CALGARY CHILD AND TEEN PSYCHOLOGIST

UPDATE: Rise Child Psychology has recently changed its name to Creative Sky Psychology.  

It is truly disappointing to say good-bye to a great name (Rise Child Psychology), however another Calgary Counselling establishment (Rise Counselling) was first to the name game. In order to avoid brand confusion, it was decided that a name change would be necessary. Please welcome Creative Sky Psychology! After careful consideration, Creative Sky Psychology was chosen as a unique name, matching the unique services provided to foster growth in children and teens.

Creative Sky Psychology supports the unlimited growth potential of children and teens. The Sky is truly the limit!

 www.creativeskypsychology.com

STRENGTH-BASED THERAPY

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Rise Child Psychology was founded by Shannon Kelly, Registered Psychologist, located in Calgary Alberta. Shannon is passionate about supporting the growth of children, teens, and parents. Shannon provides a supportive and engaging environment, using your child or teen's strengths and interests to foster long term wellness and growth. 

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THE RISE DIFFERENCE 

How Can Rise Help?

Sometimes it is hard to know where to turn for help. There are many ways of supporting children and teens. A Child Psychologist who specializes in supporting children and adolescents, can help navigate life's difficulties through a developmental lens.  Rise Psychology can also help parents navigate how to access additional community or school supports depending on your child's needs. 

A Unique Therapy Program 

What is Rise Children? Rise Children is a Child and Teen Therapy program that was created to build capacity in children and adolescents. Rise Children reframes difficulties into growth opportunities. This enables your child or teen to build strength and resiliency within a developmental framework. The skills your child or teen learns in therapy creates positive coping abilities for future situations. 

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CHILD AND TEEN THERAPY PROGRAMS

ART THERAPY

How does Art Therapy Work? Art  is a therapeutic form of communication and healing. Art therapy can be used as a tool to interpret nonverbal symbols, messages, and metaphors within a child's artistic expression. This allows the Psychologist the ability to gain an understanding of your child's underlying emotions and issues and help them change the narrative.  Children often lack  insight into their own thoughts and feelings. Art therapy acts as a bridge to connect thoughts and emotions. Once the connection is made, healing and new patterns emerge! Children and teens who are slow to warm also benefit from expressing their thoughts and feelings through art as it is a safe method of communication. Art therapy can be used as a stand alone therapy or in conjunction with other therapeutic techniques. It is an effective Psychology practice for children and teens that promotes growth, connection, and healing. 

PLAY THERAPY

Children Learn Through Play! Play therapy is a therapeutic technique that encourages children to express their thoughts and feelings in a way that feels natural and safe. Often children haven't developed the verbal skills necessary for talk therapy. Play therapy is a method of gaining insight into a child’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences.  Play therapy can help build insight and allow space for healing, teaching, and growth. Play Therapy is used to help children with a variety of challenges including; Grief, Trauma, Social and Emotional issues, Anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Play Therapy enables children to express and change the narrative of their thoughts, which fosters healthy growth and development. 

TEEN THERAPY

How can therapy help my teen? If your teen is struggling, therapy can be a safe place to manage life's challenges. Therapy can be helpful for teens that are experiencing family problems, school problems, bullying, and emotional struggles. Teens who come to therapy may also be struggling with sadness, low self-esteem, anger, and stress. Teens will benefit from therapy to identify their causes of distress and learn insight and coping strategies. Whether it's social pressures, fear and anxiety regarding an uncertain future, or academic stress; therapy can help your teen navigate difficult times. When working with teens, a combination of talk therapy with creative therapeutic exercises is beneficial. Teens are at a unique in between age and need to feel trust and autonomy in session. 

CHILD THERAPY

How does Child Therapy work? Child therapy at Rise Child Psychology is tailored to match the age, developmental needs, and strengths of your child. I work with children through various challenges by developing tools and coping strategies that are unique to your child's strengths. This creates a fun working relationship and a better outcome!  In therapy, children learn strategies for life's challenges based on the latest research in child development. A child does not need a diagnosis to benefit from therapy. They may benefit from seeing a Child Psychologist if they are experiencing difficulties with social skills, emotion regulation difficulties, school or family issues, or for preventative purposes. Children who exhibit symptoms related to ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, Depression will also benefit from therapy.

