.

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The Caregivers Role in Child Therapy

Authored by Kelly Lamothe, MSW, RSW

Generally, children are not in therapy because they’ve requested it, rather, their caregiver, medical professional, or school has recommended they attend. Here are essential insights for caregivers to bear in mind during their child’s therapeutic journey.

Navigating the Start of Therapy
Before the first appointment, it can be helpful to prepare the child by explaining to them what they are about to do and what to expect. Offering ample reassurance, framing therapy as a positive and exciting experience, and creating positive associations can significantly enhance the child’s willingness to engage. Positive associations go a long way for helping the child enjoy and be willing to attend therapy. Pair a therapy session with a fun activity afterwards, such as allowing them a special treat or activity.

Creating a Positive Therapeutic Environment
Therapy doesn’t have to come with the same dread as going to get a cavity filled at the dentists. Therapists are committed to making the experience engaging and fun through activities like games, positive reinforcement, and creative expressions like playing with toys or art. Importantly, therapists respect a child’s comfort level and never force them to prolong a session beyond their readiness. The goal is to build positive associations that encourage the child’s enthusiasm to return. Forcing the child to stay longer than they want will not be conducive to learning new skills or building and maintaining trust.

Building Trust Over Time
Establishing trust with the therapist is a gradual process for the child. Similar to adults who may be hesitant to share inner thoughts with a stranger, it is unrealistic to expect immediate trust from a child. The initial few sessions, and sometimes longer, focus on nurturing trust, developing the therapeutic relationship, and gaining a deeper understanding of the child.

Diverse Approaches to Child Therapy
Child therapy doesn’t always appear like the traditional portrayals in the media. Unlike the image of someone on a couch in deep conversation, this is not an accurate representation of child therapy. Most children will not engage in traditional talk therapy to have deep conversations about what is troubling them as adults would. As such, the child therapist is trained to obtain relevant information and provide the child with essential skills through other modalities, such as play.

Home as an Extension of Therapy
While therapists spend limited time with the child during sessions, the caregiver plays a crucial role in reinforcing therapy at home. Just as a child needs reminders for everyday tasks, such as brushing their teeth, caregivers are responsible for prompting and supporting the child in practicing the skills learned during therapy. Like learning any new skill, practice makes progress.

Mutual Engagement in the Therapeutic Process
Caregivers are integral to the therapeutic process. The therapist may offer recommendations based on observed interactions, encouraging caregivers to manage situations and behaviors more effectively. Learning to navigate their own emotions and behaviors equips caregivers to better support their child, sometimes necessitating their own individual therapy.

Collaboration for the Child’s Success
Therapists are allies with the child’s best interests at heart. Open communication is crucial; caregivers should share thoughts and concerns, enabling therapists to tailor the therapy to the child’s unique needs and goals. If a particular approach isn’t yielding results, caregivers are encouraged to communicate with the therapist for alternative strategies. Together, caregivers and therapists form a collaborative team dedicated to the child’s success and well-being.