Frequently Asked Questions

Play therapy lets children share big feelings through play instead of pressure to talk. It feels safe, natural, and engaging—helping kids work through challenges in a way that matches how they learn, communicate, and heal best.

Play therapy gives your child a safe, engaging way to work through big feelings without pressure to explain concepts they do not fully understand or have the vocabulary to explain (that's our job!). Through the play process, children build confidence, coping skills, and emotional regulation—leading to positive changes at home, school, and in relationships.

Children can benefit from therapy as young as age 2 through adolescence. Younger children often express themselves best through play, while older children and teens may use a mix of play, creative activities, and conversation—always matched to their developmental stage and needs.

While both psychotherapists and psychologists support mental health and emotional well-being, their roles differ in scope and approach. Psychologists are trained to conduct psychological testing and provide formal diagnoses, while psychotherapists focus on providing treatment through therapeutic interventions that promote emotional growth, healing, and coping. 

In Ontario, only psychologists and medical doctors (such as family physicians or psychiatrists) are legally authorized to make and communicate mental health diagnoses. Psychotherapists and other mental health professionals provide essential therapeutic support but cannot formally diagnose. 

Families seeking a diagnosis for school, medical, or treatment purposes should consult their family doctor for a referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist. This ensures assessments are completed within proper guidelines while allowing therapies such as play therapy to support a child’s emotional well-being regardless of diagnosis.

In Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), the focus is not on diagnosing or labeling a child (regardless of this all children must learn emotional regulation skills), but on understanding their experiences and supporting their natural capacity for self-regulation and resilience. 

CCPT builds foundational coping skills—such as emotional expression, problem-solving, self-awareness, self-regulation—that help children manage challenges effectively, with or without a formal diagnosis. By emphasizing relationship, autonomy, and emotional safety, play therapy meets children where they are developmentally, addressing their mental health needs in a way that honors their individuality and innate potential for growth.

At Anchor Child Therapy, we do not offer direct billing to insurance providers; however, we provide detailed receipts containing all the necessary information—such as the therapist’s credentials and registration number—so you can easily submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement. 

Most extended health insurance plans in Ontario do cover services provided by Registered Psychotherapists, though coverage amounts and requirements may vary. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to confirm your specific coverage details before beginning therapy.

The cost of therapy sessions at Anchor Child Therapy is $180 per clinical hour, with child sessions lasting 45 minutes and parent/adult sessions lasting 50 minutes. 

Services provided by Registered Psychotherapists are tax-exempt, meaning no HST is added to the session fee. 

To help make therapy more accessible, we also offer a sliding scale option through our student program, which provides reduced-fee sessions with qualified student therapists under supervision. 

*Please note that sessions with student therapists are not typically covered by insurance but offer an affordable alternative for those seeking support

Our cancellation policy requires a minimum of 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. 

Cancellations made with less than 24 hours notice, or missed appointments without notice, will be charged the full session fee. 

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in maintaining this policy, as it helps ensure consistency and respect for both clients’ and the therapist’s time.