Children
Everyone's mental health is important, and that applies to society's youngest people. Research shows that children can benefit greatly from therapy. Professional treatment is associated with better mental health, higher self-esteem, and more access to positive coping skills.
At Boreal Therapy Collective, we work with children ages 8+. We specialize in helping our young clients cope with life transitions, bullying, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and much more.
For child therapy, book with:
Amy Parsons
Dayirai Kapfunde (virtual only)
Kim Cardinal
Samantha LeBlanc
Common Reasons to Consider Therapy for Your Child
There's nothing wrong with seeking mental health support for your child. A therapist can help your child with various mental health issues and emotional concerns.
Here are some signs your child may benefit from working with a therapist:
They struggle with emotional regulation: Does your young child become overwhelmed very easily, have frequent tantrums, or struggle with change? Or maybe their anger goes from 0-100, and you aren't sure how to best respond. Having big emotions isn't inherently a problem, but a therapist can help assess if there are underlying concerns worth addressing.
They are having problems with their peer relationships: Social inclusion is important for people of all ages, and it becomes especially important in school. If your child struggles to connect with others, it may be a sign they're struggling with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or certain behavioural disorders.
Your family unit is changing: Adding a new baby, getting divorced, or moving to a new home can be challenging for everyone. But your child may struggle with the transition, causing them to react by withdrawing, lashing out at others, or showing regressive behaviors.
They need support recovering from trauma: Trauma can fundamentally impact a child's development. Even if your child doesn't exhibit any trauma symptoms, that doesn't mean they weren't affected by what happened to them. Therapy offers a safe place to explore past hardships, and it also offers a viable roadmap for positive healing.
They show signs of depression or anxiety: When young children experience depression or anxiety, it can manifest as physical symptoms (eg: they might have complaints of stomach aches or headaches). Anxiety can look like rigidity or avoidance. In some cases, this may also present as obsessive-compulsive disorder.
What to Expect From Your Child's Therapy Sessions
No two therapists are exactly the same, but treatment starts by understanding your child's current mental health and specific needs. This helps establish a collaborative plan for care. If there are specific issues you want to be addressed, your child's therapist will ask for your input.
Keep in mind that younger children often respond well to play-based interventions and experiential techniques. They simply don't talk in the same back-and-forth introspective ways that adolescents and young adults can. During these sessions, it may look like the child is simply playing, but this type of therapy helps kids process emotions, tell their stories, and open up about their struggles. Over time, this can turn into developing problem-solving skills and choosing prosocial behaviours.
Change can take time, and your child may, at first, resist going to therapy. Regardless of the situation, aim to stay open-minded about the process and be encouraging and validating of your child's progress.
Many therapists also recommend family therapy when young children are involved. This gives parents the chance to learn how to better support their families, and it can strengthen boundaries and resilience within the home.
Child Therapy in Fort McMurray
How to Start Therapy for Your Child
Beginning therapy with Boreal Therapy Collective is easy and requires no referral. You can book your initial assessment here!
Understanding Length of Therapy and Treatment
Your child’s first appointment will be 90-minutes long. For all future appointments, you can choose to book for 1 hour or 90-minutes. During your child’s first appointment, the therapist will meet with you and your child for a quick introduction. After this, the therapist will meet with your child one-on-one (don’t worry, if your child wants you to stay it’s okay). The therapist will ask your child questions to better understand their areas of struggle. This is known as an assessment. Depending on how much your child shares, the assessment phase can last anywhere from one to three appointments. The assessment is critical. It helps the therapist identify your child’s needs and develop an appropriate treatment plan. At the end of each appointment, you will be invited back to review of what occurred during the appointment (including any strategies to practice at home).
After the assessment is complete, treatment begins! In the treatment phase, your child will be introduced to a variety of skills to practice and implement to better manage their symptoms. Most children will have a therapy session every two weeks, and we recommend this for optimal treatment. Effective therapy typically takes somewhere between six to twelve appointments (for some more, others less). Many choose to continue therapy once formal treatment is complete. This is referred to as maintenance. People who do this typically have an appointment once every six to eight weeks. This is not a requirement and is a matter of personal choice.
Child Therapy 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. There is also an empty dirt lot adjacent to our office that many use for parking. 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
Initial assessments are billed at a rate of $300.00 for a 90-minute appointment. Follow-up sessions are billed at a rate of $200.00/hour or $300.00/90-minutes (you can choose your preferred appointment length when booking). We offer direct billing to 25+ benefit providers. With your consent, we will always direct bill first. 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, click here.
