CHILD THERAPY and PLAY THERAPY
COULD YOUR CHILD USE MORE SUPPORT?
Island Park Therapy offers child therapy and play therapy-informed support, with in-person child therapy in Brockville and virtual child therapy across Ontario. We help children and families slow things down, make sense of what is happening, and find steadier ways forward.
therapy group
What Your Child May Be Going Through
Children show us they are struggling before they can explain what they are feeling. You may notice changes in mood, behaviour, sleep, confidence, school, or relationships. These changes can be stressful for parents, especially when you are trying to understand what your child needs and how to help.
Your child may benefit from support if you are noticing:
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Big emotions, outbursts, or reactions that feel hard to calm
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Anxiety, worry, separation fears, or school-related stress
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Withdrawal, sadness, low confidence, or changes in mood
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Difficulty with friendships, social skills, or peer conflict
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Behavioural challenges at home or school
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Family stress, separation, grief, or major life transitions
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Emotional overwhelm, self-criticism, or difficulty talking about what is wrong
These behaviours are often signs that your child is trying to manage something that feels too big to hold on their own. With the right support, we can begin to understand what is underneath and help your child feel more steady, connected, and understood.
HOW CHILD THERAPY CAN HELP
A SPACE TO HELP CHILDREN FEEL SAFE, SEEN & UNDERSTOOD
Child therapy gives children a safe, supportive space to express what is happening inside, at a pace that feels manageable. Some children use words. Others communicate through play, creativity, movement, behaviour, or changes in how they relate to the people around them.
At Island Park Therapy, we look beneath the surface of behaviour with curiosity and care. Our work may include emotional regulation, coping skills, play therapy-informed support, parent guidance, nervous system awareness, and practical strategies for home, school, and everyday life.
Parent support and collaboration are an important part of the process. When children are struggling, families need support too. Together, we help children and parents better understand what is happening and build steadier ways forward.
WE Support children, adolescents, and families navigating emotional, behavioural, and relational concerns.
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Anxiety, stress, worries, or emotional overwhelm
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Depression, sadness, low mood, or withdrawal
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Self-harm concerns, suicidal thoughts, or emotional safety concerns
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Trauma, grief, loss, or difficult life experiences
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Difficulty with regulation, anger, frustration, or big reactions
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Autism, ADHD, neurodivergence, sensory needs, or school-related challenges
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Body image concerns, eating concerns, or disordered eating patterns
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Conflict, separation, transitions, or family change
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Social struggles, school stress, or low confidence
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Behaviour that feels hard to understand or respond to
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Parent-child communication challenges
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Children who benefit from play, creativity, movement, and relationship-based support
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Parents looking for guidance, collaboration, and steadier ways to support their child
Please note: Island Park Therapy is not a crisis service. If there is immediate risk of harm or a mental health emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. For crisis support, call or text 9-8-8. Young people can also text CONNECT to 686868 through Kids Help Phone.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
WE WORK WITH
WHAT TO EXPECT
HOW WE SUPPORT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
CHILD THERAPY AND PLAY THERAPY-INFORMED SUPPORT IN BROCKVILLE
Child therapy at Island Park is shaped around your child’s age, needs, and comfort level. In the first sessions, the focus is on helping your child feel safe, comfortable, and understood. Some children talk right away. Others need time, play, movement, or creative expression before they are ready to share more directly.
As trust builds, sessions may focus on helping your child notice and name emotions such as worry, anger, sadness, frustration, fear, shame, or overwhelm. Support may include calming tools, body awareness, confidence-building, EMDR when appropriate, and safer ways to express needs and move through big feelings.
Parents are an important part of the process. Drawing from Emotion-Focused Family Therapy, support may include parent check-ins, caregiver sessions, or practical guidance to help you better understand what is happening and support your child at home, school, and in daily life.
Child therapy can support children and families with:
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Anxiety, OCD, worries, stress, or overwhelm that feels hard to manage alone
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Big emotions such as anger, sadness, frustration, fear, or shame
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Perfectionism, performance anxiety, school stress, or pressure in sports and activities
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ADHD, executive functioning challenges, emotional regulation, and daily routines
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Autism support from a neuro-affirming perspective, including support after a recent diagnosis
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Trauma, grief, separation, divorce, transitions, or family change
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Friendship struggles, social skills, feeling left out, or low confidence
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Behavioural changes, emotional withdrawal, or difficulty expressing needs
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Stronger communication, more connection, and less conflict at home
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A greater sense of safety, confidence, and steadiness in daily life
CHILD THERAPY
PLAY THERAPY-INFORMED SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN
Play is one of the most natural ways children communicate. Through toys, games, stories, movement, art, and imagination, children can express feelings and experiences they may not yet have words for.
