Child Therapy in Barrie, ON
Help your little one feel more like their happy, playful self.
Gentle support for children 6+ in Barrie, ON, with online therapy available to kids and parents across Ontario.
"Why is my child acting like this? How did we end up here?"
You’ve watched your child go from full of life to withdrawn, teary, or melting down over the smallest things, and it’s breaking your heart. Maybe they’re not sleeping, not wanting to play, or coming home from school upset, and no matter what you try, you feel helpless and unsure how to assist them.
In child therapy in Barrie, we give your child a warm, safe space to work through their big feelings, build confidence, and learn to cope. We also support you right alongside them, so things can start to feel lighter for your whole family.
Your child’s growth starts here. Get started today.
Child Therapy | Barrie, ON
Signs Your Child May Benefit From Therapy
- Their emotions or behaviour have shifted, whether that's more meltdowns, irritability, or moodiness than usual.
- They're pulling away from friends or the activities they used to love.
- Bedtime's become a battle; they're waking through the night with stomach issues or nightmares.
- You're seeing regressions, like bedwetting or clinginess, that had settled a while ago.
- They're worried, fearful, or panicky, especially when they're away from you.
- They're down on themselves, saying things like "I'm not good enough" or "I can't do anything right."
If you're nodding along, our children's therapists in Barrie can help. We'll get curious about what's going on underneath, so your child can understand, heal, and thrive.
Meet Our Team
Match With a Child Therapist in Barrie, ON
Our Barrie team supports children (6+) with all kinds of life and mental health concerns. We’re real people, down-to-earth and diverse, and we genuinely want to see your child do well.
Registered Psychotherapist
Registered Psychotherapist
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Child Therapy | Barrie, ON
Therapy Can Help Your Child:
Manage Emotions and Meltdowns
When your child’s feelings feel too big for their little body, therapy helps them understand what’s going on inside and gives them tools to calm down, cope, and handle those big emotions in a healthier way.
Ease Anxiety and Worry
If your child is fearful, panicky, or having a hard time being away from you, we’ll gently help them work through their worries and feel safer and more settled, both at home and out in the world.
Lift Low Moods
When your usually bright kid seems sad, withdrawn, or just not themselves, we’ll help them make sense of what they’re feeling and slowly reconnect with the things they love.
Build Confidence and Self-Esteem
If your child’s been feeling down on themselves, self-conscious about their body, or like they’re “not good enough,” child counselling helps them build a kinder relationship with themselves, so they can feel proud of who they are.
Feel More in Control of ADHD
If your child’s easily overwhelmed, struggles to focus, or feels like their brain’s going a mile a minute, ADHD therapy for children can help them build coping tools that fit how their ADHD brain works.
Work With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
If your child’s autistic or navigating the world a little differently, we’ll meet them exactly where they’re at, helping them build confidence, coping tools, and social skills in a way that honours who they are.
Navigate Behavioural Challenges
When behaviour at home or school has become tricky to manage, we’ll work with your child (and you) to understand what’s driving it and find calmer, more connected ways forward.
Work Through Peer and School Struggles
Friendship troubles, bullying, or a hard time at school can weigh heavily on a kid. We’ll help your child build social skills, confidence, and ways to cope with what they’re facing.
Adjust to Big Changes at Home
A separation, a divorce, a move, or a new sibling can shake up a child’s world. Child and youth therapy Barrie gives them a safe space to process the change and find their footing again.
Play Therapy
Kids often express through play what they can’t yet put into words.
Sand Tray Therapy
A gentle, hands-on way for children to explore and process their feelings.
Art and Creative Expression
Drawing, crafting, and creating help kids share what’s going on inside.
Emotion Regulation Strategies
Simple, kid-friendly tools to help them name and manage big feelings.
Mindfulness and Coping Skills
Calming techniques your child can use when things feel overwhelming.
Social Skills and Behavioural Support
Practical help with friendships, cooperation, and navigating tricky moments.
Parent and Child Sessions
When it’s a good fit, we bring you in to strengthen connection and understanding.
Parent Coaching
Guidance and strategies so you can support your child’s progress at home too.
Child Counselling | Barrie, ON
How We Support Your Child In Therapy
Our Barrie child therapists at Inner Growth Counselling & Psychotherapy genuinely care about the children they work with. Growing up is just hard, and kids don’t always have the words for what they’re feeling yet. So we get curious, keep things pl
Children are not things to be moulded, but people to be unfolded.
Affordable Therapy in Barrie & Ontario
Quality therapy shouldn't only be for people who can easily afford it.
Our Affordable Therapy Program pairs you with our Masters level Clinical Interns at a lower rate, so cost doesn’t have to stand between you and the support you deserve.
Child Therapy in Barrie, ON
Questions About Child Therapy
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
Sometimes it can be hard to tell, but one of the biggest signs your child may benefit from therapy is a change in their emotions or behaviour, particularly if it’s sudden or ongoing. This might look like more irritability, frequent meltdowns, pulling away from activities they used to enjoy, changes in sleep or appetite, or a hard time at school or with friends.
If you’re unsure whether your child could benefit from therapy, reach out or book a free 15-minute consultation to chat with one of our children’s therapists in Barrie and see how we might be able to help.
Will I be involved in my child's therapy?
