Child Therapy in Toronto
You know something is going on with your child. You can feel it — even if you can’t name it.
Maybe it’s the meltdowns that seem too big for the situation. The anxiety that keeps them up at night. The way they’ve withdrawn from friends, or the battles over homework and morning routines that leave the whole family drained. You’ve tried everything you can think of, and you’re wondering if it’s time to get help.
At Feel Your Way Therapy, our child therapists use play therapy, art therapy, and CBT to help children understand their emotions, develop coping skills, and build the confidence they need to thrive — at school, at home, and with their peers.
Have any questions? Send us a message!
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Therapy
Children don’t always have the words for what they’re feeling. Instead, they show you through their behaviour. If you’re noticing any of the following, it may be time to talk to a therapist.
Frequent meltdowns, tantrums, or emotional outbursts that seem disproportionate to the situation
Persistent anxiety — excessive worry, difficulty separating from parents, fear of new situations, or physical symptoms like stomachaches
Withdrawal from friends, activities, or things they used to enjoy
Difficulty at school — trouble focusing, declining grades, refusal to go, or frequent calls from teachers
Aggression, defiance, or behaviour that feels out of character
Difficulty managing transitions — new schools, divorce, a move, a new sibling
Sleep problems — nightmares, difficulty falling asleep, or refusing to sleep alone
Low self-esteem, negative self-talk, or saying things like “nobody likes me” or “I’m stupid”
Social struggles — difficulty making or keeping friends, bullying, or being bullied
Regression to earlier behaviours (bedwetting, thumb-sucking, baby talk) after a stressful event
Grief or loss — the death of a family member, pet, or significant person in their life
A diagnosis of ADHD, autism, or a learning disability that’s affecting their emotional wellbeing
You don’t need a diagnosis or a crisis to seek support. If your gut is telling you something is off, that’s reason enough.
How Child Therapy Works
Children process the world differently than adults. They don’t sit on a couch and talk about their feelings — they play, they draw, they build, they act things out. Child therapy meets children where they are, using developmentally appropriate methods to help them express what’s going on inside.
Just as families exploring Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum discover new perspectives together, our therapy sessions offer varied approaches to help your child find what works best—and we’re only a short ride north of the iconic CN Tower.
Play Therapy
Play is a child’s natural language. In play therapy, children use toys, games, sand trays, and imaginative play to express thoughts and feelings they can’t yet put into words. A trained play therapist observes and interacts with the child through play, helping them process difficult emotions, work through stressful experiences, and develop problem-solving skills.
Play therapy is especially effective for children ages 3 to 12 and is used to address anxiety, behavioural challenges, trauma, grief, family changes, and social difficulties.
Art Therapy
Art therapy uses drawing, painting, sculpting, and other creative activities to help children express emotions that they may not have words for. The focus isn’t on creating “good” art — it’s on the process of creating itself, which gives children a safe outlet for processing feelings, building self-awareness, and developing emotional regulation.
Art therapy can be especially effective for children who are shy, guarded, or resistant to traditional talk-based approaches.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Children
CBT helps children identify the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours — and learn practical skills for managing difficult emotions. For children, CBT is adapted to be interactive, engaging, and age-appropriate, often incorporating games, stories, worksheets, and role-playing.
CBT is especially effective for childhood anxiety, phobias, OCD, depression, anger management, and school-related stress. It works best for children roughly ages 7 and up who have the cognitive development to engage with the concepts.
How We Choose the Right Approach
Every child is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Your child’s therapist will consider their age, developmental stage, temperament, and the specific challenges they’re facing when recommending a treatment approach. Many children benefit from a combination of modalities — for example, play therapy to build the therapeutic relationship and emotional expression, combined with CBT techniques for building specific coping skills.
What We Help Children With
Our child therapists work with a wide range of emotional, behavioural, and developmental challenges. Here are some of the most common reasons families come to us.
Anxiety and Worry
Separation anxiety, social anxiety, school refusal, phobias, perfectionism, and generalised worry. Childhood anxiety is more common than most parents realise, and it’s highly treatable with the right support.
Behavioural Challenges
Aggression, defiance, emotional outbursts, and difficulty following rules. These behaviours are almost always a signal that something underneath needs attention — anxiety, frustration, a need for control, or difficulty processing emotions.
ADHD and Neurodivergence
Children with ADHD or autism spectrum differences often need support with emotional regulation, social skills, self-esteem, and managing the frustration of a world that wasn’t designed for their brain. We offer a dedicated 14-session ADHD program for children and parents.
