Mindful Kids Psychology and Wellness Centre

Mindful Kids Psychology and Wellness Centre Evidence-based mental health; psychological & OT assessment & treatment to children & adolescents.

We are a team of clinical psychologists, social workers, behaviour therapist, and occupational therapist. We offer child and adolescent therapy (CBT, DBT, ACT, play therapy, mindfulness), psychological assessment (including psycho-educational assessment, autism assessment, attention assessment, and mental health assessment), and parent consultations related to mental health and behavioural challen

ges. We also offer occupational therapy assessment and treatment for sensory processing, feeding challenges, and fine motor skills in Vaughan, York region.

Our latest blog post in time for Sept transitions!High school can be both exciting and anxiety provoking. Grade 9 can be...
08/23/2026

Our latest blog post in time for Sept transitions!
High school can be both exciting and anxiety provoking. Grade 9 can be a huge leap and your child may suddenly have multiple teachers, different classrooms, a larger school and much more responsibility.

Try not to interpret increased independence as “They should know how to do this.”

Instead, think:

“This is a skill they are learning.”
Read more here https://mkpsychologycentre.com/blog/transitioning-to-high-school-caregiver-guide
And join us for our transition to secondary and post secondary schools talk this Wednesday!

Our newest article on back to school transition is full of practical tips for families. Because… September can bring exc...
08/21/2026

Our newest article on back to school transition is full of practical tips for families. Because… September can bring excitement, but it can also bring stress, uncertainty and overwhelm. For many children and teens, the transition back to school, or the move to college or university, can be harder than we expect.

To learn more: Join us for a practical 1-hour webinar for parents and caregivers of students entering high school, college, or university. We’ll explore strategies to support your child through this transition while gradually building their confidence and independence.

We’ll cover:
✦ Understanding the transition from elementary school to high school and post-secondary
✦ Understanding why everyday school tasks can be harder for some students, and how to support them
✦ Creating practical systems that build organization and independence
✦ Navigating accommodations and school-based supports
✦ Understanding when a psychological assessment may be helpful and how it can inform support
✦ Helping your child develop communication and self-advocacy skills
✦ Learning how to gradually shift from manager to coach as a parent

We will also provide a practical take-home toolkit with simple strategies and resources to help you think through your child’s strengths, needs, supports and next steps.

📅 August 26
⏲️ 7–8 PM

The transition to high school or post-secondary can be exciting, but it can also bring a whole new set of expectations f...
08/18/2026

The transition to high school or post-secondary can be exciting, but it can also bring a whole new set of expectations for students and their families. For students who learn differently, are neurodivergent, or need additional support, these changes can feel especially challenging.

Join us for a practical 1-hour webinar for parents and caregivers of students entering high school, college, or university. We’ll explore strategies to support your child through this transition while gradually building their confidence and independence.

We’ll cover:
✦ Understanding the transition from elementary school to high school and post-secondary
✦ Understanding why everyday school tasks can be harder for some students, and how to support them
✦ Creating practical systems that build organization and independence
✦ Navigating accommodations and school-based supports
✦ Understanding when a psychological assessment may be helpful and how it can inform support
✦ Helping your child develop communication and self-advocacy skills
✦ Learning how to gradually shift from manager to coach as a parent

This is a practical take-home toolkit with simple strategies and resources to help you think through your child’s strengths, needs, supports and next steps.

📅 August 26
⏰ 7–8 PM
💻 Live 1-hour webinar
💸 $100 | *Covered under Psychology Services

To register, call 365-600-5063 or email [email protected].

Sleep isn’t just about feeling rested… it’s one of the most important foundations for children’s mental health.When chil...
08/17/2026

Sleep isn’t just about feeling rested… it’s one of the most important foundations for children’s mental health.

When children don’t get enough quality sleep, the effects often extend far beyond being tired. Sleep plays a vital role in emotional regulation, attention, learning, memory, and overall wellbeing. Research has consistently shown that insufficient sleep is associated with increased anxiety, greater emotional reactivity, more difficulties with attention and concentration, and poorer academic performance.

