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Ubuntu Psychotherapy & Wellness

Therapy For Children

When your child is dealing with big emotions, we can help them feel better.

Develop Healthy Skills

Manage Behaviours

Express Emotions Effectively

Little boy watching the rain outside at opened window. A child of primary school age is at risk of falling from a window from a great height. Dangers in the home for a small kid

If any of these describe your child:

  • Frequent emotional outbursts or mood swings
  • Not wanting to go to school
  • Difficulties in reading, writing, or math
  • Difficulty making friends
  • Low self-esteem or poor self-confidence
  • Traumatic experiences or significant life changes
  • Challenging behaviours or oppositional defiance
  • Attention and focus issues (e.g., ADHD)
  • Dealing with bullying or pressure

Therapy can help.

Child Therapy

Why do some children need therapy?

Sometimes children go through things that they are embarrassed or scared to talk to their parents about. Or maybe both of you have gone through something traumatic, and need to process your emotions. Whatever the situation may be, therapy can help provide clarity, empathy and support for both you and your child.

Some of the things children deal with:

When a child experiences a traumatic event, such as an accident, witnessing a crime, natural disasters, abuse, or anything else they should never have to go through, it can be life altering. Traumatic events can shift the way a child views the world and the people around them and can lead to increased anxiety, fear, silence, and other ways of coping with distressing emotions. In therapy, we provide a safe and comforting environment where your child can feel free to express their emotions and talk about what happened. We use a variety of modalities to help your child process the event, understand that it was not their fault, and teach them coping skills to help manage difficult emotions.
Separation and divorce can be hard on a child, oftentimes harder than they let their parents see. Pushing down the emotions that they feel can lead to confusing behaviour that they themselves may not understand. Your child may withdraw from normal social interactions and spend more time alone as they try to process their own feelings. They might want to talk to you or your partner, but don’t want to make either of you feel bad, and so they keep quiet or express their emotions in unexpected ways, such as angry outbursts. Talking to a therapist provides a safe space for them to work through their emotions and gain clarity so they can start to heal and adapt to their new normal.
If your child is consistently experiencing difficulties in school, such as learning disabilities, attention problems, or struggles in making friends, therapy can be helpful. In therapy, we can help your child identify what obstacles are standing in their way, whether it’s fear, the effects of trauma, or they have a different learning style. Once we know that, we can work with your child to find a solution and develop their confidence in school.
It’s true that children are resilient, but when they experience a major life transition such as a big move, a new sibling, or a parental separation, it can cause confusion and other emotions they are not used to. As their parent, you might see the signs showing up as behavioural difficulties, frequent emotional outbursts, shutting down, or instigating conflicts. In therapy, we will use activities, games, and conversation to help your child feel comfortable, relax, and start to share. We can guide them through strategies for making sense of confusing emotions and how to express them in a healthy way. Life transitions are inevitable, and sometimes kids just need a little extra support adjusting to them!
One of the hardest life transitions for a child to adjust to is the loss of someone they love. For many kids, the first time they experience loss is incredibly confusing. They often have a hard time understanding the concept of death at all, and dealing with the unfamiliar emptiness that follows can cause sadness, confusion, anger, and even guilt. During this difficult time, children need a nurturing and supportive environment to process their feelings. As much as you want to provide that, you may be dealing with the same emotions and grief yourself. We can come alongside and provide reassurance as both of you work through it. With time, patience, and understanding, your child can heal and find beautiful ways to honor their loved one.

Who We are

About Ubuntu Psychotherapy & Wellness

We believe you are the expert of your story and your life.

Whether you are a CEO, an athlete, a mom, a daughter, husband, caregiver or a person seeking greater meaning – you will find caring and compassionate support at Ubuntu Psychotherapy & Wellness.

As therapists, it is our job to help you uncover your potential and build the connections you need to live a better story.

