Intervention
Intervention services (e.g., therapy, parenting support) at the Connections Clinic are available for children and adolescents (ages 5-18) and their families. Intervention services may be warranted if you and/or your child are experiencing concerns that interfere with daily living. This may include trouble sleeping, a decrease in academic performance, difficulties in relationships, or a change in behaviour, among other concerns.
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Note that therapy services for adults are not offered at this time.
Available treatment options for children and adolescents at the Connections Clinic target a wide range of concerns, including but not limited to:
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Anxiety and related symptoms and disorders (e.g., panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias)
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Low mood and depression
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Emotional dysregulation
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Challenging behaviours
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Stress
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Trauma
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Self-harm
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Peer and family relationship issues
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Parenting and attachment
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ADHD
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Learning challenges
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Developmental disabilities
Approaches to Therapy
While Micah's approach to therapy is integrative, she prioritizes being client-centered, solution-oriented, and trauma-informed. She uses a developmental and family systems approach to treatment that is supported by evidence-based practices such as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness and relaxation techniques, as well as elements of play therapy when working with children. Micah draws heavily from attachment theory when working with parents and families.
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Some of the primary approaches incorporated into intervention services depending on client needs and goals include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a widely used treatment for anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. It is based on the idea that if we make changes to how we think and act, we can improve how we feel by developing better emotion regulation and coping strategies.
Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed care reflects an understanding of the impact of trauma on an individual. It acknowledges that a holistic picture of an individual's past and present life experiences is essential to providing adequate care. A trauma-informed approach focuses on strength and resilience.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT focuses on both accepting and changing behaviors. It uses techniques such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, and increasing interpersonal effectiveness, often to address emotion dysregulation and harmful or risky behaviors.
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Attachment Theory
The idea behind attachment theory is that a child develops a sense of security from having caregiver(s) who are available and responsive to their needs. Intervention services using this framework focus on the parent-child relationship and aim to help caregivers connect with and better support their child(ren).
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT incorporates mindfulness skills with the practice of self-acceptance. Individuals learn to "just notice" and accept difficult feelings and situations instead of avoiding or trying to change them. The use of metaphors play a big role in ACT.
Mindfulness
Being mindful means being fully present in the here and now. It involves an awareness of one's thoughts and feelings, without judgement or interpretation. There are a variety of mindfulness techniques, including breathing, guided imagery, meditation, among other exercises.