The good news is that healthy sleep habits can make a meaningful difference. Establishing a consistent bedtime, limiting screen time before bed, creating a calming bedtime routine, and ensuring children get regular physical activity during the day can all support better sleep and overall mental wellbeing.

If your child’s sleep difficulties are persistent or are beginning to impact their mood, behaviour, school performance, or daily functioning, it may be helpful to seek support. Addressing sleep concerns early can have a positive impact on both emotional and cognitive development.

Healthy sleep supports healthy minds.

If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health or emotional wellbeing, the team at Mindful Kids Psychology & Wellness Centre is here to help.

📞 365-600-5063
📧 [email protected]
—

Sources (APA 7th)
* Canadian Paediatric Society. (2024). Healthy sleep for your baby and child. https://caringforkids.cps.ca
* Mindell, J. A., & Owens, J. A. (2015). A clinical guide to pediatric sleep: Diagnosis and management of sleep problems (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
* National Sleep Foundation. (2020). Children and sleep. https://www.thensf.org
* Owens, J. A. (2014). Insufficient sleep in adolescents and young adults: An update on causes and consequences. Pediatrics, 134(3), e921–e932. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2014-1696

Looking for a simple, fun way to bring more calm and connection into your day? Our FREE downloadable Mindfulness Bingo i...
08/04/2026

Looking for a simple, fun way to bring more calm and connection into your day?

Our FREE downloadable Mindfulness Bingo is available right on the Mindful Psychology and Wellness Centre website!

This isn’t your typical bingo — it’s designed to gently encourage grounding, awareness, and small mindful moments you can weave into everyday life. Whether you’re taking a break from school stress, winding down after a busy day, or just trying to reconnect with the present moment, this is an easy and engaging way to start.

Perfect for doing together as a family or independently, it helps build emotional awareness without feeling like “work.” Just simple prompts, real-life moments, and a little bit of fun along the way.

💻 Download it for free on our website and take a small step toward calmer, more mindful days

Visit mkpsychologycentre.com to access your copy today.

Anxiety in children isn’t always easy to recognize.When many people think of anxiety, they picture a child who openly sa...
07/28/2026

Anxiety in children isn’t always easy to recognize.

When many people think of anxiety, they picture a child who openly says they’re worried or frightened. While this can certainly happen, anxiety often presents much differently in children. Because children are still developing the emotional awareness and language to describe what they’re experiencing, their anxiety may be expressed through their behaviours, emotions, or even physical symptoms instead.

For example, a child who frequently complains of stomach aches before school may not be trying to avoid class for no reason—they may be experiencing the physical effects of anxiety. Another child may become irritable or have emotional outbursts because their nervous system feels overwhelmed, not because they’re intentionally being “difficult.” Others may avoid situations that make them anxious, struggle with perfectionism, or have trouble falling asleep because their mind finds it difficult to settle.

These behaviours can sometimes be misunderstood as defiance, laziness, attention-seeking, or simply part of a child’s personality. In reality, they may be signs that a child is experiencing significant emotional distress. Recognizing anxiety early allows children to learn that anxiety doesn’t have to control their lives.

If you’re concerned about your child’s anxiety or have questions about what you’re noticing, the team at Mindful Kids Psychology & Wellness Centre is here to help.

📞 365-600-5063
📧 [email protected]
—
Sources:
•American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2022). Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. https://www.aacap.org
Anxiety Canada. (2024). Anxiety in children. https://www.anxietycanada.com
•Birmaher, B., Brent, D., Bernet, W., Bukstein, O., Walter, H., Benson, R. S., ... & Medicus, J. (2007). Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with anxiety disorders. •Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(2), 267–283. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.chi.0000246070.23695.06

07/27/2026

✨ 3 Tips for Building Fine Motor Skills from an OT’s Perspective ✨

Did you know there are many ways to support your child's fine motor development? Building core strength, working on vertical surfaces, and practicing hand skills all play an important role. Our Occupational Therapist, Lisseth Reano, shares three simple strategies to help support your child's fine motor development.

