Kids’ Corner

Psychotherapy is a safe, supportive space where children work with a trained professional to understand their thoughts and feelings. Through age-appropriate activities and guided conversations, kids learn to manage emotions, build coping skills and develop confidence.

At ChngeWrks, all children’s psychotherapy is provided by a Registered Clinical Social Worker (RSW) trained in child and adolescent mental health in Brampton and across Ontario.

Yes — counselling, therapy and psychotherapy all refer to working with a trained mental health professional to support emotional wellbeing and personal growth. At ChngeWrks, all services are provided by a Registered Clinical Social Worker (RSW) offering regulated psychotherapy in Brampton and across Ontario.

In Ontario, only regulated professionals are permitted to provide psychotherapy for mental health treatment. This includes Registered Social Workers (RSW), Registered Psychotherapists, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Physicians, Nurses and Occupational Therapists. At ChngeWrks, all psychotherapy services are provided by a Registered Clinical Social Worker (RSW) — ensuring your child receives safe, regulated and professional care in Brampton and across Ontario.

The Science of Emotion group is designed for children aged 6–11 in Brampton and Peel Region who would benefit from developing:

• Emotional regulation skills
• Social skills and connection
• Healthy coping tools
• Confidence and resilience
• A growth mindset

This program is ideal for children who struggle with big emotions, anxiety, frustration, social challenges or low self-esteem. Virtual options available for families across Ontario.

Through evidence-based psychotherapy activities, including experiments, creative arts and guided discussions, children will:

– Recognize and name their feelings
– Learn practical strategies for managing big emotions
– Strengthen problem-solving skills and resilience
– Build social skills and meaningful peer connections
– Develop self-confidence and self-esteem
– Practice DBT and mindfulness-based coping tools

All activities are age-appropriate, engaging and grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills.

How is This Program Different From Other Kids’ Groups?

Many children’s programs run for 50–60 minutes and focus on general social skills. The Science of Emotion program at ChngeWrks goes deeper.

This is a premium clinical program designed for meaningful, lasting emotional growth:

– Longer, immersive 75-minute therapeutic sessions
– Neurobiology-informed, CBT and DBT-based structure
– Hands-on art and science activities to enhance learning
– Child-centred, trauma-informed approach
– Facilitated by a Registered Clinical Social Worker (RSW) with specialized training
– Weekly session emails keeping parents informed and supported throughout the program

This is not a drop-in program — it is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy group for children in Brampton and Peel Region who are ready to grow.

Groups are intentionally kept small — between 4 and 8 children — to ensure personalized attention, a safe environment and meaningful peer connection. Small group sizes also allow the facilitator to tailor activities to the specific needs of each child.

The Science of Emotion program is facilitated by Laura Thornhill, MSW, RSW, BA(Hons.), CYW — a Registered Social Worker and trained Child and Youth Worker with over 20 years of experience supporting children and families across mental health, child development and family wellness.

Laura brings warmth, clinical expertise and a genuine passion for helping children thrive.

Not at all. Psychotherapy can be proactive — helping children build emotional regulation skills, manage stress and develop resilience before challenges become overwhelming.

The Science of Emotion program is suitable for all children aged 6–11 in Brampton and Peel Region who want to better understand their emotions and build lifelong coping skills. Early support leads to stronger, more confident kids.

1. Email us at: info@chngewrks.ca
2. Express your interest in a particular group, and provide the child(ren)’s name, age.
3. We will assist you through the registration process and send you information about available and upcoming spots, waitlists, and necessary intake paperwork.
4. Waitlisted participants will need to set up a client account for each child, but do not need to submit full payment of group fees until a group start date is set, and the child(ren) are enrolled to secure their spot in the upcoming group.
5. Full payment secures your child’s spot in the groupHow Do I Register for Kids’ Corner Groups?Getting started is simple. Email us at info@chngewrks.ca and include your child’s name and age.Here’s what happens next:1. Express your interest in a specific group and provide your child’s name and age.
   2. We will guide you through the registration process and share information about available spots, upcoming groups and waitlists.
   3. Waitlisted families will be asked to set up a client account — no payment required until a group start date is confirmed and your child’s spot is secured.
   4. Full payment confirms and secures your child’s place in the group.Spaces are limited — reach out today to reserve your child’s spot in our Brampton kids therapy group.

Each Kids’ Corner Group may have a different investment based on specialized psychotherapy programming and session length. All program investments are clearly stated at the time of registration.

Current Program Fee:
Science of Emotion (6 weeks): $750 — TAX FREE

Important Payment Information:
– Psychotherapy is a tax-free service — No GST/HST
– Services are NOT covered by OHIP
– Full payment is required at the time of booking to secure your child’s spot
– No refunds will be provided
– Missed sessions are not reimbursable

Insurance Coverage:
Most private health insurance plans cover psychotherapy services provided by a Registered Clinical Social Worker (RSW). Please check with your insurance provider prior to registration.

– Insurance receipts are issued weekly for attended sessions only
– It is the client’s responsibility to submit receipts to their insurance provider
– Extended health insurance does not cover no-shows, missed sessions or cancellations as no clinical service was provided

Yes — because all programs are facilitated by a Registered Social Worker (RSW), services are typically covered under extended health insurance plans that include social work or psychotherapy benefits.

We strongly recommend checking with your insurance provider before registering so you are fully aware of your coverage.

How Insurance Receipts Work:
– The full program payment invoice cannot be submitted to insurance providers as a single claim
– Once your child begins attending, weekly receipts are issued for attended sessions only
– Weekly receipts are to be submitted independently to your insurance provider by the client
– Your provider will reimburse according to your individual plan coverage

Please Note:
Extended health insurance does not cover no-shows, missed sessions or cancellations, as no clinical service was provided on those dates.

ChngeWrks Inc. will not be held responsible for the misrepresentation of participant(s) attendance and/or insurance claims. The onus relies solely on parents and/or guardians to submit updated and/or factual information to their insurance providers.

ChngeWrks runs its groups out of various community locations across Brampton and Peel Region, in partnership with local community agencies. Always confirm the specific location at the time of booking.

The Science of Emotion — Kids’ Emotion Regulation Group is currently held at:
Visual Arts Brampton
1 Bartley Bull Pkwy, Unit 10, Brampton, Ontario

⚠️ Please note: This location is only accessible by stairs. Please contact us prior to registration if accessibility is a concern.

The safety of every child in our program is our top priority.

Drop-Off & Pick-Up Policy:

– Parents/guardians are required to SIGN children IN and OUT at every session
– Government-issued photo ID must be presented at pick-up
– All authorized pick-up persons must be identified on the child’s intake form at the time of registration
– A child will NOT be released to anyone not listed on the pre-arranged pick-up/release form, regardless of circumstance

This policy is non-negotiable and exists solely to protect the children in our care.

Please come prepared at every session.

Yes. If your child requires a supportive family member or caregiver to attend, please contact us in advance by phone or email so we can make appropriate arrangements to best support your child’s participation.

ChngeWrks is committed to the safety and well-being of all children, families, staff and community members attending our programs. Terms & Conditions and Code of Conduct are provided during the registration process.