Our philosophy about children

Our philosophy about children stems from the belief that as the global village we live in becomes smaller and smaller, children have changed along with it, bringing with them a multitude of gifts, such as the ability to adapt to new environments, wider views about culture, flexibility with languages and many more.
We believe in a transcultural approach; one that considers the many layers of culture which children and their families bring with them, along with the challenges they may face. Children who visit us come from various backgrounds, oftentimes speaking more than one language, and who may have changed ‘homes’ many times.
Whether local or foreign, our belief is that all children are entitled to have their voice heard, be it in distress or in harmony, our hope is that each child will get the necessary support they need to be successful and happy in their home, school and in their present and future environment(s).

Why caregivers may choose to bring their child to our studio

• Issues related to re-location or adjustment to a new country
• Issues related to school performance and learning concerns
• Issues related to emotional or social concerns
• Issues related to anxiety, anger or frustration
• Issues related to divorce, separation or loss
• Issues related to developmental disorders or language related disorders

Services Offered

Our services are in line with the belief that each child is
considered a unique individual, with personal traits, strengths and weaknesses. Services are therefore, always,
modified to best fit the needs of the child.

• Social and Emotional/Personality Assessment
• Cognitive and School Assessment Services
• Support and Therapy for specific needs
• Comprehensive Evaluations of specific learning needs
• Support for Families

Special Needs Children and School Support

Our mission is to establish a collaborative relationship with the child’s school, where special needs may already be a part of the school program, or where the school may not have support available. In most cases, schools offer some type of learning support for special needs children. Collaborative input from school professionals, as well as the assessment process can offer valuable information as to what are the specific strengths and weaknesses of the child, what areas of instruction can be modified and what kind of external and internal support can best help the child.
If needed, an Individualized Learning Program can be created for the child, based on the school’s curriculum and learning goals. In some cases, an external support person, such as a speech pathologist or individualized therapy can also be useful in further supporting the child’s needs.
Ongoing evaluation of the implemented support program is an important aspect as families and children can expect continuity between our services and those offered by their child’s school.
This collaboration offers the child what we believe is the best possible type of support.

Types of Therapy for Children

In cases where continued therapy is recommended for children, different types of therapy can be used to help support the child. Below are some of the types of therapies that can be used with children. Art therapy, in particular is very successful with children who may not be ready or able to express themselves with words.

• Art therapy
• Play therapy
• Cognitive behavioral oriented therapy
• Anger management

Who will work with my child?

Finding the right person to work with your child is an important part of the therapeutic and assessment process. Creating a positive setting and establishing good rapport with each child is a fundamental part of any support program. Professionals who work with your child are trained in the developing age and are chosen to best match the type of child in need. Whenever possible, cultural and linguistic aspects are also taken into consideration.
In some cases, children may be referred to other professionals such as a speech pathologist, a neuro-psychiatrist or a pediatrician in order to further assess the child. In these cases, the professionals we work with are chosen because of their skills as well as their cultural or linguistic background. The clinician may serve as a ‘case manager’ in order to ensure that communication and collaboration are effective.

Support for Families

In some cases, families may also need support for various reasons which may be linked to the child’s difficulties or which may stem from different sources of distress.

In these cases, families are usually supported by a different professional within the studio which helps to integrate different therapies within a family, while keeping separate the needs of individual family members.