Child Behaviour Play Therapy

Child Behaviour

Just like adults, children can also benefit from therapy. Psychotherapy can help children develop important interpersonal and problem-solving skills that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives. Therapy can also help a child to deal with behavioural issues that affect family relationships and school performance.

Life can be tough for young ones, what with peer pressure, homework, school bullying and exam stress. A transition, such as a new baby in the house, divorce, death of a grandparent, moving to a new home, abuse or illness can cause a young child severe mental anguish.

Many young children are not equipped to deal with stress and express their emotions in a healthy way yet, and therefore they act out. Certain behaviours, though merely a cry for help, might be socially unacceptable and could have devastating results.

behavioural issues that warrant intervention include sudden bedwetting, developmental delays or regressions, significant drop in grades, social isolation or withdrawal, aggression, appetite changes, changes in sleep patterns, tardiness or absenteeism at school, eating disorders, mood swings, frequent complaints about feeling ill without a medical cause,  or substance use. Therapy can help prevent, or deal with these behavioural issues.

Cognitive behavioural therapy is the most common treatment option for children with behavioural issues, as well as teenagers who struggle to cope with stress, are feeling anxious or depressed. This type of therapy helps to restructure thoughts to produce effective, positive mindsets. It is often achieved along with learning and practicing stress management techniques, coping skills and relaxation skills.  In addition many other approaches are used and which one works is really a function of preference and learning style.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers behavioural psychology for children to address your child's stress, anxiety or behavioural issues you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Play Therapy, Satir Therapy, Gestalt Therapy

Play therapy uses the client's internal self-healing mechanisms to access unconscious and conscious experiences. The therapist forms a relationship with the client and encourages him or her to explore life events that affect his or her current life experience.

During play therapy, the therapist works at the client's pace. Talking is secondary to play in this form of therapy, and as such the client is encouraged to play while the therapist observes.

Play Therapy is suitable for adults too, as it helps them to relearn self-exploration, which enhances physical and cognitive behaviours. Play therapy gives children and adults freedom, increased creativity and life experience.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Play Therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Satir Therapy, or Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy (STST) deals with interactive and intrapsychic therapy elements. Unlike some other therapies, Satir Therapy is not limited to emotions, behaviour and cognition, but rather focuses on changes at the level of being, as well as the sensory experiences and behavioural changes.

The key to Satir Therapy is to help individuals discover a sense of peace and wholeness that comes from tapping into their personal universal desires when dealing with society and interpersonal relationships.

Only therapists with exceptional levels of congruence can offer Satir Therapy. They will provide skills development and resources during small group lectures or discussions. Clients will take part in structured exercises, skills practice, experiential learning, lectures and small group discussions.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Satir Therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Gestalt Therapy helps clients to understand the connection between their physical bodies and emotional states. When a person understands their internal motivations, it is easier to understand the external behaviours and reactions. Gestalt Therapy can help a client to develop that awareness through self-discovery. It will empower a client to develop coping skills to help him or her through stressful situations.

Gestalt Therapy beliefs that we all have all the answers within us, and it can help us to develop a greater sense of acceptance, of ourselves and of other people. As such, Gestalt Therapy can help people to improve relationships, improve decision making and gain confidence. It is a useful approach for dealing with a range of psychological issues, including PTSD, addiction, anxiety, tension and depression.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Gestalt Therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

Trevor Warren

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
With over 30 years as a Relationship & Sexual Intimacy therapist, and supported well over a 1,000 couples, Trevor Warren Trevor has earned the reputation of "Relationship Expert" in the... Read more

Sean Scott

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
If you are reading this, it means you might be considering counselling. I am excited for you! But first, it is important to find a counsellor you think you’ll fit with. So here is a bit about me and my experience... Read more

David Holmes

M.A., RCC
David provides Individual and Couples Counselling. He is an Adlerian Psychotherapist, Registered Clinical Counsellor, and a Canadian Certified Counsellor at Clear Counselling private practice in downtown Vancouver.... Read more

Utku Ucay

M.Sc., RCC
    • Online booking
Life’s hardships can break us into pieces. We may feel like we want to throw in the towel. We might lose our confidence in ourselves. We might be oppressed, feeling depressed. We might feel lonely. We might be... Read more

Mary Longworth

M.Sc., RCC
Mary Longworth is in private practice (Delta Counselling) in the South Delta, Tsawwassen, Ladner and New Westminster regions since receiving her M.Sc. in marital, family and child counselling in 1995. Mary is a... Read more

Jan Paris

M.A., RCC
I am a qualified Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience working in private practice and the voluntary sector.  I work with individuals, couples, groups and families. I... Read more

Leah Dhahan

M.A., RCC
Welcome! Are you struggling to set boundaries and speak your truth in relationships? Are you currently experiencing feelings of anxiety, anger, or powerlessness in your life or relationships? Do you find yourself... Read more

