Man smiling during an online therapy session, representing Thunder Bay counselling services at Creating Connection.

Online Thunder Bay Counselling Services for Every Stage of Life

Access expert online counselling tailored to your unique needs, available virtually for individuals, couples, and families in Thunder Bay.

At Creating Connection, we provide specialized online Thunder Bay counselling services to help you navigate life’s challenges with the guidance and support of experienced, licensed therapists who are committed to your well-being. Whether you’re facing relationship struggles, managing anxiety, working through grief, or seeking personal growth, we offer compassionate, personalized care tailored to your unique situation and goals. With our convenient online therapy sessions, you can access professional counselling no matter where you are in Thunder Bay, from the comfort and privacy of your own home, ensuring flexibility, accessibility, and a focus on your mental health.

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Our Therapy Services

Online Individual Therapy

Overcome personal obstacles with expert guidance through virtual sessions.

Postpartum Counselling Online

Supporting new mothers in their emotional well-being with virtual counselling.

Online Couples Therapy

Strengthen your relationship with our professional online counselling.

Online Addiction Counselling

Offering Thunder Bay residents a path to recovery and healing through online therapy.

Online Family Therapy

Heal family dynamics with supportive family counselling from home.

Online Grief Counselling

Navigate loss with empathy and professional care through virtual sessions.

Why Choose Creating Connection?

  • Experienced Therapists: Our licensed counsellors are committed to helping you achieve lasting results through virtual therapy.
  • Personalized Thunder Bay Counselling Services: Customized treatment plans tailored to your needs, available online.
  • Flexible Online Therapy: Access counselling from the comfort and privacy of your home with our easy-to-use virtual therapy platform.
  • Compassionate Care: We provide a supportive and safe online space where you can grow and heal.
Woman enjoying a virtual counselling session with a cup of coffee, highlighting Thunder Bay counselling services at Creating Connection.

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.