Counselling For Children & Teens
Compassionate, age-appropriate counselling for children and teens facing emotional, behavioural or life challenges.
Finding the right support depends partly on your child’s age. Some of our therapists work with younger children, while others support older children and teens. We can help you understand the options and connect your family with an appropriate therapist.
Finding The Right Support For Your Child or Teen
Children and teens have different needs at different ages, and not every therapist works with every age group. We’ll consider your child’s age, concerns and preferences when helping you find an appropriate therapist.
Children Under 13
Children may express difficult experiences through emotions, behaviour, play or creativity as well as words. We offer age-appropriate support for children within this age group. We can help you determine which options are available based on your child’s specific age and needs.
Teens 13 And Older
Several of our therapists support teens experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, grief and other challenges. They may use conversation, creative approaches and coping strategies to help teens better understand themselves, manage emotions and navigate everyday life.
Reasons Children and Teens Might Come To Therapy
Children and teens may benefit from counselling for many reasons. Some are coping with a specific event or change, while others may be struggling with emotions, behaviours or experiences that are harder to understand or manage.
- Anxiety, worry or frequent fears
Sadness, low mood or withdrawal
Difficulties managing emotions or behaviour
Trauma, grief or other difficult experiences
Changes in family life, school or friendships
Stress, overwhelm or low self-esteem
Bullying, social difficulties or relationship concerns
Identity, confidence or challenges adjusting to change
Your child or teen does not need a diagnosis, or to be in crisis, to benefit from counselling. Reaching out early can provide support, understanding and practical tools before challenges become more overwhelming.
How Counselling Can Help Children and Teens
✓ Recognize and communicate emotions
✓ Develop strategies for anxiety, stress or overwhelm
✓ Build confidence and self-esteem
✓ Process grief, trauma or difficult life changes
✓ Strengthen coping and problem-solving skills
✓ Navigate friendships, family relationships and school challenges
Counselling offers a supportive space where children and teens can express themselves, better understand what they are experiencing and develop skills suited to their age and needs. Therapy may involve conversation, creative activities and practical strategies, depending on the young person’s age, comfort and communication style.
How Parents and Caregivers May Be Involved
Depending on the young person’s age and needs, parents or caregivers may be involved in parts of the counselling process. The therapist will discuss what involvement may be helpful while also protecting the privacy and trust children and teens need to feel comfortable in therapy.
For younger children, caregivers may be asked to share background information, participate in occasional sessions or support strategies at home. With teens, involvement is usually balanced with the young person’s growing need for independence and confidentiality.
What Counselling for Children and Teens Might Look Like
Counselling is adapted to each young person’s age, personality, needs and comfort level.
1. Build Comfort and Trust
The therapist creates a welcoming space where your child or teen can feel safe, understood and able to express themselves at their own pace.
2. Explore What They’re Experiencing
Depending on their age, sessions may involve conversation, creative activities, art or practical exercises to help them explore emotions and experiences.
3. Develop Helpful Skills
Your child or teen can learn strategies for managing emotions, communicating their needs and navigating challenges at home, at school or in relationships.
Meet Some of Our Therapists That Work With Children and Teens
Therapists Working With Children Under 13
Olivia Baxter (Stymiest), LCT-C
Counselling Therapist
Works with Younger Children (3+)
Works with Teens (13+)
Olivia is a credentialed art therapist who offers flexible, creative support for children of all ages. She uses art and other developmentally appropriate approaches to help children express feelings and experiences that may be difficult to put into words.
Kaeli McGraw (Crozier), LCT-C
Counselling Therapist
Works with Older Children (10+)
Works with Teens (13+)
Kaeli offers warm, individualized support for children ages 10 to 13. She helps young clients explore their emotions, strengthen coping skills and work through challenges in ways that suit their personality, needs and comfort level.
Therapists Working With Teens 13 And Over
Alex Hitchcock, LCT-C
Counselling Therapist
Works with Teens (14+)
Alex offers grounded, collaborative support for teens ages 14 and older navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, emotional regulation and questions of identity. Drawing on his background in education and approaches including CBT, ACT, Narrative Therapy and EMDR, he creates an inclusive space where teens can reconnect with their strengths, values and sense of purpose.
Nancy Savoie, MSW
Registered Social Worker
Works with Teens (14+)
Nancy offers open, hopeful support for teens navigating anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, stress, relationships and communication challenges. Using humour, patience and empathy, along with approaches including EMDR, she creates individualized support that helps teens better understand their emotions, experiences and place in the world.
Caitlin Iles, LCT-C
Counselling Therapist
Works with Teens (13+)
Caitlin offers warm, holistic support for teens navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional regulation, low self-esteem, relationships and life transitions. Drawing on ART, IFS, CBT, mindfulness and ACT, she helps teens reconnect with their strengths, develop self-compassion and build greater resilience.
Anna Mattie, MSW
Registered Social Worker
Works with Teens (16+)
Anna offers compassionate, nonjudgmental support for teens ages 16 and older navigating anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, self-esteem, identity, grief and past difficult experiences. Drawing on ACT, CBT, Narrative Therapy and IFS-informed practices, she helps teens recognize their strengths and develop meaningful strategies for change.
Ashley Saab, MSW
Registered Social Worker
Works with Teens (16+)
Ashley offers gentle, empowering support for teens ages 16 and older navigating anxiety, depression, PTSD, emotional regulation and recovery from sexual or gender-based violence. Drawing on EMDR, Trauma-Focused CBT, IFS and Narrative Therapy, she creates a calm, collaborative space where teens can feel safe, understood and supported in their healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our team supports children and teens across a range of ages. Olivia works with children as young as three (or younger in some circumstances), Kaeli works with children ages 10 and older, and several additional therapists work with teens. Availability will depend on your child’s specific age, needs and appointment preferences.
We’ll consider your child’s age, concerns, personality, location and other needs when helping you explore the available options. Our therapist-matching form is a helpful place to begin.
The first appointment provides an opportunity for the therapist to learn more about your child or teen, their current challenges and what they hope will improve. Depending on the young person’s age, a parent or caregiver may participate in some or all of this initial conversation.
Parent or caregiver involvement depends on the young person’s age, needs and treatment goals. Caregivers may provide background information, participate occasionally or help support strategies at home, while teens are generally given more independence and privacy.
Privacy helps teens feel safe speaking openly in counselling. The therapist will explain confidentiality and its limits at the beginning, including when information may need to be shared because of a safety concern.
No. Children and teens do not need a diagnosis or need to be in crisis to benefit from counselling. Families may seek support for worries, difficult emotions, behaviour changes, grief, trauma, school challenges, relationships or major life changes.
Appointments may be available in person in Saint John or Woodstock and virtually across New Brunswick. The options available will depend on your child’s age, needs and the therapist they are matched with.
Find The Right Support For Your Child or Teen
Finding the right therapist can make it easier for your child or teen to feel comfortable, understood and supported. Tell us a little about what they need, and we’ll help you explore the options available based on their age, concerns and preferences.