Children and Families
Individual, Group and Family Support
A Safe Space for Emotional Growth
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At The Centre, we believe every child deserves to feel understood, confident, and connected.
Some children feel their emotions very deeply — while others try hard to stay in control, sometimes hiding their feelings to keep everything “just right.”
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Our program uses different treatment modalities while specialising in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RO-DBT). Our goal is to help children gently learn about their emotions, build coping skills, and feel comfortable being their true selves — all within a caring and supportive environment.
Helping Children and Families Thrive with DBT & RO-DBT
What Is DBT Informed for Kids?
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Children who experience big emotions often struggle to find calm when things feel overwhelming. While DBT was originally created for adults and teens, the treatment is adaptable to teach children how to understand what they’re feeling, handle frustration, and build healthy ways to express themselves.
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DBT teaches practical, kid-friendly skills in four key areas:
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Mindfulness – noticing thoughts, feelings, and actions without judgment
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Emotion Regulation – understanding emotions and learning how to manage them
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Distress Tolerance – coping with challenges in healthy ways
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Interpersonal Effectiveness – communicating clearly and maintaining positive relationships
Our DBT for Kids Program blends skill-building activities, games, and stories with parent sessions to create a shared language of emotional health at home and school.
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What Is RO-DBT Informed for Kids?
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Some children appear calm and well-behaved on the outside but feel anxious, lonely, or overly self-controlled on the inside. We've adapted Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT) skills to help children learn how to relax, take gentle risks, and connect more deeply with others.
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RO-DBT helps children learn to:
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Be more flexible and open to change
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Let go of perfectionism and self-criticism
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Build confidence in expressing emotions
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Form deeper, more joyful social connections
Children learn that it’s okay to make mistakes, to share their feelings, and to show up as they are — not perfectly, but honestly.
We help children move from “I have to be in control” to “I can be myself and still be safe.”
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Supporting the Whole Family
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We know that healing and growth happen best when parents feel supported, too. That’s why we include parent sessions, workshops and family sessions as part of both DBT and RO-DBT programs.
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Together, we’ll explore:
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How to understand and validate your child’s emotions
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Learn the same skills your child is practising
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Gentle ways to respond during difficult moments
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How to model calm, mindful communication at home
You’ll gain tools and language to support your child’s progress — and strengthen your connection as a family.