Child Therapy

Child Psychologists in St. Albert, Edmonton and Leduc

There are few things harder than parenting a child with mental health issues. If your child is on the younger side, they may struggle to articulate their feelings, making it difficult for you to figure out what’s wrong. And if they’re on the older side, they may not feel comfortable articulating their feelings to begin with. 

As a result, you may feel like you’re in the dark about your child’s mental health. In spite of all your efforts to help them and get to the bottom of their issues, you still don’t know where to start.

Thankfully, you don’t have to keep trying to do it all yourself. At Summit Counselling, our therapists specialize in helping kids learn to manage their emotions, articulate their problems, and become more confident in who they are. We believe that we can do the same for your child. 

Childhood Mental Health Issues Are Incredibly Common

According to Youth Mental Health Canada, an estimated 1.2 million Canadian youth are affected by mental illness. What’s more, about 70 percent of mental health problems begin in early childhood or adolescence.* Put simply, it’s very normal for children of all ages to wrestle with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and many other mental and emotional challenges. 

Oftentimes, mental health issues in children arise because of stressful life transitions like moving, going to a new school, or having parents in the midst of a divorce. Sometimes kids struggle even if these transitions are positive in nature, such as when parents remarry and two families are blended together. Adjusting to a new routine with new people is difficult for kids, no matter how kind and supportive the family members may be. 

Your Child’s Struggles Are Not A Reflection Of Your Parenting

As a parent, it’s easy to blame yourself for your child’s issues. But no matter how great of a parent you are, you can’t know the answer to everything. Even the most loving and caring parents can’t guarantee that their children won’t struggle. This is why it’s so important to be kind to yourself and accept that your child’s difficulties aren’t always within your control. 

We recognize that you’re doing the best that you can, and that’s why we’re here. No parent can do all the heavy lifting alone. Sometimes it takes a registered psychologist to get to the bottom of your child’s issues and figure out where the problem really lies. 

Therapy Can Help Your Child Learn Real-Life Skills In A Safe And Engaging Environment

In most settings, your child is probably used to having adults talk down to them and tell them how to behave. The beauty of therapy is that it gives your child a place where they don’t have to worry about that. Here at Summit Counselling, our sessions provide a safe space for kids to relax, unwind, and be themselves. 

Our mission is to give your child the tools to build self-confidence, set healthy boundaries, and manage big emotions. Along the way, we try to make the healing process fun, engaging, and child-friendly. We like to incorporate art and play into therapy and we often have animals join our sessions so that children feel comfortable and at ease. 

What To Expect In Child Counselling Sessions

In the beginning, we’ll have a phone consult with you to discuss your child’s struggles and answer any questions you have (your child is welcome to join if they want). The first counselling session will be held with you and your child together, ensuring that your child has a voice in their own treatment. Although the majority of sessions will be held with just your child and their therapist, we always strive to keep parents involved. From time to time, we can have check-in sessions with you to discuss progress and listen to your feedback.

After all, you’re probably with your child more than anyone, so having your perspective is incredibly helpful. Not only will we give you skills that you can utilise with your child, but we’ll also give you a space to objectively assess what’s working and what’s not. We’d love to hear you tell us what skills are helping your child and what skills may not be right for them. This can help us adjust our treatment plan accordingly.

Our Approach To Child Therapy

We always customize counseling depending on the needs of your child. For most kids, we use play therapy and art therapy to help them express themselves and come up with creative solutions to everyday problems. Some of our specialists also utilise Sports Psychology to help children navigate high-stress extracurriculars and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to help them process and resolve trauma. 

Additionally, animal-assisted therapy is central to our work with kids. Occasionally we have dogs come into the office, and since we rent a nearby barn, we have equine sessions once a week so that children can interact with horses. Therapy can be awkward for kids, so having animals in sessions is a great way to make them feel at ease. Animals are incredibly therapeutic and bring a calming presence into the counselling space. 

By making therapy fun, interactive, and child-friendly, we’re confident that we can empower your child to find their voice, improve their self-esteem, and learn to navigate all the ups and downs of growing up. Most importantly, we want to help them deepen their connection with you, allowing the parent-child relationship to serve as the foundation for their healing and growth.

You May Have Some Questions About Child Therapy…

How do I know if my child needs therapy?

It is always a good idea to have your child in therapy. Working with a therapist can help set your child up for greater success as a teenager and as an adult, giving them the coping skills and emotional intelligence to navigate whatever challenges come their way. If you’re unsure about what decision to make, it never hurts to schedule a free consult with one of our child counsellors. 

What if my child is too shy to talk?

That’s why we have animal-assisted therapy—for kids on the shyer side, there’s nothing more relaxing than interacting with animals during sessions. What’s more, child-friendly approaches like art therapy and play therapy allow kids to be themselves and stay engaged. Our goal is always to cultivate a safe space for every child that comes through our doors—we aim to go at their pace and make therapy as comfortable as possible for them. 

What if my child won’t sit still?

They don’t have to! They can use toys, games, and art materials to express their feelings and learn new skills. We’re used to working with children who have trouble sitting still or paying attention, and we know how to keep therapy engaging for them. Your child is probably used to being told to sit still everywhere they go, but therapy with us is different. We’re not here to place unrealistic expectations on them—we believe that kids learn best when you meet them on their own level instead of expecting them to behave like adults. 

Counselling Can Set Your Child Up For Future Success

It can give them a significant advantage early on in life, enabling them to articulate, express, and manage difficult emotions. The skills your child learns in therapy can have lifelong benefits and stay with them even as they age. To connect with a registered psychologist who works with children, use our contact form or call us at 780-217-4665. 

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*Youth Mental Health Stats in Canada – Youth Mental Health Canada (ymhc.ngo)

Summit Counselling Therapists Who Specialize in Child & Adolescent Therapy:

We have several trained play therapy counselors located in St. Albert, Edmonton, and Leduc. Our child psychologists are passionate about working with children and teens. Come check out our play therapy room in our St. Albert therapy office!

To book online with one of our therapists, click their name listed above. 

Child & Adolescent Therapy – Edmonton and St. Albert Child Psychologists

Summit Counselling Services

10328 121 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5N 1K8, Canada

Child Therapy in Edmonton

Play Therapy Psychologists in St. Albert

For Directions to our St. Albert Psychology Clinic, Click Here

For Directions to our Edmonton Psychology Clinic, Click Here

Summit Counselling Services is a counselling clinic located in Central Edmonton. We provide clinical services to children, adolescents, adults, seniors, couples, and families. We have a talented team of Edmonton psychologists, therapists and counsellors with a wide range of specializations and trainings at Summit Counselling Services who would be honoured to walk beside you on your journey. At Summit, we believe in therapy your way.  Our goal is to customize your psychotherapy and counselling sessions to best suit your needs.  We believe in the differences and unique perspectives each person brings to therapy and incorporate these into our work with you.