Child Counselling in Stittsville & Online Across Ontario

When might a child benefit from counselling?

Children experience many emotional, social and developmental challenges as they grow. Sometimes these challenges begin to affect their relationships, behaviour, school experiences or overall well-being.

You might consider counselling if your child is experiencing:

• Anxiety and excessive worry: Frequent worries, separation anxiety, fears, difficulty trying new things or needing constant reassurance. More about anxiety
• Big feelings and emotional regulation: Frequent meltdowns, frustration, anger, difficulty calming down or expressing emotions. More about emotional regulation
• School-related challenges: School avoidance, difficulty managing school stress, friendship struggles or feeling overwhelmed in the classroom.
• Self-esteem and confidence: Negative self-talk, difficulty believing in themselves or comparing themselves to others. More about self-esteem
• Social and friendship difficulties: Navigating friendships, feeling left out, managing conflict or developing social confidence.
• Life transitions: Adjusting to changes such as a new school, family changes, moving or other significant experiences.

You don’t need to wait until things become overwhelming to seek support. Sometimes having someone outside the family to talk to can make a meaningful difference.

My approach to working with children

As a former teacher, I understand how closely emotional well-being and learning are connected. I’ve seen how worries, friendship difficulties and challenges at home can follow children into the classroom and affect their ability to focus, participate and feel confident.

That experience continues to shape how I work as a therapist. I believe in building genuine connections, recognizing each child’s strengths and meeting children where they are.

I draw on several therapeutic approaches, adapting them to each child’s age, developmental needs and personality.

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) helps children understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings and behaviours. We explore how worries and unhelpful thinking patterns can affect how they feel and respond to situations.
• Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) helps parents and caregivers feel more confident supporting their child’s emotional experiences. Parents can be an important part of helping children navigate big feelings.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) introduces skills such as mindfulness, noticing thoughts and making choices that reflect what matters to us. These skills can help children develop greater emotional awareness and flexibility.

I also use age-appropriate stories, workbooks and practical activities to help make counselling engaging and meaningful.

What to expect when starting child counselling

Beginning counselling can feel like a big step, especially if your child has never met with a therapist before.

Our first step is a free 15-minute call where we can talk about your concerns, answer questions and see whether we’re a good fit.

Sessions are tailored to your child’s individual needs and developmental stage. We work together to establish meaningful goals and adjust our approach as your child grows and develops.

I offer 50-minute counselling sessions in person in my private Stittsville counselling space or virtually across Ontario. For most young children, in-person sessions work best.