Child Behaviour, Life Transitions Play Therapy

Child Behaviour, Life Transitions

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.

Life transitions can be rewarding, but that doesn't mean they are necessarily easy. Change usually comes with mixed emotions, challenges and stress. It's natural to feel anxious, confused, unsettled and fatigued, no matter how you have looked forward to a change. While promotions at work can be positive and exciting, there are also negative transitions that could make you feel hopeless and negative, anxious and unable to see the solutions to the inevitable problems you face.


Some of the common transitions that people face include moving house, divorce, remarriage, empty nest syndrome, concerns about aging, adjusting to a new job, illness, or death of a loved one.

During periods of transitions, it's common for emotions from some of your past experiences to be triggered, which can make the current situation feel so much worse. That's when confusion takes over, leaving you feeling out of control and confused.

Transition counselling can help you deal with your life changes and the emotions that you are feeling in a safe and effective manner. You will be able to find the root causes of your reactions and you will be able to face the changes head on. You may even be able to push past your self-imposed limits to broaden your horizons and find a strong, new you.

You will gain clarity and understanding, as well as self-confidence to help you feel more grounded and you will develop a sense of purpose in your life. Transition therapy  has helped hundreds of thousands of people to come to terms with difficult issues in life and you can too.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who addresses transitions, you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Play 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..

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

Norma Hoeppner

M.S.W., RSW
In private practice since 2007, Norma has been a dynamic clinical therapist across diverse health settings since 1989. Currently she practices with Clear Counselling Inc. in Vancouver, as well as an office through... 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

Elnaz Bondar

M.A., RCC
As an individual who has experienced different challenges in life, I strive to help people going through hardships and crises. Some of these hardships and crises include helping individuals... Read more

Mary Munro

M.A., RCC
I can help. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor practicing in Vic West, close to downtown.  Counselling can help you function better.  You may feel calmer and more effective, or find insights, meet... Read more

Thomas Wiens

Ph.D., R.Psych
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
What if your psychologist could help you overcome challenges AND get to that next level? Dr. Wiens assists professionals to manage the demands of their career and personal life so that they can perform at their best... Read more

Kathryn Hall

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I believe that therapy is space that can be helpful for anyone and everyone. Some people come to therapy to work through significant life events or traumatic experiences they have been through, while some people come to... Read more

Taylor Willis

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
While life can be filled with joy, wonder and new experiences, it can also prove to be stressful, anxiety-provoking and incredibly challenging. These situations can impact our self-worth, mood, our relationships with... Read more

Sarah Hickinbottom

Ph.D., RCC
CURRENTLY NOT ACCPETING NEW CLIENTS Counselling for Individuals Facing Significant Personal and/or Professional Transitions Sarah's practice is focused on working collaboratively with clients facing unexpected... Read more

Maureen Lee

Ph.D., RCC
Dr. Maureen Lee is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who sees clients in North Vancouver. She practices a client-centred approach to therapy which means you, the client, decide the outcome, goals and direction... Read more

Fernanda Borja

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
I recognize the challenges and changes that life presents. This is why, through counselling, I seek to help others with empathy and awareness. I believe in everyone’s power to self-transform positively and I... Read more

Bob Bircher

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Bob is a very experienced counsellor and has spent his working life helping people solve problems, make good decisions, set necessary boundaries, and improve communication. His counselling philosophy is very practical,... Read more

ivania Redpath

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
My clients come from diverse backgrounds and live with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, loss, and attachment dysregulation. I offer virtual counselling and in person counselling for adults and children, in addition... Read more

Josef Zaide

Ph.D., R.Psych
    • Online booking
For nearly 40 years I’ve enjoyed working with children, teens and adults in school, hospital and independent practice settings, providing assessments, counselling and psychotherapy.   Working solely... Read more

Daeniela Bheaumont

M.Ed., R.Psych
    • Video on profile
I am a registered psychologist (College of Psychologist of BC #651) and have been a member of the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology since 1990.  I received my Masters degree in Counseling... Read more

Wendy Li

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I work with adults who may seem fine on the outside, but are struggling in some way on the inside. Your struggles may be with stress or anxiety, low mood or motivation, lack of satisfaction and interest in what you... Read more

Krista Sao

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
I work with people who have a desire for change but are unsure where to start. If you want life to be more fulfilling, but you feel held back by fear, guilt, or shame. You’ve engaged in new behaviours but... Read more
    • Online booking
I am a relationship and individual counsellor who focuses on supporting my clients in becoming more connected to eachother and to themselves.  Have you noticed that worrying is negatively impacting your life or... Read more

Marcia Stacey

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I work with people struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues, trauma, low self-esteem, and life transitions. This can include any problematic emotions or problems that have become barriers to... Read more

Youki Kato

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology and a certified Expressive Arts Therapist. I have expertise in helping people who have experienced Domestic Violence or are... Read more

Kara Bezuko

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
I work with people seeking a gentler path to happiness and well-being. You may be grasped by anxiety, lost in the heavy darkness of depression, or caught in a turmoil of confusion and distraction. You might find... Read more

Tasha Davidson

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Hi, First, I recognize how challenging starting the process of counselling may be. Whether it feels like the problem is too big, no one will understand or 'maybe it's not that big of a deal,' I want you... Read more

Olga Shchedrinskaya

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
Having worked as a counsellor in a non-profit organization, private practice, and a mental health clinic, I bring more than 10 years of experience to my work with with individuals, couples, and families. My primary... Read more

Lorraine Schembri

M.Ed., RCC
Grounded in the values of transparency, humility, empathy and empowerment, my practice acknowledges that mental health injuries and difficulties are normal responses to certain situations and circumstances.... Read more

Sandra Wiens

Ph.D., R.Psych
Hello. I am a registered psychologist (#2247) with a Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia. I help adults who wish to make changes in their personal lives and in their relationships.... 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

Dawna Silver

M.A., RCC
Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read my profile. If you are like many people who seek therapy, you are struggling. Maybe you are in a time of crisis in your life. Something has happened out of the blue that... Read more

Jeff Ross

M.A., RCC
 Feel good about the possibilities that life has to offer. Are you seeing life clearly? Do you tell your family and friends “I’m fine” even though you know you are not? Do you feel... Read more

Deena Chochinov

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Deena is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a private practice in Vancouver since 2000. She works with individuals, couples and families and uses a variety of therapeutic approaches to help clients find the self-... Read more

Jena Tharani

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Relationship Counselling (for individuals or couples) with Jena is for you if you: - Struggle to communicate effectively in your relationship - Are struggling with a specific issue or a general sense of... Read more

Lisa Roberts

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
My clients have said "counselling with you feels different". Likely, because it is often matter of fact, to the point, humour infused and honest. I am your biggest cheerleader, but I will hold you accountable... Read more