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Child & youth therapy in Vaughan & Barrie

Helping kids and teens feel like themselves again.

I’m looking for help for my

When words aren’t enough, play becomes their voice. Through play therapy, our Registered Psychotherapists help children express what they can’t yet say, and guide them toward feeling calmer and braver. You stay part of the team the whole way.

Your teen doesn’t need to have the words figured out yet. A therapist they actually trust can help them feel steadier and make sense of what they’re carrying. And if home has felt tense lately, therapy can help you find your way back to each other.

Book a free 20-minute consult (905) 553-9507

Free, with no referral and no commitment. Phones answered weekdays 9 am to 5 pm, Saturdays 9 am to 2 pm.

  • 24+ Registered PsychotherapistsCheck any of us on the CRPO register
  • Direct billing availableSun Life, Beneva, Green Shield
  • Evenings and weekendsIn person or online
A young girl smiling beside two crocheted teddy bearsA parent and their teenage child sharing a warm, supportive moment
Parents stay part of the teamTheir space, their pace
Child & youth therapy
You’re in the right place

You’ve already tried so much. Asking for help is one more way of showing up for them.

Comforting, encouraging, setting limits, searching for answers late at night. Parenting through a hard stretch is exhausting. Kids don’t misbehave because they want to. Often they just don’t have the words yet. Our job is to help them find those words, and to help you understand what’s underneath.

  • A warm, judgment-free spaceWhere your child or teen feels seen, not labelled.
  • Therapists who see children and teensRegistered Psychotherapists you can meet first, in a free consult.
  • You stay part of the teamRegular check-ins, and practical ideas you can use at home.
A gentle self-check

What are you noticing in your child?What are you noticing in your teen?

Tap anything that feels familiar. None of these means something is wrong. They’re simply signals that a little support could help.

Your next step0 of 8 noticed

Start with what you’re seeing.

Tap the signs that sound like home lately, and we’ll suggest a sensible next step.

You’ve noticed 1 thing.

Trust your instincts. Noticing it is reason enough to ask. A free 20-minute consult helps you figure out whether therapy makes sense, with no pressure either way.

You’ve noticed 3 things.

That’s a lot for a family to carry. A free 20-minute consult is a calm way to talk it through. We’ll listen, answer your questions and suggest the therapist who fits.

Book a free 20-minute consult
This isn’t a diagnosis. It’s a starting point for a conversation.
How it works

Play therapy for younger children. Trust and tools for teens.

A six-year-old and a sixteen-year-old need very different things from therapy, so we work differently with each.

Ages 3 to 12 · Play therapy

Play is how children talk.

Children don’t process feelings the way adults do. Through stories, art, sand and toys, they show and work through what they can’t yet say in words.

  • Child-led and safe. Sessions follow your child’s pace in a warm, predictable space.
  • Skills that carry over. CBT-informed tools help children name feelings and calm big emotions.
  • We coach you too. Practical ideas for home, because change sticks best when it includes the family.
Ages 13 to 17 · Talk therapy

For teens, trust comes first.

Teens do their best work when they feel respected, not managed. We meet them as the capable young people they are.

  • A real, trusting relationship. Therapists who are easy to talk to, never preachy, and on their side.
  • Evidence-based skills. CBT-informed tools for anxiety, low mood and overwhelm, and DBT skills with several of our teen therapists.
  • Their space, their pace. Privacy that helps them open up, with safety always first. More on youth mental health therapy.
Your therapists

Meet our child therapists in Woodbridge and onlineMeet our teen therapists in Vaughan, Woodbridge & Barrie

Registered Psychotherapists who see children and teens. Watch a short intro, then meet them yourself in a free consult.

Not sure who fits?

Tell us a little about your family and we’ll suggest the right therapist. You can switch anytime, and your file moves with you.

Find my match Browse all 24+ therapists

13 therapists see teens. We’ll help you choose.

Tell us a little about your teen and we’ll suggest who to meet. You can switch anytime, and your file moves with you.

Find my match Browse all 24+ therapists
What we help with

Support for the struggles that bring families in

From the worries that keep them up at night to the behaviours that wear everyone down, we help children and teens build skills they can keep using.

See everything we help with
No surprises

What the first visit looks like

The first session is about comfort, not deep work. Nobody has to share anything they’re not ready to.

  1. 1
    Free consult · 20 min

    We get to know your family

    A relaxed chat about what’s going on and what you’re hoping for. We answer your questions and suggest the right therapist. No cost, no pressure.

