Children’s Counselling
Children’s Counselling offers support for those struggling to cope with intense emotions or challenging life circumstances. Changes in a child’s environment or self-perception can lead to overwhelming emotional and behavioural changes that are difficult to manage. Stress, grief, loss, anxiety, depression, and family conflicts are just a few examples of issues that can significantly impact a child’s well-being.
Children's Counselling Pricing
We recognize that each young person is unique, so we work to create a treatment plan that addresses their specific needs. Our team of licensed therapists specializes in helping youth navigate issues such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationship challenges, and more.
$150-$170
Per clinical hour
What Is Children's Counselling?
Children’s Counselling, also known as child therapy or psychotherapy, is a type of mental health treatment that focuses on young children and adolescents, who are experiencing various mental health issues or psychological distress. Child therapists use a variety of techniques and approaches to help children and families understand and resolve problems, modify behaviour, and make positive changes in their lives.
- Divorce
- Grief and the death of a loved one, pet, friend etc.
- Witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event(s)
- Mental health conditions and psychological distress (i.e., anxiety and depression)
- Bullying, self-esteem
- Sexual, emotional, and/or physical abuse
- Relocation issues (i.e., changing schools, homes, families, and/or cities/states)
- Family substance abuse or addiction
What does Children’s counselling look like?
Our therapists are equipped to assist with all challenges. We provide a safe and nurturing environment for children to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Through various expressive arts such as play, art, storytelling, and sand play, therapy sessions provide children with a means to express themselves and process their emotions. They also learn new coping skills and strategies for managing big emotions.
Therapy isn’t a one-sided process. In most cases, we recommend parents or caregivers to support the child’s healthy development and well-being by also working with a therapist. By providing a supportive space for children to explore and grow, children’s counselling aims to empower young individuals to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and confidence.
Our Team
Our team creates a warm and welcoming environment where everyone is accepted and valued for who they are. Meet our team below and find the expert to best support your mental wellness journey.
Our diverse team of therapists brings a wealth of experience and expertise to provide personalized care tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re seeking support for anxiety, depression, trauma, or any other mental health concern, our compassionate professionals are here to guide you toward healing and growth.
At Stone Silo, we’re proud to serve the communities of Waterloo and Listowel, providing compassionate mental health care to individuals of all ages. No matter which location you visit, our dedicated team of therapists is here to support you on your journey towards improved mental well-being.
Ally Dunphy
Art Therapist, RP, DTATI She/Her
My specialties: Art Therapy, Child-Centered, Play-Informed Therapy, Person-Centered
Age groups I work with: 3 years old and up
Serving: Listowel
Ally is a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, holding a Bachelor's degree from the University of Waterloo and a Diploma of Art Psychotherapy from the Toronto Art Therapy Institute (DTATI). She became an Art Therapist to combine her passions for art and supporting others and draws from her personal experiences of coping with school anxiety and parental divorce. She utilizes her background to better connect and empathize with children facing similar challenges.
Ally employs diverse creative arts-based approaches, including Art Psychotherapy, Child-Centered Therapy, Play-Informed Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Art Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy, and DBT-Informed Art Therapy. She emphasizes the process of creating ahead of the final product, recognizing that emotions can be messy and unpleasant. Art therapy serves as a medium for expressing feelings, offering metaphors, and allowing children to communicate visually.
Ally Dunphy (6 reviews)
Jennifer Nahwegahbow
RP - She/Her
My specialties: Child-Centred Play Therapy, Child-Parent Relationship Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, Alternatives to Talk Therapy for Adolescents, Therapeutic Support for Parents and Children affected by neurodiversity, Child & Adolescents/Teen Mental Health
Serving: Listowel
Meet Jennifer, a therapist characterized by her exuberance, compassion, and warmheartedness. She possesses a unique ability to make therapy enjoyable, captivating, and, above all, effective.
Jennifer is a playful, warm therapist that works exclusively from research and evidence-based approaches. She delights in supporting people as they navigate the more challenging parts of life and is a fierce advocate and confidant. She admires the uniqueness of each person and prioritizes individual needs, preferences and pace.
When Jennifer is not at work, you will find her spending time with her cherished children, partner, people or many critters. Jennifer loves to learn and live outside the conventional box.
If you're looking for a fresh and engaging approach to wellness for you or your child, we highly recommend booking a free 15-minute consultation with Jennifer. She's just the kind of person you want assisting you.
