Would my child benefit from play-based therapy or one-to-one counselling?
Each child is unique, and therapy can be tailored to meet their specific needs, helping them thrive emotionally, socially, and academically. There are several reasons why a child or youth might benefit from therapy:
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Behavioral Issues: Therapy can help address challenging behaviors such as aggression, defiance, or withdrawal.
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Emotional Distress: Children may benefit from therapy to manage emotions like sadness, anger, or anxiety.
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Traumatic Experiences: Therapy can provide support and tools to cope with trauma, abuse, or significant life changes.
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Family Changes: Adjusting to divorce, remarriage, or loss of a loved one can be supported through therapy.
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Academic Challenges: Therapy can help children struggling with school-related stress, learning disabilities, or academic pressures.
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Social Skills: Therapy can improve social skills and peer relationships, addressing issues like bullying or difficulty making friends.
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Developmental Issues: Children with developmental delays or disorders like ADHD or autism can benefit from specialized therapeutic approaches
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Self-Esteem: Therapy can boost self-confidence and self-worth, helping children navigate issues related to identity or body image.
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Coping Skills: Learning healthy coping mechanisms for stress, transitions, or everyday challenges is a key benefit of therapy.
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Parent-Child Relationships: Therapy can strengthen parent-child bonds, improve communication, and resolve conflicts effectively.
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Grief and Loss: Therapy provides a supportive environment for children dealing with the loss of a loved one or pet.
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Health Issues: Children coping with chronic illness or medical conditions may benefit from therapy to manage emotional and psychological aspects.
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Identity Exploration: Adolescents navigating issues of sexuality, gender identity, or cultural identity can find support and guidance in therapy.
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Preventative Care: Therapy can serve as a preventative measure, promoting resilience and emotional well-being before issues escalate.
Meet the Team
Dani Monsberger, Registered Psychotherapist
Lead Therapist Dani is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP, BA, MACP) who is passionate about working with children, youth and teens. With a gentle and supportive approach, Dani creates a safe space where children can explore their feelings, make sense of their experiences, discover their strengths and enhance resiliency. Dani utilizes a trauma-informed and client-centered approach. She implements Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and incorporates aspects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Play Therapy. Dani has experience supporting children, youth, and teens in areas including anxiety, healing from trauma, depression, grief, and low self-esteem.
Dani is excited to work with children, youth, and teens in therapy and looks forward to being a part of their healing journey.
Credentials:
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Registered Psychotherapist – College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
- Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology – Yorkville University 2022
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Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – University of Guelph 2019
Jennifer Horton, Registered Social Worker
Jennifer is honored to be part of the therapeutic team at Kristen French Child Advocacy Center and support children and youth through their healing journey. Prior to joining the center, she gained extensive experience in counselling children, youth, and young adults in school-based settings.
Jennifer is committed to providing compassion-focused care to every child whom she serves at our center, ensuring that they receive an individualized treatment plan that fosters skill-building, self-awareness, and resiliency. In her work, she draws on a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Trauma-Informed Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Attachment-Focused Family Therapy. In her practice, Jennifer utilizes polyvagal strategies to support her clients in understanding and regulating their autonomic nervous system to support their emotional health.
Special interest in supporting children and youth include areas such as adoption and attachment, loss and bereavement, healing from trauma, life transitions, adjustment related concerns, and academic and school related challenges. She is also interested in supporting youth with the ever-changing challenges associated with navigating social media.
Jennifer is committed to providing evidence-based approaches in her work and engages in continuous self-reflection and professional development to ensure that she provides optimal care to the children and youth she serves. Each session will provide the opportunity to heal, feel, grow, and hope.
Living in Niagara with her husband, they have three adult children and a granddaughter. Together they enjoy spending time with family, and tending to the garden, honeybees and chickens.
Credentials:
- Registered Social Worker OCSWSSW
- Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology – Yorkville University 2011
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Brock University 1992
Justis Krar, Certified Music Therapist
Justis Krar (BMus, MTA) is a Certified Music Therapist and professional musician. After completing an internship with a multi-disciplinary team at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability in London, United Kingdom, he returned to Canada and began working with clients in one-on-one and group settings.
His clinical experiences range from supporting clients in neuro-rehabilitation, complex long-term care and those with learning and physical disabilities.
Justis utilizes the guitar, songwriting and music technology in his clinical work to assist clients in communicating and expressing their thoughts and feelings.
A central tenant of Justis’s work is accessibility, particularly the need for diverse means and methods of creating music. His research on inclusion in community music has been published in the International Journal of Community Music and in the anthology Community Music at the Boundaries (Wilfrid Laurier University Press).
Before studying music therapy, Justis completed a diploma in Music Industry Arts at Fanshawe College and toured North America, the UK and Europe with the band Single Mothers. He loves to talk about guitar pedals and will happily deconstruct the rhythms of any Meshuggah song.
Pricing
If you require assistance with the cost of therapy, please contact us today to discuss low, or no-cost options.
At the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre we are committed to providing accessible mental health support to all children and youth in Niagara. If you are ready to begin the healing process, please click below to book your appointment today. Please note, all new clients must book an initial 15 minute phone consultation, free of charge, before booking a full appointment, for our therapists to gather essential background information including history, current challenges, and expectations for therapy.