Issues We Treat

Child & Teen Therapy in Newmarket

Children and teens don't need to be fixed. They need to be met — as they are. Our therapists offer young people a space that is truly theirs, through play, creativity, and conversation. In person in Newmarket and online across Ontario.

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Free 20-minute intake Registered Psychotherapists Covered by most insurance plans
Child and teen therapy in Newmarket at Newmarket Therapy Centre — in person and online across Ontario
Children, Teens & Adolescents

Why therapy with young people is different

Children and teens are not small adults. They are in the middle of growing — learning to understand their feelings, their bodies, their relationships, and who they are. When something gets hard, they often can't explain it in words. It shows up instead as big emotions, worries, stomach aches, withdrawal, anger, or a change in behaviour.

A child's behaviour almost always makes sense when you see it in context — at home, at school, with friends. Rather than treating the young person as the problem, we try to understand what their behaviour is saying, and what they need. For children, that often happens through play, art, and movement. For teens, through a relationship built on trust — with no hidden agenda and no pressure to be someone they are not.

Child and teen therapy in Newmarket supports young people from childhood through adolescence and into young adulthood. For younger children, please ask when you contact us — Susan will match you with a therapist experienced with your child's age.

Signs & Symptoms

What brings children and teens to therapy?

Young people show their struggles in many ways — through the body, behaviour, mood, and relationships. If several of these sound familiar, it may be time for support:

  • Big feelings, meltdowns, or anger that are hard to settle
  • Worry, fears, or stomach aches before school or separation
  • Sadness, withdrawal, or losing interest in things they used to love
  • Struggles with friendships, bullying, or feeling left out
  • Questions about identity, self-worth, or where they fit
  • Pressure around school, grades, sports, or performance
  • Conflict at home, or difficulty after separation, a move, or a loss
  • Changes in sleep, eating, or behaviour that worry you
You do not need to wait for a crisis. If your child or teen is struggling, reaching out early can make a real difference.
Our Approach

How we work with young people

At Newmarket Therapy Centre, we work with the whole young person — mind, heart, body, and the growing self underneath — and with the family and world around them.

01

Met as they are

Young people can tell when an adult wants them to be different. We start by accepting them as they are, right now. Feeling genuinely seen is what makes change possible.

02

More than talking

Many children — and plenty of teens — don't have words yet for what they feel. Play, drawing, sand trays, movement, and games give feelings another way to be expressed and understood.

03

Feelings live in the body

We help young people notice what they feel in their bodies, name it, and find safe ways to express it — building skills they can use for a lifetime.

04

A growing sense of self

Childhood and adolescence are about becoming someone. Therapy helps young people know what they like, what they need, and how to say no — so they can stand more firmly as themselves.

05

Seen within their world

A child's struggles are connected to family, school, and friendships. We work with parents and, when helpful, the whole family — so the support around a young person grows along with them.

Approaches we draw on

Within this whole-person view, our therapists bring in specific methods matched to you — not a one-size-fits-all protocol:

Creative

Play & Creative Therapy

For younger children especially. Through play, art, and creative expression, children work through feelings and experiences they can't yet put into words.

Emotion-Focused

Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)

Helps young people build emotional literacy — noticing, understanding, and working with feelings that may feel overwhelming or confusing.

Learn more →
Practical

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Gives children and teens practical tools for managing worry, challenging unhelpful thoughts, and building new habits. Suits young people who like something concrete to practise.

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Parts-Based

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

A gentle, non-blaming way to understand the parts of themselves that struggle — the anxious part, the angry part, the self-critical part — and help those parts relax.

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Body-Based

Somatic Experiencing

For young people whose struggles show up in the body — panic, tension, shutting down — working directly with the nervous system in ways talking alone cannot.

Learn more →
Brain-Based

Neurofeedback

Trains the brain's own regulation. Can help with attention, anxiety, sleep, and emotional reactivity. Requires in-person sessions at our Newmarket location.

Learn more →

Not sure which approach fits? You don't have to know. Meet our team, or let Susan match you with the right therapist (see below).

For Parents

A note for parents

Watching your child struggle is one of the hardest things a parent faces — and reaching out can feel like both a relief and a worry. Here is what we want you to know:

  • 1

    You are part of the picture

    With younger children, parents are closely involved — sharing what you notice at home, and learning ways to support your child between sessions. With teens, your role shifts toward support from a little further back.

  • 2

    Privacy grows with age

    Teens need a space that is truly theirs. What a teen shares in session stays private, except where there is a risk of serious harm — then the therapist will involve you. With younger children, the therapist will share general themes and guidance with you.

  • 3

    Parent consultations are available

    If you are worried and not sure where to start, you can meet with a therapist yourself first — for guidance, support, and a better understanding of what your child may be going through.

  • 4

    Family sessions can run alongside

    Where it helps and everyone agrees, individual therapy can be paired with family sessions, so the whole family can support the changes your child is working toward.

  • 5

    You don't need all the answers

    You just need to make the call. Susan will guide you through the rest.

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

What ages do you work with?
Our therapists work with children, teens, and young adults. Some specialize in younger children and play-based therapy; others focus on adolescents. Tell Susan your child's age and she will match you with the right therapist.
My teenager refuses to come. What should I do?
This is very common. Try not to make it a battle. A parent consultation first can help you understand what is going on and find a gentler way to open the door. Many teens become willing once they understand the space will be truly theirs.
Will the therapist tell me what my child says?
It depends on age. With younger children, parents are kept closely involved and the therapist shares general themes and guidance. With teens, sessions are private, except where there is a risk of serious harm to them or someone else — then the therapist will involve you. That privacy is what lets teens be honest.
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
If your child's mood, behaviour, relationships, or schoolwork are being affected — or you simply sense something is wrong — it is worth reaching out. You don't need to wait for a crisis.
Can my child do therapy online?
Online therapy works well for many teens, who often appreciate attending from their own room. For younger children, in-person sessions are usually a better fit, especially for play-based work.
What if my child has tried therapy before and it didn't help?
With young people, fit matters enormously. Our intake process is designed to match your child with a therapist who has the right training — and the right personality — for them.
Is therapy for children and teens covered by insurance?
In most cases, yes. Our team includes Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers, both of which are covered by most extended health plans in Ontario — Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, Blue Cross, Desjardins, and others. Children and teens are usually covered under a parent's plan; check your specific plan for coverage limits.
Take the First Step

Ready to get your child the support they need?

Start with a free 20-minute call with Susan, our Client Care Manager. She'll listen to what's bringing you in and personally match you with the therapist best suited to you.

  • 1 Book a free call
  • 2 Talk with Susan
  • 3 Meet your therapist
Book Your Free Call with Susan

Prefer to call? (289) 500-8039  ·  [email protected]

Is your child or teen in crisis? Our clinic is not an emergency service. Young people can reach Kids Help Phone anytime at 1-800-668-6868 or by texting CONNECT to 686868. You can also call or text 9-8-8, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency department.