Canoe Therapy

Canoe Therapy Multidisciplinary therapy clinic helping children and teens reach their full potential!

Back to school isn’t just about new classes, new teachers and new routines.For teens, it can also mean walking back into...
08/31/2026

Back to school isn’t just about new classes, new teachers and new routines.
For teens, it can also mean walking back into a world of comparison, friendships, expectations and the question they may not say out loud:

Do I fit in? Am I good enough? Can I handle this?

Confidence doesn’t come from telling a teen to “just believe in yourself.” It grows through experience. It grows when they do something that feels uncomfortable — and discover they can handle it.

When they make a mistake — and realize it doesn’t define them.

When they learn to speak up for themselves.

When they stop measuring their worth against everyone around them.

When they begin to understand their own strengths, values and identity.

And when they have adults in their lives who support them without immediately stepping in to fix everything.

Confidence is built one small experience at a time.

For some teens, counselling can provide a safe place to work through anxiety, self-esteem, friendships, school pressure and the challenges that can make returning to school feel overwhelming.

At Canoe Therapy, we support children, teens and families as they build the skills and confidence to navigate what comes next. The postcard itself positions Canoe Therapy around specialized support for children, teens and families and includes counselling among its services.

Need some extra support heading into the school year?

Oakville: 905-257-5555
Burlington: 905-633-9222
canoetherapy.ca

Speech is so much more than words.It’s how children tell us what they need, share an idea, join in, tell a story, make a...
08/23/2026

Speech is so much more than words.

It’s how children tell us what they need, share an idea, join in, tell a story, make a friend — and begin to feel understood. And while speech delays are often what first bring families to us, speech-language therapy can support children with so much more, including articulation, language, literacy, stuttering, lisps, selective mutism and Childhood Apraxia of Speech.

At Canoe Therapy, our Speech-Language Pathologists take the time to understand the whole child — because there isn’t one reason a child may be struggling to communicate, and there isn’t one approach that works for every child.

We use engaging, individualized therapy and a total communication approach, giving children different ways to express themselves while building their communication skills and confidence.

Early support can make a difference — but it is never too late to ask for help.
Wondering if your child could benefit from speech-language therapy?

Talk to us. We’re here to help you figure out the next step. If you'd like to learn more about how we support children's development, this piece written by Anna Mersov, improving children's narrative skills is a good representation of Canoe Therapy’s approach to helping children with speech issues.

https://canoetherapy.ca/is-my-child-behind-in-developing-narrative-skills/

Oakville: 905-257-5555
Burlington: 905-633-9222
canoetherapy.ca
Helping children find their voice — and families feel supported along the way.

A sock seam feels unbearable. The vacuum is too loud. Certain foods cause gagging. A birthday party becomes overwhelming...
08/22/2026

A sock seam feels unbearable. The vacuum is too loud. Certain foods cause gagging. A birthday party becomes overwhelming. Or maybe your child is constantly jumping, spinning, wrestling and crashing into everything around them.

What can look like “difficult behaviour” may actually be a child whose brain is working incredibly hard to process the sensory information around them.
Some children are hypersensitive — everyday sounds, textures, touch or movement can feel like too much.

Others are hyposensitive — their nervous system seeks MORE input through movement, pressure, noise and physical play. And some children experience a combination of both.

The important thing to remember? They aren’t choosing to be difficult. Their nervous system may be telling us that something feels too much — or that they need more.
Understanding what’s underneath the behaviour can completely change how we support it. If sensory challenges are affecting your child’s comfort, confidence, eating, play, school or everyday routines, Occupational Therapy can help identify their sensory needs and develop practical strategies to help them navigate their world with greater ease.

Helping families at every age and stage.

Want to learn more about how Canoe Therapy can support your child?
Oakville: 905-257-5555
Burlington: 905-633-9222
canoetherapy.ca

Sometimes what looks like “overreacting” is actually a child experiencing rejection much more intensely. A friend doesn’...
08/21/2026

Sometimes what looks like “overreacting” is actually a child experiencing rejection much more intensely. A friend doesn’t text back. They aren’t invited. A teacher corrects them. Someone laughs across the room. For some kids and teens with ADHD, perceived rejection or criticism can trigger a huge emotional response.

