Child Therapy in Toronto
Where small hearts feel safe
At Lakeland Therapy Centre, we offer in person Child therapy in The Beaches, Toronto and online across Ontario.
“I can tell something is going on with my child,
but I’m not sure how to help.”
If your child is feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, big emotions, school stress, family or life circumstances and changes, ADHD, or pulling away from things they once enjoyed, it can be deeply worrying as a parent. You may find yourself lying awake at night, wondering what’s changed, or quietly asking, “Am I missing something?” or “Is this something we should be concerned about?”
Please know; you are not alone, and this is not at all a reflection of failed parenting. Many caring, attentive families find themselves in this place, simply trying to support a child who is struggling.
At Lakeland Therapy Centre our compassionate, highly trained therapists help children build emotional resilience and help families feel hopeful again.
Is child therapy right for your family?
When your child's behavior may be asking for extra support :
- Big emotions out of nowhere: angry outbursts, emotional dysregulation or withdrawal
- Troubles at school or difficulty with focus or motivation
- Difficulties with sleep; frequent waking, or upsetting dreams
- School refusal, anxieties, worries or low mood
- Behavioural changes, social withdrawal, avoidance of situations
- Heightened sensitivity; reacting too strongly to everyday situations
- Challenges with bullying, academic stress and social pressures
- Challenges adjusting to family changes (divorce, separation, grief)
- Frequent physical complaints: tummy aches, headaches
- Trauma related responses
- Frequent tantrums, difficulty being consoled
When your child changes and you don’t know why, it can be deeply unsettling. Therapy at Lakeland Therapy Centre offers a safe, supportive path forward, for both your child and your family.
Child Therapy in Toronto
What Is Child Therapy?
Child therapy is a collaborative, playful, and supportive process that helps children express their emotions, build coping skills, and feel understood. It’s designed to meet kids where they are, using language, activities, and strategies that work for their age and personality. understood, and supported.
- Play based approaches
- Expressive activities; art or sand tray
- Games that build emotional awareness
- Skills to manage anxiety, distress or bit emotions
- Talk based strategies
- Strategies for school based challenges
- Social skills building, communication skills
- Parent support, guidance and coaching
Child Therapy in Toronto | Online Across Ontario
How Child Therapy Helps - Real Changes
At Lakeland Therapy Centre, our therapists create a steady, non-judgmental space where each voice matters, parents, teens, children and all family members alike. Our therapy is warm, collaborative, regulating and evidence-informed.
Helping Your Child Put Feelings Into Words
When emotions come out as tears, anger, or silence, therapy helps your child learn what they’re feeling and how to express it safely so you’re no longer guessing what’s going on inside.
Calmer Bodies, Fewer Meltdowns
Children learn gentle ways to calm their nervous systems, making big emotions feel less overwhelming and easier to recover from, for them and for you.
Better Tools for Tough Moments
Instead of shutting down or exploding, therapy helps kids build new ways to cope with frustration, disappointment, and change.
Stronger Connections at Home
Therapy supports healthier communication, helping your child feel safer, more open, and more connected with you and your family.
Support with Worries and Fears
Therapy helps children understand anxiety, fears, and worries, giving them tools to feel braver and more in control.
Growing Confidence from the Inside Out
As children experience success in therapy, many begin to believe in themselves more; trying new things, speaking up, and trusting their abilities.
Improve Focus and School Readiness
With emotional stress reduced, many children find it easier to concentrate, participate, and feel more confident at school.
Healthier Friendships
Children learn social skills like sharing, problem-solving, and expressing needs, supporting more positive peer relationships.
Navigate Big Life Changes
Help children navigate life challenges such as divorce, grief and family transitions, shifts of blended families to address and navigate big emotions and feels calmer and more connected.
Parent Guidance and Support
You’re not left to figure this out alone. Therapy offers guidance and reassurance so you can support your child with more confidence and clarity.
Hope for the Whole Family
As your child feels better, daily life often becomes lighter, with fewer struggles, more connection, and renewed hope for the future.
Children don't nee to keep struggling alone. At Lakeland Therapy Centre, our therapists create calm, welcoming spaces where kids feel seen, respected, and gently supported as they grow and heal. Here your child is held with care.
Child Therapy in Toronto & Online Across Ontario
Evidence-Based Approaches
What is our approach
At Lakeland Therapy Centre, we understand that children don’t always have the words to explain what they’re feeling, but their behaviour, emotions, and play tell an important story. Our approach to child therapy is grounded in evidence-based care, delivered in a way that feels safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate for each child.
Rather than using a one-size-fits-all model, our therapists take time to understand your child’s unique personality, strengths, and needs. Therapy is carefully tailored so children can learn and grow at their own pace, without pressure or judgment.
Play Based Therapy Approaches
Younger children often express feelings through play rather than words. This uniquely tailored therapy approach is using play, art, stories, and hands-on activities, to support children up to pre teen age who are navigating a variety of life challenges
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy helps children build positive behaviours through structure, consistency, and clear expectations. It is especially helpful for children experiencing emotional meltdowns, impulsivity, difficulty following rules, ADHD-related challenges, or oppositional behaviours. By reinforcing what does work, children learn practical skills for self-control, cooperation, and emotional regulation at home and at school.
