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Unlocking Potential and Empowering Families
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Psychotherapy for children, youth and families refers to a variety of techniques and methods used to help those experiencing difficulties with their thoughts, feelings, behaviours and/or relationships either at home, school or in the community. Incorporating a child’s primary language of play, creativity, movement/body, mindfulness and traditional evidence-based practices such as CBT, our child and family psychotherapy supports young people and their families to better understand and communicate their thoughts and feelings. Psychotherapy services aim to increase child and family well-being, foster safe and positive relationships, enhance self compassion and self esteem, and develop strategies for resilience. Psychotherapy services at Ellen Yak and Associates are strengths based, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive, where time is taken to understand how past experiences may be informing children, youth or family’s present lives.
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Often, caregivers or youth seek the guidance of a Registered Psychotherapist when they observe or experience an ongoing pattern of challenging or concerning behaviours, feelings or relationships impacting their well being and growing sense of self. Often times, these behaviours can leave caregivers and the other adults in young people’s lives, such as teachers, feeling confused, concerned or frustrated. And with the adults in their lives feeling upset, a cycle of ongoing conflict or isolation with an increase in problematic behaviours for young people can follow, where children or youth are left feeling sad, angry, anxious or hopeless.
Through sessions with young people and/or their caregivers, psychotherapy will seek to understand each person as an individual and explore how their observable behaviours are only the tip of the iceberg. Each session will guide young people and their caregivers to discover what lies beneath the surface of these icebergs, enhancing understanding and responses to the thoughts, feelings, sensations and experiences being communicated by the behaviors. With increased understanding, coupled with individualized strategies, children, youth and families can experience an enhanced sense of connection, communication and confidence navigating life together.
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Adoption Related Emotional Difficulties
Adverse Childhood Experiences (exposure to abuse or neglect)
Anger
Anxiety
Aggression
Attachment Difficulties
Behavioural Issues
Bullying or Peer Conflict
Depression
Emotional Regulation Issues
Grief and loss
Impulsiveness
Learning difficulties or academic problems
Family Relationship issues
Parenting Difficulties
Sadness
School Challenges
Self Esteem Issues
Sensory Integration Issues affecting emotional regulation
Sexuality/Gender Identity
Thoughts of harm to self or others
Trauma
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All psychotherapy services begin with an assessment, including the children and their caregivers. Psychotherapy services at Ellen Yack and Associates are unique as they have access to the sensory motor gyms, utilizing self regulation and movement strategies to foster a safe, trusting and playful environment for children and youth to share openly. When appropriate, psychotherapy services can also be provided with a multidisciplinary approach, collaborating with Occupational Therapists and other professionals at Ellen Yack and Associates to holistically address a family's needs.
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Individual Child or Youth Sessions
Caregiver or Parenting Support Sessions
Family Therapy Sessions
Multidisciplinary Therapy Sessions
School Consultations
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Creative Arts Therapy (Drama and Play Therapy)
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Mindfulness Based Therapies
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (Attachment Focused)