Refresh counselling Junior
Refresh Counselling Jr. provides counselling designed for children and teens in Calgary. Our therapists create a safe, welcoming space where kids can feel understood, build confidence, develop practical coping skills, and work through the challenges of growing up.
Helping Kids and Teens Thrive
At Refresh Counselling, we know that young people face unique challenges at every stage of life. That’s why we created Refresh Jr.—a safe, supportive space just for children and teens. Whether it’s big feelings, school stress, friendships, or family dynamics, our counsellors help kids and teens build resilience, confidence, and healthy coping skills.
What will my child's first counselling session look like
Starting counselling can feel like a big step—for kids and parents. We make the first session comfortable, welcoming, and easy to understand, with plenty of time for your child to settle in and get to know their counsellor.
A Warm Welcome
Your child’s counsellor will take time to help them feel at ease in the space. We’ll explain what counselling is in a way that makes sense for their age, so they know what to expect and don’t feel overwhelmed.
Getting to Know Each Other (No pressure)
The first session is really about connection. Through conversation, gentle questions, or even play and creative activities, the counsellor starts to get to know your child and build trust at their pace.
A Safe Space to just be themselves
Your child will have a supportive, judgment-free space where they can talk, explore feelings, or simply show up as they are. We follow their lead and meet them where they’re at.
Parent Involvement That Fits Your Child’s Age
We also make sure parents feel included in a way that makes sense. With younger children, parents are often more involved. As kids grow into teens, sessions usually become more private, with appropriate updates and communication as needed.
Child Counselling (Ages 5–12)
Child counselling provides a playful, engaging way for kids to process their emotions and build confidence. Using art, play, and age-appropriate tools, our counsellors create a safe environment where children feel heard and understood.
Why Parents Choose Child Counselling
- Helps children express emotions in healthy ways
- Builds coping skills for anxiety, school stress, or life changes
- Improves communication at home and with peers
- Strengthens parent–child relationships
- Encourages resilience for long-term growth
Teen Counselling (Ages 13–18)
Being a teen comes with unique pressures—school demands, friendships, family expectations, and figuring out your own identity. Teen counselling provides a judgment-free space to work through challenges and build the skills needed to grow with confidence.
How Teen Counselling Helps
- Provides a safe space to talk openly about tough emotions
- Builds practical tools for managing stress, anxiety, and low moods
- Supports confidence, identity, and self-esteem
- Helps navigate friendships, family dynamics, and social pressures
- Encourages healthy habits and positive long-term choices
Meet Refresh Counselling Jr.
Refresh Counselling Jr. offers caring therapy for kids and teens, helping them manage emotions, build resilience, and navigate life’s challenges.
Stay Connected on Instagram
Refresh Counselling Jr. Therapist Team
Below is a list of our Therapists who can help navigate and support individual therapy.
Hilary MacAulay
MC, Registered Provisional Psychologist
Faye Archer Wilson
MA, Registered Psychologist
Emma Lavoie
MC, Registered Social Worker
Ray Pan
MC, Registered Provisional Psychologist
Karthika Murthy
MC, MA, Registered Provisional Psychologist
Stefani Sulaver
MC, Registered Provisional Psychologist
Lynnette Theroux
MA, Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC)
Ready to Take the First Step?
Have questions about Refresh Jr.?
Look for a counsellor who has experience working with your child’s age, concerns, personality, and communication style. Feeling comfortable with their counsellor is also an important part of building trust.
At Refresh Counselling Jr., we help parents find a therapist who fits their child or teen rather than expecting families to figure it out on their own. Our team provides child and teen counselling at our North and South Calgary locations.
Child and teen counselling can support young people through many of the challenges that come with growing up. Parents may seek counselling for anxiety and worry, big emotions, self-esteem, school stress, friendships, family changes, grief, bullying, emotional regulation, or difficulty coping with change.
At Refresh Counselling Jr., your counsellor will work to understand what your child or teen is experiencing and choose an approach that fits their age, needs, and goals.
Look for a counsellor who has experience working with your child’s age, concerns, personality, and communication style. Feeling comfortable with their counsellor is also an important part of building trust.
At Refresh Counselling Jr., we help parents find a therapist who fits their child or teen rather than expecting families to figure it out on their own.
Counselling looks different depending on your child’s age, personality, and needs. Younger children may communicate through play, creative activities, games, or conversation, while teens may spend more time talking and learning practical strategies they can use outside of counselling.
The goal is to create an age-appropriate environment where kids and teens can feel comfortable, express themselves, and build skills at their own pace.
Parent involvement depends on your child’s age, needs, and the goals of counselling. Parents are often more involved when working with younger children, while older children and teens are typically given more independence and privacy.
Your counsellor will explain what parent involvement may look like and work to keep you appropriately informed while also creating a trusting space for your child.
Parent involvement looks a little different depending on your child’s age and needs. For younger children, sessions may include regular parent check-ins and collaboration around goals and strategies. For teens, therapy tends to work best when they have some privacy and autonomy, while still keeping parents informed at an appropriate and respectful level.
Regardless of your child’s age, it’s not unusual for our therapists to invite parents to play a more active role, particularly at home. This might include trying out small strategies, adjusting routines, or supporting new skills between sessions.
This isn’t about doing therapy “perfectly” — it’s about creating consistency, safety, and support so your child can get the most out of counselling.
Our therapists see parents as partners in the process. We aim to balance your child’s confidentiality with your need to understand how they’re doing, and these expectations are always discussed openly at the start of therapy so everyone feels clear, supported, and on the same page.