Child Therapy
Together we can encourage your kids to thrive. Both you and I can learn a great deal by watching or joining in your children’s play or by asking about their art or written work. In collaboration with you as parents we can comment or question supportively. We explore your child’s feelings and support your child’s own problem-solving. My professional experience can help you to help your children .
Play Therapy
Younger children express themselves best through play. I have some toys and art supplies that I offer the younger ones in child therapy. Or I may encourage your child to write stories and talk about them in ways that cast a new light on the child’s experiences. I prefer your participation as a parent.
Adolescents
Teens may prefer strictly confidential counselling. Their concerns and feelings increasingly relate to their body changes and to their peer group. They may love their parents, but be uncomfortable discussing certain things with the older folks. Often they benefit from written information such as books or workbooks to help them develop coping skills. Privacy is important to teens. Do not ask them, or me, for a report of the session unless all agree in advance.
Adolescents may also resist counselling entirely because of their desire for privacy and control. Listen to your teen’s preferences. Schedule therapy as a family if he/she resists coming alone.
Family Therapy
This involves some or all members. I can help everyone to express themselves and to hear each other. That may not happen in today’s busy households. Sometimes one child may be able to shed light on another child’s behaviors. I can support both the kids and parents in expressing their feelings in new ways.
This approach works best with youth who are mature enough to participate in an hour or more of discussion. Middle-school children or teens are the best age. Adult offspring also benefit from family therapy. I recommend an hour-and-a-half appointment for families.
- Don’t Let Your Emotions Run Your Life, and Relationship Skills 101, by Sheri Van Dijk
- How to Talk so Kids Will Listen . . . , by Faber & Mazlish (teens enjoy this)
- Mindfulness Skills for Kids & Teens: a Workbook . . . , by Debra Burdick
- The Anxiety Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help You Deal with Anxiety and Worry (An Instant Help Book for Teens), by Lisa M. Schab
- The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook for Teens: CBT and ACT Skills to Help You Build Social Confidence, by Jennifer Shannon (Author), Christine Padesky (Foreword), Doug Shannon (Illustrator)
- What to Do When You Dread Your Bed: A Child’s Guide to Overcoming Problems with Sleep, by Dawn Huebner
- Contact Niagara, the regional resource to access mental health for children and teens, contactniagara.org/
- Kids’ Help Line, 1-800-668-6868
- McMaster U. Medical Centre Anxiety Disorders Clinic, macanxiety.com/
- Niagara Health Services, Child and Adolescent Outpatient, short term support for ages 10 to 19
- Pathstone Mental Health Crisis Service, 1-800-263-4944, pathstonementalhealth.ca/services
Joan Worthington, MSA, RSW
Niagara Falls & St. Catharines