Justine Bourak

I specialize in play therapy techniques with children, youth, and teens using developmentally appropriate, child-centred approaches. I work with young adults too!

Sometimes children and youth feel overwhelmed by emotions they don’t yet have the words to express, which can show up in many different ways. I use a child-centred play therapy approach to help children express themselves, and to feel safe and understood.

From the moment your child walks into the room, I focus on creating a genuine, welcoming experience by following their lead. I bring a sense of curiosity and adventure into the therapy space and create a playful, flexible environment where children can explore, move, create and communicate in ways that feel natural to them. I work hard to understand and appreciate each child as their own unique person, shaped by their individual experiences and I’m not afraid to be fully myself with kids either, whether that means being a little silly, a little goofy and jumping right into the fun with them.

I believe healing happens through process, not pressure. Children don’t need to be “fixed” or rushed. They need to feel safe, understood and supported at a pace that honours their body’s natural timing. My work is grounded in connecting through your child’s nervous system, helping them feel more regulated and secure so that growth and change can unfold in a way that feels steady and lasting.

I have extensive experience working with children in both group and individual settings and I bring a lot of care and attention to the small details that matter to them. I pay close attention to what your child finds important and I often bring their interests into play, which helps therapy feel engaging rather than boring or like a chore. Many children I’ve worked with genuinely enjoy coming to sessions because of the connection we build and the way their world is welcomed into the room.

My approach is informed by my lived experience as a Canadian Ukrainian woman, which has shaped my understanding of identity, individuality and what it means to feel seen for who you are. I’m also guided by my love for adventure and learning, experiencing new cultures and appreciating what makes them unique, much like how no two children express themselves or “do” healing in the same way.

In my work, I use Play Therapy with a bottom-up approach, meaning we connect with your child’s nervous system first. Through play, we build safety and regulation before moving toward deeper emotional understanding and meaningful change. I also incorporate Synergetic Play Therapy by paying close attention to your child’s body cues and my own responses in the room. This helps support co-regulation and attunement, while building nervous system awareness in a way that feels natural for children.

Alongside this, I integrate somatic approaches into play to help release stored stress in a safe, supportive way. This may include movement, sensory awareness, breathing exercises and body-based regulation woven into play, like stretching, simple yoga-based movements, grounding activities and noticing body sensations through games and creativity.

I also draw from Interpersonal Neurobiology to guide my understanding of how relationships shape the brain and nervous system. With this in mind, I value working collaboratively with parents while their child is in play therapy, so we can support connection, learning and regulation within the family system too.

If you’re looking for a therapy space where your child can feel safe, understood and free to be themselves, I would be honoured to support your family. Welcome to this work.