Play Therapy in Kitchener, ON
Employing psychoanalytic psychotherapy through talk and play, I create an environment where children can explore their feelings, thoughts, and experiences.
As a child psychotherapist, my approach involves keen observation of a child's play, drawings, words, and behavior. Through this process, I help children verbalize the thoughts and emotions underlying their challenging behaviors. I tailor my methods to each individual child or family, ensuring an age-appropriate approach. Maintaining a neutral and non-directive stance, I create an atmosphere where children and adolescents feel free to express themselves without fear of punishment or rejection. This fosters trust and understanding, allowing them to communicate their hopes and fears ultimately shaping their perception of the world.
Employing psychoanalytic psychotherapy through talk and play, I create an environment where children can explore their feelings, thoughts, and experiences.
As a child psychotherapist, my approach involves keen observation of a child's play, drawings, words, and behavior. Through this process, I help children verbalize the thoughts and emotions underlying their challenging behaviors. I tailor my methods to each individual child or family, ensuring an age-appropriate approach. Maintaining a neutral and non-directive stance, I create an atmosphere where children and adolescents feel free to express themselves without fear of punishment or rejection. This fosters trust and understanding, allowing them to communicate their hopes and fears ultimately shaping their perception of the world.
Virtual sessions currently available, there is a waitlist for in-person. Are you feeling overwhelmed by life's stressors? Are you having difficulty with managing your child's behaviour or mental health concerns? Do you want to improve the relationships with the people around you? I am a Registered Social Worker and use a non-judgmental approach to create a safe environment to provide support. I have a special interest in working with children/adolescents, families and individuals and often use a play-based approach to make treatment fun and engaging.
Virtual sessions currently available, there is a waitlist for in-person. Are you feeling overwhelmed by life's stressors? Are you having difficulty with managing your child's behaviour or mental health concerns? Do you want to improve the relationships with the people around you? I am a Registered Social Worker and use a non-judgmental approach to create a safe environment to provide support. I have a special interest in working with children/adolescents, families and individuals and often use a play-based approach to make treatment fun and engaging.
I use my experience and training from the Canadian Association for Child and Play Therapy when I work with children and families.
A safe and accepting environment is key to growth and change. Effective therapy allows people of all ages to rise to challenge by accomplishing goals. I am a registered therapist who provides confidential counselling to children, teens, adults and families in the K-W area. I am privledged to work with people through their most challenging times. My clients voice that they know I am geniune and sincere. I have specialized training and experience in working with people coping with family conflict, parenting, low self esteem, bullying, abuse, grief and loss, anger management, stress management, trauma, anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.
I use my experience and training from the Canadian Association for Child and Play Therapy when I work with children and families.
A safe and accepting environment is key to growth and change. Effective therapy allows people of all ages to rise to challenge by accomplishing goals. I am a registered therapist who provides confidential counselling to children, teens, adults and families in the K-W area. I am privledged to work with people through their most challenging times. My clients voice that they know I am geniune and sincere. I have specialized training and experience in working with people coping with family conflict, parenting, low self esteem, bullying, abuse, grief and loss, anger management, stress management, trauma, anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.
She has additional training in Play Therapy, CBT and post-graduate training in chemically/ behaviourally based Addictions from McMaster University.
Welcoming new Clients! Judy believes that we are all "In Recovery" from something whether from addictions, dysregulated emotions, workaholism, anxiety, stress, insomnia, trauma, grief, abuse, ill health, depression, burn-out, broken-hearts..... "In Recovery" means becoming aware of behaviours/thoughts/feelings that hurt us at the core of our being and committing to a new path of change/growth and healing. Judy is a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. She is also a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers
She has additional training in Play Therapy, CBT and post-graduate training in chemically/ behaviourally based Addictions from McMaster University.
Welcoming new Clients! Judy believes that we are all "In Recovery" from something whether from addictions, dysregulated emotions, workaholism, anxiety, stress, insomnia, trauma, grief, abuse, ill health, depression, burn-out, broken-hearts..... "In Recovery" means becoming aware of behaviours/thoughts/feelings that hurt us at the core of our being and committing to a new path of change/growth and healing. Judy is a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. She is also a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers
True North Psychotherapy
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Kitchener, ON N2N
We are intensively trained and have extensive experience providing Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and integrative play-based therapies for children.
