WELCOME TO MCKINNON PSYCHOTHERAPY
Child Therapy in Trenton and Quinte West, ON
SERVING TRENTON, BELLEVILLE, BRIGHTON & PRINCE EDWARD
Child therapy in Trenton and Quinte West is counselling for children 6 and up, using play and conversation to help with feelings they can't yet put into words. Our registered psychotherapists (CRPO) and social workers (OCSWSSW) see children on Front Street in downtown Trenton. About 1 in 5 Ontario children and youth has a mental health challenge (Ontario Child Health Study, McMaster University), so you're far from alone.
Children don't need to be fixed. They need to be heard.
If your child is having a hard time, the right support can make all the difference, for them and for you.
Something has shifted, and you can feel it.
The meltdowns that come out of nowhere. The worries that don't make sense. The quiet that's replaced the conversation you used to have on the way home from school.
Maybe mornings have become a battle. Maybe they're not sleeping. Maybe the child you know feels just out of reach, and you're not sure how to get back to them.
You've tried everything you can think of. And nothing seems to stick.
You're not a bad parent.
Your child isn't broken.
They're communicating the only way they know how right now. Through behaviour, silence, or emotion.
Big feelings without the words to express them don't disappear. They come out sideways. And the more that builds up, the harder it becomes for everyone.
Without the right support, those feelings can grow into bigger fears. It's hard to watch your child's light dim under frustration or anxiety. And it's exhausting to feel like you're walking on eggshells in your own home.
But here's what we know to be true: things can shift.
Children are remarkably resilient. They just need the right guide to help them find their way through.
This is where we can help.
At McKinnon Psychotherapy and Counselling, we work with children aged 6 and up using play, creativity, and evidence-based approaches that are designed for how children actually think and feel.
Because children don't process the world the way adults do. Sitting across from a therapist and talking through their feelings isn't always where they start. So we meet them where they are. Through the activities, stories, and expressions that feel natural to them.
Through that process, we help children build language around their emotions, develop coping tools that last, and strengthen their sense of self.
And we work closely with you, too. Because supporting you is part of supporting them.
What the work looks like.
We start by getting to know your child and your family: what's happening at home, at school, in their relationships. We want to understand the full picture, not just the presenting problem.
From there, we build a plan together. One that fits your child's personality, age, and unique needs.
Over time, you may start to see the shifts. Less tension at home. More laughter. New ways of connecting with your child that feel natural again.
Parents often tell us that's the moment it really lands. Not just that their child is doing better, but that they feel closer to them again.
If you’re tired of figuring it all out on your own and want help for you and your family, we can help.
Click the button below and reach out for a free 15m consultation
Hi, Welcome to McKinnon Psychotherapy
We know how hard it is to watch your child struggle and not know how to help. Through our time together, we can get to the root of what's going on and give your child the tools they need to thrive.
Your child can take that one hour of 24 just for them, a space where they feel safe, heard, and understood.
We're not only looking at the problem in front of us. We're helping your child build emotional skills they can carry with them as they grow.
We work with both children and parents, because children do best when the whole family is supported.
And our approach is warm, creative, and evidence-based, designed specifically for how children think, feel, and grow.
We know it takes courage to reach out. But this can be the first step toward a happier, more connected family.
Challenges We Help Children With
Anxiety, worry, or fear that gets in the way of everyday life
Emotional outbursts, meltdowns, or difficulty regulating big feelings
Withdrawal, low mood, or loss of interest in things they used to enjoy
School challenges: focus, friendships, or performance
Changes at home such as divorce, a new sibling, or loss
Low self-esteem or a negative inner voice
Effects of trauma or difficult past experiences
Trouble sleeping, physical complaints, or unexplained stress responses
If any of these sound familiar, you're in the right place.
Our therapists are experienced in child development and genuinely passionate about helping families grow stronger. We know what it takes to ask for help, especially when it involves your child, and we'll meet both of you right where you are.
How We Can Help
Play-Based Therapy for Children in Trenton
Play-based therapy uses toys, art, stories and games to help young children show what they can't yet say. To your child it feels like playing. Underneath, they're learning to name feelings and calm their body
Help for School Anxiety and School Struggles
Stomach aches every Sunday night. Tears at the door in the morning. School is often where worries show up first, especially after a posting means a new school. We help children understand what's making school hard and how to cope there.
Children in Military and Veteran Families
Deployments and postings from CFB Trenton are hard on kids. We work with military and VAC families, and we direct bill Canada Life for military dependants.
Support for Children with ADHD and Autism in Quinte West
"Could my child have ADHD or autism?" is one of the questions Quinte West parents ask us most. We don't do assessments, but we support your child and family while you figure it out. No diagnosis is needed to start.
Trauma Therapy for Children, Including EMDR
When big feelings trace back to a frightening event, a loss or a hard stretch at home, Daria and Elizabeth also offer EMDR for children.
Therapy for Teens 12 and Up
From age 12, teens in Trenton and Quinte West have 50-minute sessions and their own privacy, and many choose their therapist from our bios.
Who Your Child Will See
Daria Pool, MSW, RSW
Ages 6-11 and then 18+
Play-based therapy, parenting, ADHD, autism, EMDR
Taylor Raas, MSW, RSW
Ages 6+
Anxiety, grief, neurodivergence, family conflict
Larissa Doidge, RP (Qualifying)
Ages 6+
Anxiety, trauma, autism
Elizabeth Bennett, RP
Ages 7+
ADHD, autism, trauma, EMDR
What to Expect
1. A free 15-minute call to match your child with the right therapist.
2. A longer first visit, so your child can settle in.
3. Shorter sessions after that, often around 30 minutes, weekly or every two weeks.
4. Check-ins with you, with tools to use at home.
After-school and evening times are available in Trenton.
What Children’s Counselling Costs
The consultation is free, and session fees are on our Rates & FAQ page. We direct bill Manulife, Canada Life and Medavie Blue Cross. Check whether your plan covers a psychotherapist (RP) or social worker (RSW).
42 Front St, Trenton, ON, K8V4N2
Our office is in downtown Trenton. Families come from Trenton, Brighton, Belleville, Stirling, Frankford and Prince Edward County, and we offer online therapy across Ontario.
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Yes. That's why we start with play, art and games, so your child can show us what's going on first.
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Both provide therapy for children. It often comes down to what your insurance covers, and we'll sort it out on the free call.
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No, but many workplace benefit plans cover it, and we direct bill the main providers. For whole-family support, see Family Counselling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get started with therapy
Get in touch
Simply complete the form below to schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation call with us. Or call or text 613 777 0228.
Free consultation
We'll have a call with you to learn more about what your child is going through.
Feel better
We'll get started with counselling and guide your family through this process one step at a time.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
Reach out today to learn how we can support your child's emotional wellbeing, and yours too. Serving Trenton, Quinte West, Belleville, Brighton and Prince Edward County.