Jason Lehmann

M.A., RCC
*NOW ACCEPTING CREDIT CARDS, CASH, CHEQUE, OR E-TRANSFER *Over 11 years of clinical practice.  Some Information about the work  Clients present a number of problem areas, or life issues. Jason... Read more

Lucia Pecnikova

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Creating a safe space where you feel heard and seen is my priority and I consider my work a privilege as we create a secure therapeutic relationship to support your healing process and inner exploration. I have a master... Read more

Shahrzad Jamali

MFT, RCC
Shahrzad has her Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy from Trinity Western University. She holds a Bachelor degree in Psychology with an emphasis on neuroscience from University of British Columbia. She has... Read more

Audrey Carriere

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor who primarily works with adults that have ADHD and/or Autism. I also offer EMDR, IFS and trauma therapy online and in person! Using person-centered therapy that is... Read more
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
With over a decade of experience as a clinical counsellor, I am dedicated to helping clients navigate life’s challenges and transitions. My commitment lies in creating a secure, non-judgmental, and confidential... Read more
    • Online booking
I've been using Mindfulness in my work with clients for 19 years. Mindfulness is a gentle, humanistic, and holistic therapeutic approach that guides your efforts, emphasizing growth rather than deficit.... Read more

Robert Phillips

MC, RCC
How long will this last? Am I doomed to feel like this forever? It’s possible that you may be asking these questions. You might also be feeling alone - like no one else truly understands what you’re going... Read more

Jeff Darcy

M.S.W., RCSW
Are you feeling stuck? Is your life out of balance? Would you like to experience more joy, passion, and productivity? In a friendly, nurturing environment, I will guide you on a journey of self-discovery where you can... Read more

Viviane Houle

M.S.W., RSW
Viviane Houle is a Registered Social Worker (#10977) with the British Columbia College of Social Workers, an EMDR and Integrative Voicework Therapist, and a Certified NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback Trainer.... Read more

Amrita Dhoot

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Welcome! Do you come from a family with complex dynamics and feel like people don’t quite understand you? Have these experiences led to you being anxious, and struggling to trust yourself or others? My unique... Read more

Keisei Anzai

M.A., BCATR
No matter who we are, life has its up and downturns. Happiness is said to be a rich sense of well-being that comes only from knowing our internal self. A large part of what generates happiness is our cognition.... Read more

Delyse Ledgard

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Article(s) on profile
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
To be understood, seen, feel the comfort of another’s presence is the heart of therapy.  With over 30 years of experience, I have encountered and worked with people from all walks of life helping... Read more

Grant McMahon

M.C., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC # 11135) and psychotherapist working in Vancouver.  I can help you if you are struggling with low mood, depression, anxiety/panic, or problems in your marriage or intimate... Read more

Cate Pelling

M.A., RCC
As a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a MA in Counselling Psychology, I have been working in private practice since 2003.  Previous to this, I worked for a number of years in clinical settings... Read more

Chelsea Stenner

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (#15201) and a Canadian Certified Counsellor (#10002791). I have a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. The first thing I want you to know... Read more

Raheel Rahman

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
  Raheel Rahman is committed to providing compassion and support to help you through many life issues.   RAHEEL RAHMAN CAN HELP YOU WITH: Anxiety in adults and children Depression in adults... Read more

Mehran Seyed Emami

M.A., RCC
I am a BC Registered Clinical Counsellor (No. 18736) and Canadian Certified Counsellor (No. 10007447). I'm also a Certified Practitioner of Compassionate Inquiry (a model developed by Dr. Gabor Maté), and... Read more

Danielle Bowersock

M.A., RCC
    • Blog on profile
As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, I can help if you are stressed, anxious or depressed. At their extreme, anxiety and depression can be crippling, making you feel hopeless. Life becomes a struggle and your... Read more

Olivia Kienzel

M.Couns., RCC
Olivia has more than a decade of experience as a counsellor working with clients to transform their relationship to themselves, their lives, and the people they care about. She can help you, gently, get to the root... Read more

Florence Ling

M.A., RCC
    • In-Person Sessions
    • Online booking
* Languages: Mandarin, Cantonese, English. * Accept ICBC clients. * Helping clients understand their difficulties and inner world. * Discovery of their inherent strengths so as to encourage the development... Read more

Erica Beauchamp

M.Ed., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
Counselling is a Smart Investment in Yourself From time to time, we reward ourselves with a treat-a cup of coffee, a new electronic gadget, a massage, perhaps a new watch or clothing. However, we often forget the... Read more

Steven Lake

M.Ed., CCC
Dr. Lake has a PhD in Educational Administration. He has a personal interest in emotion and crisis management and created a Model Of Effective Crisis Management for his dissertation. His Master's degree is in... Read more
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
Feeling lost, misunderstood, stuck? I have been there. Besides being an experienced therapist, I am also a child of divorce, immigrant, wife, and mother. My own healing journey and continuing professional... Read more