Child and Adolescent Therapy
Children and adolescents don’t always have the words to explain when something feels hard. Distress may show up as worry or sadness, changes in behavior, big emotions, avoidance, repeated questions, perfectionism, physical complaints, or difficulties at school or with friends.
At Elm City Counselling, we provide developmentally appropriate therapy tailored to each child or adolescents age, needs, strengths, and goals.
What might you be noticing?
Sometimes parents know exactly what their child is struggling with. Other times, they simply notice that something has changed.
Worrying frequently or expecting something bad to happen
Seeking frequent reassurance or asking the same questions repeatedly
Avoiding school, activities, social situations, or other experiences
Big emotions or difficulty calming down
Perfectionism or fear of making mistakes
Changes in mood, behavior, or confidence
Friendship or peer difficulties
Stress around changes, transitions or loss
Physical symptoms such as stomach aches or headaches when worried
Becoming more withdrawn, irritable or overwhelmed
What does therapy look like for children and adolescents?
Therapy looks different depending on a child's age, personality, needs, and comfort level. Sessions are tailored to the individual child or adolescent rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
With younger children, therapy may incorporate play, games, creative activities, movement, and conversation. As children get older, counselling may include a combination of activities and discussion. With adolescents, therapy is often increasingly collaborative and conversational while still being tailored to the young person.
Play-Based Therapy
Play provides children with a natural way to express emotions, explore experiences, and work through challenges.
At Elm City Counselling, therapy may incorporate play, games, creative activities, and other developmentally appropriate approaches to support the emotional expression, coping skills, and problem-solving.
For children who may benefit form a more specialized approach, play therapy-informed services are available with a therapist who has specialized training in this area.
How are parents involved?
Parents and caregivers are an important part of supporting a child or adolescents. How they are involved in therapy will depend on the young person's age, needs, goals, and circumstances.
For younger children, therapy may include regular parent check-ins, strategies to try at home, or support in understanding and responding to what their child is experiencing. As children get older, we balance parent involvement with the young person's growing need for privacy and independence in therapy.
Is it anxiety, OCD, or something else?
Anxiety and OCD can sometimes look similar in children and adolescents. A young person might avoid certain situations, ask the same questions repeatedly, seek reassurance, become distressed when things don't feel “right,” or have difficulty tolerating uncertainty.
Understanding what is driving the behaviour matters because the most helpful approach isn't always the same. Anxiety treatment may involve gradually facing fears and building confidence in handling uncomfortable feelings. When OCD is present, treatment may include Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), an evidence-based treatment that helps reduce the cycle of obsessions and compulsions.
Learn more about OCD & ERP →
Finding the right fit
Every child and adolescent is different. Finding a therapist whose experience and approach fit your child's age, needs, and personality is an important part of the therapeutic process.
Elm City Counselling has therapists who work with children, adolescents, and parents using different therapeutic approaches and areas of training.
Accepting New Clients
We are currently accepting new clients for child and adolescent therapy. Get in touch to learn more about getting started.