Child Therapy

Parenting a child who is struggling with their mental health can feel overwhelming. Younger children may not yet have the words to explain what they’re going through, while older children may not feel comfortable opening up at all.

As a parent, this can leave you feeling in the dark—unsure how to reach them, despite your best efforts to help.

The good news is you don’t have to navigate this alone. At Summit Counselling, our therapists specialize in helping children express their feelings, build healthy coping skills, and grow in confidence. With the right support, your child can learn to manage challenges and thrive—and we’re here to walk alongside you every step of the way.

Childhood Mental Health Issues Are Incredibly Common

According to Youth Mental Health Canada, an estimated 1.2 million Canadian youth are affected by mental illness. What’s more, about 70 percent of mental health problems begin in early childhood or adolescence.* Put simply, it’s very normal for children of all ages to wrestle with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and many other mental and emotional challenges. 

Oftentimes, mental health issues in children arise because of stressful life transitions like moving, going to a new school, or having parents in the midst of a divorce. Sometimes kids struggle even if these transitions are positive in nature, such as when parents remarry and two families are blended together. Adjusting to a new routine with new people is difficult for kids, no matter how kind and supportive the family members may be. 

Your Child’s Struggles Are Not A Reflection Of Your Parenting

As a parent, it’s easy to blame yourself for your child’s issues. But no matter how great of a parent you are, you can’t know the answer to everything. Even the most loving and caring parents can’t guarantee that their children won’t struggle. This is why it’s so important to be kind to yourself and accept that your child’s difficulties aren’t always within your control. 

We recognize that you’re doing the best that you can, and that’s why we’re here. No parent can do all the heavy lifting alone. Sometimes it takes a registered psychologist to get to the bottom of your child’s issues and figure out where the problem really lies. 

Therapy Can Help Your Child Learn Real-Life Skills In A Safe And Engaging Environment

In most settings, your child is probably used to having adults talk down to them and tell them how to behave. The beauty of therapy is that it gives your child a place where they don’t have to worry about that. Here at Summit Counselling, our sessions provide a safe space for kids to relax, unwind, and be themselves. 

Our mission is to give your child the tools to build self-confidence, set healthy boundaries, and manage big emotions. Along the way, we try to make the healing process fun, engaging, and child-friendly. We like to incorporate art and play into therapy and we often have animals join our sessions so that children feel comfortable and at ease. 

What To Expect In Child Counselling Sessions

In the beginning, we’ll have a phone consult with you to discuss your child’s struggles and answer any questions you have (your child is welcome to join if they want). If your child is younger eleven the first counselling session will be held with only the parents/guardians ensuring that the clinician is up to date on the qualities of home life and the issues your child is facing. After that we will conduct the first child session where the therapist will have an opportunity to build a relationship of trust and openness with the child. Although the majority of sessions will be held with just your child and their therapist, we do encourage frequent parent check-in sessions as parental involvement is key in seeing positive treatment outcomes. Most of our clinicians encourage a 1 to 5 ratio of parent sessions to child sessions.

After all, you’re probably with your child more than anyone, so having your perspective is incredibly helpful. Not only will we give you skills that you can utilise with your child, but we’ll also give you a space to objectively assess what’s working and what’s not. We’d love to hear you tell us what skills are helping your child and what skills may not be right for them. This can help us adjust our treatment plan accordingly.

Our Approach To Child Therapy

The types of clinical modalities we use depend on the clinician and what the child is responding to. We offer animal-assisted therapy, which is particularly helpful for children who are comfortable around animals but may need a little extra time opening up to adults. Our programs include both canine and equine therapy, providing a calming, supportive presence in sessions.

The majority of our child psychologists focus heavily on therapeutic play, which can take many forms. This might include using miniature toys to work through scenarios, or world-building exercises to help children explore identity. For children who experience aggression or exhibit behavioral concerns, play can foster cooperation and help them learn to manage big emotions. Role reversals in play can encourage empathy, and imaginative role play can provide a safe way for children to express and work through challenging beliefs or feelings.

For children who face challenges in sports or other high-pressure extracurriculars, we incorporate Sports Psychology techniques to support performance and coping skills. Children who have experienced trauma or show trauma-related symptoms may benefit from more tailored approaches, such as EMDR therapy, which helps them process and heal from difficult experiences.

By making therapy fun, interactive, and child-friendly, we aim to empower your child to find their voice, build self-esteem, and confidently navigate the ups and downs of growing up. Most importantly, we work to strengthen their connection with you, so that the parent-child relationship can serve as a foundation for lasting growth and healing.

You May Have Some Questions About Child Therapy…

How do I know if my child needs therapy?

It is always a good idea to have your child in therapy. Working with a therapist can help set your child up for greater success as a teenager and as an adult, giving them the coping skills and emotional intelligence to navigate whatever challenges come their way. If you’re unsure about what decision to make, it never hurts to schedule a free consult with one of our child counsellors. 

What if my child won’t sit still?

They don’t have to! They can use toys, games, and art materials to express their feelings and learn new skills. We’re used to working with children who have trouble sitting still or paying attention, and we know how to keep therapy engaging for them. Your child is probably used to being told to sit still everywhere they go, but therapy with us is different. We’re not here to place unrealistic expectations on them—we believe that kids learn best when you meet them on their own level instead of expecting them to behave like adults. 

Counselling Can Set Your Child Up For Future Success

It can give them a significant advantage early on in life, enabling them to articulate, express, and manage difficult emotions. The skills your child learns in therapy can have lifelong benefits and stay with them even as they age. To connect with a registered psychologist who works with children, use our contact form or call us at 780-217-4665. 

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*Youth Mental Health Stats in Canada – Youth Mental Health Canada (ymhc.ngo)

Summit Counselling Therapists Who Specialize in Child & Adolescent Therapy:

We have several registered psychologists who specialize in child interventions located both at the St. Albert and Brewery District locations. Our child psychologists are passionate about working with children and teens. Come check out our play therapy room in our St. Albert therapy office!

To book online with one of our therapists, click their name listed above. 

Child & Adolescent Therapy – Brewery District and St. Albert Child Psychologists

Summit Counselling Services

10328 121 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5N 1K8, Canada

Child Therapy in Edmonton

Play Therapy Psychologists in St. Albert

For Directions to our St. Albert Psychology Clinic, Click Here

For Directions to our Brewery District Psychology Clinic, Click Here

Summit Counselling Services is a counselling clinic located in Central Edmonton. We provide clinical services to children, adolescents, adults, seniors, couples, and families. We have a talented team of Edmonton psychologists, therapists and counsellors with a wide range of specializations and trainings at Summit Counselling Services who would be honoured to walk beside you on your journey. At Summit, we believe in therapy your way.  Our goal is to customize your psychotherapy and counselling sessions to best suit your needs.  We believe in the differences and unique perspectives each person brings to therapy and incorporate these into our work with you.