Counselling for kids and teens, with parents involved throughout.
In-person and virtual · No referral needed
Our child and teen therapists create a space where young people can show what is going on in whatever way suits their age, and then build the skills to handle it. We work with children and teens of all ages, in person at our Fort McMurray office or virtually.
Younger children often express themselves best through play rather than conversation. Our therapists use play-based and creative approaches, including toys, art, games and storytelling, to help children work through feelings and experiences they cannot yet put into words.
Common reasons parents bring a child to see us:
Anxiety, worries and specific fears
Big emotions, anger and frequent meltdowns
Separation, divorce and changes at home
Grief and loss, including pets and grandparents
Friendship difficulties and low self-esteem
Adjusting after a move, or after a frightening event
Sleep difficulties and school refusal
Teens need a therapist who listens without lecturing and who treats them as the person in charge of their own therapy.
Sessions are theirs, at their pace.
Teens come to us for:
Anxiety, stress and school pressure
Low mood and depression
Friendships, bullying and social media
Identity, confidence and self-esteem
Conflict at home with parents or siblings
Emotional regulation and coping skills
Grief, loss and difficult experiences
If attention, focus or organization is the main concern for a teen 12 or older, an assessment may be a better starting point. See our ADHD Assessment page →
Children and teens can carry the effects of frightening or overwhelming experiences: accidents, loss, violence, medical procedures, or the 2016 wildfire and everything that followed it. Our therapists provide trauma-informed care adapted to a young person’s age and stage, including specialized trauma therapies where appropriate.
Learn more about trauma & PTSD therapy →
You know your child best, and therapy works best when you are part of it. Our therapists check in with parents regularly and share practical strategies to use at home, so the work continues between sessions.
At the same time, your child or teen needs to trust that the room is theirs. Your therapist will explain at the start how confidentiality works for young clients, what will be shared with you, and what stays between them and their therapist. Safety concerns are always shared.
Parents often tell us the most useful part was understanding what was happening for their child and having something concrete to try at home.
Your therapist may suggest strategies or conversations to try at home. The skills and insights developed in counselling become most meaningful when they are practiced in everyday life.
No referral is needed. You can book online or call us, and we’ll help match your child with a therapist who works with their age group.
When booking for a child or teen, consent from a legal guardian is required, and both guardians’ consent may be needed when parents are separated or divorced. If you have questions about consent in your situation, call us before the first appointment and we will walk you through it.
Getting a child to therapy means working around school, activities and your own shifts. Appointments are available seven days a week, between 8 AM and 8 PM, depending on each therapist’s schedule, which means after-school and weekend times are possible. Sessions can be in person or virtual.
Stillwater Therapy
#306, 108 Riverstone Ridge
Fort McMurray, AB T9K 1S6
We are on the third floor, above Gym Nation. Free underground parking is available, and an elevator takes you right to our floor, making drop-off straightforward even with younger siblings.
Many extended health benefit plans cover counselling and psychological services. We bill your insurance directly when your plan allows.
Coverage depends on your plan and your therapist’s credentials, so check your benefits before your first appointment.
If cost is a barrier, our group therapy sessions are a lower-cost option that many people find valuable alongside or instead of one-on-one work.
No referral is needed. Book online to see current availability, or call us, and we will help you find the right therapist for your child.
If changes in mood or behaviour have lasted more than a few weeks, or are affecting school, sleep, friendships or family life, it’s worth talking to a professional. You don’t need to wait for things to get worse.
We see children of all ages.
It depends on their age and needs. Younger children often have some parent involvement, while teens usually meet one-on-one with regular parent check-ins. Your therapist will explain the approach at the start.
A developmentally appropriate approach where play is the child’s language. Through toys, art, games, and stories, children work through feelings and experiences they can’t yet put into words.
That’s very common. Call us and we’ll talk through how to approach it. Sometimes a single low-pressure first session, framed as a chance to check the therapist out rather than a commitment, is enough to get started.
Many family plans cover counselling for dependants, and we bill directly when your plan allows. Check which provider types your plan covers before booking.
