Specialized Child Counselling and Teen Therapy in North York

Helping children and adolescent navigate the pressures of growing up in a complex world. We provide specialized child therapy and teen counselling in a safe, non-judgmental space designed to build lasting confidence and resilience.

Teen & Child Therapy

Understanding the World of
Your Child or Teen

Growing up today comes with a unique set of challenges that can leave young people
feeling misunderstood or overwhelmed. We help families navigate:

Teen & Child Therapy

High-Achievement Trap

Managing the intense anxiety that comes from academic pressure and the fear of "disappointing" the family.

Teen & Child Therapy

"Silent" Teenager

Moving past the one-word answers and heavy silences to understand the real emotions beneath the surface.

Teen & Child Therapy

Social & Digital Stress

Navigating the impact of social media, peer comparison, and the struggle to fit in across different cultural worlds.

Teen & Child Therapy

Emotional Regulation

Helping children who struggle with big feelings, outbursts, or the "shutting down" that often signals internal distress.

Children & Adolescent Therapy Services that Support Young Minds

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  • We help children and teens manage "performance anxiety," test stress, and the fear of failure. Our anxiety treatment provides practical tools to calm a racing mind, manage panic attack symptoms, and build courage in cases of social anxiety, helping youth feel more comfortable in social and classroom settings.

  • Specialized support for neurodiverse kids who struggle to stay organized, focused, or regulated. Our ADHD treatment focuses on building confidence and executive systems that work for their unique brain. We move away from the frustration of "not trying hard-enough" toward behavioral therapy strategies that foster success.

  • If your teen has lost interest in things they used to love or seems increasingly isolated, our depression counseling provides a gentle path forward. We help youth navigate the "fog" of low mood and social withdrawal, reconnecting them with their sense of self and their family.

  • For children and teens who have experienced distressing events, we provide a safe space for trauma counseling. Utilizing evidence-based PTSD treatment, we help young people process difficult memories and regain a sense of safety and emotional stability.

  • Sometimes big feelings come out as outbursts or defiance. We offer behavioral therapy and anger management therapy for children who struggle with emotional regulation. We help kids find healthier ways to express frustration while supporting parents in navigating these challenging moments.

  • Navigating the "middle ground" of being a second-generation Canadian often creates attachment issues or identity confusion. Our child therapy and teen therapy help youth explore their heritage, bridge the gap between two worlds, and resolve family conflict to build a secure sense of belonging.

  • For children and teens struggling with intrusive thoughts or repetitive behaviors, we offer specialized OCD therapy. We provide age-appropriate tools to help them manage the cycle of anxiety and regain control over their daily lives.

Our Approach:
The Youth "A.R.E." Framework

We don't "fix" children; we partner with them. Using age-appropriate methods, we help young people build a secure connection with their emotions and their parents.

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Accessible

We create a space where kids and teens feel it is safe to be honest. It’s about being "reachable"—ensuring they know their feelings are valid and won't be dismissed.

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Responsive

We teach young people how to understand and respond to their own feelings, and we help parents learn how to respond to their child’s "behavior" as a call for connection.

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Engaged

We help youth stay engaged in their own growth, giving them the emotional "toolkit" they need to handle the challenges of adulthood with confidence.

Teen & Child Therapy

Give Your Child the Tools to Thrive.

You don’t have to navigate these challenging years alone. Whether your child is struggling with school, social life, or big emotions, let's build a path toward a brighter future together. We provide professional teen and child psychotherapy that truly understands your children world. Connect with us in 廣東話 (Cantonese), 普通话 (Mandarin), and English to start the journey today.

Why Choose A.R.E. Psychotherapy?

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Registered Experts

All sessions are led by Registered Psychotherapists trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), who speak English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.

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Direct Billing

Our services are covered by most extended health insurance plans. We offer direct billing to major insurance providers.

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Offer in-person sessions at our North York, Markham and Mississauga locations or connect via secure online therapy.

Flexible Access

Meet Our Teen & Child Therapists

Stress-Free Billing for
Your Peace of Mind

Your mental health is an investment, and we make it easy to access. We offer Direct Billing to most major insurance providers.

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MedAvante Blue Cross logo with a gray cross symbol and bold gray text on a black background.
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And more…

FAQs About Children and Adolescent Counselling

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and book a free consultation.

  • Confidentiality is key to building trust with teens. However, we always keep parents informed about general progress and involve you in the healing process whenever it benefits the child.

  • This is very common. We suggest starting with a "meet and greet" where they can see that our space isn't scary or "doctor-like."

  • Yes. We often find that children are more comfortable in English, while parents prefer their native tongue. Our therapists can bridge that gap in the same room.

  • While counseling often focuses on talking through emotions, behavioral therapy focuses on action. For children struggling with outbursts or ADHD, we use behavioral strategies to help them learn "self-regulation"—the ability to stop and think before acting. We provide tools they can use immediately at home and in school.

  • Yes. We often act as a bridge between the family and the school. Our child therapy sessions can help identify learning gaps or social anxiety that may be affecting grades. We can provide professional documentation to support your child’s IEP (Individual Education Plan) or IPRC process within the TDSB or YRDSB.

  • Absolutely. Teens don't want to be lectured; they want to be understood. Our adolescent therapy is more interactive and focuses on building a "collaborative" relationship. We focus on identity, independence, and healthy boundaries, helping them find their own voice while staying connected to their family.

  • Yes. We provide specialized OCD therapy and trauma counseling for children and youth. Using evidence-based treatments like CBT and Trauma-Informed Care, we help young people process intrusive thoughts or past difficult experiences in a way that feels safe and age-appropriate.

  • Success looks different for every child. For some, it’s fewer "meltdowns" at home; for others, it’s a better mood or improved focus at school. We check in with parents regularly to discuss progress and adjust our child counseling goals to ensure your family is seeing real-world changes.

  • Most insurance providers (like SunLife, Manulife, or Canada Life) cover "Registered Psychotherapists." We provide professional receipts for child therapy and teen therapy that you can submit for reimbursement. We recommend checking if your plan covers the "RP" designation.