Child Counselling & Family Therapy Across Ontario

When your child is struggling, it can be hard to know what they need or where to turn for support. Maybe you’ve noticed increased anxiety, emotional outbursts, school challenges, changes in behaviour, or difficulty coping with a major life transition. Or maybe things simply feel harder than they used to, and you’re looking for additional support helping your child navigate big feelings and everyday challenges.

At Maluhia Counselling, our child and family therapy is tailored to your child’s developmental stage, experiences, and strengths. Using evidence-based approaches such as CBT, EMDR, and play therapy, support is designed to help children, youth, and families build resilience, strengthen coping skills, and feel more equipped moving forward.

Therapy for Children, Youth & Families

Children often communicate stress, anxiety, and emotional struggles differently than adults. Big feelings, behavioural changes, school avoidance, emotional outbursts, withdrawal, sleep changes, or difficulty coping with transitions can all be signs that additional support may help.

I provide a safe, supportive space for children, youth, and families to explore challenges while building practical tools and resilience.

Support may help with:

  • Anxiety and excessive worry

  • Emotional regulation difficulties

  • Trauma and complex trauma

  • Behavioural challenges

  • School stress and social difficulties

  • Family conflict or communication challenges

  • Separation or divorce

  • Grief and loss

  • Depression and low mood

  • Self-esteem concerns

  • Major life transitions

  • Attachment challenges

  • Sleep difficulties impacting emotional wellbeing or family functioning

What Makes Maluhia Different?

Registered Social Worker With 16+ Years Experience Supporting Children & Families

With over 16 years of frontline social work experience, I understand that every child’s experiences, environment, and support system are different. My approach focuses on meeting children where they are while supporting caregivers along the way.

Specialized Training in EMDR & Trauma Support

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy approach often used to support individuals processing trauma and distressing experiences. I integrate trauma-informed approaches where appropriate to help children feel safer, more regulated, and better able to cope.

Child-Focused, Evidence-Based Approach

Counselling at Maluhia combines compassion with evidence-based methods including CBT, EMDR, play-based approaches, and trauma-informed practices. Families are supported without judgment and with a focus on long-term wellbeing.

Counselling & Sleep Support Under One Roof

Emotional wellbeing and sleep often influence one another, especially for children and families experiencing stress, anxiety, major transitions, or emotional challenges. As a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, I can also support families navigating sleep concerns alongside emotional or behavioural challenges when appropriate. This integrated understanding allows me to look at your child’s wellbeing more holistically.

Is Child Counselling or Family Therapy Right for Us?

Many parents wonder whether their child’s struggles are “serious enough” for therapy. It can sometimes feel difficult to distinguish between what is normal development or what may need additional support.

Counselling may help when:

  • Your child seems anxious, withdrawn, overwhelmed, or angry

  • Family dynamics feel strained

  • Your child is struggling at school or socially

  • Major life changes are impacting wellbeing

  • Trauma or difficult experiences continue affecting daily life

  • You want additional support helping your child navigate emotions

Seeking support early can help children develop coping skills and resilience before challenges become more overwhelming.

Therapy Approaches Used

Every child is different. Therapy approaches vary based on age, goals, experiences, and presenting concerns.

  • CBT helps children and youth understand connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours while building practical coping strategies. CBT is commonly used to support anxiety, stress, emotional regulation, and depression.

  • EMDR is an evidence-based therapy often used to help process trauma, distressing memories, and experiences that continue impacting emotional wellbeing.

  • Children often express themselves through play rather than conversation alone. Therapeutic play approaches may help younger children explore feelings, strengthen coping skills, and process experiences safely.

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Areas Served

Counselling services are available for children, youth, and families in:

  • Lindsay, ON

  • Kawartha Lakes

  • Durham Region

  • Brock Township

  • Peterborough

Virtual appointments are also available across Ontario offering families support regardless of location.

  • Signs may include increased anxiety, emotional outbursts, withdrawal, behavioural changes, sleep difficulties, struggles at school, or difficulty coping with life transitions. Therapy can help children develop skills and improve emotional wellbeing.

  • Counselling can support children and youth at different developmental stages. Services at Maluhia Counselling support children beginning around age 4 through adolescence, using approaches tailored to developmental needs.

  • Child counselling focuses primarily on supporting the child, while family therapy explores relationships, communication patterns, and family dynamics affecting overall wellbeing. Depending on goals, therapy may include both approaches.

  • CBT is one of the most researched therapy approaches for childhood anxiety and can help children build practical tools for managing worries, emotions, and behaviours.

  • EMDR can be adapted for children and youth and may help support healing after trauma or distressing experiences when appropriate. Treatment recommendations are always individualized.

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for Support?

Finding the right support for your child can feel like a big step. Whether you’re exploring counselling for the first time or looking for additional support navigating anxiety, emotional challenges, family stress, or sleep concerns, I’m here to help.

Together, we can determine what type of support feels right for your child and family. Book a consultation today to learn more.

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