A Bit About Me
I am an experienced social worker and psychotherapist who has been practicing social work and psychotherapy for over 9 years. The majority of my practice has been in child and youth mental health. I am registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. I have a Bachelor of Social Work from Lakehead University and Master of Social Work from the University of Waterloo.
My Philosophy
I truly believe that every child has the potential to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. My counselling services are designed to help my clients unlock their potential and achieve their goals.
When your child is struggling, early intervention is amongst the most important investments that families can make to ensure their child is able to adapt to life's challenges, learn healthy coping strategies, and develop a positive self image.
My experience enables me to offer effective psychotherapy. I treat a number of mental health disorders and provide a neutral ground to individuals and families.
My Services
I offer a wide range of counselling services for children and adolescents aged 4-14. This includes (but is not limited to) individual counselling, group therapy, play-based therapy and art-based therapy. My services are tailored to meet the unique needs of my clients.
I specialize in various issues affecting children and youth, including obstacles associated with ADD/ADHD, autism, depression, anxiety, OCD, and disruptive behaviours. I also work with children who are facing school and family problems, bullying, grief and loss and health issues.
I provide Psychotherapy, which is utilized to treat and address a variety of concerns and issues. It is considered to be a “Controlled Act” in Ontario, meaning that it can only be provided by regulated providers including Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers.
My Approach
My approach to therapy is rooted in empathy, compassion, and non-judgement. I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where my clients feel comfortable exploring their thoughts and feelings, and where they can develop the skills and tools needed to thrive.
I take a holistic approach to counselling, focusing on the mind, body, and spirit. In my work with children and youth, I use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Play Therapy, Mindfulness, Psychoanalytic Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Strengths Based Therapy, Art Therapy and Music Therapy among others.
I believe it is a privilege to learn about the inner world and experiences of children. Your child’s emotional, psychological, spiritual and physical aspects of the self will all be included in treatment.
Individual Counselling
CHILD & YOUTH:
I understand that life can be challenging, and sometimes your child needs support to navigate through difficult times. If your child requires 1:1 counselling, reach out to me and we can discuss therapy options for your child.
I also offer individual counselling to children and youth who have completed a group session with me. I provide 1:1 booster sessions after group therapy concludes to help my clients stay on track and continue to use the skills they have learned in therapy, thus maximizing their long-term benefit from therapy.
PARENTING:
Parenting can be tough and we are not given an intruction guide! If you are struggling with parenting your anxious child or child that has executive functioning difficulties, I can help.
Group Therapy
Why Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a psychotherapy option that you should consider. Most parents look for individual therapy solutions when faced with challenges their child or youth are experiencing; however, group therapy has benefits that are not available in individual counselling. In group therapy, there is a small group of children/youth struggling with similar issues. Although the health professional faciliatates the sessions, it is the group dynamic that often leads to positive change.
According to the Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, group therapy as a psychotherapy option was effective in treating children and teens. The study covered a twenty-year period and determined that in 73% of cases, the participants in group therapy did better than those who did not engage in group therapy. That is why I use group therapy as the foundational component of treatment.
Benefits of Group Therapy
Improves interpersonal skills:
Group sessions are a place for children and youth to have a voice. They learn to listen and engage in conversations. Once participants are comfortable with these skills, they can transfer the skills into their daily interactions. Children and youth can easily isolate themselves, which can increase the chances of suffering from anxiety and depression. Group therapy allows them to work on improving peer relationships and learning what positive relationships entail. They connect with a peer community where they can feel valued and appreciated while receiving counselling.
Provides support:
Peer pressure looms large in the lives of children and youth - in both positive and negative ways. Group therapy is an opportunity to experience positive peer pressure. Group members understand what it is like to be a kid. In fact, they may have had similar experiences and can offer advice. Participants serve as motivators for each other, encouraging them to reach their goals. The group becomes a safe place to gain perspective and to celebrate victories.
Gains insight:
Individual therapy does not give a therapist the same insight into behaviour as group therapy. Therapists can observe how the child interacts with the group and highlight actions that may be driving negative behaviour. A child may become shy around a group. Others may be easily influenced and need ways to disengage from negative pressure. By helping kids identify how their behaviours change in different situations, therapists provide insights through counselling that are needed for change.
Social confidence:
In group sessions, participants learn new ways of relating to others. As they apply these strategies successfully, their confidence grows. Over time, they become more comfortable in their abilities. Soon, they have the confidence to assert themselves in social situations outside the group.
Communication skills:
Often times, it can be challenging to communicate emotions. Often feelings are repressed and eventually appear in unhealthy behaviours. In group therapy, young people have a safe environment to explore their feelings with others their age. They develop the confidence to communicate their emotions in everyday life.
Reduced stress:
There is often so much stress with the social and academic pressures that surround children and youth. Sharing their feelings helps relieve stress. It also provides an opportunity for kids to gain some perspective on situations that seem out-of-control.
Types of Group Therapy Currently Offered:
Executive Functioning
Anxiety, Stress and Mindfulness
Anxiety, Stress and Mindfulness
Is your child struggling wth executive functioning skills? Executive functions are the essential self-regulating skills that we all use every day to plan, organize, make decisions, and learn from past mistakes. Kids rely on their executive functions for everything from taking a shower to packing a backpack or doing a book report.
During th
Is your child struggling wth executive functioning skills? Executive functions are the essential self-regulating skills that we all use every day to plan, organize, make decisions, and learn from past mistakes. Kids rely on their executive functions for everything from taking a shower to packing a backpack or doing a book report.
