Child and Teen Counselling
Together, we can support your child or teen age 4-18 years. Whether your child could benefit from learning new skills or working through a difficult time or past trauma, I will provide your child with a safe space to express their emotions and make positive changes. We work through engaging in psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and various therapeutic activities, including play therapy activities, sandtray, and visual arts.
Parent Counselling and Support
Whether your child is a toddler or teenager, we can work together to help ensure you have the support you need and a plan to move forward. Sometimes as a parent, we just need to be heard, to have some validation, some direction, and strategies.
Strengthening your understanding of and connection to your child is so important. This connection often acts as a catalyst to help your child or teen feel secure and able to open up and make positive changes.
Counselling for Young Adults
The transition into adulthood can be particularly tough. You may have transitioned into college or university and are having trouble coping and balancing it all. You may be struggling with how you feel about yourself. Perhaps your romantic relationship has become difficult to navigate. Or you've experienced something tough or unexpected like a breakup, a death of a loved one, or an unexpected pregnancy. And sometimes things experienced in childhood start to bubble up. If you are under 30yrs, I can provide a safe, confidential space to help you process what you need and better cope.
Infant Feeding Support
Through breastfeeding three children of my own, I became passionate about helping parents with feeding their babies. As a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist, I can help you prenatally or after baby is here and will support you in a warm and compassionate manner. We will work toward a pain-free, enjoyable feeding experience where your baby is growing and thriving. I will support you absolutely free of any judgment whether your goal is to exclusively breastfeed or not.
What to Expect
At our first meeting, you'll have a chance to share what you or your child are struggling with. We can discuss what your specific goals are and how you would like things to be different. I will share a bit about my practice and the process and answer any questions. You can book and cancel your own appointments as needed through my Jane system.
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Together we can determine what therapeutic approach fits best to your needs. I'm always open to your honest feedback. I regularly check-in with my clients to ensure you are getting what you want and need from our sessions.
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Remember, you and/or your child's relationship with their therapist is one of the most important factors determining the success of therapy.
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About Kristen
I'm a Registered Social Worker with a Bachelor's degree in Child, Youth, and Family studies and a Masters degree in Social Work. I began my counselling experience in several elementary and secondary schools across Ontario working with children, youth and their parents. I then spent a number of years working in the community with children and families facing a variety of struggles and trauma.
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I'm also a mom to three wild and wonderful boys who really keep me on my toes and have taught me a lot about the challenges of parenting.
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I provide service primarily to Ottawa residents. My office is located in Manotick, also serving the surrounding communities of Richmond, Greely, Osgoode, Kars, Embrun, Riverside South, and Barrhaven. I can also meet you in your home or virtually.
Expand your circle...
Parenting is hard! It can make a world of difference when you have support. Getting help from friends, family, and neighbours can be invaluable. But what else can you do when things are challenging? You can expand your circle even further. I'm here to help, so that everything doesn't have to fall on your shoulders. You don't have to do this alone. We can work as a team to support you, your child, or teen.
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Does your child or teen struggle with stress, worries, or anxiety? Do they refuse to attend school? Do they struggle with anger or frequent outbursts? Perhaps they are experiencing issues with peers or in their relationships?
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Has your child or teen experienced a loss or major change such as a death, divorce or separation, a newly blended family, or a recent move?
Have they experienced trauma such as physical or sexual abuse, or addiction or domestic violence in the family system?
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Are you stressed, overwhelmed, or burnt out? Are you feeling stuck and want to better help your child?
Do you feel disconnected from your child or teen and yearn for less conflict and an improved relationship?