1️⃣ Build core strength
A strong core helps children develop the stability they need for controlled hand movements. Try activities like animal walks, yoga poses, and floor exercises.🚶

2️⃣ Work on vertical surfaces
Trying activities on windows, easels, and paper taped to the wall can encourage shoulder and wrist strength while helping children develop better hand control. ✍️

3️⃣ Make fine motor practice part of everyday play
Activities such as using tweezers, threading beads, cutting with scissors are fun ways to naturally strengthen fine motor skills. ✂️

Reach out to learn more about working with an Occupational Therapist and how we can support your child!

📞 365-600-5063
✉️ [email protected]

It’s a simple sentence, but it carries a powerful reminder.When you’re living with anxiety, OCD, or another mental healt...
07/20/2026

It’s a simple sentence, but it carries a powerful reminder.

When you’re living with anxiety, OCD, or another mental health challenge, it can feel like progress is moving at a standstill. Some days, simply getting out of bed, going to work, attending therapy, or resisting the urge to give in to anxiety is a victory—even if it doesn’t feel like one.

Healing is rarely linear. There will be days that feel easier and days that feel much harder. That doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re human.

Growth often happens quietly—in the moments you choose to keep going despite the uncertainty, practice the coping skills you’ve learned, or take one small step outside your comfort zone.

If today feels heavy, remind yourself that you don’t need to have all the answers. You only need to take the next step.

You deserve the chance to see what life can look like when you keep choosing yourself, even on the difficult days.

💙 Keep going. Your future self may thank you for not giving up.

🌐 ocdontario.com
—
📌 Post created by Samantha Cerruto

“I’m bored.”It’s something many parents hear, and the first instinct is often to fix it. But what if boredom isn’t somet...
07/18/2026

“I’m bored.”

It’s something many parents hear, and the first instinct is often to fix it. But what if boredom isn’t something to avoid?

Research suggests that unstructured time gives children the opportunity to think creatively, solve problems independently, develop confidence in their own ideas, and build important emotional regulation skills. When children aren’t constantly entertained, they begin to create, imagine, explore, and discover what they’re capable of on their own.

Of course, boredom doesn’t always feel comfortable—and that’s okay.
Learning to tolerate moments of discomfort is part of developing resilience and emotional flexibility. By resisting the urge to fill every quiet moment, we give children the space to build skills that support healthy development well beyond childhood.

Sometimes, the greatest opportunities for growth begin with the simple words: “I’m bored.”

If you’re looking for additional support in understanding your child’s development or navigating parenting challenges, the team at Mindful Kids Psychology & Wellness Centre is here to help. Every child develops differently, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

What are some creative ways your child has turned boredom into play? We’d love to hear in the comments!

📩 Reach out to the clinic to learn more about how we can help.
📞 365-600-5063
📧 [email protected]
—
Sources:
•American Academy of Pediatrics. (2018). The power of play: A pediatric role in enhancing development in young children. Pediatrics, 142(3), e20182058. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-2058
•Diamond, A. (2013). Executive functions. Annual Review of Psychology, 64, 135–168. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-113011-143750
•Gray, P. (2013). Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life. Basic Books.
•Carlson, S. M. (2014). The imaginative mind: Development and applications. In M. Goldstein & R. Lerner (Eds.), The Wiley Handbook of Developmental Psychology in Practice. Wiley.

Loneliness is a common human experience that most people encounter at some point in their lives. It can affect people of...
07/18/2026

Loneliness is a common human experience that most people encounter at some point in their lives. It can affect people of all ages, from children and teenagers to adults. Yet despite how common it is, many people hesitate to talk about it for fear of being judged. By understanding what loneliness is, why it occurs, and how we can respond to it, we can better recognize it in ourselves and others and feel more empowered to seek support when needed.

Our newest blog article by Dr Sharry Shakory explores the feeling of loneliness and ways to better understand it and feel supported.

Read the full article - linked in bio

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4550 Highway 7
West Woodbridge, ON
L4L7B9

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+13656005063

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