ADHD Therapy in Peterborough, ON
Helping families find unique solutions for unique needs.
Therapy for kids with ADHD, and support for their parents/guardians. Whether or not they have an official diagnosis, we help families develop insight into their unique needs so every member can thrive.
"My kid was just diagnosed with ADHD. Now what?"
You finally have the diagnosis on paper. But now it feels like there’s an endless sea of information to sift through.
You’re left more confused about the things your child with ADHD needs to thrive and be successful.
At Lift Lock Therapy in Peterborough, ON, we use art, crafts, toys, puzzles, and games to help your kid with ADHD open up and discover their strengths. We also give you the reliable information you need to parent with more confidence and insight.
Reach out today.
ADHD Therapy | Peterborough, ON
Why ADHD Therapy For Kids Helps
Kids develop their own strategies for managing the challenges they experience. Unfortunately, many common strategies that would work for others just don’t apply to kids with ADHD.
Therapy for kids with ADHD gives them reliable information and strategies that apply to their unique needs. They can navigate the world with more confidence when they have insight about the way their brains work.
Kids with ADHD can thrive with good support. That’s why we include parents in the process at Lift Lock Therapy. We want to help you and your child with ADHD develop a thriving relationship that will benefit you both for the rest of your lives.
Meet Our Team
Match With a Child Therapist in Peterborough, ON
Our team specializes in working with kids, teens, parents, and the adults in their lives. We come in with a plan, lock arms with families, and collaborate with the others in your child’s circle when it helps.
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Registered Psychotherapist
Registered Social Worker (MSW), Psychotherapist
ADHD Therapy | Peterborough, ON
What Parents & Kids Can Expect From Therapy
For Parents
We start with you so we can hear what’s been happening, what you’ve tried, and what you want to change. From there, we keep you in the loop as we work with your child, so you never wonder what’s happening on our end.
Over time, parents tell us they notice they:
- Have an improved ability to talk about hard things
- Can identify better co-regulation strategies
- Feel more confident meeting their child's needs
For Kids
This is your spot.
Therapy here looks like toys, puzzles, drawing, painting, games, castle-building, the occasional costume, making something weird, or just hanging out while you figure out what to say.
We know how important this time is for you. At Lift Lock Therapy, we take play seriously.
Our Approach
Approaches We Use In ADHD Therapy
Play Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Kids
At Lift Lock Therapy, we help kids notice the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions in language that makes sense for their age. Worksheets, hands-on exercises, and real-life practice keep the work going outside of the session.
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) Skills for Kids
DBT skills, adapted for younger clients, give kids tools to get through big emotions, tolerate distress, and manage their relationships with parents, siblings, and friends.
Attachment-Based Therapy for Kids
The relationship between you and your child is one of the most powerful tools in the room. We use attachment-based work to strengthen that bond, because that’s where the long-term change lives.
Dyadic Assessments
Some of the best work happens with you and your kid in the room together. These combined sessions let us coach you both in real time, dig into what’s coming up between you, and build skills you can use the moment a hard situation hits at home.
Parent Support
ADHD Therapy in Peterborough, ON
ADHD Therapy FAQs
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
A helpful place to start is how you feel when the concern shows up. If you’re regularly out of your element, unsure what to do, or you think your child’s behaviour is too much for their age and stage, therapy can be a great place to begin.
We’ll work with you and your child to put their behaviour into perspective and figure out what comes next. You also don’t have to commit long-term. Many parents start sessions, work through what’s in front of them, and finish. Others choose to keep going for the ongoing support. Either is great. To learn more about our approach, book a free 15-minute consultation.
At what age can a child start therapy?
We work with kids 4 and up, but we stay flexible. If your child is younger, parent counselling is usually the most effective place to begin. We help you understand what your toddler or preschooler is communicating, give you strategies that fit their age and stage, and set the foundation for the work. When your child is ready to join sessions, our therapists will shift the focus to include them.
How do I talk to my child about coming to therapy?
Keep it simple, and positive. For younger kids, something like, “We’re going to meet someone whose job is to help kids work through tough feelings and have fun while they do it,” lands well.
For older kids, you can name what you’re hoping therapy will help with, like worry, anger, or sadness, and frame it as something to try.
A few practical notes:
- Don’t bring it up during a meltdown or argument
- Don’t use therapy as a threat
- Don’t tell them too far in advance (1 to 2 days for younger kids, 5 to 7 days for older ones is a good rule of thumb).
