Child Therapy in Barrie, ON

Your child is struggling, and you're not sure what to do next. Maybe they're worrying more than usual, pulling away from friends, or having big emotional outbursts that feel hard to manage. Perhaps they've been going through something difficult — a loss, a family change, or challenges at school — and they just don't have the words for it yet.



At Reset Counselling & Psychotherapy, we offer child therapy in Barrie, ON that is developmentally appropriate and tailored to your child's individual needs. We work alongside children and families to build understanding, develop coping skills, and support emotional wellbeing.

How Do I Know If My Child May Benefit From Therapy?

Knowing whether your child needs professional support is not always straightforward. Children express distress differently than adults, and many of the signs parents notice are easy to dismiss as a phase.



Trust what you're observing. If your child's behaviour or emotional state has shifted noticeably, and the changes are affecting daily life, therapy may help.


Here are some of the common signals parents and caregivers bring to us.

Emotional Changes That May Signal a Need for Support


Some children show their struggles through their emotions. You may notice frequent worry or fearfulness, persistent sadness, intense anger, or emotional outbursts that seem out of proportion. Others may become withdrawn, overly clingy, or seem to struggle with self-confidence and regulating how they feel from day to day.


Difficulties at Home, School or With Friends


Behavioural changes can also point to a need for support. Your child may be having trouble at school, struggling to make or keep friendships, or reacting with conflict at home. Adjusting to new environments, managing family tension, or coping across different settings can all become genuinely hard for a child at certain points.


Grief, Trauma and Changes in the Family


Sometimes children need support because of what has happened, not only how they are feeling. Grief, bereavement, and significant loss can be overwhelming. So can family transitions such as separation or divorce, blending into a new family, adoption, or any major change that affects a child's sense of security and belonging.

What Is Child Therapy?

Child psychotherapy is psychotherapy adapted to a child's age, developmental stage, communication abilities, and individual needs. It draws on evidence-informed approaches to help children make sense of their experiences and build healthier patterns over time.



Child therapy supports emotional wellbeing, behaviour, and development — not by telling children what to feel, but by creating a safe space where growth can happen.

01

Helping Children Express Thoughts and Feelings

Children do not always communicate distress the way adults do. A child who is struggling may act out, go quiet, regress in behaviour, or seem fine at home but fall apart at school. Therapy creates a consistent, non-judgemental space where a child can begin to understand and express their emotions, build coping strategies, and develop stronger relationships — at their own pace.

02

Play, Creativity and Age-Appropriate Approaches

Therapy with children does not always look like a structured conversation. Depending on the child's age, needs, and what the therapist and family identify as helpful, sessions may draw on creative activities, therapeutic play, drawing, age-appropriate exercises, and skill-building. These methods help children engage in ways that feel natural to them, reducing the pressure to communicate in adult terms. The specific approach always reflects what the child needs most.

What Can Child Therapy Help With?

Child therapy at Reset supports a range of emotional, behavioural, and relational concerns. Every child's situation is different, and therapy is tailored accordingly. Below are some of the common areas we work with.

  • Anxiety, Worry and Stress

    Childhood anxiety can show up as constant worry, physical complaints, difficulty sleeping, or refusal to do things that once felt easy. Therapy helps children understand what anxiety is, develop practical coping strategies, and build the emotional regulation skills to manage worry and stress with greater confidence over time.

  • Anger and Big Emotions

    Anger is a normal emotion — but when it shows up as frequent outbursts, aggression, or difficulty recovering after frustration, it can strain relationships at home and school. Therapy helps children identify what triggers strong emotions, develop self-regulation skills, and find more effective ways to express themselves and cope.

  • Sadness, Low Self-Esteem and Confidence

    Persistent sadness, a low sense of self-worth, or a child who consistently believes they are "not good enough" can affect development across every area of life. Therapy creates space to gently explore these feelings, build a more grounded sense of identity, and support emotional wellbeing in ways that are appropriate for the child's age and needs.

  • Friendship and Family Relationship Difficulties

    Relationships are central to a child's sense of security and belonging. When peer friendships feel hard, family conflict is ongoing, or communication breaks down, therapy can help children build social skills, understand different perspectives, manage conflict, and strengthen their connection to the people around them.

  • Grief, Loss, Trauma and Family Changes

    Grief and significant loss can affect children deeply, even when they seem outwardly fine. Trauma, parental separation, divorce, blended family dynamics, and adoption all carry emotional weight that children may not have the tools to process alone. Therapy provides a safe space to work through these experiences at a pace that feels manageable.

