Child and Youth Counselling

We see children and youth of all ages. For our younger clients, we generally use techniques such as Play Therapy.  Play Therapy is generally for children ages 3 to 11. Play therapy is a form of Counselling that relies on play to help therapists communicate with children and understand their mental health. Because children develop cognitive skills before language skills, play is an effective way to understand a child. The therapist may observe a child playing with toys–such as playhouses and dolls–to understand the child’s behaviour and identify issues.

Child play therapy is a form of therapy that uses play as a medium for children to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Through play, children can express themselves freely without the pressure of using words, which can be especially helpful for children who have difficulty verbalizing their emotions. Trained therapists use various play techniques and toys to help children work through their emotional, behavioural, or developmental issues. Play therapy is often used to help children who have experienced trauma, abuse, anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns.