Children’s Counselling

Children’s Counselling offers support for those struggling to cope with intense emotions or challenging life circumstances. Changes in a child’s environment or self-perception can lead to overwhelming emotional and behavioural changes that are difficult to manage. Stress, grief, loss, anxiety, depression, and family conflicts are just a few examples of issues that can significantly impact a child’s well-being.

Children's Counselling Pricing

We recognize that each young person is unique, so we work to create a treatment plan that addresses their specific needs. Our team of licensed therapists specializes in helping youth navigate issues such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationship challenges, and more.

$165+

Per clinical hour

Child's Play Room in Waterloo at Stone Silo
Children's Therapy

What Is Children's Counselling?

Children’s Counselling, also known as child therapy or psychotherapy, is a type of mental health treatment that focuses on young children and adolescents, who are experiencing various mental health issues or psychological distress. Child therapists use a variety of techniques and approaches to help children and families understand and resolve problems, modify behaviour, and make positive changes in their lives.

Common issues addressed in children’s counselling include:
  • Divorce
  • Grief and the death of a loved one, pet, friend etc.
  • Witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event(s)
  • Mental health conditions and psychological distress (i.e., anxiety and depression)
  • Bullying, self-esteem
  • Sexual, emotional, and/or physical abuse
  • Relocation issues (i.e., changing schools, homes, families, and/or cities/states)
  • Family substance abuse or addiction

What does Children’s counselling look like?

Our therapists are equipped to assist with all challenges. We provide a safe and nurturing environment for children to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Through various expressive arts such as play, art, storytelling, and sand play, therapy sessions provide children with a means to express themselves and process their emotions. They also learn new coping skills and strategies for managing big emotions.

Therapy isn’t a one-sided process. In most cases, we recommend parents or caregivers to support the child’s healthy development and well-being by also working with a therapist. By providing a supportive space for children to explore and grow, children’s counselling aims to empower young individuals to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and confidence.

Child's Play Room in Waterloo at Stone Silo

Our Team

Ally Dunphy

Art Therapist, Registered Psychotherapist - She/Her

My specialties: Art Therapy, Child-Centered, Directive & Non-Directive

Age Group: 4-12 year olds

Serving: Listowel

Price: Individual – 50 minutes – $180
I also offer 25-minute and 80-minute sessions

Parental Separation & Divorce
Anxiety
Emotional Regulation
Anger Management
Self-Esteem & Confidence
School & Peer Issues
Learn More
Ally is a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, holding a Bachelor's degree from the University of Waterloo and a Diploma of Art Psychotherapy from the Toronto Art Therapy Institute (DTATI). She became an Art Therapist to combine her passions for art and supporting children, drawing from her personal experiences of coping with school anxiety and parental divorce. She utilizes her background to better connect and empathize with young girls facing similar challenges.
 
Ally utilizes arts-based approaches to foster a warm, safe space where children can express themselves freely and creatively. Art making encourages children to explore their feelings, develop healthy coping strategies and nurture self-confidence. Art therapy allows children to express their inner world through metaphors and creativity, communicating visually when words may be too difficult. Messes are welcome in the art room, offering a hands-on experience for children when processing any challenges they are facing. 

Ally Dunphy (12 reviews)

Ally Dunphy
Brittni

Brittni Jackson

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) - She/Her

My specialties: Child-Centred Play Therapy, Expressive Arts, Children’s Therapy

Age Group: 3-12 year olds

Serving: Listowel

Price: Individual – 50 minutes – $180

Anxiety
Emotional regulation
Behavioural concerns
Self-Esteem
ADHD
Stress Management
Learn More

I use a person-centred approach to therapy to create a safe and secure space for children to explore, process, and heal. My work is rooted in a non-directive, child-centred play therapy approach, allowing children the freedom to process their experiences and learn in the way that feels most natural to them.

I place great value on the client-therapist relationship—building a strong, trusting connection is essential, as it provides the foundation for meaningful change to take place.

With years of experience supporting children in a variety of settings, I’ve developed a deep passion for helping them feel understood and connected.

If you feel I might be a good fit for your child, I invite you to book a consultation so we can explore how I can support your family.

