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 The way they've withdrawn from friends, or the battles over homework that leave the whole family drained.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.
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, 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 or negative self-talk — 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 uses developmentally appropriate methods to help them express what's going on inside.
Play Therapy
Play is a child's natural language. Using toys, games, sand trays, and imaginative play, children express thoughts and feelings they can't yet put into words. Especially effective for ages 3–12 — for anxiety, behavioural challenges, trauma, grief, family changes, and social difficulties.
Explore play therapy →Art Therapy
Drawing, painting, and sculpting help children express emotions they may not have words for. The focus isn't on creating "good" art — it's on the process, which gives a safe outlet for processing feelings. Especially effective for children who are shy, guarded, or resistant to talk-based approaches.
Explore art therapy →CBT for Children
Helps children identify the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, with practical skills delivered through games, stories, and role-play. Effective for childhood anxiety, phobias, OCD, depression, anger, and school stress — typically for ages 7 and up.
Explore CBT →How we choose the right approach. Every child is different. Your child's therapist considers their age, developmental stage, temperament, and challenges — and many children benefit from a combination, like play therapy to build the relationship plus CBT for 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 & 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 & neurodivergence
Children with ADHD or autism spectrum differences often need support with emotional regulation, social skills, and self-esteem. We offer a dedicated 14-session ADHD program for children and parents, and autism spectrum therapy.
Divorce, separation & 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 & 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 & 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, this may include regular check-ins with the therapist, learning strategies to reinforce at home, parent-only sessions to address family dynamics, and joint sessions where you and your child practise new skills together.
For younger children, much of the work happens through coaching parents on how to respond differently to difficult behaviours. For older children and pre-teens, the balance shifts toward individual work, with periodic parent involvement. We also offer parenting coaching and a structured 14-session ADHD family program.
Your child's first session
We know this step can feel nerve-wracking — for you and for your child. Here's what typically happens.
A parent-only intake first
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.
Building trust, at their pace
When your child comes 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. Once a child feels safe with their therapist, the real work can begin. Sessions are available in person downtown or online across Ontario.
Therapy that's within reach
- Most Ontario extended health plans cover our sessions
- Direct billing available with select providers
- Free initial consultation — no commitment
- In-person (455 Spadina Ave, downtown Toronto) and online sessions available
- Evening and weekend appointments offered
Most extended health insurance plans in Ontario cover psychotherapy sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist (RP), including sessions for children. If your plan includes psychotherapy or mental health coverage, our sessions are likely covered.
We offer direct billing with select insurance providers, so you may not need to pay out of pocket and wait for reimbursement. Contact us to verify your specific coverage before booking.
We also offer a free initial consultation so you can ask questions, learn about our approach, and make sure we're the right fit — with no commitment required.
Frequently asked questions about child therapy
Reaching out isn't a sign you've failed. It's a sign 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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Child therapy in Toronto
Toronto, ON M5S 2G8