Depression Therapy in Calgary for Children and Teens

Not all sadness is depression — but when the weight won’t lift, it’s time to reach out. At Creative Sky Psychology in Calgary, we support children and teens struggling with depression through evidence-based, deeply personalized therapy. Whether your child is feeling hopeless, withdrawing from others, or having trouble getting through the day, our experienced psychologists can help them move from stuck to supported.

drawing emotions in depression therapy Calgary child psychologist

What Does Depression Look Like in Children and Teens?

Depression doesn’t always show up as crying. Especially in kids and teens, it can appear as:

  • Irritability, anger, or defiance

  • Isolation or avoiding social interaction

  • Low energy or trouble focusing

  • Loss of interest in hobbies

  • Physical complaints like stomach aches or fatigue

  • Saying things like “I don’t care” or “It doesn’t matter anymore”

These signs may not always be obvious, and they often overlap with anxiety or emotional dysregulation — both of which we address through Emotion Regulation Therapy. Our Calgary child psychologists are trained to understand the unique ways depression shows up at different developmental stages — and to respond with sensitivity, insight, and skill.

Therapy That Supports Healing, Confidence, and Hope

We don’t just treat symptoms — we support the whole child.

At Creative Sky, we use a blend of:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to reframe unhelpful thought patterns

  • Play therapy to help younger children express what words can’t reach

  • Narrative and art-based techniques to explore identity, emotion, and hope

  • Mindfulness and emotional regulation tools

  • Parent involvement to reinforce connection and coping at home

Therapy is adapted to fit your child’s age, personality, and experience. Our focus is always on creating a safe space where children feel heard — and empowered.

Calgary child psychologist Jennifer Hawkins that specializes in the treatment of childhood depression

How We Tailor Depression Therapy by Age

Preschoolers (3–5)

Young children may not say “I’m sad,” but they show it through clinginess, withdrawal, or aggression. We use play-based approaches and parent collaboration to nurture safety, trust, and expression.

School-Age Children (6–12)

Kids in this age group often benefit from play, CBT, art, and storytelling. Therapy focuses on identifying feelings, building skills for emotional expression, and reconnecting with joy.

Teens (13–18)

For adolescents, depression may center around self-esteem, friendships, pressure to succeed, or identity struggles. Therapy may include ACT, narrative therapy, and work around coping, self-talk, and meaning-making.

Parent Support: You Are Not Alone

We understand how helpless it can feel when your child is hurting.

That’s why our Calgary therapists offer:

  • Joint parent-child sessions

  • Psychoeducation about depression and brain-based responses

  • Communication strategies that don’t overwhelm

  • Tools for managing emotional shutdowns, meltdowns, or flat responses

  • Guidance on school support, accommodations, and advocacy

The Creative Sky Difference. How We Support Depression?

Specialized Child & Teen Psychologists
Our team is trained in child development and adolescent mental health — not just adult therapy adapted down.

Creative, Developmentally Matched Interventions
We don’t expect kids to talk like grown-ups. Our therapists use play, art, metaphor, and movement to meet them where they are.

Parent-Centered Collaboration
Therapy often works best when families are part of the process. We involve parents when appropriate - with insight, guidance, and collaboration.

Calgary child at creative sky psychology learning to manage depression and emotions

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Depression can look different in kids than in adults. Signs may include persistent sadness, irritability, low energy, sleep or appetite changes, frequent crying, withdrawal from friends, loss of interest in favorite activities, or even physical complaints like headaches or stomachaches. If your child seems stuck in a low mood for weeks, it may be time to consult a Calgary child psychologist.

  • Depression can arise from a mix of genetic, emotional, environmental, and neurological factors. Common triggers include stress at school, bullying, family conflict, trauma, or hormonal changes. Some children are more sensitive or self-critical by temperament. At Creative Sky Psychology, we explore your child’s full story to guide personalized treatment.

  • Therapy gives children a space to express emotions, develop self-understanding, and learn coping tools. We use play therapy and art-based strategies with younger kids and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), emotion-focused therapy, and mindfulness with teens. Our Calgary therapists also work with parents to support emotional connection at home.

  • Validate your child’s feelings without trying to immediately fix them. Create a calm, nonjudgmental environment, maintain predictable routines, encourage small moments of connection, and praise effort over outcome. Limit screen time, encourage movement, and monitor sleep. You don’t have to do it all alone—therapy can help guide you.

  • Everyone has off days, especially teens. But if the mood shift lasts more than two weeks and interferes with sleep, school, friendships, or daily functioning, it may be clinical depression. A registered psychologist can help assess what’s going on—and whether therapy could help.

  • Some children begin to show improvement after a few sessions, while others need several months to build trust and skills. On average, 10–20 sessions may be needed for meaningful progress, depending on the severity of symptoms and whether other concerns like anxiety or trauma are present. Progress isn’t always linear—but healing is possible.

  • Yes. Depression isn’t always sadness—it can show up as irritability, anger, emotional shutdowns, or acting out. Children often express emotional pain through behavior, especially if they don’t have the words to explain how they feel. Therapy helps uncover the root of these behaviors and gives children more effective ways to cope.

  • Yes. Parent support is a critical part of healing. Our therapists offer feedback, strategies, and emotional coaching so you can feel more confident supporting your child between sessions. Whether you’re navigating meltdowns, shutdowns, or silence—we’re here to walk alongside you with compassion and expertise.