At Island Park Therapy, play therapy-informed support may include creative expression, relationship-based work, emotion identification, nervous system awareness, coping tools, parent collaboration, and age-appropriate cognitive and behavioural strategies.
Sessions may include:
PLAY-BASED AND SANDTRAY THERAPY
Play, toys, miniatures, sandtray, and imaginative activities can help children explore emotions, experiences, and challenges in a way that feels natural, safe, and less pressured than talking alone.
ART AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION
Drawing, painting, crafts, stories, and other creative activities can help children express feelings they may not yet have words for.
ATTACHMENT-INFORMED AND RELATIONSHIP=FOCUSED WORK
We focus on building trust, connection, and safety, while supporting stronger relationships between children and caregivers.
EMOTION INDENTIFICATION AND REGULATION SKILLS
Children may learn to notice feelings in their bodies, name emotions like worry, anger, sadness, or frustration, and practise tools for calming and coping.
PARENT SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION
Caregivers are part of the process. Parent sessions or check-ins may help you better understand your child’s needs and support change at home.
COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIOURAL STRATEGY
For older children, we may use simple CBT-informed tools to help them notice thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and build coping skills for home and school.
MEET OUR CHILD THERAPY TEAM
Our experienced team offers a thoughtful, grounded approach to child therapy, child counselling, parent support, and family care in Brockville. With backgrounds across children’s hospitals, community health, child protection, neuro-affirming support, and private practice, our clinicians bring depth and real-world experience to their work with children and families.
Finding the right fit matters, and we’ll help your family connect with a child therapist whose approach and experience align with your child’s needs.
BRITTANY GENDRON
MSW, RSW, BSW
Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist
Founder of Island Park Therapy, Brittany supports children, parents, and families with a compassionate, relational approach grounded in over a decade of clinical experience across healthcare and private practice.
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JENNY SMITH
CYCP
Adolescent Counsellor & Child/Youth Care Practitioner
Jenny is a certified Child and Youth Care Practitioner with 20 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families across clinical, school, and community settings.
WE’LL HELP YOU FIND THE RIGHT SUPPORT FOR YOUR CHILD AND FAMILY.
PAYMENT
Sessions are paid by credit card at the time of appointment. Many families use extended health benefits to submit for reimbursement, depending on their plan and clinician.
COST PER SESSION
Rates vary by clinician and type of support. Fees are reviewed clearly before booking, so you know what to expect.
AVAILABILITY
In-person child therapy is available in Brockville, with virtual child therapy available across Ontario.
INSURANCE
Registered Social Work services are often covered by many benefit plans. CYCP sessions are typically private-pay and may not be covered by most extended health plans.
START CHILD COUNSELLING WITH US
START CHILD COUNSELLING WITH US
WE'll help you find the right support for your child and family
PAYMENT
Sessions are paid by credit at the time of appointment. Many families use extended health benefits to submit for reimbursement depending on their plan and clinician
COST PER SESSION
Rates vary by clinician and type of support. Fees are reviewed clearly before booking, so you know what to expect.
AVAILABILITY
In-person child therapy is available in Brockville, with virtual child therapy available across Ontario.
Insurance
Registered Social Work services are often covered by many benefit plans. CYCP sessions are typically private-pay and many not be covered by most extended health plans.
Our Approach
Different paths work for different people. That’s why we offer a range of approaches to meet you where you are:
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Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing:
Helps process stuck experiences and reduce triggers so you can respond with greater calm and choice.
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ECO-THERAPY
Sessions in natural settings to support regulation, perspective, and reconnection to your values and the present moment.
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Play based therapy
Developmentally attuned work for children, teens, and even adults — building emotional language, regulation skills, and repair in relationships.
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strengths-forward care
Clear goals and simple practices to support growth at home, rooted in evidence-informed methods.
GALLERY
ISLAND PARK THERAPY
Let’s Help Your Child Together
Book a free initial consultation to talk through what is happening, ask questions, and explore the right child therapy support for your family.
Whether your child is struggling with big emotions, anxiety, behaviour, school stress, neurodivergence, or changes at home, we’ll help you understand the next step and what kind of support may be the best fit.
This option takes you to our secure online booking page, where you can choose a consultation time and begin the process directly.
TESTIMONIALS
“JOY IS REMARKABLY PATIENT AND INSPIRING!”
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Kaya G
“THE PERFECT ACTIVITY FOR A GROUP OF GIRLFRIENDS”
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Tamara K
“WORKSHOPS ARE PROFESSIONAL AND SO FUN”
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Chirs A
EXPERIENCED THERAPY FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, COUPLES & RELATIONSHIPS
LET'S TALK
Tell us a bit about what you are looking for, and our lead clinician will follow up with next steps. Use this form to ask a question, request a consultation, or share more about your child, family, relationship, or current concerns.