Child Therapy in Peterborough, ON
Fun for kids. Support for parents. Meaningful for the whole family.
Play-based therapy for kids 4+. Expect board games, toys, art, and crafts, backed by clinical expertise alongside parent support. In-person child therapy in Peterborough, ON, & online across Ontario.
"Helping my kid through this feels impossible!"
You’ve read the articles, talked to the teacher, and tried five bedtime routines. But the problems keep happening anyway.
Some days you feel powerless. Other days, you wonder if you’ve done something wrong. You’re both worn out, and the generic advice no longer works.
At Lift Lock Therapy in Peterborough, ON, we use art, crafts, toys, puzzles, and games to help your kid open up and feel free. We also give you the tools to parent with more confidence and insight.
Reach out today.
Child Therapy | Peterborough, ON
Why Therapy For Kids Helps
Kids have complicated experiences and feelings just like adults do. Therapy gives them a place to work through what’s happening and learn to regulate their emotions and behaviour.
The catch? Kids don’t process the way adults do. Ask a 7-year-old to “talk about their feelings,” and you’ll get a blank stare. Hand them a crayon, a Nerf gun, a costume, or a game, and you’ll learn more in 20 minutes than a dozen serious conversations.
That’s the work we do here at Lift Lock Therapy. And we also include you. The primary goal of parenting is to build a thriving relationship with your kid, because that’s the kind relationship you’ll both benefit from 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
Child 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.
Child Counselling | Peterborough, ON
What Can Child Therapy Help With?
Anxiety
Worry, stomachaches, fatigue, avoidance, sleep issues, and big “what ifs” can all be signs of anxiety in kids. Therapy for children helps them understand what’s happening in their body and mind, and gives them the tools to handle it.
Stress
School pressure, packed schedules, social tension, or big changes at home can stack up on kids fast. Child therapy helps your kid notice when the load is getting heavy and figure out how to lighten it.
Emotional Dysregulation
Anger Management
When the response to “no” is a slammed door or a full meltdown, child therapy helps your kid notice anger earlier, slow it down, and figure out what’s underneath it.
Behavioural Issues & ODD
For kids stuck in cycles of defiance, pushback, or rule-breaking, individual therapy for children helps us figure out what’s really driving the behaviour. Parents get tools that work better than repeating themselves or raising their voice.
Trauma
Children can carry trauma from accidents, losses, scary moments, or family stress. We work at your child’s pace, using age-appropriate approaches that help them feel more settled in their body, their relationships, and their world.
Grief & Loss
ADHD & Attention Challenges
When focus, impulse control, or emotional regulation gets in the way at school or home, child therapy builds practical skills and helps your kid see their brain as something to work with, not push against.
Adoption Support & Distress in the Home
For adopted and foster families, and for any family where stress at home is shaking your kid’s sense of stability, we work with the child and the family to bring more calm and connection into the day-to-day.
Our Approach
Approaches We Use In Child 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
Child Therapy in Peterborough, ON
Child 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.
Child Therapy | Peterborough, ON
What Changes After Child Therapy
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