Therapy for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Children in Calgary

Gifted kids can feel like tornadoes in a bottle — intense, brilliant, and bursting with questions, creativity, or emotion… all at once. Some are reading novels in kindergarten but melt down at bedtime. Others are building robots but can’t tolerate a tag in their shirt. Giftedness isn’t always easy — for the child or the parent.

At Creative Sky Psychology, we support children in Calgary who are intellectually advanced and emotionally overwhelmed, socially misunderstood, or struggling in school. We also conduct assessments for gifted children.

What Does It Mean to Be Gifted or Twice-Exceptional (2e)?

Being gifted often comes with uneven development. A child might solve math equations beyond their grade level but break down over minor frustrations. Twice-exceptional (2e) children are both gifted and have another neurodivergence or diagnosis — such as:

At times gifted kids struggle. Without support, they may experience:

  • Intense frustration or perfectionism

  • School avoidance or boredom

  • Explosive reactions to perceived failure

  • Social anxiety or awkwardness

  • Difficulty with transitions or feedback

  • Isolation, self-criticism, or shutdown

Beautifully Complex…

Parents of gifted and 2e kids often hear:

"They're too smart for that to be a real problem."
"They're just bored."
"They need to try harder."
"They’re so mature — why are they acting like that?"

You may feel caught between pride and panic — amazed by your child’s brilliance, but worn down by daily battles or emotional rollercoasters. At Creative Sky Psychology in Calgary, we understand the complex emotional life of gifted children, and we offer a space where both intellect and emotion are held with respect.

How We Support Gifted and Twice Exceptional (2e) Children in Calgary

We don’t treat giftedness like a diagnosis — we support the whole child, with all their strengths and sensitivities. Our therapists help children:

  • Build emotional regulation and frustration tolerance

  • Develop flexible thinking and problem-solving

  • Understand their unique brain and wiring

  • Cope with perfectionism, comparison, and negative self-talk

  • Practice social connection and self-advocacy

  • Learn calming strategies and creative expression

We often use tools like:

Support by Age and Developmental Stage

Young Children (Ages 4–7)


Gifted kids may be highly verbal but emotionally reactive. We use play-based therapy and sensory integration to support self-regulation and confidence, while involving parents every step of the way.

School-Aged Children (Ages 8–12)


This is when gifted and 2e challenges often show up most clearly. We help children navigate perfectionism, peer issues, emotional outbursts, and the pressure to "perform" while staying connected to their sense of self.

Tweens and Early Teens (Ages 12–15)


Twice-exceptional teens may feel misunderstood or “too much.” Our therapists help them work through identity, anxiety, burnout, motivation, and social navigation — all while honoring their voice and values.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Twice-exceptional (2e) kids are both gifted and have a learning difference, neurodivergence, or mental health challenge—like ADHD, autism, anxiety, or dyslexia. These kids often fly under the radar: their strengths can mask their struggles, or vice versa. Therapy helps 2e children thrive by honoring both their brilliance and their areas of difficulty.

  • Gifted or 2e kids may show advanced vocabulary, intense curiosity, deep emotional sensitivity, or rapid learning in one area—alongside challenges with attention, frustration tolerance, perfectionism, or social interactions. Some may be highly verbal but struggle with executive function. If your child seems both bright and easily overwhelmed, they may be 2e.

  • Therapy supports gifted and 2e children in understanding their unique brain wiring, building emotional regulation, developing coping strategies, and reducing anxiety or perfectionism. Our Calgary psychologists take a strengths-based approach—helping these kids feel seen, supported, and accepted for who they are, not just what they can achieve.

  • Yes. Supporting a gifted or twice-exceptional child can be both rewarding and overwhelming. We help parents understand their child’s profile, reduce power struggles, manage emotional intensity, and create structure that nurtures—not stifles—their child’s potential. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone.

  • Academic success doesn’t always mean emotional wellness. Gifted or 2e children may struggle with self-esteem, burnout, rigidity, or social isolation—especially if their abilities are misunderstood. Therapy helps support the whole child, including emotional development, identity, and self-advocacy.

  • We use creative, flexible approaches that match your child’s learning style and pace. Therapy may include CBT, narrative work, emotion coaching, art or play therapy, and mindfulness. With teens, we often explore identity, motivation, perfectionism, and future goals in a way that aligns with their depth and insight.

  • Absolutely. Many gifted and 2e children have uneven development—where cognitive skills are advanced but emotional, social, or motor skills lag behind. We help kids bridge those gaps by building self-awareness, frustration tolerance, and real-world coping strategies that match their unique developmental profile.

  • Yes. Many gifted children experience emotional intensity, existential worry, social perfectionism, or sensory sensitivities. Their minds may move faster than their emotional development can keep up. Therapy offers a safe space to explore these big feelings and build healthy coping skills for life’s challenges.