Therapy for Children, Teens & Families
Supporting children, teens, parents, and families through growth and change.
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We provide children and family therapy in Carleton Place to support emotional well-being, communication, and connection within families. Therapy is developmentally appropriate, collaborative, and tailored to each family’s unique needs.
What is child/family therapy?
Children, teens, and families face many transitions and challenges as they grow. Family therapy offers a supportive space to explore concerns, understand behaviours, strengthen relationships, buffer the young person against change and/or challenge, and build connection between family members.
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Therapy may involve children, parents, caregivers, or the whole family, depending on goals and needs.
Who is child/family therapy for?
Therapy for your child, teen, or family may be helpful if your family is:
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Navigating behavioural or emotional challenges
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Experiencing communication difficulties
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Adjusting to life transitions or changes (such as divorce, moving, new siblings)
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Supporting a child through anxiety, stress, or big emotions
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Dealing with school challenges or bullying
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Seeking stronger family connection and understanding
Families do not need to have everything “figured out” to begin therapy—support is available at any stage.
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Our team works with children as young as 3 years of age with specialized training and experience to support the needs of this developmental stage.
Our approach to child/family therapy
Our therapists use a compassionate, child-centred, and family-systems approach. Sessions may include:
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Play-based or creative approaches for children
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Parent support and guidance
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Family systems and attachment-informed work
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Emotion regulation and communication strategies
Therapy is always adapted to the child’s developmental stage and the family’s goals.
What to expect
Intake and Assessment
The initial session focuses on understanding family dynamics, academic and social functioning, concerns, strengths, and goals, while determining the most supportive structure for therapy. Depending on the age of the child/teen, they will sometimes attend the initial session on their own, but often they are accompanied by their parent(s) for at least part of the appointment. This gives an opportunity for the parent(s) and child/teen to collaboratively discuss goals and potential routes for treatment with the therapist.
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Follow-Up Therapy Sessions
Sessions may include individual work, family sessions, or parent-focused sessions, depending on what best supports the child and family. Child sessions often take a creative approach to connect with the child’s primary way of learning and to help them integrate new strategies for behaviour change and managing emotions. Parents are welcome to join the sessions until their child feels comfortable with the therapist.
In-person & virtual options
Children and family therapy is offered in-person at our Carleton Place office. Virtual therapy through our secure online platform may also be an option depending on the age of the child.