Attachment Based Therapy
Attachment-based therapy helps children feel safe, understood, and secure in their relationships; which is often the foundation for emotional growth and healing. When children feel connected and supported, they’re better able to explore their feelings and build trust in themselves and others.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
In simple, age-appropriate ways, kids learn how worries, fears, or negative self-talk can affect their emotions, and how to gently shift these patterns so they feel more confident and capable.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills are often used to help children and teens manage big emotions, including very distressing moments. Through practical tools, children learn ways to tolerate challenging frustrations, calm their bodies, express feelings safely, and handle challenges without becoming overwhelmed or hurting themselves or others.
Body Based Somatic and Mindfulness Therapy
These approaches help children learn to notice what’s happening in their bodies and gently calm themselves when emotions feel big or overwhelming. Through simple, child-friendly techniques like movement, breathing, grounding, and sensory activities, kids build body awareness, emotional regulation, and a sense of safety from the inside out. These strategies are especially helpful for children who feel anxious, easily dysregulated, or have a hard time putting feelings into words; giving them tools they can use both in therapy and in everyday life.
Parent Coaching
Our skilled therapists provide Parent /caregiver coaching with practical, evidence-based strategies to respond consistently and confidently to their child’s behaviour. Parents and caregivers learn how to reduce power struggles, support emotional regulation, and reinforce progress outside of sessions. When parents and therapists work together, children feel more supported and positive change happens more quickly and sustainably.
Every child's world is different. We meet your child exactly where they are, with curiosity, care, healing and support at a gentle pace that fits their needs.
Our Child Therapists In Toronto
Meet Our Specialized Child Therapist
Children are constantly learning, about the world, about relationships, and about themselves. When stress, worry, sadness, or behavioural concerns show up, therapy can support that learning with care, safety, and skills.
You don’t have to hold the weight of your family’s struggles alone. Our compassionate, skilled therapist walks alongside you; steadily, gently, and without judgment. At our Toronto clinic and through secure online sessions across Ontario, family therapy can help you reconnect, communicate, and heal together.
Psychotherapist
Founder & Clinical Director
Therapy In Toronto, ON
Feel Seen, Understood & Truly Supported
At Lakeland Therapy Centre, we bring together human connection and expert care that meets you where you are, without judgement. Whether you’re trying to help your child, dealing with parenting stressors, navigating anxiety, OCD, or past trauma, we help you feel calmer, clearer, and more like yourself again.
Experience the heart behind Lakeland Therapy, through our lived experience, deep expertise, and compassionate therapy to create lasting change in your life.
Child Therapy in Toronto | Online Across Ontario
Common Questions About Child Therapy
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
If your child’s feelings or behaviours are persistent, intense, or affecting daily life, such as school, friendships, or mood, therapy can help. You know your child best, and support is not only okay; it’s an integral step towards growth in a healthy direction that has positive consequences through their development.
Is Play Therapy "just playing"?
No. Play is a child’s natural language. Play Therapy is an evidence based therapy and play is used intentionally to help children express feelings, process experiences, and build coping skills in ways that feel safe and developmentally appropriate. While it may look simple on the surface, therapists are carefully observing, guiding, and supporting emotional growth through specifically guided techniques.
What happens during child therapy sessions?
Sessions are therapeutically tailored to your child’s age and needs. They may include play, art, games, conversation, movement, or calming activities. The goal is to help your child feel safe enough to explore emotions, practice skills, and build confidence, all in a way that feels natural and supportive and beneficial to them.
How are parents involved?
Parents are an important part of the process. Depending on your child’s needs, this may include regular check-ins, parent coaching, or joint sessions. We work collaboratively with you, sharing insights and practical strategies so progress continues outside the therapy room.
What if my child does not connect with the therapist?
A good fit matters, especially for children. If your child isn’t comfortable, we take that seriously. We’ll talk with you, listen carefully, and help explore next steps, including a different approach or therapist if needed. Your child’s sense of safety always comes first.
Can child therapy help with behvioural challenges?
Yes. Many behaviours are a child’s way of communicating unmet needs, big feelings, or overwhelm. Therapy helps children learn new ways to manage emotions, build self-control, and respond to challenges more effectively, while also supporting parents with tools that work at home.
How long will it take for my child to feel better?
Every child’s journey is unique. Some benefit from short-term support, while others need more time. We regularly check in with parents, review progress, and adjust goals together so therapy feels helpful, purposeful, and responsive to your child’s growth.
Have other questions? Get in touch with us!
We’d love to connect. You can send us a message through our contact form, email us, or give us a call, whatever feels easiest for you.
Child Therapy in Toronto
Positive Outcomes for
Child Therapy
Every child deserves support that meets them with patience and care. Through expertly utilized and uniquely tailored child therapy technique, we help children grow emotional resilience while also supporting parents with compassionate guidance and support. With in-person child therapy in Toronto and online services across Ontario, Lakeland Therapy Centre offers steady, caring support for children and the families who love them.
- Calmer emotional responses and fewer meltdowns
- Increased willingness to try new things
- More restful sleep and fewer bedtime struggles
- Able to express needs more easily
- Greater ability to handle frustration or dissapointment
- More like themselves-more carefree and joyful engagement with friends or family
- Reduced worry, fear or anxiety
- Improved focus and success at school
Lakeland Therapy Centre
How To Get Started
Taking the first step can feel like the hardest part, but we’re here to walk alongside you from day one.
Book Online
647-362-1823
Info@lakelandtherapycentre.ca
1897 Queen St. East. Toronto, Ont. M4L 1H3