[Learn more about our Child ADHD Program] | [Learn more about autism spectrum therapy]
Divorce, Separation, and Family Changes
Children process family changes in ways that aren’t always obvious. They may act out, withdraw, regress, or take on a caretaking role. Therapy gives them a space to express what they’re feeling without worrying about upsetting a parent.
Grief and Loss
The death of a loved one, a pet, or a significant change in their world. Children grieve differently than adults, and they need support that matches their developmental understanding of loss.
Self-Esteem and Social Difficulties
Difficulty making friends, bullying, social exclusion, negative self-image, and persistent self-criticism. These issues can have a lasting impact if left unaddressed, especially during critical developmental years.
Trauma
Children can experience trauma from abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, medical procedures, accidents, or sudden loss. Trauma in childhood affects brain development and emotional regulation in ways that can persist into adulthood without intervention. Our therapists use trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate approaches to help children process and heal.
The Role of Parents in Child Therapy
You are your child’s most important relationship. That’s why we involve parents in the process — not as bystanders, but as active partners.
Depending on your child’s age and the issues being addressed, parent involvement may include regular check-ins with the therapist to discuss progress, learning strategies to reinforce at home what your child is working on in session, parent-only sessions to address family dynamics or parenting challenges, and joint sessions where you and your child practise new communication or coping skills together.
For younger children, much of the therapeutic work happens through coaching parents on how to respond differently to difficult behaviours. For older children and pre-teens, the balance shifts more toward individual work, with periodic parent involvement.
We also offer parenting coaching and a structured 14-session ADHD family program for families who want more intensive, guided support.
[Learn more about parenting coaching] | [Learn more about our Child ADHD Program]
What to Expect in Your Child’s First Session
We know this step can feel nerve-wracking — for you and for your child. Here’s what typically happens.
Most therapists start with a parent-only intake session (in-person or online) to understand your child’s history, your concerns, and what you’re hoping therapy will help with. This lets the therapist prepare before meeting your child, so the first child session can be relaxed and focused on building rapport.
When your child does come in, the first session is about making them feel comfortable. There’s no pressure to talk about hard things right away. The therapist may play games, draw, or simply get to know your child’s interests and personality. The goal is to build trust — because once a child feels safe with their therapist, the real work can begin.
Sessions are available in-person at our downtown Toronto office (455 Spadina Ave, Unit #202) or online for families across Ontario.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Therapy
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If your child’s behaviour, emotions, or functioning at school or home has changed noticeably — or if you’re seeing persistent struggles with anxiety, anger, social difficulties, or emotional regulation — it’s worth exploring therapy. You don’t need a diagnosis or a crisis. If your gut says something is off, trust it.
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It depends on the child’s age and the approach being used. For younger children, sessions typically involve play, art, or creative activities. For older children, sessions may include more conversation, along with interactive exercises, games, and skill-building activities. The therapist creates a warm, non-judgmental environment where the child feels safe to express themselves.
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Yes. Parent involvement is a key part of the process. You’ll receive regular updates, learn strategies to reinforce at home, and may attend periodic parent-only or joint sessions. For younger children, much of the work involves coaching parents on how to respond to difficult behaviours. Your therapist will tailor the level of involvement to your child’s age and needs.
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That’s completely normal. Many children are hesitant at first, and that’s why our therapists are trained in play and art therapy — approaches that don’t require a child to talk about their feelings directly. Children communicate through play, drawing, and creative expression. The therapist meets them where they are and builds trust at the child’s own pace.
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It varies depending on the child and the issues being addressed. Some children benefit from 8 to 12 sessions focused on a specific challenge. Others benefit from longer-term support, especially for complex issues like trauma, ADHD, or family changes. Our structured ADHD program runs for 14 sessions. Your therapist will recommend a timeline after the initial assessment.
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Children as young as 3 can benefit from play therapy. CBT-based approaches are typically most effective for children ages 7 and up. Our therapists are experienced in working with children across a wide age range, from preschool through pre-teen. For teens, we also offer dedicated teen therapy.
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Most extended health insurance plans in Ontario cover psychotherapy sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist, including sessions for children. We also offer direct billing with select providers. Contact us to verify your specific coverage.
Your Child Doesn’t Have to Struggle Alone — and Neither Do You
Reaching out for help isn’t a sign that you’ve failed as a parent. It’s a sign that you’re paying attention and you care enough to act. Book a free consultation and let’s talk about what your child is going through and how we can support your family.
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Meet Our Child Therapists
Registered Psychotherapist
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Registered Psychotherapist