Children Ages 2-12
Children in this age range experience an incredible amount of change as they grow – encountering plenty of frustration, alarm, and emotional meltdowns along the way. Many of the children who ultimately develop consistent unhealthy or challenging behaviours are kids that are referred to as “super feelers” in the world of Emotion-Focused Family Therapy. These kids feel their emotions more intensely than the majority of us, and tend to pick up on the emotions of those around them as well.
Strategies are used in counselling that include emotion coaching and using play in a safe and constructive way to help the child experience and move through his/her intense emotions safely, and without repercussions.
Adolescents (13+)
Adolescence is a time of many changes – physically, psychologically, and emotionally. These changes can bring significant alterations in behaviour for a teenager, which may subsequently impact the relationship between parent and child as well. In addition, a pre-occupation with peers, and the digital revolution (social media, smartphones, video games, etc.), typically only serves to amplify underlying issues for a teen. Parents may suddenly find themselves in uncharted territory, with a child whose behaviour they hardly recognize.
What to expect in our first meeting (for both children & adolescents)
I aim to offer time-limited and focused interventions for parents and their children. In the initial meeting I meet with the parent/caregiver, without the child being present, and I collect details regarding the current situation and concerns, and your goals for counselling. After this initial session, I map out the best preliminary course of action for you and your child/adolescent.
Providing Guidance & Support With the Following:
- Aggression
- Anger
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism, Autism Spectrum, Aspergers
- Eating Disorders
- Self-Harm
- Depression
- Adoption
- Attachment wounding
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- Developmental trauma and neglect
- Helping a child process the death of a loved one
- Anxiety
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Social Anxiety (Excessive Shyness; Selective Mutism)
- School Anxiety or Refusal
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Phobias (specific fears)
- Panic Disorder/Panic Attacks
- Fear of illness (excessive worry about getting sick)
- Highly sensitive
- Developmental Delays
- PTSD
- Sensory Processing Disorder