How Does Child Therapy Work?

Parents often want to know what will actually happen in sessions — not just what child therapy means in theory. Here is a general overview of what the process tends to involve, though the specifics are always shaped by your child's individual circumstances.

Understanding Your Child's Needs


The first step is developing a clear picture of your child's current concerns, strengths, and experiences. We want to understand what is happening at home and at school, what your child's daily life looks like, and what the family hopes therapy will help with. This context shapes everything that follows.


Setting Goals for Therapy


Therapy works best when there is a shared sense of direction. Goals are developed with the child and family in mind, reflecting the child's needs and what feels most important to work on. These goals may shift over time as progress is made and new priorities emerge. That flexibility is part of how therapy stays useful.


Age-Appropriate Therapy Sessions


Sessions are structured around the child's age, developmental stage, communication abilities, and the concerns being addressed. What works for a school-age child looks different from what works for an adolescent. The therapist's approach adjusts accordingly, drawing on methods that are appropriate, accessible, and genuinely engaging for the child.


Reviewing Progress


There is no fixed number of sessions that applies to every child. Progress depends on the concerns being addressed, how frequently sessions occur, and the goals that have been identified. We check in regularly with families to ensure therapy is working, and adjust the plan when it needs to shift.

What Role Do Parents and Caregivers Have in Child Therapy?

Parents and caregivers play an important role in their child's therapeutic process. That role looks different from family to family, and it is shaped by the child's age, needs, goals, and the therapist's approach.

Working Together to Support Your Child


In some cases, a caregiver may be involved directly in sessions. In others, the focus stays primarily on the child, with the therapist keeping parents informed of progress in appropriate ways. The level of involvement is discussed openly at the outset. What matters most is that the support around your child is aligned and consistent, both inside and outside of sessions.

Privacy and Confidentiality


Confidentiality in therapy involving children has specific considerations. Your therapist will walk you through how confidentiality works, what it covers, and where its limits are as part of the informed consent process at the start of therapy. This conversation is an important part of building trust with both the child and the family.

Child Therapy Options at Reset Counselling & Psychotherapy

Reset Counselling & Psychotherapy offers child therapy options to support families in Barrie and across Ontario. The service format that works best depends on your child's needs, age, and current availability.


Virtual Child Therapy With Grace Yeomans


Virtual Child Therapy is currently available through Reset with Grace Yeomans, Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and Registered Social Worker (RSW). Sessions are 50 minutes and can be booked directly through Reset's secure online booking platform. Availability is subject to Grace's current schedule.

Book Virtual Child Therapy With Grace

Finding the Right Therapy Option for Your Child


The right service format depends on a range of factors — your child's age, the nature of their concerns, therapy goals, and what is currently available. We recommend reaching out or checking our booking platform to explore which options best fit your child's circumstances and what is currently being offered at Reset.

Is Virtual Child Therapy Right for My Child?

Virtual sessions make therapy more accessible for many families. For some children, connecting through video is straightforward and comfortable. For others, it requires a bit more consideration.

What to Consider Before Choosing Online Therapy


Before deciding whether virtual therapy is the right fit, it helps to think about a few things:


  • Your child's age and developmental stage
  • Their comfort level communicating through video
  • Whether a private, quiet space is available at home
  • The nature of the presenting concern and goals for therapy
  • Whether your child may need more hands-on or in-person support
  • The therapist's professional judgement about suitability


Not all children are equally suited to virtual sessions. Your therapist can help guide that conversation.

Book a Session

Finding the Right Child Therapist

Choosing a therapist for your child is an important decision, and it is worth taking the time to find someone who is a genuine fit.

Experience, Qualifications and Therapist Fit


When evaluating a child therapist, consider:


  • Their professional registration and credentials
  • Their experience working with children and adolescents
  • Familiarity with the specific concerns your child is facing
  • Their therapeutic approach and how they communicate with families
  • The rapport your child feels from the beginning
  • Appointment format and scheduling availability


Ask Reset About Current Child Therapy Availability



Therapist availability and service offerings change over time. Rather than relying solely on what a page lists, we encourage you to contact us directly or check our booking platform to confirm current availability. We want to match your child with the most appropriate support that we can offer right now.

Is Child Therapy Always the Right Kind of Support?

