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Our Psychology Team Offers

Children and Teen Therapy in Calgary

When we are young, we lack the refined emotional tools that we gain later in life. This makes kids and teenagers particularly prone to issues regarding their mental health and well-being.

Kid drawing

Supporting the Youth

Here at Flourish Psychological Services’ Douglasdale clinic in Calgary, we provide specialized therapy services for children and teenagers. Our dedicated team of experienced therapists is here to support young individuals and their families on their journey towards emotional well-being and personal growth. We understand the unique challenges that children and teens face in today's world, and we are committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment where they can flourish. 

Stresses That Kids Feel

Apart from assisting with anxiety, life adjustments, and parent-teen conflicts, therapy for children and teens is beneficial for various reasons. Academic pressures, learning difficulties, and peer relationship issues can impact mental well-being. Grief, loss, and family changes, like divorce, are also addressed in therapy to help process emotions. Behavioral concerns such as ADHD or ODD can be managed through tailored interventions. Therapy is crucial for addressing self-esteem, body image, and identity development, fostering resilience. Our dedicated therapists create a nurturing environment for children and teens to express themselves, develop coping skills, and build a foundation for a healthier future.

Youth Counseling
Teenage Model

Why Wait?

Should I Wait Until They're A Little Older?

Commencing therapy for a child or teen at an early stage offers a range of advantages, including the prevention of potential issues from escalating, the cultivation of effective coping skills, and the improvement of social and emotional intelligence. Early intervention contributes to better academic performance, the prevention of long-term mental health issues, and the fostering of resilience. Additionally, therapy provides valuable support for parents, helping them understand and address their child's needs, while simultaneously instilling healthy habits and a positive self-image in the young individual. By addressing challenges early on, therapy lays the foundation for a child's overall well-being and equips them with the tools necessary for navigating life's complexities.

Finding the Right Therapist for Kids

A good therapy environment for children and teenagers can be an essential part of their well-being and emotional growth. In order to achieve that, it’s vital to build a real connection to the right therapist, establishing trust and rapport. This starts with the initial consultation call and continues in everything that comes afterward.

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Our therapists are fully committed to the clients we take on, and we work collaboratively with children, teens, and their families to achieve the best possible outcomes. With our mutual investment in your child's progress, we foster a therapeutic environment that is safe, comfortable, and inclusive for all.

Curious About Children's Therapy?

If your child is having difficulty with anxieties, sensitivities, or struggles to adjust to life changes, our therapists are here to help. At Flourish, our team of registered psychologists in Calgary is guided by principles of attachment and development – and we believe that addressing these underlying factors is essential for children to thrive. 

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We offer specialized child therapy services, including play therapy, which allows children to express themselves and explore their emotions in a safe and supportive environment. Additionally, we provide parent support and coaching to equip parents with effective strategies for improving their child's well-being. So if you’ve tried other resources without much luck, we’d be happy to chat on an introductory call.

What About Therapy for Teens in Calgary?

Wondering how to get therapy as a teenager? We don’t blame you. Navigating adolescence is always a challenging time – both for teenagers going through it, and their parents observing from the outside. 

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Our teenage therapists are here to assist young people in finding healthier ways to express themselves, develop their identity, and navigate the complexities of this turbulent part of life. We approach this with plenty of consideration of the influence of family dynamics, peer groups, and youth sub-culture on teenagers' lives. As a result, our teen therapy sessions provide a calming and supportive space for teenagers to be heard, validated, and empowered to make positive choices.

Kids Running

Benefits of Children and Teen Therapy

There are plenty of benefits that children and teen therapy can offer: 
 

  • These sessions provide a safe and non-judgmental space for young individuals to express their thoughts, emotions, and concerns. 

  • Through the therapeutic process, children and teenagers gain a deeper understanding of themselves and others, fostering empathy and acceptance. 

  • Youth often improve their communication skills, helping to enhance relationships and promote healthier interactions within the family and beyond.

The Goals of Therapy for Kids and Teens

The goals of children and teen therapy vary based on the unique needs of each individual. 

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On a general basis, therapy aims to support young people in developing effective coping strategies, managing emotions, and building resilience. It focuses on promoting self-awareness, enhancing self-esteem, and fostering personal growth. 

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More specifically, therapy also addresses specific concerns that are more unique to each person. This can include conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and behavioral issues, as well as family or interpersonal conflict resolution. Ultimately, the goal of this therapy is to provide children and teens with the tools they will need to thrive and overcome challenges throughout their lives.

Our 7 Main Approaches to Teen & Child Therapy

1) Parent Coaching

Parent coaching holds significant importance as a precursor to child or teen therapy. It provides parents with essential tools and insights to navigate their child's emotional and behavioral challenges effectively. Before embarking on formal therapy for the young individual, parent coaching allows caregivers to understand and address the root causes of their child's difficulties. This proactive approach fosters a supportive home environment, ensuring consistency in parenting strategies and communication. Parent coaching empowers parents to play an active role in their child's emotional development, creating a strong foundation for any subsequent therapeutic interventions. By arming parents with effective skills and strategies, it not only aids in the immediate resolution of issues but also establishes a collaborative framework for the child's long-term emotional well-being.

