Child Therapy In Burlington
Child Therapy In Burlington
A Safe Space for Your Child to Be Heard
What is Child Therapy?
Child therapy is a form of psychotherapy designed specifically for the way children think, feel, and experience the world. For kids ages 6–12, that means therapy looks different than it does for adults; sessions are play-informed, age-appropriate, and led at your child’s pace.
Rather than just talking about feelings, children are guided to express, understand, and make sense of what’s happening inside them, in a space that feels safe rather than clinical. At Evergreen Therapeutics in Burlington, Ontario, our child therapists work with the whole child: their thoughts, their body responses, their behaviours, and the relationships that matter most to them.
The goal isn’t to “fix” your child. It’s to give them the tools to understand themselves, manage big emotions, and move through challenges with more confidence.
Who Is Child Therapy For?
Child therapy is for any child who seems to be struggling, whether that’s showing up loudly (outbursts, defiance, aggression) or quietly (withdrawal, worry, changes in sleep or appetite). You don’t need a diagnosis. You don’t need to be in crisis. If something feels off and your child can’t quite tell you what it is, therapy can help bridge that gap.
It may be a good fit if your child:
- Struggles with anxiety, worry, or frequent meltdowns
- Has difficulty with friendships or social situations
- Is going through a big life change — divorce, a new school, a loss
- Seems sad, withdrawn, or has lost interest in things they used to enjoy
- Is having a hard time at school — focusing, following instructions, or managing frustration
- Has experienced something scary or upsetting and hasn’t been the same since
Parents don’t always need to wait until things are serious. Early support often makes the biggest difference.
“You know your child better than anyone. If your gut is telling you they need support — trust it.”
Where Children Often Need Support
Anxiety & Worry
Anxiety & Worry
Many children experience anxiety that goes beyond typical nervousness, persistent worry about school, friendships, health, or safety that gets in the way of everyday life.
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional Dysregulation
Big feelings, fast. Children who struggle to manage anger, frustration, or sadness in proportion to situations often feel overwhelmed and misunderstood, and so do the adults around them.
Social Difficulties
Social Difficulties
Trouble making or keeping friends, difficulty reading social cues, or avoiding group situations can leave children feeling isolated. Therapy helps build the confidence and skills to connect.
Family Transitions
Family Transitions
Separation, divorce, a new sibling, moving schools — even positive changes can feel destabilizing for children. Therapy provides a consistent, calm space to process what’s shifting.
Trauma & Difficult Experiences
Trauma & Difficult Experiences
Children don’t always have the words for what happened to them. When scary or painful events go unprocessed, they often show up in behaviour, sleep, school performance, or the body.
More Areas Where Children and Parents Seek Support
- School refusal or academic stress
- Low self-esteem and self-confidence
- Grief and loss (a pet, a grandparent, a friendship)
- Behavioural concerns at home or school
- ADHD and attention difficulties
- Perfectionism and fear of failure
- Nightmares or sleep difficulties
- Phobias or specific fears
- Selective mutism
- Adjustment difficulties
- Sibling conflict
- Bullying — as a target or participant
- Sensory sensitivities
- OCD or repetitive behaviours
If you’re seeking support for something not listed here, please contact us — we’re happy to talk through whether we’re the right fit.
“Children don’t outgrow hard things. They carry them until someone helps them put them down.”
Our Treatment Approach
Our work with children is grounded in evidence-based approaches adapted for the 6–12 age group. Rather than one rigid method, we draw on a range of tools depending on what each child needs.
Together, these approaches help children:
- Understand and express their emotions in healthy ways
- Build practical skills to manage anxiety, stress, and big feelings
- Process difficult experiences at a pace that feels safe
- Develop confidence in themselves and their relationships
- Feel more settled at home, at school, and within themselves
All of our therapists work collaboratively with parents throughout the process. You are not left in the waiting room. You are part of the team.
Specific Approaches We Use Include:
Play Therapy
Play Therapy
Play therapy uses creative expression like drawing, storytelling, and games to help children communicate what words can’t always express. For this age group, play is not a workaround. It’s the work.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT gives children concrete skills for managing intense emotions, tolerating distress, and navigating relationships, broken down in ways that are developmentally appropriate and easy to practice.
Family Systems Therapy
Family Systems Therapy
Family systems therapy recognizes that a child doesn’t exist in isolation. What happens in the family affects the child, and vice versa. This approach helps the whole system shift, not just the individual.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps children understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and learn practical strategies to shift unhelpful patterns.
Attachment-Based Therapy
Attachment-Based Therapy
This looks at the relational bonds that shape how a child sees themselves and the world. When those bonds have been disrupted or strained, this approach helps repair them and builds a stronger foundation for healthy connections going forward.
Our Licensed Child Therapist
Hailey McKee
MACP., Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Children, Adult, Couple, & Family Therapist
What You Can Expect
♦ A neutral and safe space.
I’m here to support both of you, not to judge or blame.
♦ Guided conversations.
Together, we’ll explore the patterns that keep you stuck and practice tools to break free from them.
♦ Practical skills.
You’ll learn strategies for managing conflict, improving communication, and rebuilding trust.
♦ A focus on connection.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s learning how to navigate differences and challenges while maintaining respect, care, and closeness.
“Every child has the capacity to heal. Sometimes they just need someone in their corner to help them find it.”
Child Therapy FAQs
What age do you work with?
What age do you work with?
Our child therapy services are designed for children ages 6–12. For teens, we offer adolescent counselling. For younger children, we’re happy to connect you with appropriate resources — contact us and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Do I stay in the room during my child's sessions?
Do I stay in the room during my child’s sessions?
For most sessions, children are seen individually. This gives them the freedom to speak openly without worrying about a parent’s reaction. However, you’ll always be consulted before and after, and some sessions may include parents, depending on the goals.
My child says they don't want to go to therapy. What do I do?
My child says they don’t want to go to therapy. What do I do?
This is very common. You don’t need to over-explain or convince them. Let them know they’re not in trouble, that they’re not “crazy,” and that it’s a place to talk about hard things with someone who isn’t a parent or teacher. Most children warm up within the first session or two once they realize therapy doesn’t feel the way they imagined.
How do I know if my child needs therapy or just time?
How do I know if my child needs therapy or just time?
If the difficulties have persisted for more than a few weeks, are affecting more than one area of life (home, school, friendships), or your instinct keeps telling you something is wrong, that’s usually a sign it’s worth getting a professional opinion. A free consultation is a no-pressure way to start.
Is child therapy covered by insurance?
Is child therapy covered by insurance?
Many extended health benefit plans cover psychotherapy provided by a Registered Psychotherapist (RP). We recommend checking your plan’s mental health coverage. Receipts are provided for all sessions. Visit our FAQs page for more information.
Evergreen Therapeutics
Address
3425 Harvester Road, Unit 213, Burlington, Ontario.
Contact Info:
- admin@evergreentherapeutics.ca
- 647-693-0495 ext.0
If we miss you by phone, please leave a voicemail with your name, number, and availability for a callback.
We recommend booking a free 20-minute Phone Consultation.
Practice Hours (Hours vary by therapist)