Jennifer Nahwegahbow

Registered Psychotherapist - She/Her

My specialties: Child-Centred Play Therapy, Child-Parent Relationship Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, Alternatives to Talk Therapy for Adolescents, Therapeutic Support for Parents and Children affected by neurodiversity, Child & Adolescents/Teen Mental Health

Age Group: 3+ year olds

Serving: Listowel

Price: Individual – 50 minutes – $225
I also offer 80-minute sessions

Stress Management
Anxiety
Emotional regulation
Behaviour
Parenting
Expressive Arts
Learn More

Meet Jennifer, a therapist characterized by her exuberance, compassion, and warmheartedness. She possesses a unique ability to make therapy enjoyable, captivating, and, above all, effective.

Jennifer is a playful, warm therapist that works exclusively from research and evidence-based approaches. She delights in supporting people as they navigate the more challenging parts of life and is a fierce advocate and confidant. She admires the uniqueness of each person and prioritizes individual needs, preferences and pace.

When Jennifer is not at work, you will find her spending time with her cherished children, partner, people or many critters. Jennifer loves to learn and live outside the conventional box.

If you're looking for a fresh and engaging approach to wellness for you or your child, we highly recommend booking a free 15-minute consultation with Jennifer. She's just the kind of person you want assisting you.

Jennifer Nanweganbow (28 reviews)

Jennifer N
Katie Bauer

Katie Bauer

Master of Arts, Registered Social Worker, Certified Play Therapist

My specialties: Child-Centred Play Therapy, Sandtray Therapy, Expressive Arts, Applied Behaviour Analysis, and Spiritual Care

Age Group: 3-11 year olds

Serving: Waterloo

Price: Individual – 50 minutes – $170

Behavioural concerns
Parental coaching
Anxiety
Emotional regulation
Play Therapy
Grief
School Anxiety
Learn More

Katie is a Registered Social Worker with a heart full of compassion and a passion for helping children. With a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology and a Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Care & Psychotherapy, she brings warmth and expertise to her practice. As a Certified Play Therapist through the Canadian Association for Play Therapy, Katie has dedicated herself to guiding children through emotional and behavioural challenges.

Using a blend of person-centred, attachment-based, and Jungian theories, Katie’s approach is based on connecting with children on their level. She primarily uses Child-Centred Play Therapy, a wonderful method that taps into children's natural capacity for growth and healing. Katie has helped many young ones overcome trauma, abuse, grief, and anxiety. She is particularly knowledgeable about the effects of trauma on children’s nervous systems, making her a beacon of support for those in need.

Katie works with children aged 3-11, and she believes in involving caregivers every step of the way. From the initial intake session to regular parent/caregiver meetings, she ensures that everyone feels supported and engaged in the healing process.

Creating a warm, inviting, and therapeutic space is at the heart of Katie’s practice. She finds joy in watching children express themselves freely and work through their challenges in a safe environment. Katie loves supporting children and their caregivers, helping them heal and grow stronger together.

Katie Bauer (5 reviews)

Raquel (Jefferies) Sutherland

Master Social Worker, Registered Social Worker- She/Her

My specialties: Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Attachment and Attunement, Somatic Experiencing, and Internal Family Systems

Age Group: 4+ year olds

Serving: Waterloo

Price: Individual – 50 minutes – $170
Relationship – 50 minutes – $190
I also offer 25-minute, 80-minute & 2-hour sessions

ADHD
Anxiety/panic disorders/OCD
Depression/suicide ideation
Emotional regulation
Borderline personality
Relationship Therapy
Family Counselling
Learn More

Making Moments Matter
If you've come across my biography, it's possible that the forces of the universe and the law of attraction are in motion. I genuinely believe, and my experiences have shown me, that there are moments in our lives when we are destined to cross paths and connect with a particular individual. For over a decade, I've had the privilege of being someone who establishes a unique counselling relationship right from day one. This foundation is built on trust, safety, and attunement, setting the stage for a collaborative healing journey. Sometimes we just need someone who “just gets it”.

By profession, I am a Registered Social Worker, and my therapeutic approach draws from my extensive training and certifications in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Attachment and Attunement, and knowledge and understandings in Somatic Experiencing and Internal Family Systems. One size does not fit all in therapy too. As you'll discover, I am passionate about understanding what works best for you and how, together, we can explore and achieve your therapeutic goals.

What I hope I am relaying to you in this mini bio, is that there is hope, there is someone for you (whether it be me, or another helpful soul) who actually works in this profession because I care, because I have chosen to understand and specialize in making your life and healing moments matter.

Raquel (Jefferies) Sutherland (54 reviews)

Raquel

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