2) Family Therapy

Family therapy serves as a crucial starting point for child and teen therapy by recognizing the interconnected dynamics within a family unit. It acknowledges that a child's well-being is deeply influenced by family interactions, communication patterns, and the overall family environment. Addressing issues within the family context can lead to more effective and lasting outcomes, as it allows therapists to identify and rectify relational patterns that may contribute to the child's challenges. Family therapy not only supports the child or teen directly but also fosters a collaborative environment where parents and caregivers can actively participate in understanding and addressing the needs of the young individual, creating a more holistic and sustainable approach to their emotional and psychological development.

3) Accelerated Resolution Therapy

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is an innovative form of therapy that utilizes rapid eye movements, relaxation, and visualizations to help clients process traumatic memories and alleviate distressing symptoms. By engaging in these techniques, individuals can create new neural pathways that reprocess their experiences, leading to healing and the ability to overcome negative impacts.

4) Narrative Therapy

Narrative therapy revolves around exploring the stories and themes that shape an individual's experiences, enabling the creation of empowered new perspectives and meanings that foster personal growth and empathy. By understanding and reshaping these narratives, individuals can find renewed strength and hope in their lives.

5) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT is a widely used therapeutic approach that targets negative thinking patterns and behaviors. Through self-awareness and cognitive restructuring, individuals identify and challenge their unhelpful thoughts, leading to positive changes in emotions and behaviours.

6) Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

This approach builds mindfulness, acceptance of difficult emotions, and a commitment to aligning actions with core values. By embracing these principles, individuals get more psychological flexibility, which enables them to better cope with life's challenges and pursue a more fulfilling life.

7) Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy focuses on the mind-body connection and involves becoming aware of physical sensations that may indicate stress or triggers, such as muscle tension, stomach aches, headaches, shallow breathing, throat tightness, or numbness. It allows you to learn techniques to calm or discharge stress, tension, and trauma, promoting holistic healing and well-being.

Scheduling a Therapy Session for a Child in Calgary

Even if you’ve never booked a kids’ therapy session for your child before, scheduling one is a simple process.  Simply follow the steps below.

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15-Minute Consultation

Start by filling out our user-friendly online contact form, which will set you up with a free 15-minute consultation with a therapist of your choice. That’s where you’ll briefly share your personal concerns and what you hope to achieve. It also gives us the opportunity to make sure we’re a good fit for you, too.

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Choose Your Therapist

After your free consultation, take the time to reflect on your experience and decide if you and your child feel comfortable and connected with the therapist you spoke with. If so, you can book your first session. If not, we can try someone else, or recommend a different clinic if we feel we cannot provide you with what you need.

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Choose Appointment

Choose the format – in-person or online – that best suits your comfort level and circumstances.  Our face-to-face sessions are usually what people prefer but our virtual sessions are available and always secure, confidential, and convenient.  Make your choice and we'll warmly welcome you for your appointment!

