Support for children, teenagers and caregivers
Child and Adolescent Counselling
Help your child or teenager find a place to be heard.
When a young person is struggling, it can be difficult to know what to say or where to start. You may notice more worry, frustration, withdrawal or tension at home. They may be asking for someone to talk to.
Contact Qxplore to discuss counselling for your child or teenager, the concerns involved and an appropriate clinician. You can begin with questions.
Make room for their perspective
Support for feelings, relationships and everyday challenges
Counselling can offer time to explore what a young person is experiencing and what they would like help with. The focus and approach should reflect their needs, stage of development and the clinician’s assessment.
Understand and express feelings
Explore emotions, situations that feel difficult and ways to communicate needs. Having words for an experience can be an important part of asking for support.
Develop ways to cope
Discuss responses to worry, frustration and stress. Work with the clinician on practical strategies suited to the young person and the situations they face.
Build confidence and connection
Talk about self-esteem, friendships and feeling accepted. Explore strengths, personal boundaries and relationships that matter to them.
Support communication at home
Consider how caregivers can understand and respond to a young person’s needs. Discuss whether caregiver involvement or family sessions would be appropriate.
Different stages, different needs
Counselling for children and counselling for adolescents
A younger child and a teenager may need different ways to take part. Ask about the clinician’s experience with your child’s age and how the proposed approach would suit them.
Counselling for children
Younger children may find it difficult to describe complex feelings. You may be noticing distress around separation, friendships, school or changes at home.
Discuss how a clinician would help your child take part and understand their experiences. Ask whether conversation, play or creative activities would be suitable, and what caregiver involvement could look like.
Adolescent and teen counselling
Teenagers may be navigating stronger expectations, changing relationships and a growing need for independence. They may want space to talk about concerns they find difficult to share at home.
Ask how the clinician would involve your teen in setting goals and explain privacy, confidentiality and caregiver communication. Their questions and perspective should be part of the conversation.
What would you like help with?
Concerns you can bring to an enquiry
Tell Qxplore the young person’s age, what is happening and how it is affecting daily life. Their needs and the available clinician’s areas of practice help determine which support may fit.
Worries and anxiety
Concerns about separation, unfamiliar situations, social interactions, school or making mistakes. Discuss when the worries arise and what your child or teen finds difficult.
Low mood and withdrawal
Feeling sad, discouraged or disconnected, or pulling away from relationships and activities. Explain any changes you have noticed and ask about appropriate support.
Anger, frustration and overwhelm
Strong reactions, emotional outbursts or difficulty recovering after something upsetting. Explore the experiences behind these responses and the kind of help needed.
Friendships, bullying and belonging
Peer conflict, exclusion, bullying or feeling different, including difficult experiences online. You may want help with the emotional impact, boundaries and finding supportive connections.
School and performance pressure
Stress about attendance, expectations, transitions or fear of falling behind. Discuss the emotional concerns and whether other educational or assessment support should also be considered.
Confidence, identity and self-esteem
Self-criticism, social media comparisons, uncertainty about identity or difficulty feeling accepted. The young person may want space to explore their experiences and what matters to them.
Grief and difficult experiences
A loss, frightening experience or other event that continues to feel upsetting. Ask about a clinician with appropriate experience and whether additional specialist support is needed.
Family changes
Separation, blended families, a move or changing household expectations may bring difficult feelings. You may want help understanding the impact on your child or teenager and their relationships.
A manageable first step
Getting started with child or teen counselling
You can contact Qxplore before deciding whether to arrange an appointment. Ask about age suitability, clinician experience, fees and current appointment options.
Before sessions begin, discuss consent, confidentiality and how parents or caregivers may be involved. These arrangements need to be explained for the particular situation.
Share the concerns
Explain what you and the young person have noticed, any relevant changes and what you hope support could help with.
Discuss the right fit
Ask about an appropriate clinician, their experience with this age group and whether counselling or another service should be considered.
Understand the proposed plan
Talk about who would attend, the approach, consent and privacy arrangements. Make space for the young person’s questions and preferences.
Review goals and progress
If counselling begins, agree on a focus with the clinician and review what is helping. The plan can be reconsidered when needs change.
For parents and caregivers
You can ask for guidance, too
You may want to know how to start a conversation, respond to difficult moments or understand what your child is trying to communicate. Ask how caregiver support could fit alongside the young person’s counselling.
Useful questions include what involvement would be appropriate, which goals can be shared and how progress would be discussed while respecting the young person’s privacy. If family relationships are a central concern, ask whether family counselling may help.
The right fit matters
Learn about our consultants
Qxplore’s consultants page introduces the clinicians and their professional backgrounds. Contact us to ask about a clinician whose experience fits the young person’s age and concerns.
Confirm their professional designation, approach and current availability before arranging an appointment.
Before you get started
Common questions about child and adolescent counselling
Do we need a diagnosis before enquiring?
You can contact Qxplore to discuss concerns even if there has been no diagnosis. Explain what is happening and ask whether counselling, assessment or another form of support may be appropriate.
Which ages can you see?
Contact Qxplore with the young person’s age and concerns. Age suitability depends on the service and clinician. Confirm this before booking.
What if my child or teen is unsure about counselling?
Share their questions or worries when enquiring. Ask how the clinician would explain counselling, involve them in decisions and discuss an appropriate first step. Their willingness and the relevant consent arrangements need consideration.
Will a parent or caregiver attend sessions?
Ask the clinician what is appropriate. Some work may involve a caregiver; some may focus on the young person. Attendance and communication arrangements should be discussed before sessions begin.
What will be shared with parents or caregivers?
Ask the clinician to explain confidentiality, its limits and how information would be shared. Consent, privacy and caregiver involvement depend on the circumstances. These arrangements should be clear to both the young person and the adults involved.
Does counselling include a psychological assessment?
Counselling and a formal psychological or psychoeducational assessment have different purposes. Counselling does not automatically include diagnostic testing, school recommendations or an assessment report. Tell Qxplore if those are part of what you need.
What does counselling cost? Are benefits accepted?
Confirm the fee before booking. Coverage depends on the service, your benefits plan and the clinician’s professional designation. Check eligibility, limits and required documentation with your insurer.
Are appointments in person or online?
Ask Qxplore about current options and whether the format is appropriate for the young person’s age, needs and circumstances.
Start with a conversation
Ask about support for your child or teenager
Contact Qxplore in Belleville to discuss what is happening, ask questions and explore an appropriate next step.
Belleville, Ontario K8N 3G1