Children 5 years and up (Play Therapy)

At Intake, your Counsellor will use that time to get to know your child through your eyes.  Depending on goals and your child's developmental stage, different play therapy techniques will be introduced to meet your child's overall needs.  

It is our experience that children as young as 5 years old learn best when counselling is facilitated with a playful approach.  Often we will combine a directive approach (cognitive behaviour play therapy/narrative/ sand tray /art/guided imagery) with non directive (your child’s lead).  

What are the benefits of play in therapy over traditional talk therapy? 

Therapy delivered through play is presented at the child's developmental level thus helping to reduce anxiety.  Also, through play, children can express themselves more freely and are therefore more likely to retain new learnings of coping strategies AND sometimes kids just need play to be able to express and process changes.

Please remember that therapy is not a quick fix!  

Children often take longer to process changes and understand new learnings than adults do.  We typically recommend a commitment of 6 sessions to start: 1 for Intake, 4 individual and 1 for family check in.  Sometimes this is enough and sometimes families will opt for further support.

If your child is younger than 5 years old check out THERAPLAY as an option (click on Resources: Techniques) OR inquire about PARENTING SUPPORT.

Currently offering in person sessions at both our Norwich and Woodstock locations.