Child and Teen Psychotherapy in Toronto

When seeking support for your child or teen, it’s important to choose a therapist who has specialized training and experience working with children and youth. Therapy that is effective for adults isn’t always the best fit for younger clients, whose developmental needs and ways of communicating are very different.

Children often have shorter attention spans, learn through play and movement, and may not naturally express themselves by simply sitting and talking. Instead, they communicate through play, art, storytelling, imagination, behaviour, and their interactions with others.

Unlike adults, children are often processing their experiences in real time. They may not have the words to explain what they’re feeling, but they are constantly communicating through their play, emotions, behaviours, and relationships. A therapist trained in child and youth mental health understands how to recognize these forms of communication and respond in developmentally appropriate ways, helping children feel understood while building the skills they need to thrive.

Working with a Child Therapist

Our child therapists use a variety of evidence-based approaches to support children, youth, and families. Many therapeutic modalities can be adapted for different developmental stages, while others are specifically designed for children and adolescents.

When working with children, therapy often looks different than it does for adults. Rather than relying solely on conversation, therapists use creative, playful, and engaging activities to help children express themselves, understand their emotions, and develop healthy coping skills.

For example, while a parent may simply join their child in play, a Registered Social Worker or Psychotherapist trained in child therapy uses play with intention. They encourage the child to lead while carefully observing themes, patterns, symbolism, and interactions to better understand the child’s inner world. Play becomes the child’s language, allowing the therapist to build connection, gain insight, and support meaningful emotional growth.

Is your child struggling with:

Your child may benefit from therapy if they are experiencing:

• Anxiety or excessive worries
• School avoidance or refusal
• ADHD
• Emotional regulation
• Behaviour challenges
• Bullying
• Friendship issues
• Separation anxiety
• Low self-esteem
• Depression
• Grief and loss
• Family separation or divorce
• Trauma

Supporting Parents Every Step of the Way

We recognize that supporting a child’s mental health is a family journey. Our therapists work closely with parents by providing education, practical strategies, and ongoing guidance to help reinforce progress outside of therapy.

Getting Started

Finding the right therapist is about more than credentials, it’s about connection. As a caregiver, it’s important that you feel comfortable with, trust, and respect your child’s therapist. Children are incredibly perceptive, and if they sense that the important adults in their lives aren’t confident in the therapeutic relationship, it can make it harder for them to fully engage.

After a session, ask your child how they felt. Did they like the therapist? Would they like to go back? Keep in mind that building trust can take time, especially if your child is feeling nervous or unsure. Many children appreciate having a say in the process, and giving them the opportunity to share their thoughts can help them feel more invested.

Most importantly, children are often much more intuitive than we give them credit for. They have a remarkable ability to recognize when someone feels safe, genuine, and able to help them.

Ohana’s Psychotherapists for Children, Youth, and Teens

Find the Right Therapist for Your Child

Every child is unique, and so is every therapist. Our team includes Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers. We’ll help match your family with the therapist who best fits your child’s age, personality, and goals.

We provide children and youth psychotherapy from our Bloor West Village clinic, serving families throughout West Toronto, High Park, Swansea, The Junction and Etobicoke. Our diverse team of Psychotherapists includes therapists trained as Registered Social Workers and Registered Psychotherapists.

We want every family to feel comfortable from the moment they arrive. Appointments take place in our welcoming, newly renovated, wheelchair-accessible clinic. Book an appointment using our online calendar or call (416) 820 8588.

Julia Loccisano, RSW provides counselling for adults (and couples), teens, and children (3 years and up). When working with youth, Julia integrates play therapy techniques and art therapy techniques. Each of these interactive approaches allows for a safe, spontaneous, and expressive space for young clients to explore feelings, build coping skills, and make sense of their world. Julia also offers workshops for Parenting strategies for kids with ADHD.

Iriella Hicks, RP(Q) provides counselling for adults, children (10 years and up), and teens. Iriella brings many years of counselling experience as a child and youth worker prior to pursuing Psychotherapy. She incorporates a variety of therapy tools, including CBT to help cope with anxiety, depression, and disordered eating. Iriella has spent decades coaching youth within competitive gymnastics. These experiences taught her how powerful encouragement, structure, and genuine connection can be in helping youth reach their goals.

Shannon Burton, MSW RSW, works with children aged 4 to 19. She has devoted over the last 20 plus years of her learning and practice to the health and well-being of children and youth.