Psychotherapy is one form of professional support, but it is not the right fit for every situation. There are important distinctions worth understanding.

Child therapy at Reset does not include psychological assessments, psychoeducational assessments, or medical evaluations. We also do not prescribe medication or offer crisis or emergency intervention. If your child requires a diagnosis, assessment, or psychiatric care, we recommend speaking with your family doctor or contacting a registered psychologist through your local network.

If you are unsure whether therapy is the appropriate next step, reaching out is a reasonable first move. We can help clarify whether what we offer fits what your child needs.

Child Therapy Fees, Insurance and Referrals

How Much Does Child Therapy Cost?


Virtual Child Therapy at Reset is $170 for a 50-minute session, consistent with our standard session rate. There is no additional tax. Payment is accepted by Visa or Mastercard through your JaneApp profile.


Do I Need a Referral?


No referral is required to book child therapy at Reset. You can book directly through our online scheduling platform. Some insurance plans have separate reimbursement requirements, so it is worth confirming the details with your provider before your first session.


Is Child Therapy Covered by Insurance?


Reimbursement depends on your specific insurance plan, the therapist's professional designation, and your individual policy. Grace Yeomans holds dual registration as a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and Registered Social Worker (RSW). Most plans do not offer direct billing, but many allow you to submit receipts for reimbursement directly through your insurer's online portal. Reset does not currently offer direct billing.



Please note that private psychotherapy services are not covered by OHIP or ODSP.

Child Therapy for Families in Barrie and Simcoe County

Reset Counselling & Psychotherapy is based at Unit 201-151 Essa Road in Barrie, Ontario, and has been supporting families across Simcoe County since 2015. We serve clients from Barrie and surrounding communities, including Orillia, Innisfil, Bradford, New Tecumseth, and throughout the Simcoe County region.


For families accessing virtual child therapy, Grace Yeomans offers sessions to clients across Ontario via phone or video during weekday evenings. Virtual appointments remove the barrier of travel, making professional support more accessible to families regardless of where they live within the province.

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Therapy in Barrie

  • What Age Can a Child Start Therapy?

    The right age for therapy depends on the child's developmental stage, communication abilities, and the nature of their concerns. There is no universal answer. Suitability is assessed on an individual basis, taking into account the child's readiness and whether an appropriate clinician is available. Contact us to discuss whether therapy is a good fit for your child's current stage.

  • What If My Child Doesn't Want to Talk?

    Child therapy does not rely solely on verbal conversation. Depending on the child's age and needs, sessions may draw on activities, creative expression, or therapeutic play to help children engage in ways that feel comfortable. A skilled therapist finds approaches that work for the child — not the other way around.

  • Will I Be Involved in My Child's Therapy?

    Parental involvement depends on the child's age, the nature of the concerns, therapy goals, and the therapist's recommendations. Some level of caregiver involvement is common, particularly for younger children. Your therapist will discuss the approach that makes sense for your family at the outset of the process.

  • Is What My Child Says in Therapy Confidential?

    Confidentiality applies in child therapy, but it has specific limits — particularly when safety is a concern. Your therapist will clearly explain how confidentiality works and where those limits are as part of the informed consent process before therapy begins. This conversation is an important part of the intake process.

  • How Long Does Child Therapy Usually Take?

    There is no fixed timeline. Duration depends on your child's specific concerns, the goals identified, how sessions are progressing, and how frequently appointments occur. Some children benefit from a shorter, focused course of sessions. Others benefit from ongoing support over a longer period. Your therapist will review progress with you regularly.

  • Does Reset Offer Virtual Child Therapy?

    Yes. Virtual Child Therapy is currently bookable through Reset's online booking platform with Grace Yeomans, Registered Psychotherapist and Registered Social Worker. Sessions are 50 minutes at $170. You can book directly at resetbarrie.janeapp.com or contact us to discuss availability.

  • How Do I Know Which Therapist Is Right for My Child?

    Consider the therapist's professional credentials, their experience working with children, and their familiarity with your child's specific concerns. Practical factors such as availability and appointment format also matter. Our booking platform includes therapist profiles to help you decide. If you are unsure, email us at info@resetbarrie.ca and we can help guide you.

Get Started With Child Therapy in Barrie

Supporting your child's mental health is one of the most meaningful steps you can take as a caregiver. At Reset Counselling & Psychotherapy, we provide professional, compassionate child therapy for families in Barrie and across Ontario.