Registered Psychotherapist, HBEd, MA (Hons.), Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
As an educator I have taught over 50,000 kids in the last twenty years. I have helped children through academics but most importantly life issues. I studied psychological child development and behavior at the University of Toronto.
Children and adolescents face difficult challenges such as exploring identity, navigating family and peer relationships, and dealing with academic pressures. I offer a safe and supportive space for young people to express themselves, learn healthy coping skills, and build resilience as they discover and navigate life.
Being a teenager in today’s world is incredibly complex and challenging. But with a little help along the way, this phase can be a rich period of growth and self-discovery. Over my four years as a school counsellor and seven years working with teens and their families, I’ve encountered a range of issues. From bullying, identity exploration, and peer pressure to experimenting with alcohol and drugs, navigating first relationships, and discovering sexuality, the teenage years are fraught with difficulties. Teens also face significant life transitions like moving out for college, making new friends, and choosing career paths. Issues such as childhood abuse, neglect, and parental pressure add to the complexity. My goal is to work with teenagers and their families to provide them with a safe space and help them create the future they desire.
Whether your child or teen is having traumatic issues, experienced sexual assault, or are struggling with the brave and simple act of being human, I am someone that can help your child or youth to deal with really hard subjects. Along providing care support sessions, that were impacted by their child or youths trauma.
Children and adolescents go through many changes in their lives as they grow. As children and adolescents move through each stage of development they are faced with specific challenges and opportunities to learn and grow. At times these challenges are harder to work through when being faced with mental health challenges. In therapy with children and adolescents I strive to create a caring, safe and interactive environment where they can explore and learn about their feelings, work through difficulties, better understand themselves and others and learn new ways of engaging with themselves and the world. Schedule a free consultation with me to see if we are a good fit.
My area of expertise is in child and adolescent issues. I approach these issues from an Adlerian perspective. I believe that behaviour is socially embedded which means that a child/teen's misbehaviour is directed at a person, very often the parent, For that reason I will use family counseling to address behaviour concerns. We will look at the goals of the behaviours, ie. undue attention-seeking, power, revenge or assumed inadequacy. I will work on creating cooperation in a family through democratic parenting.
It is very common for adolescents to experience mental health problems leading into adulthood.
Though it is not often clear that there are mental health issues happening, adolescents with low motivation, poor grades, ADHD, parent-child conflicts, who are engaging in drug use and abuse, with video game addiction, or hostility may be struggling.
It is important in these situations to consider the idea that adolescent therapy might be helpful.
When working with children, we appreciate their unique ability to process emotions and situations in a concrete way. We utilize playful activities such as games, drawing, and other forms of play to help children understand and make sense of the complex emotions they experience. This approach enables them to continue developing, communicate more effectively, and refine their emerging life skills.
Children and Adolescents are important, and they need to recognize that they can find a safe space where they can voice their concerns and receive guidance to overcome their issues. At Creating Meaningful Counselling Services, children and adolescents are engaged in fun and creative activities that will help them better regulate their emotions, problem solving and lots more.