Children's Therapy in Ontario

Support your child’s emotional wellness — grow confidence, resilience, and healthy connection.

What Is Children's Therapy?

Children’s therapy (also called child counselling) is a form of psychotherapy designed to help children and adolescents navigate emotional, behavioural, social, or developmental challenges in a safe and supportive environment.

At Clear Moon Therapy, we specialize in helping young clients feel understood, build coping skills, and grow in ways that support emotional health and daily functioning.

With age-appropriate, evidence-based approaches, children’s therapy can help your child:

- Understand and express their emotions in healthy ways

- Build confidence, self-esteem, and resilience

- Navigate school-related stress and peer challenges

- Improve social skills and relationships

- Manage anxiety, sadness, or overwhelming feelings

- Support behavioural regulation and routine transitions

Whether your child is struggling at school, with emotional regulation, or transitioning through change, children’s therapy provides tools and support tailored to their developmental needs.

What Are the Signs Your Child Might Benefit from Therapy?

When your child is struggling, it can be hard to know how to support them. With guidance from a therapist, you can learn strategies that feel safe and practical for your child’s needs.

These experiences are common indicators that professional children’s therapy services could provide a safe space, guidance, and practical tools to help your child build emotional skills, cope with challenges, and grow with confidence.

Hear From Others Who Have Worked With Clear Moon Therapy

Who Can Benefit from Children's Therapy in Ontario?

Parents might consider children’s therapy if their child is experiencing:

Frequent anxiety or worries interfering with daily life
Persistent sadness or low mood
Difficulty with emotional regulation or frequent meltdowns
Challenges with school, friendships, or peer relationships
Behavioral concerns that are hard to manage at home
Trouble adjusting to new routines, life changes, or family stress

Therapy isn’t only for times of crisis — it’s also for kids who need extra support building emotional skills, strengthening self-confidence, or finding safe space to explore their feelings.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Children's Therapy

What is children’s therapy, and how does it work?

Children’s therapy is a specialized form of support designed to help kids navigate emotional, behavioral, or social challenges. Unlike adult therapy, which is primarily talk-based, children’s therapy often uses play, art, and storytelling to help them express feelings they may not yet have the words for. Our therapists use evidence-based approaches—such as Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness—to help children build resilience, improve self-esteem, and develop healthy coping strategies.

Can we do therapy online?

Involvement depends on the child's age and the specific goals of therapy. For younger children, parental involvement is often key; you might participate in portions of the session or meet separately with the therapist to learn tools to support your child at home. For teens, sessions are usually one-on-one to build a sense of independence and trust. During the initial consultation, your therapist will discuss the best "team" approach for your family.

How do I explain therapy to my child?

It’s helpful to frame therapy as a positive, normal step for their well-being. You might say:

"We’re going to meet a 'feelings teacher' (or 'feelings doctor') who helps kids understand their big emotions. They have a special room with games and toys where you can play and talk about things that are on your mind."

Reassure them that they aren't in trouble and that many kids see a therapist to help them feel their best.

How long do sessions last and how many will we need?

Standard sessions typically last 50 minutes. For younger children, this often includes 35–40 minutes of direct play/work with the child and a 10-minute check-in with parents. The total number of sessions varies:

Short-term (8–12 sessions): Focuses on specific life transitions or mild anxiety.

Longer-term (20+ sessions): Often needed for deeper work involving trauma, chronic behavioral issues, or neurodevelopmental support.

What can we expect during a typical session?

Sessions are designed to feel safe and engaging rather than clinical. You can expect a mix of:

Structured Play: Using puppets, or games to act out social scenarios.

Creative Arts: Drawing or crafting to express complex emotions.

Skill-Building: Practicing "calm-down" breathing or problem-solving techniques.

Is children's therapy covered by insurance in Ontario?

Most private insurance plans in Ontario cover services provided by Registered Social Workers (RSWs) or Registered Psychotherapists (RPs). Since coverage varies significantly between providers (e.g., Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life), we recommend checking your specific policy for "Psychological Services" or "Counselling" to confirm your annual limits and reimbursement rates.