What are the signs that my
child might need therapy?
Social isolation is one of the greatest risk factors children can face, leading to numerous problems and negative outcomes. If your child is isolated or bullied into isolation, consider therapy to help them build supportive relationships and ensure they feel fully supported.
Identity development is a crucial aspect of adolescent growth, continuing well into the mid-20s and beyond. While challenges with identity are expected, severe difficulties can lead to increased risks of self-harm and substance use experimentation.
Evidence increasingly highlights the potential problems and dangers of social media use for young people. Navigating this issue is complex for any parent, and it's crucial for children to learn how to handle social media challenges. For girls especially, social media can significantly impact self-esteem, identity, friendships, and socialisation.
If you are in danger, call 911 now.
Emergency services are available to provide the support and protection you need. Your well-being is paramount, and taking this step can save your life.
We work collaboratively with parents to ensure that our interventions complement your role, helping your child navigate their difficulties and thrive.
Unlike LENS sessions, EEGR neurofeedback sessions require conscious effort and attention to stimuli by the client. Sessions last between 30-45 minutes each.
On the other hand, LENS does not require any focused attention, and the person does not need to do anything specific during the session. This makes LENS an excellent option for all individuals, including those who are unable to attend for lengthy periods of time and/or who are unable to understand instructions.
We follow the recommended fees set forth by the Psychologists' Association of Alberta.
LENS sessions are typically 30 minutes and are a flat fee of $150
EEGR sessions are typically 30 minutes and are a flat fee of $150
Billing may also occur in 10 minute increments for services done outside the therapy hour such as phone calls, writing letters, etc., letters and will be charged based on the hourly rate of the therapist for the service rendered. Sessions are billed based on the actual time, not the estimated time.
Child therapy is not a substitute for parenting; it involves a trusted and knowledgeable professional who carefully integrates themselves into your child’s life to offer insights, strategies, and additional comfort during challenging times. This form of therapy is meant to support, not replace, the essential role parents play, respecting parental and cultural practices. Child therapy can be profoundly impactful, providing children with a safe space to discuss difficult issues and a trusted person to turn to for guidance and support.
The best type of therapy for children varies greatly depending on the child’s needs and the issues at hand. For children under 12, non-verbal strategies are often used to help them process difficult emotions and experiences. Since young children may not have the cognitive maturity or verbal skills to articulate their feelings like adults, these non-verbal methods can be more effective in helping them navigate and understand their challenges.
As of 2024, the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children include ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The ultimate goal of child therapy is to improve your child’s functioning in key areas of their life, such as social interactions, cognitive development, and academic performance. Through therapy, your child can acquire new strategies to effectively manage the challenges they face. Additionally, therapy provides a positive role model in the form of the therapist, helping to boost your child’s confidence and offering someone they can emulate in developing skills to handle difficult situations. This combination of skill development and positive modeling aims to empower your child to navigate their world more successfully.
Signs that may indicate a need for mental health support include persistent sadness lasting two or more weeks, changes in social behavior such as withdrawal from others, self-harm or discussions of self-harm, identity issues, talk of death or suicide, school refusal, refusal to spend time with a parent, bullying or being bullied, social isolation, lack of empathy or remorse for others, and mood swings or frequent outbursts. These symptoms suggest the need for professional assistance to address underlying emotional or psychological issues effectively.
Therapy can be beneficial for virtually everyone, but with younger children, parental involvement becomes increasingly important. For younger kids, having a parent present during therapy sessions or participating actively can be necessary to ensure the child feels secure and supported. As children grow older, they may feel more comfortable attending sessions on their own, but even then, parental involvement remains crucial. This involvement ensures that the strategies and lessons learned in therapy are reinforced and supported at home, creating a consistent environment for the child’s growth and development. Parental engagement helps bridge the gap between therapy and daily life, making the therapeutic process more effective.