Jennifer Nanweganbow (19 reviews)
Joy Borutskie
RP (Qualifying) - She/Her
My specialties: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Solution Focussed Brief Therapy, Narrative Therapy
Age groups I work with: 9 years old and up
Serving: Waterloo & Listowel
Joy has been in the social services and counselling field for over five years. She has recently become a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and enjoys seeing clients of all ages 8 and up. With children (and with adults that find it of interest), Joy loves to incorporate creative and expressive art into therapy, using various art mediums, toys and sand play to facilitate a client’s self-expression. With adults, Joy’s warm and compassionate approach provides a safe and therapeutic environment for a client’s exploration and laying out of the difficulties they face and hope to find solutions for and/or cope with.
Joy Writes
“Let me tell you about Joy. As lovely as my name is, it can also be a difficult one to live up to. Because, if joy (as I understand it anyway), is contentment – like, the down-to-your-very-core knowing ‘it is well with my soul’ - no matter what’s happening in my past or present circumstances - then yeah, … even my name mocks me at times. Life is hard – and it’s not easy to feel ‘joyful’ when you’re in the throes of the storms and stuff of regular life. Sometimes just surviving is a major accomplishment let alone feeling any sense of happiness or contentment. None of us can control all the variables of life or be totally prepared for the things we face. But we can explore where the cracks are forming in the foundation of our well-being– where the roots of ourselves are dry and neglected – and that - can be tended to. It would be an honour to sit with you and hear your story. We can sort through the pieces together, at your pace, and reassemble them to best represent what your new ‘joy’ could look like now (despite your circumstance, struggle, or loss). Whatever you are wrestling with, reaching out and talking about it is a really healthy step – not keeping your fears, anger, pain, or needs secret any longer is a strong step closer to finding the treasure of your own deep down in your soul, contentment.”
Joy Borutskie (17 reviews)
MA RSW, CPT
Katie Bauer
Katie is a Registered Social Worker with a heart full of compassion and a passion for helping children. With a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology and a Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Care & Psychotherapy, she brings warmth and expertise to her practice. As a Certified Play Therapist through the Canadian Association for Play Therapy, Katie has dedicated herself to guiding children through emotional and behavioural challenges.
Using a blend of person-centred, attachment-based, and Jungian theories, Katie’s approach is based on connecting with children on their level. She primarily uses Child-Centred Play Therapy, a wonderful method that taps into children's natural capacity for growth and healing. Katie has helped many young ones overcome trauma, abuse, grief, and anxiety. She is particularly knowledgeable about the effects of trauma on children’s nervous systems, making her a beacon of support for those in need.
Katie works with children aged 3-11, and she believes in involving caregivers every step of the way. From the initial intake session to regular parent/caregiver meetings, she ensures that everyone feels supported and engaged in the healing process.
Creating a warm, inviting, and therapeutic space is at the heart of Katie’s practice. She finds joy in watching children express themselves freely and work through their challenges in a safe environment. Katie loves supporting children and their caregivers, helping them heal and grow stronger together.
MSW RSW- She/Her
Raquel Jefferies (Sutherland)
My specialties: Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Attachment and Attunement, Somatic Experiencing, and Internal Family Systems
Age groups I work with: 4 years old and up
Serving: Waterloo
Making Moments Matter
If you've come across my biography, it's possible that the forces of the universe and the law of attraction are in motion. I genuinely believe, and my experiences have shown me, that there are moments in our lives when we are destined to cross paths and connect with a particular individual. For over a decade, I've had the privilege of being someone who establishes a unique counselling relationship right from day one. This foundation is built on trust, safety, and attunement, setting the stage for a collaborative healing journey. Sometimes we just need someone who “just gets it”.
By profession, I am a Registered Social Worker, and my therapeutic approach draws from my extensive training and certifications in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Attachment and Attunement, and knowledge and understandings in Somatic Experiencing and Internal Family Systems. One size does not fit all in therapy too. As you'll discover, I am passionate about understanding what works best for you and how, together, we can explore and achieve your therapeutic goals.
What I hope I am relaying to you in this mini bio, is that there is hope, there is someone for you (whether it be me, or another helpful soul) who actually works in this profession because I care, because I have chosen to understand and specialize in making your life and healing moments matter.
Raquel Jefferies (Sutherland) (34 reviews)
Book A Children's Counselling Appointment
At Stone Silo, we’re proud to serve the communities of Waterloo and Listowel, providing compassionate mental health care to individuals of all ages. Our dedicated therapists are here to support you no matter which location you visit.
Are you seeking a compassionate approach to support your child’s well-being? Take a step towards nurturing their growth and resilience by scheduling a child counselling session with us. Let’s begin on this journey together, providing the personalized care and understanding they deserve.
