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Childhood Trauma & Attachment Therapy in Ottawa

Ottawa Centre for Resilience (OCFR) provides trauma-informed, attachment-focused therapy for children, teens, and families in Ottawa, Ontario. We support concerns related to complex developmental trauma, adoption and attachment disruptions, emotional dysregulation, anxiety, and relationship strain. Our approach is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and developmentally responsive.

We can help with

  • Childhood trauma and complex developmental trauma
  • Attachment disruptions and relational stress
  • Adoption-related identity, grief, and transitions
  • Emotional dysregulation, shutdowns, and intense behaviours
  • Anxiety, school avoidance, and sleep difficulties
  • Caregiver stress, burnout, and co-regulation challenges

Support is tailored to the child’s developmental stage, family context, and relational needs.

When appropriate, OCFR clinicians collaborate with caregivers, schools, physicians, and other community supports across Ontario.

You don’t need to know what kind of service you need.
Many families come to us unsure whether therapy, assessment, or another form of support makes the most sense. Our intake process is designed to help clarify concerns and guide you toward the right starting point – even if your child’s difficulties are mild, emerging, or hard to describe. Schedule your screening call today.

What therapy looks like at OCFR

Therapy is tailored to the child’s developmental stage and nervous system needs, with caregivers involved whenever possible. Early work often focuses on safety, regulation, and strengthening relational patterns that support recovery.

Sessions may include play-based and creative approaches, skills-building, and caregiver coaching, alongside trauma-informed strategies that translate into everyday home and school life.

Families may also be referred for psychological or neuropsychological assessments when questions about learning, attention, or development are part of the clinical picture.

How do we help?

We offer a variety of clinical services to children, youth and their families/caregivers who have experienced trauma and are struggling with attachment and other related difficulties.

Trauma is part of the emotional terrain that many of us may have to navigate at some point in our lives. Trauma typically occurs when we experience an event, or multiple events, that overwhelm our capacity to cope. Trauma can range from a single traumatic incident to multiple or chronic exposures to adverse experiences. It can impact how we view ourselves and others, how we regulate our emotions, how we view the world, and our mental wellbeing.

We have expertise in treating complex developmental trauma, dissociation, attachment difficulties, disruptive behaviours, self-harm, and substance abuse in children in and from care (child welfare), survivors of human trafficking, refugees, as well as those living with FASD.

Assessment 

  • Trauma-informed psychodiagnostic assessment
  • Trauma-informed psychoeducational assessment
  • Trauma-informed comprehensive psychological assessment

Treatment 

Our team provides evidence-based treatment to children, youth, and their families/ caregivers which recognizes that brain development follows a sequential pattern and the impact trauma and adverse experiences have on brain development. Our treatment approach is brain-based, grounded in neurobiology and attachment theory, and adheres to the 3 phases of trauma therapy: stabilization, processing and reconnection. Integrating play and other developmentally appropriate, especially somatic based, approaches our team utilizes a wide range of evidenced-based modalities such as:

Other:

  • Expert Witness Testimony on attachment, trauma, & child and youth development
  • Trauma-informed program consultation to child welfare agencies, outside placement resources (OPRs), schools and school boards, and other agencies serving children, youth, and families impacted by trauma.

Not sure where to start?
We’re here to help clarify next steps – even when your concerns don’t fit a specific label. Schedule a call with a member of our team.

 

FAQs — Childhood Trauma & Attachment (Ottawa)

How do I know if my child needs trauma or attachment therapy?

If your child is struggling with big emotions, shutdowns, intense behaviours, anxiety, school avoidance, sleep difficulties, or strained relationships—and it’s affecting daily life—it may be worth speaking with a trauma-informed clinician.

You don’t need to be certain. Many Ottawa families come to OCFR unsure whether concerns are “serious enough.” Our screening call is designed to help you clarify what’s going on and whether trauma- or attachment-focused therapy is the right fit. Schedule a call with a member of our team.

What is attachment-focused therapy, and how is it different from regular counselling?

Attachment-focused therapy centres on the relationship between a child and their caregivers as the foundation for healing, rather than treating the child in isolation. At OCFR, early work focuses on safety, emotional regulation, and strengthening the relational patterns that help a child recover – with caregivers involved whenever possible. This is especially important for children who’ve experienced developmental trauma, adoption transitions, or disrupted early relationships. Schedule a call with a member of our team.

Do I need a referral to book?

No referral is required. You can reach out directly to OCFR to book an initial screening call – no doctor’s note or agency referral needed. This makes it easier to get started quickly when you’re worried about your child. Schedule a call with a member of our team.

What happens on the screening call?

The screening call is a free, 15-minute, no-pressure conversation with a member of our team to understand your concerns and help identify the best next step—whether that’s therapy, an assessment, or another form of support.

You don’t need to arrive with a diagnosis or a clear description of the problem; clarifying that is exactly what the call is for. In most cases, children do not need to be present for this call.

If it feels like a good fit, we’ll guide you through next steps, including clinician matching and booking options. Schedule a call with a member of our team.

What ages and families do you work with?

We provide therapy for children, teens, adults, and families across Ontario. Our services include trauma-focused care as well as support for general mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety, and life transitions.

We have particular expertise in complex developmental trauma, dissociation, attachment and adoption-related concerns, children involved in child welfare, survivors of human trafficking, refugees, and individuals living with FASD. Schedule a call with a member of our team.

Are sessions in person in Ottawa, or available virtually?

We offer both in-person and virtual sessions. Our clinic is located at 150 Isabella Street, Unit 600 in Ottawa. When clinically appropriate, we also provide secure video sessions for clients and families across Ontario. Schedule a call with a member of our team.

How much does therapy cost, and do you offer direct billing?

Fees vary by service and clinician. We offer direct billing with most major private insurance providers, as well as programs including NIHB (First Nations and Inuit), Jordan’s Principle, VQRP, and IFHP.

Reduced-fee services may be available with supervised trainees. We also work with a range of third-party payers and agencies.

We’re happy to review fees and coverage options with you during a screening call. Schedule a call to learn more.

What therapy approaches do you use?

OCFR uses evidence-based, brain-based approaches grounded in neurobiology and attachment theory, following the three phases of trauma therapy: stabilization, processing, and reconnection. Depending on your child’s needs, this may include EMDR, Brainspotting, Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), DBT, Somatic Experiencing, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), Circle of Security–Parenting, ARC, EFFT, and SMART. Treatment is matched to your child’s developmental stage and nervous system needs.

Should we start with an assessment or therapy?

You don’t have to decide that on your own — our intake process helps determine whether therapy, a psychological or psychoeducational assessment, or another path is the best starting point. Sometimes questions about learning, attention, or development make an assessment the right first step; other times therapy begins right away. The screening call exists to guide that choice. Schedule a call with a member of our team.