  2. 2
    First session · 55 min

    Meet the therapist and the playroom

    You and your child meet the therapist and see the space. Your child is invited to play while the therapist gently builds trust, and we gather background from you.

    A low-pressure first conversation

    Your teen meets their therapist one-to-one in a calm space. There’s no pressure to “spill,” just a chance to feel out the relationship, while we gather background from you.

  3. 3
    A plan together

    Clear goals, regular check-ins

    We agree on goals and how we’ll involve you, then review progress together and adjust as your child grows and changes.

How to tell your child

“You’re going to meet someone kind who has a special playroom, and you get to play and talk.”

Keep it simple and positive.

How to bring it up with your teen

“This is someone neutral, just for you. You don’t have to tell me what you talk about.”

Frame it as their space, not a punishment.

Not ready to book yet?

Start with our free guides and workbooks for parents. No email needed.

Browse free parent resources
Start with a free 20-minute consultOnline in 2 minutes or by phone. No referral, no credit card.
Your role

You’re part of the team.

Therapy works best when families are in it together. Here’s how we partner with you, whatever your child’s age.

We keep you in the loop

Regular check-ins and practical tools for home, so progress in the room carries into everyday life.

We protect their trust

Especially with teens, we balance keeping you informed with the privacy a young person needs to open up. Safety always comes first.

We strengthen your bond

Much of our work helps you and your child understand each other, so home feels calmer. Our parenting counselling can run alongside your child’s sessions, and some families add family therapy.

Why we trust this work

What the research says

We’ll always be honest about evidence. These approaches are well studied, though no ethical therapist can promise how things will go for any one child.

A 2005 review of 93 controlled studies found children who had play therapy did better, on average, than those who did not, for anxiety-type and behaviour-type struggles alike.

Bratton et al., 2005, Professional Psychology: Research and Practice

The same review found the largest gains when parents took an active part in the play sessions. That’s one reason we treat parents as partners.

Bratton et al., 2005, parental involvement

A 2020 Cochrane review of 87 trials found CBT probably helps more children and teens with anxiety than waiting or no treatment. In the 39 trials that measured it, about 49% no longer met criteria for their anxiety diagnosis afterwards, against 18%. The evidence was rated moderate quality.

James et al., 2020, Cochrane Review

In a review of 28 studies of child and teen therapy, a stronger bond with the therapist went along with somewhat better results. The effect is small to medium, so we treat a good match as one ingredient among several.

Karver et al., 2018, meta-analysis in Psychotherapy, 55(4), 341-355

Our Registered Psychotherapists do not diagnose or prescribe, and we’ll tell you honestly if your child would be better served elsewhere. When it helps, we work alongside your family doctor, paediatrician or school.

Clinically reviewed by Svetlana Antonyshyn, Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO #001652). Last reviewed October 2026.

Transparent pricing

What therapy costs

No hidden fees. Most private insurance plans cover a portion of each session, and we can bill Sun Life, Beneva (formerly SSQ) and Green Shield directly when your plan is with one of them, so you pay only your portion.

$0
Free consultation · 20 minAsk anything, and see if it feels right for your child. No obligation.
$180
Child or teen session · 55 minThe same rate for the first session and every session after, with one of our CRPO-registered psychotherapists.
$125
Reduced-fee sessionAvailable for teens, with select supervised therapists in training, guided by experienced clinical supervisors.

Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice may be charged a cancellation fee. Psychotherapy may also qualify as a medical expense on your Canadian taxes. Worried about cost? See our reduced-fee program.

Coverage estimator

How far could your benefits go?

Pick your plan’s yearly maximum for a Registered Psychotherapist.

5sessions within your maximum
If your plan reimburses the full $180 per session, that uses about $900 of your $1,000 maximum. Plans that pay a percentage, or cap each visit, leave you the rest of every fee.

An estimate, not a quote or a promise of coverage. Plans differ on the percentage reimbursed, per-visit limits, deductibles and which providers they recognize, so check your benefits booklet or ask your insurer about “Registered Psychotherapist” and “Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying).”

Book a free 20-minute consult
Before you book

Don’t take our word for it. Check.

Anyone can say they’re good at this. Here’s what you can verify about us in about two minutes, without speaking to anyone.

