Every child processes and expresses emotions differently. At Positive Mind Wellness, child therapy gives your child a supportive space to talk, play, and build coping skills that fit how they communicate best. We offer child therapy for children ages 4–12, pre-teens ages 12–14, and teenagers ages 14–17, with in-person sessions at our Newmarket, Ottawa-Nepean, and North York clinics, plus virtual care. Your child’s therapist matches the approach to their age, developmental stage, concerns, and goals.

Signs Your Child May Need Therapy

You may notice changes in your child’s mood, behaviour, friendships, or performance at school before they can explain what’s wrong. Child therapy can help when your child is dealing with:

  • Anxiety, worry, or difficulty coping with stressful situations
  • Depression, low mood, or loss of interest in things they used to enjoy
  • Emotional outbursts, anger, or difficulty with impulse control
  • Grief and loss, or adjustment following separation, divorce, or a blended family change
  • Bullying, friendship difficulties, low self-esteem, or social skills challenges
  • Academic stress, school-related concerns, or school avoidance
  • Trauma, relocation, or other major life transitions
  • ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, or coping with a new diagnosis or health-related challenge
  • Sibling conflict, parent-child tension, or wider family conflict

If ADHD or a learning difference is part of the picture, an ADHD Assessment or psychoeducational assessment can help clarify next steps.

What Happens in Child Therapy Sessions

Your child’s sessions reflect their age, developmental stage, and concerns. Children under 12 typically receive play-based, parent-supported therapy; older children and teens take part in more structured, talk-based sessions.

1

Initial Parent Consultation

You meet with the therapist to talk through your concerns, your child’s history and family dynamics, and what you’re hoping therapy will achieve.

2

Child Assessment and Rapport Building

Your child begins individual sessions where the therapist builds trust, learns their strengths and challenges, and determines the most appropriate therapeutic approach

3

Ongoing Therapy

Sessions draw on play therapy, play-based interventions, CBT, and emotional regulation work, giving your child practical tools to manage emotions, work through challenges, and build confidence.

4

Progress Reviews

Parent consultations happen as their own separate check-ins, giving you a chance to hear how things are going, revisit goals, and get recommendations for supporting your child at home

Every child’s timeline is different. Many families notice positive changes within 6–8 sessions, though shorter- or longer-term support may fit better depending on your child’s goals, attendance consistency, the complexity of their concerns, and the support available at home, school, and in the community.

Child Therapy Approaches

We choose your child’s approach based on their age, personality, concerns, and goals, since no two children need the same plan. Therapy may draw on Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, strengths-based approaches, emotion regulation skills training, Art Therapy, and psychoeducation and coping skills development.

Our multidisciplinary team brings different training and areas of experience, so your child’s care reflects what fits their situation. Where it helps, you and your child’s therapist build a plan together based on the concerns you’re seeing and the goals you want to reach.

Parent and Family Involvement

You can remain involved in your child’s care while still giving them space to work directly with their therapist. Sessions are conducted directly with your child, giving them a confidential space to explore their experiences openly and comfortably. Parent consultations let you review progress, discuss relevant concerns, and get strategies you can use at home. Our Play Therapy process includes an initial parent meeting and parental reviews throughout therapy.

If your concerns affect relationships across your household, Family Therapy helps you work on communication, conflict resolution, co-parenting, separation, grief, trauma, and other family challenges.

Benefits of Child Therapy

Child therapy helps your child build practical skills for managing emotions and communicating their experience. It may help your child:

  • Express thoughts and emotions more effectively.
  • Develop emotional regulation skills.
  • Build resilience in expressing themselves.
  • Strengthen social skills and supportive relationships.
  • Develop coping strategies for difficult emotions and experiences.
  • Improve communication and understanding within your family.

We also offer developmentally appropriate youth counselling for older children and teens navigating emotional, social, school, or family concerns.

Meet Our Child Therapists

Ottawa-Nepean

  • Jennifer Burke (Play Therapy)
  • Samantha Castelli (able to use Play Therapy modality)
  • Cayleigh Sutton (Therapeutic Play)

North York

  • Daniella Mancini (Play-Based Therapy)

Newmarket Stellar

  • Samantha Racktoo (Play-Based Therapy)
  • Daniella Mancini (Play-Based Therapy)

Find Child Therapy Support at Positive Mind Wellness

Finding the right support starts with a conversation. Our team can help you explore options for your child, in person at our Newmarket, Ottawa-Nepean, and North York clinics, or virtually.

Contact us

Child Therapy FAQ

Talk openly with your child about therapy in a way that fits their age. Describe it as a place where they can talk, play, and learn ways to manage difficult feelings.

Follow your therapist’s recommendations and encourage your child to practise strategies from sessions. Share changes you notice at home during parent consultations.

Yes. Periodic parent consultations let you discuss progress, review goals, and get recommendations for home. We also incorporate parent reviews into our Play Therapy process when appropriate.

Yes. You can access child therapy for your child both in person and virtually. For virtual appointments, prepare a quiet, safe space where your child can participate in the session.

Review our team to learn about each therapist’s credentials, areas of experience, and therapy approaches. You can also book a complimentary Discovery Session to see if they’re a good fit.

You don’t need a doctor’s referral to book therapy with us, but check with your insurer first, since some plans require one. Most plans cover our services; confirm your coverage before your appointment.