Child And Adolescent Services

ADHD

Our sessions foster a supportive environment for your child to understand their ADHD and develop tools to achieve.

ADHD is one of the first “maybe’s” teachers and parents consider when a child is presenting as disruptive, difficult to contain, fidgety and/or forgetful. We work together to develop an academic plan that responds to their needs and helps them succeed, in school and beyond.

Schedule permitting, I will regularly attend IEP meetings with their school to discuss ways to provide ideal support.

If you are unsure of your child’s ADHD diagnosis, or need an Academic Accommodation, please see this page for more information.

Anxiety

One of the most difficult parts of managing child anxiety is that it manifests in a myriad of negative behaviours. Short tempers, racing thoughts, and acute focus on unwelcome thoughts are indicators of anxiety.

Our treatment begins with creating measurable milestones and clarifying your child’s goals. We search out the root of their anxiety to help them cope long term. My office is a space to celebrate their successes and support them through challenges.

I work with your child to help them name their fears, identify their triggers, and learn coping skills that empower them to manage their anxiety independently.

Anxiety in Adolescents

Having largely overcome most of the difficulties of adolescents, we often forget the intensity of the emotions or the fear of what is unknown. When identified early, early obstacles can often be easily mastered and the experience used to make more informed choices in the future. Regardless of the age, gender, race, culture or sexual identify, all children and adolescents need to be equipped with positive self-talk just as much as anybody else. Every youth has different hurdles and will be either further supported or triggered by a wide range of situations, but there are still many themes that young people face. For example, some universal challenges that all students and kids face are:

  • Looking for acceptance from their peers
  • Looking for acceptance from their parents
  • Low self-esteem
  • Fear of judgment from others
  • Lack of patience towards one’s goals
  • Not using social media in a productive way
  • Pressure from school, state tests, college pressure and pressure from society as a whole to be successful

When approaching any child or adolescent, it is often useful to keep the above mentioned points in mind. This is what Unfold Psychology offers – a source of expertise and professional support for both your child and your family.

Depression

Many teens suffer from feeling unheard or invisible in the world. The added demands and intense pressures of adolescence can make them susceptible to developing depression.

Too often, depression in adolescents is dismissed, but depression can manifest in many ways: changes in appetite or weight, energy decrease, outbursts, feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, or even suicidal thoughts.

Creating a safe space for your teen to talk about their issues gives them a chance to identify the source of their maladaptive thoughts, and create strategies to address their challenges early.