College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
Every psychotherapist here is registered with the CRPO.We publish each registration number on their profile. Look any of us up by name in Ontario’s public register.
Open the public register

Regulated, not self-declared

“Psychotherapist” is a protected title in Ontario. Our team are Registered Psychotherapists, accountable to a College with a public complaints process.

See every therapist’s registration

Supervised every month

Our therapists meet for clinical supervision every month, so the work stays accountable to someone other than the person doing it.

How we work

We show our sources

Where we describe what therapy can help with, we name the source and link it, from Statistics Canada and CAMH to peer-reviewed trials.

What we help with

Nothing locks you in

No referral needed. No contract, no package to buy. If the fit is wrong, say so and we’ll move you to someone else without asking why.

Fees and coverage
Common questions

Questions parents ask us

Still wondering about something? Ask us in a free consult, or call (905) 553-9507. Phones answered weekdays 9 am to 5 pm, Saturdays 9 am to 2 pm.

How do I know if my child or teen needs therapy?

Trust your instincts. If your child’s big feelings, behaviour, sleep, mood or friendships have shifted in a way that worries you, or they’ve been through something hard, it’s worth a conversation. Noticing it is reason enough to ask. A free 20-minute consult helps you figure out whether therapy makes sense, with no pressure either way.

What is play therapy, and why does it work for younger children?

Play is how children naturally communicate. In play therapy, a trained therapist uses play to help a child express feelings they can’t yet put into words, process experiences, and build coping skills in a safe, child-led space. A large research review of 93 studies found play therapy had a strong overall effect for both internalizing struggles like anxiety and externalizing ones like acting out.

My teenager won’t open up to me. Will therapy actually help?

It’s very common for teens to shut down with parents but open up to a neutral, trusted adult. Our therapists meet teens where they are, with no pressure to talk before they’re ready, and use approaches like CBT, which has good research behind it for adolescent anxiety. Many teens are relieved to have a space that’s just theirs.

Will I be involved as a parent?

Yes, and your involvement makes a real difference. For younger children we check in regularly and coach you with practical tools for home. For teens we balance their need for some privacy with making sure you’re part of the plan whenever safety is a concern.

Is what my teen tells the therapist confidential?

For therapy to work, teens need to trust the space, so day-to-day session content is kept private. The clear exception is safety: if there’s a serious risk of someone being hurt, your therapist takes steps to keep your teen safe, and that can include bringing you in. Your therapist explains exactly how confidentiality works with you and your teen at the start, so there are no surprises.

What happens in the first session?

The first session is about comfort, not deep work. For younger children, you and your child meet the therapist, see the space, and your child is invited to play while the therapist gently builds rapport. For teens, it’s a relaxed conversation to get to know them, with no pressure to share anything they’re not ready to. We also gather background from you as the parent.

How long before we see progress?

Every child is different, so we can’t promise a timeline, and we’ll never overpromise. Some families notice small shifts within a few sessions, while deeper change takes longer. Your therapist reviews progress with you regularly and adjusts the plan together.

Do you offer evenings, weekends or online, and is it covered by insurance?

Yes. We offer after-school, evening and weekend appointments. Children are seen in person in Woodbridge, teens in Woodbridge, Maple and Barrie, and both by secure video across Ontario. No referral is needed, and most private insurance plans cover a portion of services from a Registered Psychotherapist. You can book a free 20-minute consult online at psychotherapyclinic.janeapp.com or call (905) 553-9507.

Where to find us

Child & youth therapy near you

Children are seen in person in Woodbridge, and teens in Woodbridge, Maple and Barrie. Secure online sessions are available anywhere in Ontario for both. After-school, evening and weekend times available.

Woodbridge

270 Purple Creek Rd, Unit 202
Woodbridge, ON L4H 5E5
Our Woodbridge office

Vaughan / Maple

2174 Major MacKenzie Dr W, Bldg B
Vaughan, ON L6A 4W2
Our Vaughan office

Barrie

111 Bradford St, Unit 207
Barrie, ON L4N 3A9
Our Barrie office

Online across Ontario

Secure video sessions from anywhere in the province, with play therapy adapted for the screen.

Book an online consult

Appointment hoursMonday to Friday, 9:30 am to 8:00 pmSaturday, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm

You don’t have to figure this out on your own.

One free, no-pressure conversation is the easiest first step. We’ll take it from there, together.

Book a free 20-minute consult Call (905) 553-9507

You don’t need to be in crisis to reach out.

A parent and their teenage child sharing a warm, supportive momentA young girl smiling beside two crocheted teddy bears