Child & Teen Therapy
We help children and teens feel safe, seen, and supported as they learn to navigate big emotions and tough experiences.

What is youth therapy?

Youth therapy is specialized support for children and teens who are experiencing emotional, behavioural, or relational challenges.

At Making Space Psychotherapy, we work with young people ages 3–17 using approaches that are tailored to their age and developmental needs. Our team includes child therapists in Hamilton and Burlington, as well as teen therapists who understand the unique pressures of growing up.

What kinds of challenges can therapy help with?

Our child and teen therapists can support a wide range of concerns, including:

Anxiety and worry
Emotional outbursts or mood swings
Family separation or divorce
Grief and loss
Friendship or peer issues
School stress or behaviour challenges
Low self-esteem
Trauma and PTSD
Attachment disruptions

Whether your child is going through a recent change or working through something deeper, our therapists offer steady, compassionate care.

How do you work with children & teens?

We use a mix of Play Therapy, Attachment-Focused EMDR (AF-EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and other age-appropriate approaches to connect with young people in ways that feel natural and safe.

For younger children, therapy may look like play, art, or stories that help them process their feelings.

For preteens and teens, we offer talk therapy, somatic tools, and trauma-informed practices that help them build insight and coping skills.

Our therapists create a warm, non-judgmental space where young people can feel free to express themselves and begin to heal.

How does trauma & attachment show up in children and teens?

Trauma and attachment wounds can sometimes show up as:

Big emotional reactions to small triggers
Trouble trusting others or forming relationships
Nightmares or sleep issues
Acting out or shutting down
Perfectionism or people-pleasing
Withdrawal, sadness, or anxiety

Our therapists are trained to look beneath behaviours and understand what your child is trying to communicate. We specialize in trauma-informed, attachment-based care, which helps children and teens feel safer in their bodies, relationships, and emotions.

Can parents or caregivers take part in therapy?

Yes. Supporting the whole family is an important part of what we do.

While some sessions are just for your child, we often include parents and caregivers, especially when building attachment or improving communication at home.

Our therapists offer regular updates, guidance, and a space to explore what’s working (and what’s not) so you can feel empowered to support your child’s growth outside of sessions.

Is therapy right for my child or teen?

If your child seems stuck, overwhelmed, or different than usual (and you're not sure how to help) therapy can make a difference.

We’re here for you with: