Helping kids and teens feel seen, heard, and supported
Growing up in Calgary isn’t easy. Today’s kids and teens face pressures from school, friendships, social media, and family life, all while learning how to handle emotions that often feel bigger than they are. Therapy for children and teens gives young people a safe space to talk about what’s going on, build coping skills, and feel less alone.
At the same time, I work alongside parents so families feel more supported and connected as a whole.
What Therapy Can Help With
Therapy for children and teens can support with:
- Anxiety, stress, or worry that feels overwhelming
- Trouble with focus, ADHD, or school challenges
- Emotional regulation (big feelings, meltdowns, outbursts)
- Peer relationships, bullying, or friendship struggles
- Grief, loss, or family transitions
- Identity, self-esteem, and confidence
My Approach
I meet kids and teens where they are, using age-appropriate approaches that feel safe, engaging, and supportive. Depending on their needs, I may integrate:
- Play Therapy & Art-Based Approaches → safe ways to express feelings without pressure
- Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) → helping them recognize and regulate emotions
- Narrative Therapy → separating them from “problem stories” (like “I’m bad” or “I can’t do anything right”)
- Skill-Building Tools → practical strategies for focus, social skills, or calming the nervous system
With teens, therapy often feels like a conversation: real, collaborative, and focused on their world. With kids, we lean more on play, art, and creativity to make sessions feel safe and approachable.
Support for Parents Too
I believe kids heal best when parents feel supported, too. As part of therapy, I often meet with parents to share tools, insights, and strategies you can use at home. Together, we work toward more regulation, communication, and connection in your family.
Who I Can Support
Kids
Children often struggle to put words to what they’re feeling — big emotions can show up as meltdowns, worry, trouble focusing, or withdrawing. With over a decade of experience in education and child development, I use play and creative approaches to help kids express themselves, build coping skills, and gain confidence. Therapy gives them a safe place to feel seen and supported while learning strategies they can carry into everyday life.
Teens
Adolescence can feel like walking a tightrope: balancing identity, independence, friendships, and family expectations — all while under the pressures of school and social media. In my years as a teacher and school counsellor, I’ve seen how much teens benefit from a space that’s just for them: judgment-free, respectful, and real. I use conversation, skill-building, and creativity to help teens navigate stress, relationships, and self-esteem, while also supporting parents in understanding their teen’s world.
Parents
When a child struggles, parents often feel it just as deeply — along with guilt, helplessness, or frustration. As both a therapist and a mom of two, I know how overwhelming parenting can be. In sessions, I offer parents practical tools for emotional regulation, boundaries, and communication, while also creating space to reflect on their own stories. My background in teaching, program design, and counselling means I can provide strategies that work in real homes and schools, not just in theory.
Child & Teen Therapy FAQs
Will you tell me everything my child says in therapy?
Confidentiality is an important part of therapy, even for kids and teens. It helps them feel safe to open up. I don’t share every detail of what your child says, but I do keep parents involved in a way that supports the whole family. This might mean checking in on themes we’re working on, offering tools for home, or meeting with you directly. The exception is if your child’s safety is at risk. In that case, I will always involve parents right away.
How involved are parents in the process?
It depends on the child’s age, needs, and goals. With younger kids, I often collaborate closely with parents, offering feedback and strategies you can use at home. With teens, I balance their need for independence with your role as their parent, so you still feel included while they get the privacy they need to build trust. My goal is always to strengthen the parent–child connection.
What if my child doesn’t want to come to therapy?
This is very common. Some kids and teens worry that therapy will feel like school or that they’ll be judged. I use creative, engaging approaches (games, art, conversation) to make sessions feel safe and approachable. Often, once they realize therapy is their space (where they won’t get in trouble or be graded) they begin to open up. For teens especially, it can take a couple of sessions to build trust, and that’s okay.
Do you work with schools or teachers?
Yes, with your consent, I can collaborate with schools to support your child. My background as both a teacher and school counsellor helps me understand how challenges show up in the classroom and how to bridge support between school and home. This might mean sharing regulation tools, offering strategies for attention and focus, or helping teachers understand what your child needs to succeed.
Can therapy really make a difference for kids and teens?
Absolutely. Kids and teens are incredibly resilient. With the right tools and support, they can learn to regulate emotions, improve relationships, and build confidence. Parents often notice changes at home too — fewer conflicts, better communication, and more calm in daily routines. Therapy doesn’t “fix” kids, but it gives them (and you) new ways to handle challenges together.
How long does child or teen therapy usually last?
There’s no one-size-fits-all. Some kids benefit from short-term therapy (6–8 sessions) focused on specific skills, while others may need longer-term support for deeper challenges like trauma, anxiety, or family transitions. I check in regularly with both parents and kids/teens to make sure therapy is still meeting their needs and goals.
Do you offer online therapy for kids and teens?
Yes, I can I offer virtual sessions across Canada (except Quebec and certain Atlantic provinces). For older kids and teens, online sessions can work very well. For younger children, online therapy can still be engaging when we use creative activities and parent involvement. We can talk together about whether virtual or in-person sessions make the most sense for your family.
Give your child the support they need to thrive
Therapy can help kids and teens feel more confident, more connected, and better equipped to handle life’s challenges. Together, we’ll work toward more calm and connection in your family.