Children and teens with autism often experience mental health challenges such as social anxiety, isolation, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression. While group intervention can alleviate some of these issues, one-on-one counselling services may be more appropriate in some cases. Through our individual counselling sessions, children and youth will explore and learn about their feelings, address daily challenges, identify problems and opportunities for growth, develop self-awareness and work towards overall happiness and success.
Our psychologists will work with your child in a safe, caring and interactive environment. We will address their needs using techniques such as cognitive reframing, relaxation and stress-reduction and role-playing. Your child may receive home tasks to continue the work outside of the clinical environment.
Benefits
1:1 Client to Staff Ratio
Increased Self-Awareness
Goal-Directed Activities
A single session costs $187.50. After the initial consultation, sessions are purchased in packages of four. Eight sessions are often recommended, though families may choose to purchase more.
Each session is 45 minutes long. Session content is individualized based on the presenting issues. The initial consultation explores these issues and prioritizes and informs a treatment plan. Each subsequent session in a package consists of the following:
Check-in: You work with our trained therapists to provide updates relevant to counselling. Together, you review the home tasks assigned. (See below)
Main body of the session: You discuss the presenting issues and develop strategies to improve functioning. The therapist may use techniques such as cognitive reframing, relaxation and stress reduction and role-playing to elicit behaviour change. They may also share information with the you using written materials, visual aids and short videos.
Home task assignment: The therapist may assign you skill-building activities that you can do outside of the session. These assignments will be related to the content covered during the next session.
Session Review: The therapist reviews the main issues you discussed with them and outlines the next actions.
Child and teen counselling may be appropriate if your child:
Is between the ages of 8 and 16-Has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Consents to participate in the service
Is informed and motivated to engage in counselling
Can actively participate in one-on-one counselling sessions
Has sufficient language abilities to engage in a meaningful back-and-forth conversation
Did you know that we offer free events for clients, caregivers and professionals?