Are you struggling to manage your child’s difficult behaviour?
Does your child refuse to do things with others or avoid activities they used to love?
Are you worried about your child’s future?
Children and teens suffer with mental health problems too. When your child’s behaviour is difficult to manage, it may be a sign that they are struggling with anxiety, depression, or another mental health challenge.
Our therapists can help your child increase their confidence, learn new skills to manage their emotions, communicate more effectively, and build a connected relationship with you.
Child counselling provides a safe and supportive space where children can explore their emotions, develop coping skills, and work through challenges with the guidance of a trained therapist. At Still Waters Psychology, we tailor therapy to each child’s unique needs using evidence-based approaches like play therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
Sessions may involve talking, creative activities, role-playing, or games, depending on the child’s age and comfort level. We also collaborate with parents to provide insights and strategies to support their child’s progress at home. Our goal is to help children feel empowered, build resilience, and develop healthy emotional regulation skills.
Children express distress differently than adults, and recognizing when they need support can be challenging. If your child is experiencing any of the following, counselling may be beneficial:
If you’re unsure whether therapy is needed, a consultation with one of our clinicians can help determine the best path forward for your child.
Starting therapy can feel unfamiliar for both children and parents. Here’s how you can prepare:
We take a child-led approach to make sessions engaging and comfortable, ensuring your child feels safe and understood.
At Still Waters Psychology, we use a variety of therapeutic approaches tailored to meet each child’s needs:
Each child receives a customized approach, ensuring they receive the most effective support based on their unique needs.
We provide therapy for children dealing with a variety of emotional, behavioral, and developmental concerns, including:
Our goal is to help children understand and express their emotions in healthy ways, build confidence, and develop lasting skills to navigate life’s challenges.
At Still Waters Psychology, we understand that finding the right therapist for your child is an important decision. Here’s what sets us apart:
✅ Specialized Child & Family Therapists: Our clinicians have extensive experience working with children and use age-appropriate, evidence-based therapies tailored to each child’s needs.
✅ Comprehensive Family Support: We don’t just focus on the child—we equip parents and caregivers with the tools and strategies to reinforce progress at home.
✅ Flexible & Convenient Care: We offer support for all family members under one roof, making it easier for families to access care in a single, trusted environment.
✅ Warm & Child-Friendly Environment: Our therapy spaces are designed to be welcoming and engaging, helping children feel comfortable and supported.
✅ Commitment to Normalizing Mental Health: We believe therapy should be a positive and empowering experience that supports children in growing into resilient and emotionally healthy individuals.
We are dedicated to helping Calgary families find balance, strength, and healing together in a supportive and compassionate setting.
The most effective therapy for children depends on their developmental level and what issues they are coming in for. In the early years, play therapy and parenting support are helpful as young children don’t communicate their feelings in the same way adults do. CBT and DBT can be effective for children who are 10 and older.
Child therapy can be beneficial at various developmental stages, but the appropriate age for starting therapy depends on the child’s needs and emotional or behavioral concerns. Here’s a general guide:
There is no specific age that is "too early" or "too late" for therapy, as it depends on the individual child’s circumstances and developmental stage.
Several types of therapy can help children manage anger effectively by teaching them emotional regulation, coping strategies, and improving family or peer dynamics. Here are some of the most commonly recommended therapies for children struggling with anger:
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the most effective therapies for children with anger issues. It helps children identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute to their anger, teaching them coping strategies and problem-solving skills.
2. Anger Management Therapy
This specific form of therapy focuses on helping children understand their anger triggers, recognize the early signs of anger, and learn healthy ways to express and control it. Techniques include deep breathing, relaxation, and developing positive responses to frustration.
3. Play Therapy
For younger children, play therapy allows them to express and process their emotions, including anger, in a safe and non-verbal way. Through play, children can explore their feelings and learn to regulate their emotions.
4. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT is especially useful for children who experience intense emotions, including anger. It teaches emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness to help manage anger in healthy ways.
5. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
PCIT helps parents and children develop better communication and discipline techniques to address anger-related behavior issues. This therapy teaches parents how to respond positively to the child’s behavior while reinforcing emotional regulation.
6. Family Therapy
Family therapy can address how family dynamics contribute to a child's anger issues. By improving communication and resolving conflicts within the family, this therapy helps create a more supportive environment for the child to manage anger.
7. Art Therapy
Art therapy allows children to express their anger creatively, which can be particularly helpful for those who struggle with verbalizing their emotions. It provides a therapeutic outlet to explore emotions in a non-confrontational way.
8. Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness-based therapies help children develop greater self-awareness and emotional control. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness exercises help reduce impulsive reactions to anger.
Therapies are often tailored to the child’s developmental stage, the severity of their anger, and their individual needs, sometimes involving a combination of these approaches for better outcomes.
In the first session, parents will meet with the Psychologist to provide some developmental history and discuss their current concerns. This allows parents to discuss what is most concerning to them without having to worry about how their child will react to their concerns. When your child meets with the Psychologist, they will begin by building rapport using activities and games. It is important that your child develop a good relationship with their Psychologist so they feel comfortable engaging in interventions. Your therapist will provide you with recommendations on what type of therapy might be helpful for your child and develop a plan that works for you and your family.