Individual therapy for parents in Hamilton and across Ontario. It seems as though the expectations on parents are getting higher and higher, and yet, our villages are getting smaller and smaller. We’re here to help you feel more grounded and compassionate (to yourself and your kids), and to truly feel that you are a good-enough parent.
Sarah Kennedy (RP-Qualifying) is our resident parenting specialist.
Ready for Support in Navigating Parenting?
Your guilt and anxiety are sky-high; you never know if you’re ‘doing it right’
You had high hopes that you would never repeat certain patterns from your own childhood, and yet, you find yourself sounding like your parents in ways you don’t like
You’re eager to provide your child with secure attachment
You often feel overstimulated & under-resourced
You’re overwhelmed; you’re pulled in too many directions
You’re highly critical of yourself
You struggle with exhaustion, low mood, and anxiety symptoms
You often struggle to feel good-enough & worthy
Your child is struggling with their mental health & you don’t know how to help
You’re ready to take your parenting to the next level; you’re ready to expand your village to include professional parenting & attachment support
Parenting Support in Hamilton
How We Support You With Parenting
Sessions are in person or virtual depending on your preference
Sessions are 50-minutes
Initial sessions are focused on getting to know you, your parenting style, and your goals in parenting
We use an attachment-focused approach to gently learn about you and your family dynamics
We aim to build a safe, secure relationship with you. A sturdy connection is key to addressing parenting concerns without shame
We guide you in exploring and understanding your triggers, where they come from, & learning to shift unwanted patterns
We’ll support you in understanding attachment needs and what ‘good enough’ parenting really looks like
Most of all, we’re your biggest cheerleaders — parenting is hard and we’re here to meet you right where you’re at
Our Hamilton Parenting Therapists
virtual across Ontario
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Sarah Kennedy
Registered Psychotherapist, Qualifying
Sarah specializes in supporting children, youth, and parents to navigate the toughest parts of family life: anxieties, transitions, traumatic events, guilt, self-criticism, and more.
Vibe: Nurturing, warm; compassionate, validating; a deeply relatable mom of two young kids
Anxious about getting started? A free meet & greet is a no-pressure way to check if we’re a good fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I charge $175 per 50 minute session.
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We accept credit card or e-transfer.
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We do not direct bill to insurance companies. You will pay at the end of each session and your therapist will provide a receipt you can use to make a benefits claim with your provider.
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We are located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. We see individuals virtually across Ontario and in person at 57-B John Street South, Hamilton, ON.
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Maggie and Summer work with individuals age 18+. Sarah works with adults, as well as children (Age 6+) and their parents.
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Phase 1 – Get to Know Each Other + Assessment
In this phase, your therapist’s role is:
to get to know you and help you feel comfortable, validated, seen, and heard
to assess your history, your needs, and develop a tentative plan for our work together.
Your role here is to simply be open and honest, to assess if you feel like you and your therapist are a good fit for each other, and to pin down your focus/goals for therapy.
Phase 2 – The Work
In this phase, you begin to actively work on the symptoms, patterns, and challenges that brought you into therapy. This is when your therapist may mindfully push you into a zone of discomfort.
This phase will look different for everyone depending on what you decide to work on together. This may include new insights into your experiences and behaviours, new perspectives and skills, body based interventions, and/or visualizations. The work may include “homework” for you to practice out in the world.
Phase 3 – Maintenance
Once you feel a shift in your mental wellness, you may see your therapist less frequently or you may choose to take a break from therapy. During this time, the focus is on keeping up the gains you have acquired during your time together.
Alternatively, you may choose to focus on an area you have not tackled yet. If so, you cycle back into “the work” for another round.
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As frequently as once a week and as infrequently as once a month. It is recommended you attend weekly or bi-weekly for the first few months of therapy.
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Each therapy session is up to 50 minutes and begins on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Whether you decide to commit for a number of weeks, a number of months, or a number of years depends on your personal needs and goals.
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Your therapist belongs to a regulated college of heath professionals authorized to practice psychotherapy under the Psychotherapy Act of Ontario.
As a member of one of these colleges, we are mandated to continually engage in professional development, peer consultation, and supervision with mentors.
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Your therapist is trained in any number of attachment oriented therapy modalities, such as:
Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT)
Attachment Focused Therapy (DDP)
Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
Family Systems Therapy
Child & Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
As well as other modalities such as:
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)