FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I prepare my child for therapy?

Introduce children to the idea of counselling by explaining its purpose and benefits.  Give your child permission to talk about their worries or whatever is bothering them.  Tell your child their work in the playroom is important, special and confidential.  Do not use tricks or threats to get your child or teen into counselling as this is counter-intuitive.  Our approach is child-centered and therefore empowering children with choice is vital.  Validate and normalize children’s natural tendency to feel nervous and unsure about meeting a counsellor.  You may wish to show your child the welcome video under the Services tab on this website and/or you may decide to introduce the idea of counselling to your child using the following example:

“Hey kiddo, I have been noticing that you haven’t been feeling like yourself lately.  Our family has a lot going on right now and I worry about you bottling up your feelings.  I think I want to introduce you to a family and kid therapist that helps kid’s sort out their feelings and their stressful experiences through play, games and art.  The therapist is a feeling helper who can be your very own safe person to talk to about anything you want!  Even family stuff!  Your therapist will keep your information private and won’t even be able to tell me what you do in therapy unless you give them permission!  I love you very much and want the best for you. Therapy can help us problem solve and figure out how to feel better.  How about we go together to meet the therapist and check out the play room together?”

What does the play therapy process look like?

• Referral obtained from a community agency, school, clinical professional or directly from interested families. A free confidential phone consult is initiated to determine suitability for play therapy, begin information gathering, review service fee and book a caregiver intake appointment.

• Initial caregiver intake held without children, unless otherwise specified.  Family dynamic and history, presenting concerns, children’s resiliencies and goals explored.  Consents for service signed, limits of confidentiality discussed and session structure determined.   Authorization to release and obtain information from other service providers (schools, counsellors, doctors) may be signed at the discretion of the caregiver as relevant to their child’s treatment plan. Caregivers will be given a tour of the play room and its carefully selected therapeutic centres.   

• Engagement and Assessment: meeting the child individually or with family (1-4 sessions).  Assessment activities used to explore children’s presenting concerns, struggles and resiliencies.  Treatment goals affirmed with child and youth input based on assessment data collected. 

• Treatment/Intervention sessions: conducted in individual child and or family play therapy sessions based on the clinical impression and the child’s treatment plan.  May be short term (up to 4-6 sessions) or long term (6 or more sessions) depending on the needs of the child and family.

• Termination sessions:  final phase of therapy whereby children and therapist review newly taught skills, art work, play themes and goals (2-3 sessions).  Prepare children for closure and termination and celebrate hard work accomplished throughout the therapy process.  External referrals to other programs or community agencies may be recommend.   

• Feedback to parent/caregiver: share clinical impression and provide feedback.  May occur after assessment sessions and or during termination phase of therapy.

How is our family involved in the treatment process?

A combination of individual, sibling, child and caregiver and family sessions may be offered based on the child or youth's treatment plan. Family sessions may occur during the engagement and assessment, treatment and termination phases of counselling.  You and your counsellor will discuss which modality suits you and your child’s needs best. Caregivers may receive feedback on how their child is doing in counselling as needed and in conjunction with the counselling termination plan.  Caregivers are welcomed to email or leave messages in between counselling sessions if serious concerns arise.  We will not talk about children in front of children unless otherwise scheduled as a family session that involves child’s input and engagement. Parenting and adult conversation can be scheduled outside of child play therapy sessions.

How many sessions will my child, family or myself need?

Most children and youth attend sessions weekly. Some reduce the cost of therapy and extend service by coming every other week, while others choose bi-weekly attendance when more support is required. A minimum of six sessions is recommended to complete an assessment and to begin work towards one or two goals.  It is advised to pre-book sessions in order to secure availability and provide consistency for your child. Please speak with your therapist to determine the amount of sessions needed to complete assessment, treatment and termination.  

Will the therapist need to talk to my child’s teacher or doctor?

Your therapist will consider the child’s welfare and treatment concerns when they’re receiving services from another mental health, educational, or medical professional. With written consent and an authorization to release and obtain information, your child’s therapist may consult other professional providers to develop clear agreements over coordination of services.  

How do we pay for services?

Your therapist will discuss fees with you during your free confidential phone consultation.  Payment can be made via cash, check and e-transfer at the beginning of each session.  Caregivers may choose to pre-pay sessions in advance.  Invoice receipts will be given.    

Government counselling subsidies are available to individuals who cannot pay for service and meet program specific criteria. Please refer to guidelines set by Victim Quick Response Program, Health Canada, Non Insured Health Benefits, Criminal Compensation Services and Internet Child Exploitation Program to see if you and your children may be eligible. An invoice to a government funding source will be directly billed upon approval of your application and once services are rendered.

Third party employer insurance coverage may be available if you’re benefit package approves services from a Registered Psychotherapist with The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.  Please check your benefits package to see if you and your family are eligible for coverage. Payment is due at the beginning of each session.  Third party billing not available.

Limited reduced and pro-bono group and individual spots available.  Please speak with your therapist to determine suitability for these positions.

Please refer to FEES for further information.