Are you worried about your child’s mental health and looking for a child therapist in Burlington who can help? You’re not alone, as many parents find themselves at this important fork in the road. Seeking out counselling is an incredibly personal decision, but it doesn’t have to be complicated or confusing. With the right guidance, you can confidently select the best therapist for your family and ensure that your child gets all of the help they need. In this blog post, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide for how to find a counsellor for your child.

1. Define Your Family’s Needs

Before you begin your search for a child therapist in Hamilton or the surrounding areas, it is important to take some time to think about your family’s specific needs. What type of help does your child need? Are you looking for someone who specializes in a certain issue, such as anxiety or ADHD? Knowing what you are looking for will help you narrow down your options.

2. Do Some Research

Once you have an idea of what you are looking for, you can start doing some research. Talk to friends and family members who have been through the process of finding a child therapist. Ask them for recommendations and advice. You can also look online for lists of therapists in your area or read online reviews.

3. Review the Potential Therapist’s Background and Credentials

When looking for a child therapist, it is important to make sure that they have the proper credentials. Ask about their experience working with children, as well as what type of therapy they specialize in. Some therapists specialize in treating specific disorders, such as anxiety or ADHD, while others work with children of all ages and backgrounds.

4. Ask Questions about Their Treatment Plan

One of the most important things you can do when searching for a therapist is to ask questions about the approach they take to treating children and families. Do they typically practice family systems therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), humanistic therapy, or any other therapeutic model?

5. Discuss Your Specific Goals and Expectations for Therapy

What are you ultimately trying to achieve? Is there an underlying issue or event that your child needs help processing? Do you need advice with parenting skills related to your child’s needs? Having clarity regarding what you hope to get out of therapy will help narrow down what type of professional you should look for and provide helpful context when speaking with candidates.

6. Consider Your Child’s Preferences

Your child should also be involved in the decision-making process and feel comfortable speaking with the therapist. Consider what kind of atmosphere and energy they would prefer and talk with your child and establish what they would be most comfortable with—whether it be a male, female, older, or younger therapist.

7. Make Sure You Feel Comfortable with the Therapist

Lastly, you want to make sure that you are both comfortable and confident with the person who will be taking care of your child’s mental health. Look for important qualities such as listening skills, professionalism, and empathy. In addition, try to schedule an initial meeting with the child therapist so you can gauge their communication style and interact personally before making a final decision.

Contact Family Matters Centre to Talk to a Child Therapist in Burlington

If your child is struggling and needs the help of a child therapist in Burlington, Hamilton, or the surrounding areas, Family Matters Centre is the place to turn. Our anxiety therapists and psychotherapists in Burlington use evidence-based strategies to provide effective treatments for children and families, ensuring a positive outcome.

Not only are our therapists experienced and qualified, but they also provide personalized services catered to your child’s specific needs. We recognize that this can be a difficult decision to make, which is why we provide counselling services tailored to each family’s unique circumstances.

If you’re looking for a child therapist in the Burlington, Hamilton, or Oakville area, call us today at (905) 466-8023 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment.

It’s no secret that divorce can be tough on kids. But there are things parents can do to help support their children during this difficult time. From maintaining a positive relationship with your ex to talking to a divorce therapist or a child counsellor in the Burlington, Hamilton, or
Oakville area, here are some tips for divorced parents who want to make things easier for their kids.

How Divorce Affects Children

Most children may feel sad, scared, and confused when they hear the news of their parents splitting up and this might also raise feelings of anxiety about the future. As an impact of divorce, some children may want to separate themselves from either one or both of the parents due to feeling betrayed by them. Additionally, children often struggle with accepting the fact that their parents no longer love each other, viewing the split up as a betrayal.

Ways to Help Your Child Cope with Divorce

If your family is going through a divorce, it can be an emotional and confusing time for both parents and children. Here are some tips to help your child cope with the divorce:

• Explain the Divorce: Make sure that your child knows that the decision was not their fault and that all involved parties still love them very much.
• Help Your Child Express Their Feelings: Provide a safe space where your child can express their feelings without fear of judgement or criticism. Listen intently and respond to each feeling with validation.
• Avoid Fighting in Front of Your Kids: Do your best to remain calm in your child’s presence so they don’t feel overwhelmed or scared. Even though you might be feeling angry and upset at times, avoid discussing the details of the divorce in front of them.
• Don’t Blame the Other Parent: Avoid placing blame on the other parent for the divorce. Instead, focus on helping your child understand what has happened in a non-judgmental way.
• Be Supportive When Your Child Is with the Other Parent: Showing acceptance of your former partner can help kids feel more secure and at ease with the changes that come with divorce.
• Consider Counselling for Your Child: Counselling can be a very beneficial tool in helping your child process their feelings and navigate the difficult transition. It is important to create a regular routine that provides stability while also providing emotional support.