At True North Psychotherapy, we bring over 15 years of clinical experience and training supporting trauma survivors and individuals facing mental health difficulties. Our expertise lies in the assessment and treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety related disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, and trauma. At True North Psychotherapy, we provide gold-standard psychotherapy that is balanced between acceptance and change. Our team of Registered Social Workers and Psychotherapists specialize in evidenced-based clinical care for children, adolescents and adults.
We are intensively trained and have extensive experience providing Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and integrative play-based therapies for children.
At True North Psychotherapy, we bring over 15 years of clinical experience and training supporting trauma survivors and individuals facing mental health difficulties. Our expertise lies in the assessment and treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety related disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, and trauma. At True North Psychotherapy, we provide gold-standard psychotherapy that is balanced between acceptance and change. Our team of Registered Social Workers and Psychotherapists specialize in evidenced-based clinical care for children, adolescents and adults.
Somatic experiencing (SE), play and art based modalities, Mindfulness, ACT, CBT, Reiki, Internal family system (IFS) and heart-centered hypnotherapy informs my therapeutic approach.
Hi, my name is Tiffany I am thrilled and honoured to be part of your healing journey. It is my soul’s belief that through collaboration and connection we can begin to heal. My therapeutic style is curated for individuals who seek spiritually integrated, body-centred and inner child processing. By creating a safety container, it is my hope to unravel the parts of you that long to be witnessed, understood, and validated. The part of you that is exhausted. The part of you that feels neglected. The part of you that longs for deep connection. The part of you that doesn’t know where to start but ended up here.
Somatic experiencing (SE), play and art based modalities, Mindfulness, ACT, CBT, Reiki, Internal family system (IFS) and heart-centered hypnotherapy informs my therapeutic approach.
Hi, my name is Tiffany I am thrilled and honoured to be part of your healing journey. It is my soul’s belief that through collaboration and connection we can begin to heal. My therapeutic style is curated for individuals who seek spiritually integrated, body-centred and inner child processing. By creating a safety container, it is my hope to unravel the parts of you that long to be witnessed, understood, and validated. The part of you that is exhausted. The part of you that feels neglected. The part of you that longs for deep connection. The part of you that doesn’t know where to start but ended up here.
Melissa Fellin
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW, MA, PhD
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Kitchener, ON N2A
Waitlist for new clients
If you are struggling with your child's emotions, behaviours or you are worried about your child's experiences and how they are affecting them play therapy may be able to help your child.
Melissa works with children ages 2 to 11 years old in a number of areas such as mental health and behavioural issues, including ADD/ADHD, depression, anxiety and disruptive behaviours. Melissa also works with children who are facing school problems, bullying, family problems, and health issues. The family and/or primary caregivers of the child are integral to the process of therapy for children.
If you are struggling with your child's emotions, behaviours or you are worried about your child's experiences and how they are affecting them play therapy may be able to help your child.
Melissa works with children ages 2 to 11 years old in a number of areas such as mental health and behavioural issues, including ADD/ADHD, depression, anxiety and disruptive behaviours. Melissa also works with children who are facing school problems, bullying, family problems, and health issues. The family and/or primary caregivers of the child are integral to the process of therapy for children.
Bloom Child & Family Therapy
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW, MA, PhD
Verified Verified
Kitchener, ON N2G
Our evidence-based treatments are tailored to meet the needs of children, teens and families and include CBPT, EMDR, play therapy, expressive arts therapies (music, art, dance/movement, writing), animal-assisted therapy, sport social work, narrative therapy, attachment-based family therapies among others.
Bloom Child & Family Therapy supports children and their families using creative approaches and evidenced-based practices. At Bloom we strive to provide accessible, quality mental health care for children, adolescents and their families. Bloom therapists are ultra-creative! Play, expressive arts and animal-assisted therapies allow Bloom to make their services accessible to all children and their families. Whether you are coming for family therapy or your child is attending therapy, we believe that family and/or primary caregivers are key to children’s healing and growing. We are looking to build strong and healthy families.
Our evidence-based treatments are tailored to meet the needs of children, teens and families and include CBPT, EMDR, play therapy, expressive arts therapies (music, art, dance/movement, writing), animal-assisted therapy, sport social work, narrative therapy, attachment-based family therapies among others.
Bloom Child & Family Therapy supports children and their families using creative approaches and evidenced-based practices. At Bloom we strive to provide accessible, quality mental health care for children, adolescents and their families. Bloom therapists are ultra-creative! Play, expressive arts and animal-assisted therapies allow Bloom to make their services accessible to all children and their families. Whether you are coming for family therapy or your child is attending therapy, we believe that family and/or primary caregivers are key to children’s healing and growing. We are looking to build strong and healthy families.