If you’d like a script before your child’s first session, just ask. We’re happy to help.
What happens in our first therapy session?
Our first appointment is a parent counselling session, so just you (the parents or guardians), without your kid. We use that time to hear what’s going on, what you’ve already tried, and what you’re hoping for. We answer your questions and walk you through how we work.
From there, your child comes in for their first child therapy session in Peterborough, and we get to know them through play, conversation, and whatever they’re into. There’s no pressure to dive into the heavy stuff on day one.
What if my child doesn't want to come?
More common than you’d think. Some kids are excited, some are nervous, and some flat-out refuse to get out of the car. We do our best to respect the child’s choice to participate in counselling sessions. They’re usually much more excited to come when they see our awesome space! If after that, they continue to refuse, parent sessions are a great place to start. At Lift Lock Therapy, we can work with you on what’s coming up at home, and your kid can join when they’re ready.
Does my child need a diagnosis to attend therapy?
Nope, no diagnosis needed. Child psychotherapy sessions focus on the symptoms (the worry, the quick escalations of anger, the meltdowns, the avoidance) regardless of whether a diagnosis has been provided. If we think seeking a diagnosis with a psychologist or family doctor could be useful, we’ll let you know.
Will my child need medication?
As psychotherapists, we don’t provide information about medication. That’s the role of medical professionals. We do see medication as a treatment option that can be combined with therapy to provide great support for your child. We can also help the process by sending summary reports to medical professionals to assist with their assessment. Our recommendation is to gather information from your family doctor or paediatrician so you can make a decision that feels good to you.
Will you talk to my child's school or doctor?
Isn't my kid just going to play the whole time?
Yes, and that’s the point. Play is how kids process what they can’t yet put into words. When we hand your child a toy, a board game, or a stack of art supplies, we’re watching for what they’re working through, introducing new skills, and building trust. The fun is where the work happens. You can read more about the therapeutic powers of play here.
How long will my child need therapy?
The length of therapy depends on what your child is working through and varies a lot between clients. In general, 3 to 5 sessions is considered short-term therapy, 8 to 10 sessions medium-term, and 15 or more long-term. Our child therapists check in with you regularly to see what’s working and whether more sessions are useful.
ADHD Therapy | Peterborough, ON
What Changes After ADHD Therapy
Play-based therapy gives kids a space to process and test their ideas in a concrete, low-risk way. Hard moments don’t disappear (they’re part of being a kids), but your child now has options they may not have been aware of before. You also gain the tools to support them along the way.
Over time, you may notice:
- More enjoyment in the relationship with your child
- A kid who's more open to trying new things, with fewer of the old worries holding them back
- Practical tools for the moments that used to feel impossible
- More confidence in your role and your decisions as a parent
- A child who's thriving in their own life again
Lift Lock Therapy
How To Get Started
Our Public Privacy Policy
Our Privacy Commitment to You
We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the confidentiality of your personal health information. The types of personal health information we collect may include your name, date of birth, health history, OHIP number and records of the care provided to you. We collect, use and disclose personal health information for the following purposes:
to provide counselling and psychotherapy services to our clients to conduct quality improvement and risk management activities to obtain payment for services provided (from you, NIHB, VQRP+, your private insurer or others) to comply with our regulatory obligations to the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) to teach students and to provide continuing education to our staff to advise clients about special events or opportunities (but we will always obtain express consent to do so) to fundraise for our organization (but you may opt-out of receiving fundraising solicitations by contacting us at the address below) for other purposes permitted by law
We will collect, use and disclose only as much personal health information as is needed to achieve these purposes. You can withhold or withdraw your consent to the collection, use or disclosure of your personal health information by contacting us (details below).
Access to Health Records
You have the right to seek access to your health records that we keep and to ask us to correct a record if you believe it is inaccurate or incomplete. Please contact us for more information.
Questions or Concerns?
If you have questions or want to make a complaint about our privacy practices, please contact: Evan Coghlan (Clinic Owner).
You also have the right to complain to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario at the address below if you have concerns about our privacy practices or how your personal health information has been handled:
Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario 2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario M4W 1A8 Telephone: Toronto Area (416/local 905): (416) 326-3333
Long Distance: 1 (800) 387-0073 (within Ontario) TDD/TTY: (416) 325-7539 FAX: (416) 325-9195 www.ipc.on.ca