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Counselling
When kids get stuck, the adults who care for them can feel stuck too. Sometimes, we just want to know we’re still on course.
We help adults make sense of a child or teen’s behaviour through developmental science and gain headway using evidence-based practices.
By connecting the dots between behaviour, emotion, and learning, we support you to lead with clarity, confidence, and care.
Counselling services are designed for:
Who We Support
All our counsellors are Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs), with advanced training in developmental science, relational health, and trauma-informed practice.
We welcome all forms of families and the diversity that comes with caregiving.
Parents navigating emotional, behavioural, or developmental challenges or questions
Stepparents, grandparents, foster families, and extended caregivers
Educators and helping professionals seeking support around a child or teen
Teens transitioning into adulthood
Adults looking to understand their own emotional patterns or parenting struggles
Common Issues We Address
As developmentalists, we work with a wide range of concerns including:
- Anxiety, attention challenges, and frustration
- Neurodivergence and emotional sensitivity
- Bullying, peer problems, and school refusal
- Resistance, dominance, and opposition
- Eating, sleeping, and learning struggles
- Preschooler personality and school readiness
- Discipline and family relationship issues
We also support:
Adults navigating the transition to parenting or grandparenting
Teacher and caregiver burnout and compassion fatigue
Teens facing identity questions, emotional health struggles, friendship issues, and the shift toward independence
No concern is too small. If you’re unsure where to start you are welcome here.
To help you feel more prepared, we’ve created this What to Expect guide. Inside, you’ll find helpful information about how our counselling sessions typically unfold, what you can bring to your first meeting, confidentiality, and how we will work together to support you and your family.
Starting counselling can feel like a big step, and it’s natural to have questions about what will happen.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Our Approach
We don’t treat symptoms in isolation - we look for the developmental story beneath them.
Our goal is to help adults lead with insight and restore confidence in their caregiving role.
Assess
We assess your child or teen’s developmental pulse - to understand whether they’re on track, a bit stuck, or in need more support
01
Connect
We connect challenges often treated separately: sleep, anxiety, eating, neurodivergence, emotional outbursts, and more.
02
support
Our support considers your whole family system, drawing on clinical experience and grounding in evidence-based practice
03
sense making
We help adults make sense of kid’s behaviour and emotions – in every environment, from home to school
04
teens
When we work with teens, we also support their families and caregivers to ensure everyone is on the same page
05
We offer counselling with warmth, curiosity, and an unwavering belief in the power of relationship.
To explore, imagine, and integrate experience through freedom from outcome or pressure
To experience emotion vulnerably and develop the capacity for sharing feelings in socially responsible ways
To rest in safe, secure connection with caring adults
To feel safe enough to come to stillness in both body and mind - essential for sleeping, eating, and learning
Just like an apple seed needs water, warmth, protection, and time to become an apple tree, children grow best when their irreducible needs are met. These aren’t nice-to-haves. They are essential and based on the pioneering developmental and relational approach of Gordon Neufeld.
The Prime Directive: Create Conditions for Growth
Explore Inside a Developmental Lens to discover the science behind how we make sense of kids.
Want to understand more about our developmental approach?
If things feel confusing or overwhelming, you’re not alone. We’re here to help you connect the pieces—and move forward with clarity.
- Provide them a space to feel and heal
- Offer parallel sessions for parents or caregivers
- Focus on family cohesion, emotional well-being, and developmental growth
We work directly with the adults responsible for a child’s care, and we advise not telling your child or teen that you’re seeking support unless discussed with your counsellor.
If things feel confusing or overwhelming, you’re not alone. We’re here to help you connect the pieces—and move forward with clarity.
Who should attend counselling?
Where Sessions Take Place
All counselling sessions take place virtually, allowing participation from multiple locations.
Due to professional licensing requirements, we are only able to see clients within Canada.
If you reside outside of Canada, we welcome you to explore our courses and online events.
Meet the team
Founder & Counsellor
With over 25 years of experience in clinical and educational settings, Deborah helps adults become their child’s best bet by making sense of developmental stuckness and emotional needs.
Dr. Deborah MacNamara PhD, RCC
Counsellor
An authorized Neufeld practitioner with over 10 years’ experience, Christie brings warmth and clarity to families in confusing or difficult times, helping them reclaim or hold onto their child or teen.
Christie Mackie
MA, RCC
Practice & Events Coordinator
Heather provides kind, attentive intake for all counselling sessions and coordinates Dr. MacNamara’s speaking events. She brings years of experience supporting children with diverse abilities and advocating for fairness and care.
Heather Beach, BA
FAQs
At times, yes. Priority is given to current and past clients. If you've taken a course with us and live in Canada, you're considered an existing client.
You will be sent a counselling intake form where you are free to share whatever you think is important for us to know ahead of our session.
Please provide 24 hours advance notice when cancelling or changing your appointment time.
Yes. All team members are Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs), which is recognized by most insurance providers.
Please send us a request through the contact form and we will send you more information on counselling fees and availability.
We have several spots available for reduced counselling fees. Please indicate if you are seeking one of these spaces. Please note that we typically run a waitlist for these spaces and it may take a while before one becomes available.
If you or your child is in crisis, please contact local emergency or support services immediately.
More Questions? Get in Touch.
Is a sliding scale available?
What are your counselling fees?
In crisis and need immediate help?
Is there a waitlist?
What can I do to prepare for a counselling session?
How long are the counselling sessions?
What is your cancellation policy?
Are counselling sessions covered by insurance?