Sara Collings Wilken
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, RSW, PhD
Verified Verified
Kitchener, ON N2A
I enjoy working with children and adults of all ages and I specialize in perinatal mental health and play therapy.
Therapy offers a profound opportunity to make sense of overwhelming emotions, heal from painful relationships, and address past traumas that impact your present life. My goal is to build a relationship with you where you feel deeply accepted and genuinely understood. Through this connection, we can gently explore your inner world, helping you gain insight into your emotions and nurturing a stronger sense of self. For adults, this journey unfolds through meaningful conversations, while for children, emotions are expressed and understood through the language of play, fostering growth in a safe, supportive environment.
I enjoy working with children and adults of all ages and I specialize in perinatal mental health and play therapy.
Therapy offers a profound opportunity to make sense of overwhelming emotions, heal from painful relationships, and address past traumas that impact your present life. My goal is to build a relationship with you where you feel deeply accepted and genuinely understood. Through this connection, we can gently explore your inner world, helping you gain insight into your emotions and nurturing a stronger sense of self. For adults, this journey unfolds through meaningful conversations, while for children, emotions are expressed and understood through the language of play, fostering growth in a safe, supportive environment.
Play is a child’s natural way of communicating; we can explore various issues they might find difficult to express in other ways.
Through the activity of play I help children to make sense of difficult life experiences (e.g. divorce, death of a loved one) and navigate the big feelings (e.g. anxiety, anger, sadness) that are often at the root of challenging behaviour. I support children and their caregivers become more able to cope with how they are feeling, develop insight, emotional intelligence and confidence.
Play is a child’s natural way of communicating; we can explore various issues they might find difficult to express in other ways.
Through the activity of play I help children to make sense of difficult life experiences (e.g. divorce, death of a loved one) and navigate the big feelings (e.g. anxiety, anger, sadness) that are often at the root of challenging behaviour. I support children and their caregivers become more able to cope with how they are feeling, develop insight, emotional intelligence and confidence.
Lunar Psychotherapy & Wellness, Tina Lackner
Registered Psychotherapist, RP, CPT
Verified Verified
Kitchener, ON N2P
LPW’s team includes Registered Psychotherapists, Certified Play Therapists and Mindfulness Specialists.
Do you want a deeper sense of fulfillment in your life? Do you struggle with anxiety, fears, depression, stress, managing your emotions or relationships, chronic health issues or adjusting to new life situations? We at LPW can support you through this season of life. At LPW, we are dedicated to helping children, teens, adults, families and couples to gain coping strategies to support their mental and emotional well-being. Embrace the support you, your child/teen or your relationship deserves; LPW will carefully pair you with a therapist with the necessary understanding and training to provide optimal support.
LPW’s team includes Registered Psychotherapists, Certified Play Therapists and Mindfulness Specialists.
Do you want a deeper sense of fulfillment in your life? Do you struggle with anxiety, fears, depression, stress, managing your emotions or relationships, chronic health issues or adjusting to new life situations? We at LPW can support you through this season of life. At LPW, we are dedicated to helping children, teens, adults, families and couples to gain coping strategies to support their mental and emotional well-being. Embrace the support you, your child/teen or your relationship deserves; LPW will carefully pair you with a therapist with the necessary understanding and training to provide optimal support.
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I am passionate about my work as an Occupational Therapist and have over 25 years of experience. I work with clients 18 years of age and younger who are diverse, with a variety of strengths and challenges. Treatment is tailored to the individual and family. Specific areas that I have focused on over the years include: feeding/eating, dressing, toileting, hygiene, as well as fine motor skills, play, attention to tasks, transitions, and self-regulation. I use a sensory processing framework to empower children and teens to increase independence in desired tasks.
I am passionate about my work as an Occupational Therapist and have over 25 years of experience. I work with clients 18 years of age and younger who are diverse, with a variety of strengths and challenges. Treatment is tailored to the individual and family. Specific areas that I have focused on over the years include: feeding/eating, dressing, toileting, hygiene, as well as fine motor skills, play, attention to tasks, transitions, and self-regulation. I use a sensory processing framework to empower children and teens to increase independence in desired tasks.