Contact the Child Therapists in Burlington at Family Matters Centre

Going through a divorce is difficult, especially for children. The child therapists in Burlington at Family Matters Centre understand this and are prepared to help your child constructively cope with the experience. With effective communication and support, our divorce therapists can work to reduce the emotional stress children may feel while dealing with the effects of divorce. We can also provide marriage counselling and co-parenting counselling to help parents ease the burden on their children.

Through supportive therapeutic activities and group therapy tailored to meet each individual’s needs, our marriage counsellors offer your family an excellent resource when it comes to processing emotions and dealing with a divorce in a healthy way.

If you’re looking for a child therapist or marriage counsellor in the Burlington, Hamilton, or Oakville area, call us today at (905) 466-8023 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment.

If you are like most parents, you want what is best for your child. When it comes to finding a child therapist in Burlington or the surrounding areas, there are many questions you should ask before making the decision. What type of therapy does the therapist practice? What is their approach to counselling? How do they handle communication?
In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most important questions to ask when choosing a therapist for your child.

1. How Long Have You Been Practicing Therapy?

This is an important question to ask any potential therapist, as experience can make a big difference in the quality of care that a therapist is able to provide. Since therapy is such a sensitive and personal process, it’s important to work with someone who has ample experience and who you and your child feel comfortable with. If your child is seeing a newer therapist, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it is important to ask about their level of experience and training.

2. What Is Your Experience with Treating Children?

You should find a child therapist near you—whether you live in Hamilton or Burlington—who has extensive experience working with children, especially children who are dealing with the same challenges your child is struggling with. This will help you to gauge whether or not they are qualified to treat your child and if they have the necessary expertise. Some follow-up questions you may want to ask include: How long have you been treating children? What is your training to work with children?

3. How Often Will My Child Need to Attend Therapy Sessions?

Ask the therapist how long your child will need to attend therapy and how often. Some children may need to attend weekly sessions for an extended period of time, while others may only need to come for a few sessions each month. The therapist should be able to give you an idea of how long they think your child will need therapy based on their assessment.

4. What Therapy Methods Do You Use?

Asking about the child therapist’s treatment philosophy will give you some insight into their approach to therapy and how they work with children. For example, do they focus on talk therapy or play therapy? Do they take a more hands-on approach or let the child lead the session? Knowing what therapy methods they use can help you decide if the therapist is a good fit for your family.

5. Are There Any Potential Side Effects of the Therapy?

Before beginning any therapy with your child, it is important to ask their therapist about any potential side effects. Depending on the type of therapy used, there could be short-term or long-term side effects that you should be aware of. If you have any concerns, be sure to discuss them with the therapist so that they can address them and help put your mind at ease.

6. What Should I Do if I Have Questions or Concerns about My Child’s Treatment Plan?

You should always feel comfortable asking your child’s therapist questions or expressing any concerns you may have about their treatment plan. The therapist should be able to answer any questions you have about the plan and explain how it will benefit your child. If you are still not comfortable with the plan, you can ask for a second opinion from another child counsellor in Burlington.

7. How Will You Communicate Progress with the Parents?

When meeting with potential child therapists, be sure to ask about their communication style. How will they keep you updated on your child’s progress? How often will they meet with you? What other options, such as email or text, do they offer for communication?  Establishing a good working relationship with your child’s therapist is vital to ensuring that your child receives the best possible care.

8. What Is Your Fee Structure and Do You Accept Insurance?

Be sure to ask about fees before committing to any therapy sessions. If you have workplace benefits, find out if the therapist accepts your insurance and what their out-of-pocket costs will be. It is important to ask about finances before you start working with a child therapist, whether you live in Burlington, Hamilton, or Oakville, so that you are not surprised by the costs later on.

Contact the Child Therapists in Burlington at Family Matters Centre

Family Matters Centre offers individual counselling and therapeutic groups for kids and teens. Our child therapists in Burlington specialize in anxiety, anger, self-esteem, social skills, trauma, ADHD, and chronic illness. We also offer counselling for marriage issues, separation, divorce, and co-parenting. If you’re looking for a child counsellor in the Burlington, Hamilton, or Oakville area, call us today at (905) 466-8023 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment.