Child & Adolescent Therapy
Supporting Young Minds
Overview
Navigating Childhood and Adolescence
Children and adolescents experience big emotions, rapid changes, and growing demands as they move through different stages of development. Therapy offers a supportive, age‑appropriate space where young people can better understand their feelings, build coping skills, and feel more secure in themselves and their relationships. We work collaboratively with children, adolescents, and caregivers to support emotional wellbeing, healthy development, and resilience.
Individual Therapy for Children & Adolescents
Individual therapy provides children and youth with a confidential, supportive relationship where they can explore what they’re feeling and learn new ways to cope. Sessions are adapted to developmental level and may include talk‑based therapy, play‑based approaches, creative expression, or skill‑building activities.
Our approach is warm, thoughtful, and developmentally informed. We take time to understand not only the behaviours or symptoms you may be concerned about, but the underlying needs, stressors, and strengths that shape your child’s experience. Therapy is tailored to each child’s age, personality, and goals, and always grounded in safety, trust, and respect.
Therapy helps young people develop emotional awareness, strengthen coping strategies, improve problem‑solving skills, and build a more positive sense of self.
Family‑Involved Therapy & Parent Support
Parents and caregivers play a central role in a child’s wellbeing. For this reason, child and adolescent therapy often includes caregiver involvement alongside individual sessions with the child or youth. Depending on age and needs, this may involve parent sessions, family sessions, or collaborative check‑ins.
Family‑involved work can help strengthen communication and understanding, support consistent and attuned responses at home, reduce conflict and stress within the family system, and help caregivers to better understand emotional or behavioural needs. Our goal is to support the whole family system so that changes made in therapy can be reinforced in everyday life.
Therapy Approaches
Our clinicians draw from evidence‑based and developmentally appropriate approaches, including:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Emotionally Focused approaches
- Play‑based and expressive therapies
- Attachment‑informed therapy
- Trauma‑informed care
The specific approach is tailored to your child’s age, presenting concerns, and goals. Therapy is collaborative and flexible, adjusting over time as needs change.
How You Can Access Our Services
In-Person Therapy & Telehealth
In-person Therapy
Visit our comfortable offices in Nanaimo or Victoria
Virtual Therapy
Visit our secure telehealth services from home today
We offer both in‑person therapy and secure telehealth services for children and adolescents. The most appropriate format can depend on a child’s age, developmental needs, presenting concerns, and comfort level.
For younger children, in‑person therapy is often especially beneficial. Being physically present allows for play‑based work, movement, shared activities, and relationship‑building that can be harder to replicate online. Many young children engage more naturally and feel more supported when therapy happens face‑to‑face.
For adolescents, both in‑person and telehealth therapy can be highly effective. Many teens appreciate the flexibility, privacy, and familiarity of meeting online, while others prefer the structure and connection of in‑person sessions. Research supports telehealth as an effective option for teen mental health care.
Our clinicians will work with you to recommend the format that best supports your child or teen, and this can change over time as needs evolve. In‑person services are available at our offices in Nanaimo and Victoria, and telehealth sessions can be accessed securely from anywhere in British Columbia.
Our Professional Standards
All of our clinicians are registered, ethical, and accountable professionals who adhere to the highest standards of psychological care. Our Registered Psychologists are regulated by the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia (CHCPBC), which sets strict requirements for competence, ethical practice, and public protection.
Our Registered Clinical Counsellors are members of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC), an organization that upholds rigorous standards for counselling practice and professional conduct.
Across our team, you can expect clinicians who are well-trained, accountable to their governing bodies, committed to ongoing education, and dedicated to providing care that is safe, respectful, and grounded in evidence-based practice.
Popular Inquiries
Understanding Our Child Therapy Services
Is Therapy the Right Next Step?
Families often wonder whether therapy is appropriate, or whether concerns are “serious enough.” Therapy can be helpful at many points and not only during crises, but also when a child is struggling quietly, feeling overwhelmed, or having difficulty adjusting to changes.
If you’re unsure whether therapy or an assessment would be the best fit, our team can help you think through options and guide you toward the most appropriate next step.
Do parents need to be involved in therapy?
Yes. For children and adolescents, caregiver involvement is an important part of the therapeutic process. The level of involvement depends on the child’s age, needs, and goals, and will be discussed collaboratively at the outset.
Do I need a referral for my child to start therapy?
No referral is required for private therapy services. If a third‑party funder is involved, additional documentation may be required, and our team can help guide you.
How long are therapy sessions?
Most child and adolescent therapy sessions are 50 minutes. Some sessions may be longer depending on clinical needs and we can discuss that with you prior to scheduling.
How often will my child attend therapy?
Frequency varies depending on needs and goals. Many families begin with weekly or biweekly sessions and adjust over time.
Is online therapy effective for children and teens?
Yes. Research supports telehealth as an effective option, particularly for teens. We work with families to determine whether in‑person, virtual, or a combination of both is the best fit.
