Child & Youth Therapy in Vaughan & Barrie
I’m looking for help for my…When words aren’t enough, play becomes their voice. No parent finds it easy to watch their child go through a hard time. Through play therapy, we help children express what they can’t yet put into words, and guide them toward feeling calmer, braver and more themselves.
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.
Prefer to talk first? Call (905) 553-9507. Phones answered weekdays 9 am to 5 pm, Saturdays 9 am to 2 pm.
Psychotherapists
supervision
& teen talk therapy
20 minutes
Clinically reviewed by Svetlana Antonyshyn, Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO #001652). Last reviewed June 2026.
You’ve already tried so much
Comforting, encouraging, setting limits, even searching online for answers late at night. Parenting through a hard stretch is exhausting, and reaching out for help is not giving up.
Our child & youth therapy in Vaughan & Barrie gives your child or teen a warm, judgment-free place to be understood, and gives you a partner in figuring out what helps. Whether they are 3 or 17, we will meet them exactly where they are.
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 is underneath.
Teens don’t shut down because they don’t care. Often they just don’t feel safe to talk yet. Our job is to build that safety, and to help you understand what is underneath.
Signs your child might benefitSigns your teen might benefit
None of these means something is “wrong” with your childteen. They are simply signals that a little support could help. If a few feel familiar, a free consult is a good next step.
20 minutes, no cost, no commitment. We just listen and point you in the right direction.
Meet our child therapists in Woodbridge & BarrieMeet our teen therapists in Vaughan & Barrie
Therapists whose everyday work is children and teens. Watch a short intro where available, then meet them yourself in a free consult.
Keera Anton
Chantal Ruzsa
Elnaz Bayandor
Keera Anton
Hafiza Dakri
Rachel Fay
Michelle Goldasic
Chantal Ruzsa
Sara Galloro-De Faveri
Regina Yakubov
Not sure who fits? Browse all 24+ therapists or let us match your family in a free consult. You can switch anytime, and your file moves with you.
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 real skills they can keep using.
How play therapy in Vaughan helps childrenHow teen therapy builds trust first
Children don’t process feelings the way adults do. Play is their language, so play is how we help them heal.Teens do their best work when they feel respected, not managed. We meet them as the capable young people they are.
What the research says
We will always be honest about evidence. These approaches are well-studied and effective, though no ethical therapist can promise a guaranteed outcome for any one child.
A review of 93 controlled studies found play therapy had a strong overall effect, helping with both anxiety-type and behaviour-type struggles.
In that same research, therapy worked better when a parent was involved, which is why we make you part of the process.
Bratton et al., 2005 (parental involvement)
Play therapy is recognized by the Association for Play Therapy as a developmentally appropriate, effective intervention for children.
A Cochrane review concluded that cognitive behavioural therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety in children and young people.
In studies across child and teen therapy, the strength of the relationship between a young person and their therapist is one of the most consistent predictors of progress.
Karver et al., meta-analysis in Psychotherapy, 2018
We pair evidence-based tools with a teen’s own goals. What helps an anxious 14-year-old is rarely what helps a withdrawn 17-year-old, so the plan changes with the teen.
Honest about the limits
Our Registered Psychotherapists do not diagnose or prescribe, and we will tell you honestly if your child would be better served elsewhere. When it helps, we work alongside your family doctor, paediatrician or school.
What the first visit looks like
The first session is about comfort, not deep work. Nobody has to share anything they are not ready to.
Keep it simple and positive: “You’re going to meet someone kind who has a special playroom, and you get to play and talk.”Frame it as their space, not a punishment: “This is someone neutral, just for you. You don’t have to tell me what you talk about.”
We get to know your family
A relaxed 20-minute 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.
Meet the therapist and the playroomA low-pressure first conversation
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.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.
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.
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.
What therapy costs
No hidden fees. Most private insurance plans cover a portion of each session, and we can bill Sun Life, SSQ and Green Shield directly, so you pay only your portion.
Meet a therapist, ask anything, and see if it feels right for your child. No obligation.
Book the free consult →Child and teen sessions are booked as individual therapy. Most private insurance plans cover a portion of services from a Registered Psychotherapist.
Sessions with select supervised therapists in training, guided by experienced clinical supervisors.
Psychotherapy may also qualify as an eligible medical expense on your Canadian taxes. Worried about cost? See our reduced-fee program.
Don't take our word for it. Check.
Anyone can say they are good at this. Here is what you can verify about us in about two minutes, without speaking to a single person.
Regulated, not self-declared
"Psychotherapist" is a protected title in Ontario. Our team are Registered Psychotherapists, accountable to a College with a complaints process that has nothing to do with us.
See every therapist's registration →Supervised every month
Our therapists meet for clinical supervision every month. It is how 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 do for anxiety, ADHD or trauma, we name the source and link it: Statistics Canada, CAMH, NICE, peer-reviewed trials.
What we help with →Nothing locks you in
No referral needed. No contract, no package to buy. Fees are published up front, $180 for a 55-minute session. If the fit is wrong, say so and we will move you to someone else without asking why.
Fees and coverage →Working with an older teen? Our dedicated youth mental health therapy page goes deeper on the teen years, including low mood and depression.
Questions parents ask us
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 have been through something hard, it is 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 cannot 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 will not open up to me. Will therapy actually help?
It is 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 are ready, and use approaches like CBT that have strong evidence for adolescent anxiety and low mood. Many teens are relieved to have a space that is 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 are 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 is 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 the child is invited to play while the therapist gently builds rapport. For teens, it is a relaxed conversation to get to know them, with no pressure to share anything they are not ready to. We also gather background from you as the parent.
How long before we see progress?
Every child is different, so we cannot promise a timeline, and we will never overpromise. Some families notice small shifts within a few sessions, while deeper change takes longer. Research on play therapy suggests benefits build with consistent sessions, and your therapist will review progress with you regularly and adjust 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, in person in Woodbridge, Maple and Barrie, or 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.
Child & youth therapy near you
In-person sessions in Woodbridge, Maple and Barrie, plus secure online sessions anywhere in Ontario. After-school, evening and weekend times available.
Three steps, starting today
Book your free consult
Online in 2 minutes or by phone. No referral, no credit card.
Meet the right therapist
We match your child or teen with someone who truly fits.
Watch them grow
Building confidence and calm, with you alongside them.