PARENTING THERAPY

Parenting can be a tough job. Parents often wonder if they are doing the right thing. Therapy for parenting issues can be for parents who are hoping to deepen their understanding of how to support their child. When parents are feeling emotionally healthy, they are better able to cope with parenting challenges and model problem solving and emotion regulation strategies. Healthy parenting is NOT perfect parenting. We all make mistakes and have challenging times. When we learn healthy parenting strategies, we can help build resilience and strength in our children. Parent's can also book their own individualized sessions to support their own growth and manage life's challenges. 

Frequently Asked Questions?

Does My Child Have ADHD?

Are you wondering if your child has ADHD? A Mental-Health professional can help you explore this question. When symptoms of distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity impact your child or teen's functioning and are persistent enough to suggest a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, consultation with a health professional can help explore this possibility and establish a potential treatment plan. If you are concerned that your child has symptoms of ADHD, it is recommended that parents consult with a Developmental Paediatrician or a Child Psychologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. A child with ADHD will benefit from a customized treatment plan that focuses on their unique strengths and challenges, and allows them to thrive. Rise Child Psychology runs a treatment program unique to children and teens who are impacted by ADHD.

Why is my Child Anxious or Depressed?

Many children and teens have fears and worries, and may feel sad and hopeless from time to time. Anxiety may present as fear or worry, but can also make children irritable and angry. Anxiety symptoms can also include trouble sleeping, as well as physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, or stomachaches. Often when a child is anxious they may become depressed.  When children feel persistent sadness and hopelessness, they may be diagnosed with depression.Some children may not talk about their helpless and hopeless thoughts, and may not appear sad. Depression might also cause a child to make trouble or act unmotivated, causing others not to notice that the child is depressed or to incorrectly label the child as "behavioural" or difficult. 

Are My Child's Tantrums Normal?

Although frustrating for parents, tantrums are often a part of normal child development that occur in response to everyday frustrations. Tantrums or meltdowns can also occur if children are feeling anxious, emotionally dysregulated on a consistent basis, or even socially isolated. Tantrums and meltdowns may continue beyond the typical years if a child or teen’s is experiencing sensory difficulties. If your child or teen is experiencing tantrums that seem excessive in frequency and duration, it is important to find the underlying factors, which allows for a solution focused answer. 

Does My Child Have Autism Spectrum Disorder?

"Is my son Autistic?" is a one of the most common questions searched on the internet. Although Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) occurs in both boys and girls, ASD is over 4 times more common in boys according to the latest research. The symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder vary, with some children having only mild differences, while others have more obstacles to overcome. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder often have differences in the following areas:

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1. Communicating verbally and non-verbally

2. Thinking and acting in a flexible manner  

3. Sensory Processing 

Topics of Interest

Attachment

Development of a healthy attachment with a specific caregiver is an important step in a child's life. Attachment is a strong and lasting emotional bound between one person to another and a child is considered attached if they seek the closeness and connection of a caregiver in difficult times. The parent-child attachment affects the child’s emotional and behavioral well-being and is an important aspect of a healthy childhood development.  A child’s sense of security is established, and a framework is developed for the creation of future social relationships.  Attachment can also be impacted by neurological conditions (such as ASD) as well as "goodness of fit" between the parent and child. If you sense that your attachment with your child is lacking, a professional can help parents and children repair ruptured attachments or find ways for you to bond with your child. 

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Mindfulness for Children and Teens

Being mindful is being attuned to the present moment. Take a moment to imagine walking through the woods after a fresh rainfall. The birds are chirping, the sky is blue, and the freshness of nature permeates through all your senses. During this walk, as you take in the world around you, your thoughts forget to judge the past and future. You forget to ruminate on your job, your relationship, bills, and other life stressors pop into your mind like a game of whack-a-mole. In the present moment, you are aware of your surroundings, outside thoughts will enter you mind, but you gently allow them to pass. Mindfulness can be taught to children of all ages. It can be incorporated as a morning or bedtime routine, allowing your child or teen to learn a different way of being and experiencing their world. 

Resiliency

It goes without saying that it’s been a crazy year for many families. Many parents are worried about how their children are coping with the stress, challenges, and changes due to COVID-19. Despite our best efforts, we can’t protect our children from adversity and obstacles. We can, however, build resiliency in our children. Resiliency is a skill that can be taught (like math or science). Parents and educators can help kids learn resiliency by teaching problem solving skills, building emotional literacy, modelling healthy coping skills, and allowing children to make mistakes.