You might notice:
• “Nobody likes me.”
• Avoiding things they might fail at
• Constant reassurance-seeking
• Perfectionism or people-pleasing
• Anger or defensiveness when corrected
• Assuming the worst in friendships

While Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) isn’t a formal diagnosis, emotional regulation difficulties are common with ADHD — and rejection can feel especially powerful.

So how can we help?

Validate the feeling without automatically validating the interpretation.
Instead of immediately saying, “They weren’t talking about you,” try:
“I can see why that hurt. What else could have been happening?”
Over time, we can help kids learn: Rejection can hurt — and I can handle it. A mistake doesn’t define me. One person’s opinion doesn’t determine my worth.

If your child or teen is struggling with ADHD, rejection sensitivity, confidence, friendships or emotional regulation, our team can help.

Helping families at every age and stage.
Learn more at canoetherapy.ca
Oakville: 905-257-5555
Burlington: 905-633-9222

Confidence can be tricky in the teen years.For some teens, it can feel like everyone else is more confident, more capabl...
08/18/2026

Confidence can be tricky in the teen years.

For some teens, it can feel like everyone else is more confident, more capable, more social, more successful — and somehow has it all figured out. And when a teen already doubts themselves, our instinct as parents is often to build them up.
“You’re amazing.”
“You have nothing to worry about.”
“Of course you can do it.”
“Don’t be nervous.”

But confidence doesn’t always come from being told we’re capable. Often, it comes from discovering that we are. That means allowing our teens to do things before they feel completely ready. To take the risk. Have the awkward conversation. Try something they might not be good at. Get the disappointing grade. Navigate the friendship problem. Make a mistake. And, sometimes, letting them struggle without immediately stepping in to make the struggle disappear.

Our role isn’t to remove every hard thing.

It’s to be beside them while they learn:
I can do hard things.
I can make mistakes and recover.
I can feel uncomfortable and still move forward.
I can be disappointed and be okay.
I don’t have to be perfect to be proud of myself.

That’s where resilience starts. And when your teen takes the risk, notice that — not just the outcome.
“You were nervous and you went anyway.”
“That didn’t go the way you hoped, but you handled it.”
“I saw how hard you worked at that.”
“You figured that out yourself.”
Because confidence doesn’t have to mean:
“I know I can do it.”
Sometimes the most powerful version is:
“I’m not sure I can do it — but I’m willing to try.”

If your teen is struggling with confidence, anxiety, friendships, emotional regulation or navigating the challenges of adolescence, support can help.
Canoe Therapy offers counselling, social skills support, family support and assessments for teens and families.
Let’s grow together.
canoetherapy.ca

Summer is winding down, and before the backpacks, lunches and busy schedules take over again, this can be a really lovel...
08/16/2026

Summer is winding down, and before the backpacks, lunches and busy schedules take over again, this can be a really lovely time to think about what we want the next season to feel like.

Not just for our kids — for the whole family.
Back-to-school often focuses on getting children “ready.” Earlier bedtimes. New routines. Homework plans. Activities and schedules.

But what if we also used this transition as a chance to reset together?

Ask yourselves:
What do we want more of this year?
More connection? More independence? More confidence? More calm?
What could we make easier?
Mornings? Bedtime? Homework? Getting out the door without everyone losing their minds?
And what are we each working toward?

Maybe your child wants to make a new friend, speak up more in class, manage frustration differently or become more independent. And maybe we, as parents, have goals too — listening before fixing, being more patient during the morning rush, putting our phones down more often, or creating more space for one-on-one time.
Personal development isn't only for our children. The way we grow alongside them matters too.

So before September arrives, try having a family conversation. Let everyone choose one thing they'd like to work toward and one thing that could make family life feel a little better. No huge overhaul required. Small shifts. Shared goals. A chance to grow together.

And if your family could use some support along the way, we're here.

