Evidence-Based Child & Teen Therapy in Calgary

A Thoughtful, Research-Informed Approach — Adapted for Children, Teens, and Families

Choosing therapy for your child can feel overwhelming. Many parents wonder whether therapy will actually help — and whether it will feel safe, supportive, and appropriate for their child’s age and personality.

At Creative Sky Psychology, we offer evidence-based therapy for children and teens in Calgary, thoughtfully adapted to how kids learn, express emotions, and build confidence. Our psychologists combine research-supported approaches with creativity, play, art, and strong therapeutic relationships, so therapy feels effective without being intimidating or rigid.

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What Does “Evidence-Based Therapy” Mean for Children?

Evidence-based therapy refers to approaches that are supported by psychological research and recommended by clinical best practices. For children and teens, it also means knowing how to deliver those approaches in developmentally appropriate ways.

At Creative Sky, evidence-based therapy means:

  • Choosing approaches that are proven to help

  • Adapting them to a child’s age, nervous system, and learning style

  • Remaining flexible and responsive rather than formulaic

Evidence-based does not mean one-size-fits-all. It means intentional, informed, and compassionate care.

A Creative, Developmentally-Attuned Way of Doing Therapy

At Creative Sky Psychology, evidence-based therapy is often delivered through play, art, movement, and creative expression, especially for younger children or those who feel overwhelmed by traditional talk therapy. These methods help children engage naturally while still working toward meaningful therapeutic goals.

Creative tools may include:

  • Play-based activities that explore thoughts and emotions

  • Art and drawing to support expression and processing

  • Stories, metaphors, and imaginative language

  • Games or movement to build regulation and confidence

These approaches are not used instead of evidence-based therapy. They are used to support it, helping children access approaches like CBT, ACT, narrative therapy, and ERP in ways that feel safe and engaging.

You can learn more about this on our Play Therapy and Art Therapy pages.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helps children and teens understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. When adapted for kids, CBT supports emotional awareness and problem-solving without becoming overly clinical.

At Creative Sky, CBT is woven into therapy in child-friendly ways — often through visuals, games, stories, and creative tools. Rather than focusing on “fixing thoughts,” CBT helps children notice patterns, build coping strategies, and feel more confident managing challenges.

CBT is commonly integrated into Child Therapy and Teen Therapy, particularly when supporting anxiety, ADHD, perfectionism, mood concerns, and school-related stress.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Skills

DBT-informed skills focus on helping children and teens manage intense emotions and navigate relationships more effectively. Rather than offering a full DBT program, our psychologists integrate practical DBT skills that support emotional regulation and coping.

These skills can help children and teens learn how to slow down, tolerate distress, communicate more clearly, and respond to emotions without feeling overwhelmed. DBT-informed strategies are often used with teens, children who experience big emotional swings, and families working on emotion regulation together.

DBT skills are commonly incorporated into Teen Therapy and Parent Counselling.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy helps children learn to relate differently to difficult thoughts and feelings. Instead of trying to eliminate anxiety or discomfort, ACT encourages flexibility — helping kids move toward what matters to them even when things feel hard.

ACT principles are especially helpful for children who struggle with worry, perfectionism, or self-criticism. Therapy may include values-based conversations, mindfulness-informed practices, and creative metaphors that make abstract ideas more concrete.

ACT is often integrated into therapy for anxiety and self-esteem, particularly for gifted, sensitive, or high-achieving children and teens.

Narrative Therapy

Narrative therapy helps children and teens separate who they are from the challenges they’re facing. Many kids come to therapy feeling defined by anxiety, behaviour struggles, or school difficulties. Narrative therapy gently shifts this story.

Rather than seeing the child as the problem, narrative therapy helps identify the problem as something external — something the child can understand, respond to, and influence. This approach supports confidence, resilience, and a more compassionate self-view.

Narrative therapy is especially supportive for identity development, self-esteem, neurodivergence, giftedness, and confidence-building.

Emotion Coaching

Emotion coaching focuses on helping children learn to recognize, name, and regulate their emotions — with the support of caring adults. This approach recognizes that emotional skills are learned through relationships, not just insight.

Our psychologists often support parents and children together, helping families understand emotional responses, practice calming strategies, and strengthen co-regulation. Emotion coaching is commonly integrated into Parent Counselling and Parent–Child Therapy, supporting lasting change at home.

Child completing a creative behaviour support exercise with a therapist using markers and drawing tools.

Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) Coaching

Exposure & Response Prevention is the gold-standard treatment for OCD and is also effective for certain anxiety-based concerns. ERP helps children gradually face fears while reducing avoidance and compulsive behaviours.

At Creative Sky, ERP is delivered in a carefully paced, child-centred way. Therapy focuses on collaboration, emotional safety, and parent involvement — never force or overwhelm. ERP is often integrated with narrative and emotion regulation approaches to support both confidence and coping.

An Integrated, Individualized Approach

Our psychologists don’t rely on a single method. Therapy is thoughtfully tailored based on:

  • Your child’s age and development

  • Strengths, personality, and interests

  • Family context

  • Presenting concerns

This integrative approach allows therapy to support both skills and identity, helping children feel capable, understood, and supported.

Finding the Right Therapy Approach for Your Child

You don’t need to know which therapy approach your child needs — that’s part of our role. Our team will help guide the process and recommend an approach, or combination of approaches, that fits your child best.

You may also want to explore:

  • Child Therapy

  • Teen Therapy

  • Parent Counselling

Or reach out to book a consultation and take the next step.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

  • Evidence-based therapy refers to approaches that are supported by research and clinical best practices. For children, this also means adapting those approaches so they are developmentally appropriate, emotionally safe, and engaging — often using play, art, and creativity rather than talk alone.

  • No. At Creative Sky Psychology, evidence-based therapy is flexible and responsive. Our psychologists adapt approaches to each child’s age, personality, nervous system, and needs, so therapy feels supportive rather than structured or intimidating.

  • Not at all. Many children express themselves better through play, drawing, movement, or creative activities. Therapy is designed to meet children where they are developmentally, not require advanced verbal skills.

  • Often, children benefit from an integrated approach. A psychologist may draw from CBT, ACT, narrative therapy, emotion coaching, or exposure-based strategies depending on your child’s needs and goals.

  • Parent involvement is an important part of therapy. This may include parent coaching, joint sessions, or guidance on how to support skills and emotional growth at home.

  • There is no single timeline. Some children benefit from short-term support, while others need longer-term therapy. Progress depends on your child’s needs, goals, and the challenges being addressed.

  • You don’t need to decide that on your own. Our team will help assess your child’s needs and recommend an approach — or combination of approaches — that fits best.