I specifically draw from client-centred approaches including Non-Directive Play Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Hi, I'm Rory! I'm so happy you landed here! I have the privilege to walk alongside children, teenagers, & families through both the struggles and celebrations that define us! My play-based approach & focus on emotional awareness allows children, teenagers & families to explore their thoughts & feelings in a safe & supportive setting. I support children and teenagers experiencing challenges with neurodivergency (ASD & ADHD), anger, emotional regulation, OCD, self-harm & suicidial ideation. anxiety, anger, emotional regulation, school-based concerns, OCD.
I specifically draw from client-centred approaches including Non-Directive Play Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Hi, I'm Rory! I'm so happy you landed here! I have the privilege to walk alongside children, teenagers, & families through both the struggles and celebrations that define us! My play-based approach & focus on emotional awareness allows children, teenagers & families to explore their thoughts & feelings in a safe & supportive setting. I support children and teenagers experiencing challenges with neurodivergency (ASD & ADHD), anger, emotional regulation, OCD, self-harm & suicidial ideation. anxiety, anger, emotional regulation, school-based concerns, OCD.
Using the most effective and up-to-date understanding of childhood development, you and your child will play, talk, and learn together making lifelong progress towards happy, healthy lives.
Child and Youth Counsellor. Are you the parent of a youth that wants a second set of eyes and ears while working through those difficult early, pre-teen, or teen years? We all hope our children are continuing to develop skills and reach milestones but we also all face roadblocks and challenges along the way. Early intervention is the best advantage you can give your child and Angela is here for exactly that!
Using the most effective and up-to-date understanding of childhood development, you and your child will play, talk, and learn together making lifelong progress towards happy, healthy lives.
Child and Youth Counsellor. Are you the parent of a youth that wants a second set of eyes and ears while working through those difficult early, pre-teen, or teen years? We all hope our children are continuing to develop skills and reach milestones but we also all face roadblocks and challenges along the way. Early intervention is the best advantage you can give your child and Angela is here for exactly that!
My therapeutic toolkit includes approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, play therapy, and trauma counselling.
Are you facing the challenges of setting boundaries, dealing with work-related or school stress, navigating anxiety, or coping with trauma and grief that impact your daily life? You don't have to face these struggles alone. I'm here to support you at any stage of your life journey. I bring a holistic and culturally responsive approach to therapy, tailored to meet the unique needs of children, youth, adults, and families. My practice is firmly rooted in the belief that everyone possesses inherent strengths that can be harnessed for healing and growth.
My therapeutic toolkit includes approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, play therapy, and trauma counselling.
Are you facing the challenges of setting boundaries, dealing with work-related or school stress, navigating anxiety, or coping with trauma and grief that impact your daily life? You don't have to face these struggles alone. I'm here to support you at any stage of your life journey. I bring a holistic and culturally responsive approach to therapy, tailored to meet the unique needs of children, youth, adults, and families. My practice is firmly rooted in the belief that everyone possesses inherent strengths that can be harnessed for healing and growth.
Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health provides tools, resources and services that help people reach their full potential as they walk the path to achieving their best wellbeing and mental health. We are here, walking beside you every step of the way.
Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health provides tools, resources and services that help people reach their full potential as they walk the path to achieving their best wellbeing and mental health. We are here, walking beside you every step of the way.
Do you want to develop strategies to better manage the thoughts, feelings and relationships that are holding you back from a healthy and productive life? Are you struggling to find enjoyment in life, experiencing mental or physical illness, grief, and loss, stress in your job, relationships or as a caregiver or parent? There are steps you can take to improve your psychological well-being, strengthen your relationships and attachments and move towards personal healing and growth. I am here to help you break the cycle or negative thoughts, emotions and relationships and take steps to experience a more positive and fulfilling life.
Do you want to develop strategies to better manage the thoughts, feelings and relationships that are holding you back from a healthy and productive life? Are you struggling to find enjoyment in life, experiencing mental or physical illness, grief, and loss, stress in your job, relationships or as a caregiver or parent? There are steps you can take to improve your psychological well-being, strengthen your relationships and attachments and move towards personal healing and growth. I am here to help you break the cycle or negative thoughts, emotions and relationships and take steps to experience a more positive and fulfilling life.
Shalyn Dussiaume Counselling
Registered Psychotherapist, MA, RP
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
Kitchener, ON N2P
Shalyn Dussiaume-Good is a Registered Psychotherapist and is currently working with a wide variety of clients with varying life issues. Her therapy models include using CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy).
Shalyn Dussiaume-Good is a Registered Psychotherapist and is currently working with a wide variety of clients with varying life issues. Her therapy models include using CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy).