Karen Rezk, Owner of Ubuntu Psychotherapy in Markham and Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Karen Rezk

Clinical Director & Founder

Karen Rezk, Owner of Ubuntu Psychotherapy in Markham and Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Karen Rezk

Clinical Director & Founder

We ask that you:

Come As You Are

You do not need to have all the answers – we will help you find the clarity you need to move forward.

Stay As Long As You Need

We offer therapy that works toward lasting change. Our therapists have the experience and tools to help you achieve your goals.

Create A Connection That Heals

We provide a safe space with therapists who are warm, approachable and ready to listen without judgement.
Group of therapists at Ubuntu Psychotherapy & Wellness in Markham

Meet Our Team

It’s important to find a good fit between you and your therapist.

We help you find the right match!

Therapy is not a Bandaid solution; it is a process through which we can help you heal in a way that allows you to live unapologetically as yourself.

Therapy can help you live the best story of your life.

Our Approach

How Our Child Therapy Works

We Learn About Them

We listen to your child and learn what challenges they are facing. We allow them to share their feelings within their comfort level and help them see a way forward.

We Develop A Plan

Together, we plan out goals for your child in therapy. We use play and art to help them feel comfortable while learning tools and strategies to.

We Assess & Adapt

We understand that every child is unique, and provide space to adjust their treatment as they progress and grow.

Happy parents and their child reading a book on the couch at home

Therapy For Children

How Therapy Can Help Your Child

In time, you may notice that your child:

  • Has less anxiety
  • Is sleeping better
  • Shows increased resilience
  • Becomes more confident
  • Handles stressful situations easier
  • Can better regulate emotions
  • Is able to develop friendships
  • Is happier and more peaceful overall
Every child and situation is unique, therefore it is difficult to predict how long it will take for them to experience positive results from therapy. However, with consistency and dedication, it is common to see results specific to their situation within 12-20 sessions (50min-1h each) on a weekly basis.

Ubuntu Psychotherapy & Wellness

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Therapy

It’s hard to give a specific timeline for therapy, since each situation is so different, but our goal is to help your child feel better as quickly as possible. Some situations can be resolved in as little as a few sessions, while others take months of consistent therapy to make progress. Children who have strong and consistent support outside of therapy may see results in less time.

During the first session, we will do an initial assessment to gather information about your child’s history, concerns, and goals. We may ask questions about your child’s development, family dynamics, and any specific challenges they are facing, and will explain the therapeutic process, discuss confidentiality, and answer any questions you have. This session allows us to understand your child’s needs better and create a plan that works best for you and your child.

Your involvement is really important in child therapy. We meet with you regularly to give updates on how your child is doing, talk about things you can do at home to help, and give guidance on how to support your child’s therapy goals. We might ask parents to share information and thoughts about your child’s behaviours, feelings, and experiences. Working together helps your child make progress in therapy, and creates a safe and caring environment for them.
Child therapists mainly use talking and behaviour-focused methods in therapy, not medicine. However, we work with doctors like pediatricians or psychiatrists who can decide if medication is needed for your child’s situation. This collaboration between therapists and medical professionals helps make sure that all aspects of your child’s treatment are considered and coordinated.

Creating a nurturing and understanding environment at home can help your child thrive through the therapy process. You can reinforce therapy goals and strategies by practicing recommended techniques, providing opportunities for open expression of feelings, and encouraging healthy coping skills. Actively engaging in conversations with your child and therapist allows you to share observations, concerns, and progress updates. By maintaining consistent and supportive routines, being responsive to your child’s needs, and actively participating in their therapeutic journey, you can play a vital role in supporting their progress.

How To Get Started

Ready to get started? You can use one of the methods below to get in touch with us. If you have questions, please submit your message via our contact form or call us. We’re here to help!

Book A Free Consultation

Schedule a free virtual consultation to have your questions answered.

Book An Appointment

If you’re ready to get started or are a returning client, you can book online using our secure online portal.

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Child Therapy

Ubuntu Psychotherapy & Wellness

Supporting you and your child through life’s challenges.