Yes, parent involvement is a really important part of the process for children’s therapy. While your child will have their own space during sessions, we also work with you to offer guidance and support, so you can better understand what your child’s experiencing and how to respond at home.
Kids benefit most when they’ve got consistent support across the different parts of their world. Because of this, we may recommend parent coaching sessions to help you build strategies, model skills, and support your child’s emotional and behavioural goals outside of Barrie child therapy. The goal is a supportive environment both in and out of sessions, so your child can keep growing and making progress over time.
What does therapy for children look like?
Therapy for children looks pretty different from therapy for adults. It’s often more play-based, interactive, and tailored to your child’s age and personality. We use things like play, art, and conversation to help kids express their feelings, understand what’s going on for them, and build skills to manage their emotions in a way that feels natural and easy.
Sessions are designed to feel safe, supportive, and engaging, so your child can open up at their own pace without feeling any pressure.
How much does child therapy in Barrie cost?
Our child therapy session fees depend on which therapist your child sees and the length of the session. Child counselling sessions are $170 for a 50-minute session with a full RP, or $160 with an RP (Qualifying).
Is there a child's therapist near me?
Yes! If you’re looking for a child therapist near you or children’s therapy in Barrie, we offer both in-person child therapy at our Barrie office and virtual sessions across Ontario. For younger children, in-person sessions are often recommended, since they allow for more interactive, play-based work and help build connection more naturally.
That said, virtual therapy can still be a helpful option depending on your child’s age, needs, and comfort level. So even if you can’t find child therapists near you in your neighbourhood, our online sessions mean you can access support from anywhere in Ontario. We aim to keep the process simple and accessible, so you can find the right support for your child in a way that works for your family.
Is my child too young for therapy, and what if they have trouble opening up?
Our team of child therapists in Barrie typically works with kids ages 6 and up. Even at that age, child therapy can be really effective and helpful! We adapt our approach to your child’s age and personality, using play-based and interactive methods that feel natural and fun to help them feel comfortable and build trust over time.
So if your child’s feeling unsure about therapy at first, that’s okay and totally normal. Along with keeping sessions light and fun, we can invite you to stay if it helps your child feel more comfortable, and we can even offer shorter sessions if 50 minutes feels like too much.
How do I talk to my child about starting therapy?
Keep it simple, warm, and low-key. For younger kids, you might explain that they’ll be spending time with a friendly grown-up who helps them with big feelings, and that they’ll get to play, draw, and chat. You don’t need to make it a big deal or frame it as something being “wrong,” because there isn’t. Letting your child know it’s a safe, fun space where they can just be themselves goes a long way in easing any nerves. If you’re not sure how to bring it up, your child’s therapist, Barrie, can give you a few pointers that fit your kid’s age and personality.
Should I ask my child about what happens in their sessions?
It’s natural to be curious, and it’s lovely that you care so much. That said, we’d gently encourage you to let your child lead on what they share. Part of what makes therapy work is that kids feel they’ve got a space that’s just theirs, where they can open up without worrying about it getting back to anyone. Your child’s therapist will help build that trust, and they’ll loop you in on the bigger picture and any strategies to try at home. So instead of asking for the play-by-play, a simple “How was your time today?” and plenty of your usual love and support is perfect.
Is what my child shares in therapy kept private?
For the most part, yes, and that privacy is a big part of helping your child feel safe enough to open up. At the same time, because they’re young, we’ll keep you looped in on the general themes we’re working on and how you can support them at home, so you’re never left in the dark. There are also a few limits to confidentiality that we’re always upfront about from the start, mainly around safety. We’ll walk you through all of this at the beginning, so you and your child both know what to expect.
What's the difference between child therapy and family therapy?
Child therapy is one-on-one time between your child and their therapist, focused on helping your kid work through their big feelings and build coping skills, with you supported alongside them through parent guidance. Family therapy brings more of the household into the room to work on things like communication and connection together. At Inner Growth Counselling & Psychotherapy, a lot of families start with child counselling in Barrie and add parent or family sessions when it makes sense. If you’re not sure which is the right starting point for your family, reach out, and we’ll happily help you figure it out.
Child Therapy | Barrie, ON
Where Therapy Can Take Your Child
Every child’s different, and it depends on the nature of their challenges, but many parents start to see small changes within the first few sessions. Over time, you may notice that your child:
- Manages big emotions with more ease
- Has more confidence and a stronger sense of self
- Has fewer meltdowns and calmer, more settled behaviour
- Feels closer and more connected with family and friends
- Seems happier overall, more like the kid you know and love
Inner Growth Counselling & Psychotherapy
How To Get Started
Starting therapy at Inner Growth is easy.
Just take the first step, we’ve got the rest.
Book Your Free 15-Minute Consult
Use our online booking platform to grab a time that works for you. No pressure, no commitment, just a conversation.
Chat With Us!
We’ll connect at your chosen time to talk through what’s going on and what you need, and see if it feels like the right fit.
Book Your First Session
Found someone you click with? Book your first therapy session, in person in Barrie or online across Ontario, whenever you’re ready.
Visit Us (By Appointment Only)
Call or Text Us
Welcome to Our Barrie Therapy Office!
A modern, warm space designed to help you feel safe and at ease.
Take a peek, we can’t wait to see you!