Canoe Therapy offers counselling, speech therapy, social skills groups, family support and assessments for children, teens and families.
Let’s grow together.
canoetherapy.ca

Big feelings are part of growing up — but kids don’t always know what to do with them.Frustration, worry, anger, disappo...
08/15/2026

Big feelings are part of growing up — but kids don’t always know what to do with them.

Frustration, worry, anger, disappointment, excitement… sometimes those feelings come out as meltdowns, shutting down, avoiding, arguing or behaviour that seems to come out of nowhere.

At Canoe Therapy, we help kids understand what they’re feeling, find the words to express it, and build strategies that actually work for them.
Because the goal isn’t to get rid of big feelings. It’s to help kids feel more confident handling them.

Through counselling, speech therapy, social skills groups, family support and assessments, our team looks at the whole child — and the whole family.
Wondering what kind of support might be right for your child?

Connect with our team to learn more or book a consultation.
canoetherapy.ca

Building Friendships Starts with Building Confidence.For some children, making friends comes naturally. For others, join...
08/02/2026

Building Friendships Starts with Building Confidence.

For some children, making friends comes naturally. For others, joining a group, taking turns, coping with changes, or knowing what to say can feel overwhelming.

The good news is that these are skills that can be learned.
Friendship Foundations is a new 6-week social group for children ages 6–9, designed to help kids build the confidence and foundational social skills they need to participate successfully in group activities and develop meaningful friendships.

Through games, creative activities, cooperative play, and guided learning, children will practice:

• Sharing and taking turns
• Participating in group activities
• Communicating with peers
• Coping with winning and losing
• Managing transitions and unexpected changes
• Building flexibility and self-regulation

Every session is thoughtfully designed to help children feel successful, connected, and confident while having fun in a supportive environment.

Friendship Foundations
Saturdays | September 12 – October 24

Oakville location. Call to register: 905-257-5555

Developed and overseen by a Registered Behaviour Analyst.
Spaces are limited.

Visit canoetherapy.ca or contact us today to learn more and register.

Helping Families Grow at Every Age, and Every Stage.

Real-Life Skills. Real Confidence. Real Connections.Growing up means learning more than what's taught in the classroom. ...
08/01/2026

Real-Life Skills. Real Confidence. Real Connections.

Growing up means learning more than what's taught in the classroom. It means navigating friendships, communicating with confidence, solving problems, and becoming more independent in everyday life.

The Next Step Crew is a new life-skills group for neurodiverse youth ages 12–17, designed to help teens build practical skills through real experiences—not just worksheets.

Participants will:
• Shop for groceries and practise budgeting
• Plan and prepare simple recipes
• Build communication and self-advocacy skills
• Develop teamwork and flexible thinking
• Practise emotional regulation in real-life situations
• Strengthen independence in a fun, supportive environment
Every session is thoughtfully designed to help teens gain confidence while making meaningful connections with peers.

The Next Step Crew
Saturdays | September & November Cycles
Burlington Location
Spaces are limited.

Visit canoetherapy.ca or contact us to learn more and register.

Oakville location. Call to register: 905-257-5555

Canoe Helps Families Grow at Every Age, and Every Stage.

Wondering if your child needs speech therapy?It's a question many parents ask. While every child develops at their own p...
07/29/2026

Wondering if your child needs speech therapy?

It's a question many parents ask. While every child develops at their own pace, there are times when a little extra support can make a big difference.

Speech therapy isn't just about saying words clearly. It can also help children who:
• Have difficulty expressing their thoughts
• Struggle to understand language or follow directions
• Become frustrated because they can't communicate what they want
• Have trouble pronouncing certain sounds
• Find it difficult to join conversations or interact with peers

The earlier concerns are identified, the earlier children can build the communication skills they need to thrive at home, at school, and with friends.

If you've ever found yourself wondering whether your child could benefit from speech therapy, trust your instincts. An assessment can provide clarity, guidance, and peace of mind.

Growth starts here, for every age and every stage. If you're wondering how we can help, we'd love to hear from you.
Oakville: 905-257-5555
Burlington: 905-633-9222
www.canoetherapy.ca

Address

3455 Fairview Street Unit 8
Burlington, ON
L7N2R4

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7pm
Tuesday 8am - 7pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm

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