  • How much does therapy cost?
    Therapy ranges from 175-250 dollars per hour, depending on your provider, level of education, and training. Total cost will depend on the severity of difficulties you are experiencing, and the length of treatment required. Pricing is set by the Psychologist's Association of Alberta
  • Is counselling covered by my health insurance?
    Yes! Typically your private health insurance such as Blue Cross, SunLife, Manulife will cover the cost of qualified registered therapist such as Psychologist. Check with your insurance to see what benefits you are entitled to. Benefits typically reset at the end of the year or in April. Make the most of your benefits! Read our blog: "Are Calgary Psychological Services Covered By Benefits?"
  • Do you offer direct billing?
    At this time we can direct bill Blue Cross, and Green shield. We hope other insurance providers will soon offer this convenient option as well. If you are with a different company because we do all invoices and subsequent receipts electronically, you can submit your claims and most clients report to us that they are reimbursed quite quickly.
  • How do I know which therapist to pick?
    There is good research to suggest that a good "fit" between you and your therapist is a prime driver in whether you will get the most out of therapy. We recommend you browse the therapist's profiles and choose someone who resonates with you, and specializes in what you are most concerned about.
  • What form of payment do you accept?
    We accept all major credit cards, e-transfers, cheque or cash. Payment is due the day services are rendered.
  • What is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
    ART incorporates a combination of techniques used in many other traditional psychotherapies. ARTworks directly to reprogram the way in which distressing memories and images are stored in the brain so that they no longer trigger strong physical and emotional reactions. ART accomplishes this through the use of rapid eye movements similar to eye movements that occur during dreaming. Although techniques similar to these are used in other types of therapies. ART’s very specific and directive approach can achieve rapid recovery from symptoms and reactions that may have been present for many years. ART combines long respected, sound treatment practices with safe and effective methods validated by current scientific research studies conducted by the University of South Florida.
  • Will therapy work for me?
    While individual therapy can be highly beneficial for many people, its effectiveness depends on your willingness to engage in the process and work collaboratively with your therapist. If you go in with an open mind and a real dedication to self-improvement, chances are very good that you’ll see positive results.
  • How do I find the right therapist for me?
    Your free 15-minute consultation allows you to connect with potential therapists and determine the best fit for you. It seems unnecessary but this is a vital step in establishing a strong relationship of trust and healing.
  • Can I get free individual counselling?
    We currently do not offer free counselling services. However, many health insurance plans cover our services, and we strive to provide affordable and accessible therapy options to accommodate various financial situations. Read more on our main FAQ page.
  • How do I know if I need individual therapy?
    If you find yourself facing personal challenges, emotional distress, relationship difficulties, or simply seeking personal growth, individual therapy can be a valuable resource to help you navigate these concerns and foster positive changes in your life.
  • What is individual counselling?
    Individual counselling is one form of therapy where a skilled and educated therapist meets with you one-on-one to explore your experiences and your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs in a safe and confidential space. The goal of individual therapy is to help you gain insight and new perspectives into your challenges, develop adaptive coping skills, and make positive lasting changes in your life.
  • How long does personal counselling take?
    The length of personal counselling varies based on your needs and goals that you want to achieve. Some people may only need a small amount of sessions to address a specific issue, while other people may require more extensive treatment over a longer period of time. Your therapist will work with you to figure out a treatment plan that is tailored to your individual needs.
  • What types of issues can individual counselling help with?
    Individual counseling can help with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, relationship problems, self-esteem, grief and loss, trauma, and addiction. It can also be helpful for those facing major life transitions, ie., divorce or retirement. Most everyone benefits from having a neutral party listen to their experiences and help gain new perspectives.
  • What can I expect during my own session?
    During an individual counselling session in Calgary, you can expect to have an open and honest conversation with your therapist about your concerns. Your therapist will ask additional questions to gain a better understanding of your situation. Your therapist may recommend resources such as books, articles, or videos for you to look at in between sessions. Sessions are typically 50-60 minutes long and are held on a regular basis, usually weekly or bi-weekly or monthly.
  • How do I know if individual counselling is right for me?
    Individual counselling can be a very beneficial form of therapy for anyone who is looking to improve their mental health and wellbeing. If you are struggling with a certain issue or are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, individual counselling could be a good option for you to look into. It is important to find yourself a therapist who you feel comfortable talking to and who has significant experience in treating your specific concerns.
  • What's your couples counselling strategy based on?
    Our couples counseling therapy is based on the world-renowned Gottman Institute methodology of marriage and relationship therapy. This service begins with a thorough assessment; including interviews both together and individually, as well as a number of online assessments. The assessment takes 4-6 hours. After you have received feedback from the assessment we will work together to overcome weaknesses in the relationship. Treatment length varies depending on your unique relationship needs.
  • How much does couples counselling cost in Calgary?
    Prices range due to a variety of factors, and is set at a provincial level by the Psychology Association of Alberta. The usual price is between $220-$250 per 60-minute session. However, the actual cost to you might be substantially lower or even zero, since nearly all benefits plans cover services delivered by a registered therapist. We can even direct bill several of them, such as Blue Cross and Green Shield. Check your insurance documentation to see what you are entitled to, and you can find more specific information summarized here.
  • Do you also offer marriage counselling?
    Yes. Marriage counselling and couples counselling are very similar. All marriages are couples but not all couples are married. Many of the same methods used to help couples in common law or longterm relationships are also used for couples who are married. Learn All About Marriage Counselling in our blog!
  • Is marriage counselling covered by insurance?
    Yes! As we’ve mentioned before, we are registered professionals – which means most insurance plans cover our services. Depending on the company, you can direct bill (as we do), but otherwise you can submit the receipts to your insurance provider.
  • Is marriage counselling free?
    Unfortunately it is not, but the costs are usually covered by insurance. Read more on our blog about benefits.
  • Is marriage counselling tax deductible?
    This is a bit of a grey area, as it depends on what province you live in. In Alberta, psychologist services are considered a tax-deductible medical expense, but someone who is solely a marriage and family therapist is not. Follow the information on the Government of Canada site for more information.
  • How many marriage counselling sessions will be needed?
    This varies quite a bit from one couple to another. If the sessions are in response to a big crisis, they will need more than if it is simply some maintenance issues. It’s very difficult to give even a ballpark figure.
  • Will marriage counselling help save my marriage?
    The key word here is “help”. Counselling is just one part of a marriage success strategy that involves additional effort on the part of both spouses. If you are willing to put the work in, take the counsellor’s advice, and make things better, you will have much different results than if you have already made up your mind beforehand about ending the relationship. We do good work, but we can’t perform miracles!
  • Why does marriage counselling fail?
    The biggest reason that people don’t get the results they want is that they don’t put in the necessary effort, but it may also come down to a lack of financial resources, or a complete disconnection of goals and communication on one side of the relationship. Mutual respect and motivation are minimum requirements for success. You can read more about getting the most out of therapy sessions here.
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