Child Behaviour, LGBTQ Issues Animal Assisted Therapy

Child Behaviour, LGBTQ Issues

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.

Counselling for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer individuals makes the transition to living true to yourself easier. While acceptance of GLBTQ people is on the rise, it can still be stressful for some. Speaking to someone about your fears and struggles can make the transition easier.


While GLBTQ people are more easily accepted than years ago, there are still some homophobic elements that discriminate against the movement and people who form part of it.

Despite the strides made in public acceptance by the GLBTQ community, they still face many issues that require psychological or counselling intervention. Depression caused by discrimination is one of the main issues that counselling addresses, as well as religious abuse, homophobic work and living conditions, self-destructive behavior, assault, and family estrangement or rejection.


HIV and AIDS issues are serious concerns faced by gay people who might be in denial and practice unsafe sex. Some people will develop anxiety about being tested, and coping with results, while others might face the trauma of caring for a loved one with AIDS.

In the past, GLBTQ counselling was not as freely available as it is today, but the demand has risen as the community realised that it offers a safe and non-judgmental environment for people to get help. Today, counselling helps thousands of people to live freely and healthily without a fear of judgment, through specific support services and counselling that helps Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer people as well as their friends and families to live harmoniously.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who works with the GLBTQ commuity 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.

    • Online booking
Through an inclusive, collaborative and trauma-informed lens, Shauna has a vested interest in helping clients learn about stress and related disorders, trauma, and healthy sexuality during various adult life stages so... Read more

Tosh Gordey

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
My name is Tosh, and I am a queer therapist who finds my passion in working with individuals and couples on their healing journeys.  Whether you are experiencing relationship challenges or changes, anxiety,... Read more

Catherine Hollifield

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
I am a private practice counsellor and school counsellor with over 10 years of experience. In private practice I focus on working with adults and youth 13+. Creativity and spontaneity infuse my work. I am an ideas... Read more

Sandy Boon

M.A., RCC
IN PERSON AND SECURE VIDEO-CONFERENCE AND TELEPHONE THERAPY AVAILABLE Although not all of the last 30 plus years of Sandy's professional career has been spent exclusively practicing therapy, Sandy has... Read more

Ally Abrami

MC, RCC
I focus on helping individuals and partners navigate the extra something that makes their relationship(s) a unique challenge. The folks I work with are often loving outside of the cisheteronormative & mononormative... Read more

Cookie Bain

M.C., RCC
What I most love in this world is to see people thriving as they live their most authentic life. I understand that may of us us have grown up in a way hasn't supported us to be our authentic self.... Read more

Susan McConnell

M.S.W., RSW
I have been in private practice as a counsellor and psychotherapist for over 20 years. During that time I have had the privilege of being able to connect with people and help them achieve their personal goals, create... Read more

Monique Wong

M.Ed., RCC
No one needs to be alone and feel isolated during difficult times. Let’s have a conversation to work together to explore and practice different coping strategies and get the support you need.  Monique is a... Read more

Emma Lujan

MC, RCC
    • Online booking
My experience working with the LGBTQ2S+ community and those struggling with substance use is one that is deeply personal to me. Being a cis-gendered queer woman, and someone with lived experience with addiction and... Read more

Molly Mo

M.Ed., RCC
Molly Liwen Mo M.Ed., R.C.C., LCP., CP., TEP My name is Molly. I provide services in English, Mandarin, and Taiwanese. Call me at 6049159111 or email me to enhance and create the lifestyle... Read more

Monique Silverman

M.A., RCC
  My Approach My work is primarily relational, experiential and emotion-focused. This approach is called Accelerated Experiential Psychodynamic Therapy (AEDP) and seamlessly encourages you to engage with your... Read more
    • Online booking
When explaining my approach, I often ask the question, “Who are you”? It’s a tricky one, isn’t it? No matter how hard we try, our stories rarely can sum it all up. Inevitably, something is... Read more

Morgan MacCarl

M.Couns., RCC
I work with adults and couples who are struggling with grief, trauma, relationship challenges, ADHD symptoms, life transitions, and those who are generally feeling overwhelmed with life. I often meet with people who are... Read more

Katie Johnson

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
I believe that each person is capable of healing and producing growth and transformation in their life. People continually overcome difficult experiences in life and are able to accomplish more than they can imagine. I... Read more

Megan Jespersen

M.Couns., RCC
I go by either Megan or mj and I use she/her pronouns.  I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and the Founding Director of The Grounding Stone, a queer-owned and run online counselling community that offers... Read more

Faye Shedletzky

M.Ed., CCC
    • Online booking
Are you a highly sensitive person or empath struggling with anxiety, overwhelm or grief as you navigate your days?  These are complicated times and you are not alone in this struggle.  It is possible to find... Read more

David Nisbet

M.A., RCC
David is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master of Arts Degree in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. He has extensive experience and knowledge working with... 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

Tyler Schaus

M.Couns., RCC
As a queer, transguy, and adoptive parent to a neurospicy child, I prioritize the importance of seeing people as complex, nuanced, and unique beings. I strive to keep my practice flexible, authentic, holistic... Read more

Lara Ellison

M.S.W., RSW
Lara Ellison, MSW, RSW Lara Ellison MSW, RSW has been professionally involved in various mental health programming since 2006.  Starting her work at Peak House, a youth residential alcohol and drug treatment... Read more

Jordan Gruenhage

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Canadian Certified Counsellor who primarily works with gay men through online video counselling. As a gay man, do any of these sound familiar? I’m so... Read more

Jefferson Smith

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Life is really hard and often painful. We all need support to find our way through this confusing and challenging existence. Most of us think we are broken and aren’t certain how to help ourselves through... Read more

Claire deBruyn

M.A., RCC
Hi! I’m Claire deBruyn, and I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC).  Through my counselling practice I work to provide a safe, non-judgemental space for us to collaboratively find solutions... Read more

Kate Malone

M.C., RCC
    • Online booking
Maybe you are struggling with anxiety and depression, working on building self-confidence, looking to heal past trauma, facing challenges in your relationships, or just needing a space to talk. I welcome individuals who... Read more

Dee Gill

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Do you ever feel so overwhelmed that you have no idea what to do next? Do you worry about making the wrong decision that could worsen things?  I can help you change your thoughts and beliefs to take action by... Read more

Kori Inne

MCP, RCC
Welcome.  I offer a reflective and accepting space for us to explore your concerns collaboratively.   In Our Time Together      Our time together can be a space to... Read more

Adrienne Moya

M.S.W., RCC
    • Online booking
Welcome, I'm Adrienne, owner of Camas Mental Health. Camas offers therapy services with a specialization in supporting reproductive mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan through... Read more

Victor Wakarchuk

M.S.W., RCC
    • Online booking
Hi, I'm Victor. I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Registered Social Worker (BC, Alberta and Ontario) who primarily works with gay men through online video counselling. I help gay men find freedom... Read more

Matty Devenish

M.S.W., RSW
Many people express feeling stuck with the issue or problem they are facing. In fact, many people's lives are completely consumed by the issue they are facing. Having worked in the counselling field since 2006, I... Read more

Michael Boyle

M.S.W., RSW
I am a graduate of the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary. I am a Registered Social Worker with the British Columbia College of Social Workers. My counselling experience is in the area of... Read more