Parents
No matter your child's age, parenting can be as rewarding as it is challenging. Many parents will say it is the hardest job they've ever done. Sometimes, you may feel like you're failing yourself or your child. That feeling can be very scary and disheartening.
Whether you're navigating big tantrums, trying to make better sense of your child's mental health, or seeking to strengthen your communication skills within the entire family, therapy can be an invaluable source of support. Parent counselling offers a safe and non-judgmental space to explore these tender concerns and gain new tools to strengthen your family dynamics.
For parent counselling, book with:
D’Arcy Arseneau
Darleen Davis
Dayirai Kapfunde (virtual only)
Kenneth Guye (virtual only)
Kim Cardinal
Leah Jans
Lyndsy Stevenson
Samantha LeBlanc
Sarah Callin
What is Parent Counselling?
Parent counselling focuses on helping parents understand their child's development and build stronger emotional bonds within the home. Sessions are typically attended by parents without their child present, allowing space to reflect openly on your difficulties and what you would like to see change.
Depending on your specific circumstances, your therapist may want to focus on helping you:
Strengthen communication and conflict resolution skills
Support your child’s emotional regulation and independence
Establish healthy boundaries and family routines
Understand developmental stages and age-appropriate expectations
Reduce parental stress, guilt, or burnout
Clarify and honour the values embedded within your parenting styles
Manage your own mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, or trauma
As you collaborate on particular goals, your therapist may also recommend family therapy or child therapy to support the broader family system. These types of therapy sessions are intended to better understand each person's needs and feelings.
When to Consider Parent Counselling
Raising children doesn't come with a one-size-fits-all training manual, and it's normal to feel uncertain or stretched thin at times. All children have unique strengths and difficulties, which means there isn't a universal answer for navigating each specific challenge.
The good news is that parent counselling offers professional guidance when things feel too overwhelming. We can offer you support with insight, tools, and compassion to help you feel more grounded.
You feel like you're constantly having power struggles: Parents are responsible for setting the tone when it comes to structure and safety. However, from moderating screen time to stating expectations around homework, children can be quite expressive when they don't agree with a rule. When daily routines feel like a battle, it may signify that communication patterns need adjusting. Therapy can help you identify triggers and develop practical tools to reduce tension. Over time, this can cultivate more respect and cooperation throughout the home.
You frequently second-guess your parenting skills: Parenting requires constant decision-making (often on a whim), and it's so easy to doubt yourself or feel overwhelmed by all the potential options. This anxiety tends to be exacerbated by the conflicting advice available to parents. We're all susceptible to outside influence, but therapy offers space to explore your worries and clarify your values so that your parenting choices feel intentional and aligned.
When to Consider Parent Counselling
You're struggling to know how to intervene with your child's behavioural or emotional concerns: When children 'act out,' it can leave parents feeling confused, helpless, or angry. The whole family system becomes impacted when one person is struggling. Therapy helps you better understand your child's behaviour with respect and dignity. You will learn how to validate the feelings without enabling problematic concerns. Parent-focused treatment also focuses on how to support your child's well-being at home and in collaboration with others, including teachers and different caregivers.
You're experiencing co-parenting challenges: Parents often have different opinions about discipline, routines, or even how to offer emotional support. It's easy for seemingly benign differences to turn into tense conflict, and unresolved problems between parents can impact your relationship and your child's sense of stability. Issues can feel especially heightened during high-conflict separations or divorces. Therapy offers a more neutral place to process these challenges and develop strategies that support unity and respect.
You want to break intergenerational cycles or trauma patterns: Many parents wish to raise their children differently from how they were raised. That said, old habits can run deep, and it's not uncommon to find yourself doing the very things you promised you'd never do. Therapy offers a compassionate space for reflecting on your past experiences and developing a better understanding of how they impacted you. This, in turn, can help you focus on creating a nurturing environment for your child (and for yourself).
You feel like you’ve lost yourself outside of parenting: Your role as a parent is so important, but solely dedicating all your time and energy to your children comes with steep consequences. If you are neglecting your own physical or emotional well-being, you may be more prone to burnout or resentment. Overlooking other relationships or priorities can result in “feeling lost,” and therapy offers support in helping you become more balanced.
Parent Counselling in Fort McMurray
How to Start Parent Counselling
Beginning parent counselling with Boreal Therapy Collective is easy and requires no referral. You can book your appointment here.
Understanding Length of Therapy and Treatment
Parent counselling can be booked for 60 or 90 minute appointments. During your first appointment, your therapist will ask you questions to better understand your parenting struggles. This appointment will help you and your therapist understand your goals, and will help your therapist develop a treatment plan to support you in achieving these goals.
After the assessment is complete, treatment begins! In the treatment phase, you will be introduced to a variety of skills to practice and implement. Most people will have a session every two weeks, and we recommend this for optimal support. Once you are confident in your skills, you can choose to end service or return on an as-needed basis.
Parent Counselling at Boreal Therapy Collective
Where We Are Located
We’re located at 8530 Manning Avenue, Unit 104. You’ll find us in the Service Canada building (on the side of the building that faces the Clearwater River). To check out our space, click here.
Parking is located at the front and back of the building. The front parking lot is closer to us but tends to fill up quickly. If you park at the back (where Service Canada is located), you can walk around the building to reach our office. To learn more about parking, click here.
Importantly, you do not need to be in town for treatment. We offer in-person and virtual therapy and our therapists are happy to provide whatever option works best for you!
Rates & Benefit Coverage
60-minute appointments are billed at a rate of $220.00 and 90-minute appointments are billed at a rate of $330.00 (you can choose your preferred appointment length when booking).
Our social workers offer direct billing to 25+ benefit providers. Many benefit providers will cover a portion or the whole amount of your therapy session. With your consent, we will always direct bill your benefit provider first. Please note that our Registered Psychiatric Nurses are typically ineligible for direct billing.
If we are unable to direct bill, you can pay via email money transfer or credit card. You will be given a receipt once payment has been collected. For more information on benefit coverage, click here.
