ChilD PsycholoGist - Edmonton/Sherwood Park - Child Therapist
Children may exhibit psychological distress differently than adults. In the same way that a pediatrician has special training to medically treat children, a child psychologist or child therapist has advanced training in working with children that a regular counsellor does not. The advanced training is necessary because children's brains do not work like adult brains. Kids see and understand the world differently than adults.
Because of how much brain development goes on during childhood, children of different ages often require therapy designed for their age group. If you think about it, talk therapy is hard for 3-year old (it might also be hard for teenagers, but for different reasons). As a result, it is also important that your child see a child therapist with specific advanced training for your child's age and level of development. Clinicians at Firefly Counselling have advanced training working with children with many mental health and behavioral difficulties. Karin is a child therapist for children ages 0-5 years, Stephanie, Heidi, Theresa, Kim and Madison counsels school age children and teenagers, while Evan and Megan provided adolescent therapy to help teens successfully transition into adulthood.
What can a therapist help my child with?
attention and focus issues
learning difficulties
anxiety / worry
attachment difficulties
dealing with family violence
reckless behavior
academic pressure
argumentative
trust breakdown
not sleeping
grief / loss
poor communication
substance use / abuse
impulsiveness
low self-esteem / low self-confidence
emotionally reactive
feeling overwhelmed
aggression
shyness
disobedience
negative peer pressure
overly clingy
parental separation / divorce
depression
withdrawal / shut down
poor planning / poor organization
Developmentally Appropriate Child Therapy Approaches
Ages 0-5 Years
Modified Interactive Guidance (video feedback)
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) - Trauma Therapy
Attachment Therapy
Circle of Security (parent - child relationship building)
Watch, Wait and Wonder (child-led intervention)
Developmentally Appropriate Hands on Parenting Strategies
Easy to Understand, Practical Knowledge on Child Development
Primary School Age 5-12 Years
(Expressive) Art Therapy
Sandtray Therapy
Music Therapy
Attachment Therapy
Circle of Security (parent - child relationship building)
Developmentally Appropriate Hands on Parenting Strategies
Easy to Understand, Practical Knowledge on Child Development
Teenagers 12-18 Years
(Expressive) Art Therapy
Sandtray Therapy
Music Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) - Trauma Therapy
Communication Skills Development
Talk Therapy
Music Therapy