Child Behaviour Animal Assisted 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.

Animal Assisted Therapy

Animal-assisted therapy uses animals, and dogs in particular, to improve cognitive and emotional functioning. Animals help to build a report between the therapist and the patient, and can include domesticated pets and farm animals.

During the first stages of animal-assisted therapy, the therapist will assess the client's needs without animals present. The animal is only introduced once the therapist has developed a treatment plan.

The next stage involves a bond being developed between the client and the animal through motor skills. The animals are used to motivate the client, and to create positive interactions that can be translated into human interaction.

The therapist will monitor improvement and once a positive interaction is established between the client and the animal, the client is given independence in making choices for their partner in Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) therapy.

If you are looking for a counsellor who offers Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

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

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

Krista Blatchford

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Krista (she/her) has many years experience working with children (6+), adolescents, adults, parents and families. Before completing her Masters in Counselling Psychology and becoming a therapist, she was a youth worker... Read more

Khalil Nourani

Ph.D., RCC
Dr. Nourani is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors. He has more than two decades of experience in the field of mental health. He received his Ph.D. in Applied Developmental... Read more

Vijay Mann

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
People are unique individuals with unique experiences. We all bring distinct histories and concerns to therapy. I respect your story and your concerns, and will provide support in a way that will work for you. ... Read more

Pam Vickram

M.S.W., RSW
If you are struggling with mental health, family issues, trauma, self-esteem or simply wanting to engage in the therapeutic process, I look forward to working with you. I support individuals and couples to navigate a... Read more

Shelley Foster

M.A., RCC
Unique Family Coaching, Customized Individual Counselling and Online Consultation. Are you a family with teenagers looking for help?  Need something to change. Feel like you can no longer communicate or trust... Read more

Fernanda Souza

Ph.D. (cand), RCC
Challenging events? Life changes? Overwhelmed? Stressed? Needing balance?  Struggling with anxiety, relationships, depression, grief, decisions, performance?  Looking forward to getting to where you want to be... Read more

Suzana Dujmic

M.C., RCC
    • Article(s) on profile
My name is Suzana Dujmic and I am Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counselling from City University of Seattle (Vancouver campus) and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Child and Youth... Read more

Phoebe Tsang

M.C., RMFT
    • Online booking
Background and training: Master of Counselling from Trinity Western University Registered Clinical Counsellor #1830 of BCACC Registered Marriage & Family Therapist- Supervisor of CAMFT #2017290 BC... Read more

Karianne Axford

Ph.D., R.Psych
Dr. Karianne Axford and Associates is currently offering online/virtual/video counselling during COVID-19. Dr. Axford has over two decades of experience providing counselling and... Read more

Chelsea Reid

M.A., CCC
At SOAR, I provide counselling services to children and teens under the age of 20. I work with individuals who are experiencing personal, social, academic, and behavioural difficulties, including bullying, body... Read more

Stanley Cornfield

M.Ed., RCC
  Thanks for checking out my profile. If you are looking for a counsellor, chances are you are feeling stuck and frustrated with a personal or relational issue. This can cause ... Read more

Jenny Hsu

M.C., RCC
    • Online booking
Are you feeling disconnected from those around you? You might find yourself stuck in the same arguments or patterns with your partner.  Or you may be struggling to find a sense of belonging in your family,... Read more

Ginny Wong

M.C., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master’s Degree in Counselling, with over 35 years of experience as a community-based social worker serving immigrants and refugee claimants. In additions, I am an... Read more

Tanya Elez

Ph.D., R.Psych
Dr. Tanya Elez is a Registered Psychologist and a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist who sees clients at her office in New Westminster downtown. She offers counselling services to diverse couples,... Read more

Judith Setton-Markus

M.Ed., R.Psych
Judith Setton-Markus is a Registered Psychologist licensed with the College of Psychologists of BC #1712. She is also a Psychoanalyst and Psychoanalytically Oriented Psychotherapist, a member of the Western Branch... Read more

Sophie McEntee

M.A., RCC
I have a combined 16 years of training and clinical experience working with individuals and couples. Clients come to me usually when they are feeling stuck, overwhelmed or at a crossroad. My clients are often... Read more

Fay Ferris

M.Ed., RCC
    • Audio on profile
 I am now offering online or virtual and telephone counselling only.  I have focused my practice on Couples Counselling and Individuals struggling with Depression and Anxiety and relationship isssues. Using... Read more

Nicklas Ehrlich

M.S.W., RCC
I help you get to the root of your problems, train your brain to be more resilient, overwrite unwanted default programming, and finally feel equipped to live a balanced and optimal life. 95% of your thoughts and... Read more
Barbara Clay is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (#3074) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Counselling Psychology. Barb has additional registration with the Crime... Read more

John Boland

M.Ed., CCC
John Boland has been a counsellor/psychotherapist for 40 years and brings to his practice a wealth of experience in the areas of individual and couples therapy as well as many years working with children and youth. He... Read more

Parinaz Falsafi

M.Sc., RCC
    • Online booking
I have additional training (Sue Johnson, EFT externship, 2018) and experience working with couples to help them resolve marital and relationship issues. I help families learn ways to communicate better, set firm... Read more

Jennifer Tillar

M.C., RCC
   My approach to the counselling process is that not one approach fits all. Although my background and experience is rooted in attachment-based theory and cognitive behavioral approaches used within a... Read more

Kimi Combow-Gill

M.Ed., RCC
Kimi has a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and is bound by... Read more

Melina Baum Singer

M.A., RCC
*Offering video and in-person sessions  *Free 20 minute introductory session  Located in Vancouver B.C., Melina is a registered clinical counsellor and member of the B.C. Association of Clinical... Read more

Lida Izadi

M.A., RCC
  I am a registered clinical counsellor, an approved clinical supervisor, and an educator with extensive experience. My broad range of professional qualifications has enabled me to work with a range of mental... Read more

Andrea Yeo

M.Ed., RCC
Andrea Yeo is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BCACC, a Child Interviewer for BC Hear the Child Society, a Secondary School Teacher with North Vancouver School District, a Certified Parenting Facilitator and... Read more

Lorne Pierce

M.A., R.Psych
    • Online booking
I have been in private practice since 1999 providing counselling services to individuals, couples and familes. I have over 20 years experience in the helping professions in both government (federal and provincial)... Read more

David Brown

M.S.W., RCSW
Most of us want to make changes and improvements in our life, yet we tend to rely on the same old approaches (or habits) despite our best intentions. My approach to counselling is to support people to experiment with... Read more

Lillian Kelly

M.A., RCC
I see clients online. from anywhere Frustrated? Unhappy with your relationship? Are you repeating painful patterns in your relationship, and in your life? I can help you create the changes that you long for! You... Read more