When your child is struggling, you want to help, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Maybe they're worried all the time, having big meltdowns, pulling away from friends or finding school harder than it should be. Choosing a therapist is an important decision, and it's okay to take it one step at a time. This guide walks you through what to look for in a child therapist in Cambridge, the questions worth asking and what to expect when you reach out.
This post is general information to help you choose. It isn't a diagnosis or advice about your child's specific situation.
Start with what your child needs
Before you look at therapists, it helps to jot down what you're noticing. You don't need the right words or a label. Simple notes are enough, such as:
What's changed, and when did it start?
Where does it show up: at home, at school, with friends or everywhere?
What have you already tried?
What would "better" look like for your child and your family?
Children come to therapy for many reasons. Some are dealing with worry or sadness. Others are coping with a move, a separation, a loss or trouble making friends. Some have big feelings that are hard to manage. Bringing your notes to a first conversation helps a therapist understand your child more quickly.
Therapy or assessment: knowing what you're looking for
It helps to know whether you're looking for therapy, an assessment or both.
Therapy is ongoing support. A therapist works with your child, and often with you, to understand feelings, build coping skills and make changes at home and school.
An assessment is a structured evaluation that looks for answers to specific questions, such as whether attention or learning differences are part of the picture. At our clinic, children's assessments are led by our psychology team.
Many families start with therapy and add an assessment later if questions come up. Others begin with an assessment to get clarity first. Either path is okay.
Check registration and title
In Ontario, therapists who work with children are usually members of a regulated college. Common titles include:
Registered Psychotherapist (RP), or RP (Qualifying) for psychotherapists completing the final stage of their training.
Registered Social Worker (RSW).
Psychologist or Psychological Associate.
Each regulatory college keeps a public register where you can confirm that a professional is registered and in good standing. For psychologists, you can search the public register of the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO). It's a quick, reassuring step, and any good clinic will be glad you checked.
Experience with your child's age and concern
Working with a six-year-old is very different from working with an adult. Look for a therapist who has experience with children close to your child's age and with the kind of challenge your family is facing.
Questions you might ask:
How much of your work is with children around my child's age?
Have you worked with children dealing with something similar?
How do you help children who don't want to talk?
How do you measure progress with kids?
There's no single right answer. What matters is that the therapist can explain their approach clearly and that it makes sense to you.
How parents are involved
Parents play a big role in a child's progress. Ask early how you'll be included. Some things to find out:
Will there be parent-only sessions or regular check-ins?
How will goals be set, and will my child have a say?
What does my child's therapist share with me, and what stays between them?
What happens if there's a safety concern?
A good therapist will explain how they balance your child's trust with your need to stay informed. At our clinic, family participation is encouraged in children's counselling, and parent-only sessions can be arranged when that's helpful.
Play-based or talk-based
Young children often express feelings through play and creativity more easily than through words. Older children may be ready to talk things through more directly. Many therapists blend the two.
In general terms, play-based therapy uses toys, art, stories and games to help children make sense of their experiences. Talk-based approaches, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) adapted for kids, help children notice thoughts and feelings and practise new skills. Our post on what play therapy is explains how it works.
The approaches our child therapists use include play therapy, sandtray, narrative therapy, art and sound therapy, CBT and DBT, chosen to suit each child.
What we offer in Cambridge
Here are the verified details for children and families at our Cambridge clinic:
Children's therapy, ages 6 and up, at our Cambridge office at 188 Main Street, Cambridge, ON N1R 1W9, in Galt City Centre, or online from home.
Child ADHD assessments for children and teens aged 6 and older, at our Main Street office. Learn more about our child ADHD assessment in Cambridge.
Psychoeducational assessments for children, teens and adults, done in person at our Main Street office by our psychologists.
You can reach our Main Street team at (519) 621-8858. Our Water Street North office in Cambridge offers therapy for adults 18 and older, so children and families are seen at Main Street.
Look for a good fit
Credentials matter, but so does connection. Children open up when they feel safe and understood. After a first session or two, ask yourself:
Does my child seem comfortable, or at least willing to go back?
Do I feel heard and respected as a parent?
Is the therapist clear about goals and next steps?
It can take a few sessions for a child to warm up. If the fit still doesn't feel right after that, it's okay to ask about trying another therapist. A good clinic will support that choice.
Preparing your child for the first session
Children often feel nervous about meeting someone new. A little preparation can help:
Keep it simple and honest. You might say, "We're going to meet someone whose job is helping kids with big feelings."
Avoid making it a punishment. Therapy works best when children see it as support, not a consequence.
Share that you'll be involved. Knowing a parent is part of the process can be reassuring.
Let them ask questions. If you don't know an answer, it's fine to say you'll ask the therapist together.
If your child is unsure, that's normal. A good child therapist will go at your child's pace, use activities that feel familiar and give them time to settle in. You can also ask the therapist for ideas on how to talk about the first visit at home.
Questions to ask in a free consultation
A short call is a good way to get a feel for a clinic before you commit. Questions you might ask:
Which therapists work with children my child's age?
Are sessions in person, online or both?
How are parents involved?
What are the fees, and do you direct bill insurance?
What happens in the first session?
If we need an assessment later, how does that work?
Write down the answers and trust your instincts.
Cost and billing
Here's what to know about cost:
Sessions with our therapists range from $130 to $200, depending on the clinician.
Depending on your plan, insurance may cover some or all of the cost. Coverage varies, so it's worth checking your plan.
We direct bill many insurers, even for sessions with a registered psychotherapist (qualifying). Our team can help you check what applies to your plan.
If your child is in crisis
If your child talks about suicide or self-harm, or you're worried about their safety right now, get help right away. Call or text 9-8-8 any time, day or night. In Waterloo Region, you can also call Here 24/7 at 1-844-437-3247. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Your first step
You don't have to have everything figured out before you reach out. Book a free 15-minute consultation with our admin team. They can answer your questions and help you find a child therapist in Cambridge who fits your family.
Your child is lucky to have someone looking out for them.