Is it hard to find the motivation to do the things you know you should do? Do you wake up in the morning wondering what your purpose is or start your day with a sense of dread? Is your life not going the way you thought it would? Have you been through a traumatic event and are finding it hard to get back into the groove of things? Do you lack fulfillment in close relationships in your life? If any of these statements resonate with you, I encourage you to reach out so we can find a way for things to feel better. I also have years of experience in the children's mental health sector and can support children/youth ages 10+.
Is it hard to find the motivation to do the things you know you should do? Do you wake up in the morning wondering what your purpose is or start your day with a sense of dread? Is your life not going the way you thought it would? Have you been through a traumatic event and are finding it hard to get back into the groove of things? Do you lack fulfillment in close relationships in your life? If any of these statements resonate with you, I encourage you to reach out so we can find a way for things to feel better. I also have years of experience in the children's mental health sector and can support children/youth ages 10+.
Street Therapy
Registered Psychotherapist, MPsy, RP, (CRPO), CCC
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
Kitchener, ON N2H
Operating for 16+ years, Street Therapy is a group practice, providing mental health services for clients across the lifespan. Our practitioners come from diverse academic, religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds, practicing within the neurodiversity and anti-oppressive frameworks. We strive to provide a safe space for clinicians and clients alike to explore and engage in collaborative, and respectful, psychotherapeutic relationships. Bernadette Street, clinical supervisor and director of Street Therapy, has over 15 years of experience working with children, youth and adults. Her expertise informs the work of our team.
Operating for 16+ years, Street Therapy is a group practice, providing mental health services for clients across the lifespan. Our practitioners come from diverse academic, religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds, practicing within the neurodiversity and anti-oppressive frameworks. We strive to provide a safe space for clinicians and clients alike to explore and engage in collaborative, and respectful, psychotherapeutic relationships. Bernadette Street, clinical supervisor and director of Street Therapy, has over 15 years of experience working with children, youth and adults. Her expertise informs the work of our team.
See more therapy options for Kitchener
Play Therapy Counsellors
Who is play therapy for?
Play therapy is generally targeted to children between the ages of 3 and 11 who have social, emotional, or behavioural difficulties. Play therapy has also been found helpful for children who have experienced physical or emotional abuse or witnessed atrocities. Play therapy is also often recommended for children who are undergoing major medical procedures or who are suffering from chronic illness; many children’s hospitals are equipped to offer play therapy on-site. Play therapy is also sometimes used for adults; creative writing, music, and art are expressive forms that can all be adapted for therapeutic purposes.
Why do people need play therapy?
Children often do not have the language skills or words to know or to express what is troubling them. Yet they often spontaneously draw or use playthings to depict scenarios that reflect problems in their everyday life. Play therapy provides children with an array of objects and play situations to act out their feelings or experiences so that therapists can get a clear picture of what children might be struggling with and help them find solutions. In addition, play therapists are skilled at helping children understand their inner experience and find words for them, necessary steps toward helping children learn to control their own behaviour and come up with solutions to problems they encounter.
What happens in play therapy?
A child enters a comfortable playroom where they are free to choose the objects they want to play with. The play therapist will typically observe how they play with the toys—whether a sandbox, puppets, dolls and action figures, trucks, costumes, drawing and painting materials, or more—because such play provides clues to a child’s family and social relationships, difficulties they are encountering in the world, and what going on inside themselves. Sometimes the therapist may ask the child to use the play objects to tell a story about their family. Using the same instruments of play, therapists can help children discover more advantageous ways of thinking and behaving.
What kinds of problems do play therapists treat?
Play therapy can help children who display destructive or self-destructive impulses; children who seem angry, sad, or fearful; children who experience frequent social, emotional, family, or school difficulty. Play therapy is often of value to children who have experienced a loss or distressing family experience, who are regularly exposed to family conflict, or who have been physically or emotionally abused. Play therapy can help children who are perpetrators of bullying as well as those who are targets of bullying. It helps children learn to identify their feelings, to express them in constructive ways, and to regulate them so they can get on with the business of development.
How long does play therapy last?
Play therapy sessions may last for 30 to 45 minutes, and they usually occur weekly for about 20 sessions. Each session is tailored to the individual child and the kinds of problems they are struggling with. Play that is highly repetitive often indicates a problem requiring further exploration. Therapists typically measure progress through session-to-session changes in play behaviour.