NO WAITLIST, DAY & EVENING, IN-PERSON
When a child is struggling, it can be hard to know how to help — especially when they can’t quite tell you what’s wrong. Children don’t always have the words for big feelings, and they often show us through their behaviour, their play, or their bodies instead. At GreenValley Counselling Services in Cambridge, we offer child counselling that meets children in their own language, helping them make sense of what they’re feeling and find their footing again. Our Galt office has a large, welcoming playroom built for exactly this kind of work.
Children come to counselling for all sorts of reasons. You might be noticing:
You don’t need to be certain counselling is the answer, or to have worked out exactly what’s wrong. Helping you understand what’s going on is part of what we do.
Children process their experiences differently than adults. They rarely sit and talk through a problem — instead, they work things out through play, which is their natural language. In our Cambridge playroom, a child might build a scene in the sand, act something out with dolls or figures, draw, or simply play in a way that lets a difficult feeling come to the surface where it can be understood and worked with.
All of our Cambridge child therapists are trained in child-centred play therapy, an evidence-based approach that lets children lead. The first couple of sessions are entirely child-led, giving your child time to feel safe. After that, sessions blend gentle, purposeful activities chosen around your child’s goals with time that stays completely child-led — always at a pace that fits the child.
Creative approaches are at the heart of how we work with children in Cambridge. Alongside play therapy, our team offers:
We attune to each child and draw on what suits them best, rather than fitting every child to one method.
Our Galt office has a large, well-equipped playroom that children love — a dollhouse, miniatures, Lego, games, a sand tray, toy food, dolls, vehicles, and more. There’s a piano and a range of musical instruments too, so music can become part of the work, and a very large, well-loved stuffed sloth who has become a favourite comfort companion for many of the children who visit. The room is designed so that whatever a child needs to express, there’s a way for them to do it.
We work with children from around age 3 and up. Play, art, and creative approaches remain effective well into the teen years, and all of our Cambridge child therapists — Candice, Jisca, and Susan — also work with teens, using creative and other approaches suited to older clients. If you’re not sure whether your child is the right age or a good fit, our team can help you figure that out — and for adolescents, our therapy for teens in Cambridge may be the place to start.
Your first contact is with one of our client care coordinators, Kim or Aleeyah, who will listen to what’s going on and suggest a couple of therapists who would suit your child, so you can choose who to book with. Most families book a first appointment directly; if you’d rather get a sense of someone first, a free introductory call is available.
We usually begin with a session or two with you, the parent, to understand your concerns and your child’s history. From there, your child meets with their therapist, and we keep you informed and involved throughout, with practical ways to support your child at home. Most children come to genuinely enjoy their time in the playroom — for many, it quickly becomes something they look forward to.
Here’s the walk from the front door to one of our offices.
You don’t have to be certain. If your child seems to be struggling — with big feelings, changes in behaviour, worries, or a difficult experience — and it’s affecting them or your family, it’s worth a conversation. Our client care coordinators can help you get started, and if you’d like to talk it through more deeply first, a free introductory call with one of our therapists is available — a therapist can often help you clarify what’s going on and whether counselling is the right fit.
They overlap. Child counselling is the broader term for therapeutic support for children; play therapy is the main approach we use to provide it, because play is how children naturally express and work through their feelings. You can read more on our play therapy in Cambridge page.
You’re a key part of the work. We usually begin with a session or two with you to understand what’s going on, and we keep you informed and involved throughout. Where parent support is one of the goals, we also provide practical, concrete ways to support the work at home — so the progress your child makes in the playroom carries into everyday life.
Not at all — it’s common, and the playroom is designed to feel welcoming rather than clinical. Most children settle in quickly, and many come to genuinely look forward to their sessions.
Sessions start at $170, and many extended health plans cover therapy. It’s worth checking your coverage.
When a child is struggling, it affects the whole family. The right support can help them feel understood, build the skills to cope, and get back to being a kid. When you’re ready, a short conversation with one of our client care coordinators is all it takes to get started.
Contact our Cambridge office in a way that feels comfortable to you:
Call: 226-666-2872
Toll Free: 888.699.7817
Email us at: info@greenvalleycounselling.com
Text: 226.916.5309
24 Queen Square, Cambridge, ON. N1S 1H6
Located in the Doctor’s House – 24 Queen Square, Cambridge, ON. N1S 1H6
We are near the Public Library, Idea Exchange, across from Queen Square fountain in downtown Galt.
There is parking available around the Square or at the Library.
Our phones and emails are answered Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.
Therapists’ Hours:
Monday 10 pm to 7 pm
Tuesday 9 am to 5 pm
Wednesday 9 am to 7 pm
Thursday 9 am to 8 pm
Fridays 11 am to 8 pm