During this group your child will learn:
- Physical understanding of the brain and how it differs with neurodiversity
- Attentive listening skills
- Verbal and non-verbal cue recognition
- How to sustain attention
- Task initiation & task persistence
- How to plan ahead & time management
- Flexibility
- Organization
- Progress monitoring
- Self-regulation
- Self-monitoring
- Social thinking
- How to ask for help
Anxiety, Stress and Mindfulness
Anxiety, Stress and Mindfulness
Anxiety, Stress and Mindfulness
Your child will explore what worry is, where it comes from, why it helps, and how they can take back control from anxious thoughts when it is not helping them.
During this group your child will learn:
- How anxiety/excessive worry affects the body & mind
- Physical understanding of the brain and how it deals with worry
- Recognizing "Thought Holes"
Your child will explore what worry is, where it comes from, why it helps, and how they can take back control from anxious thoughts when it is not helping them.
During this group your child will learn:
- How anxiety/excessive worry affects the body & mind
- Physical understanding of the brain and how it deals with worry
- Recognizing "Thought Holes" or distorted thoughts
- The 5Cs of resilience, the FARR Method and other techniques
- The connection between thoughts and reactions
- Being in the present moment vs. focusing on the past or future
- Breathing exercises, movement exercises and guided meditations
- Finding calm from impulsive, hyperactive and reactive behaviors
Art Therapy
Anxiety, Stress and Mindfulness
Art Therapy
Convey thoughts and feelings without complex verbal exchanges. In art therapy, therapeutic processing is done through a combination of creative processes and psychotherapy - facilitating self-exploration and understanding.
During this group your child will learn:
- How to express thoughts and feelings through art when words can be difficult
Convey thoughts and feelings without complex verbal exchanges. In art therapy, therapeutic processing is done through a combination of creative processes and psychotherapy - facilitating self-exploration and understanding.
During this group your child will learn:
- How to express thoughts and feelings through art when words can be difficult to articulate
- That imagery, colour and shapes can be a part of the creative therapeutic process
- To engage the mind, body, and spirit in ways that are distinct from verbal articulation alone
- How to reflect on the artwork, and how it connects to personal insights
- Linking artwork to understanding and processing emotions
LEGO®
Resilience, Growth Mindset & Self-Compassion
LEGO®
Connecting with others is more than just a pleasure; it is a core human need. Lego® therapy is a social development program for autistic children and other children with social communication difficulties. It uses children’s love of Lego® play, as well as their strengths and interests, to develop communication and social skills.
During th
Connecting with others is more than just a pleasure; it is a core human need. Lego® therapy is a social development program for autistic children and other children with social communication difficulties. It uses children’s love of Lego® play, as well as their strengths and interests, to develop communication and social skills.
During this group your child will learn:
- Effective communication skills
- Turn-taking, sharing, listening, conversation, teamwork, shared attention and problem-solving skills
- Social skills while playing collaboratively with others
- To provide social support to others
- Engage with others appropriately around shared interest
- Improve critical thinking
- Increase sense of belonging
- Improve relationships, adaptability and coping skills
* Please note - this program is geared towards children who have:
- Social/behavioral challenges
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder
Anger
Resilience, Growth Mindset & Self-Compassion
LEGO®
If yelling, tantrums, fighting, arguing, and silent treatments have a presence in your home, then you are in the right place.
During this group your child will learn:
- Why anger is a valid, useful emotion
- How to listen to anger's messages and "talk to" your anger
- Recognizing the underlying thoughts and emotions beneath angry thoughts or feelin
If yelling, tantrums, fighting, arguing, and silent treatments have a presence in your home, then you are in the right place.
During this group your child will learn:
- Why anger is a valid, useful emotion
- How to listen to anger's messages and "talk to" your anger
- Recognizing the underlying thoughts and emotions beneath angry thoughts or feelings
- Breaking the cycle of angry reactions and feeling more in control
- Responding to anger instead of reacting to it
- Understanding what your anger is communicating
- Identifying positive character strengths in yourself and loved ones
- Uncover stories you are telling yourself about your feelings
- Practice conflict resolution in a healthy way
Resilience, Growth Mindset & Self-Compassion
Resilience, Growth Mindset & Self-Compassion
Resilience, Growth Mindset & Self-Compassion
Your child will learn the language and tools needed to transform big emotions into lifelong skills of resilience and well-being, while also discovering the cutting-edge science of growth mindset and transforming the fear of mistakes into motivation to learn.
During this group your child will learn:
- Well-being, purpose, self-awareness and se
Your child will learn the language and tools needed to transform big emotions into lifelong skills of resilience and well-being, while also discovering the cutting-edge science of growth mindset and transforming the fear of mistakes into motivation to learn.
During this group your child will learn:
- Well-being, purpose, self-awareness and self-compassion
- Resilience, grit, and character strengths
- Problem solving, goal setting and mindsets
- Social connections and listening skills
- Identify and use mistakes as a springboard for growth
- Talk back to self-critical inner voices
- Handle frustration and work through it
- Use science-backed goal-setting techniques
- Treating yourself with compassion instead of criticism
- Separating thoughts and feelings from our sense of self-worth
Fees
Group Therapy $80 for 50 min session
Child and Youth Individual Counselling $180 for 50 min session
Parenting anxiety or executive functioning concerns $180 for 50 min session
School Consultations $180 for 50 min session
* All supplies are included in the cost.
There is no HST on social work services.
SERVICES ARE COVERED BY MOST PRIVATE BENEFIT PLANS.
Please note: Fixed-length group sessions are booked in blocks and every group session is charged regardless of attendance as a place is held for each participant for the full length of the program.