Nurturing Child Counselling in Fort Langley with a Caring Therapist for Kids

Some signs may signal that your child needs counselling. For example, a child who has suddenly begun to have developmental problems, rebel and act “out of character” or in ways that are not considered normal behaviour for their age. In addition, if your child has experienced a significant trauma (i.e. abuse, the death of a loved one or pet, uprooting, divorce, chronic illness, etc.) recently or in the past, but has not received treatment for it, he/she will most likely benefit from child counselling.

• Unprovoked aggression

• Leakage of urine

• Difficulty adjusting to social and/or new situations

• Recurrent nightmares, night terrors, and/or sleep difficulties like insomnia

• Low grades or a sudden academic decline

• Constant worry and anxiety

• Social withdrawal from activities your child once liked 

• A noticeable and/or sudden loss of appetite and/or extreme weight loss or gain

• Repetitively performing rituals and routines like hand-washing

• Suicidal ideations (thoughts) or attempts

• Your child responds to voices he/she hears in his/her head

• Spending most of his/her time alone or engaging in voluntary social isolation

• Alcohol and/or drug use, abuse, or addiction

• Increased physical complaints, despite a healthy report from a medical professional

• Engaging in self-harm practices, such as cutting oneself

This varies depending on your child's age, comfort level, and therapeutic goals. For very young children (typically under 6), parents often participate in sessions or are nearby. For school-age children and teens, we usually recommend individual sessions to help them develop independence and feel free to express themselves openly. However, we always discuss this with you during the initial consultation and can adjust our approach based on what works best for your child. Family sessions may also be incorporated as part of the overall treatment plan.

Building trust with your child is essential for effective therapy, so sessions are generally confidential. However, as a parent, you'll receive regular updates on your child's progress, goals we're working on, and strategies you can support at home - without revealing specific details of conversations. If there are safety concerns or we believe sharing certain information would benefit your child's treatment, we'll discuss this openly. For younger children, we typically share more general information, while teens may have greater privacy within appropriate boundaries.

In most cases, yes - both parents with legal custody typically need to consent to child therapy services. However, this can vary depending on your family's specific legal situation, custody arrangements, or court orders. We're happy to discuss your particular circumstances during our initial consultation and can work with you to ensure all necessary permissions are in place. If you're unsure about your situation, we can provide guidance on the appropriate steps to take.

The duration of child counselling varies depending on your child's needs, the nature of their challenges, and their response to therapy. Some children benefit from short-term support (8-12 sessions), while others may benefit from longer-term therapeutic relationships. Your child counsellor will work with you to determine the most appropriate treatment timeline.

Professional child therapy uses engaging, age-appropriate methods that often feel like play to children. Through games, art, storytelling, and other creative activities, children can express themselves naturally while working on therapeutic goals. Most children look forward to their sessions with their kids therapist once they feel comfortable and safe.