Children see the world differently than adults. They don’t always have the words to explain their emotions, worries, or experiences —but they can show everything through play.

At Unicorn Psychology in Calgary, play therapy provides a safe space where children can:

Process emotions and work through challenges at their own pace
Express fears, joys, and struggles in a way that feels natural
Strengthen emotional resilience and develop healthy coping strategies

As a parent, you may notice changes in your child’s behaviour — sudden tantrums, withdrawal, or increased anxiety. These are signals that they need support.

A girl smiles as she sits on a play therapy sofa holds out her hands in a "high five" gesture. There is a rainbow unicorn mual behind her.

How play therapy supports your child

Play therapy allows children to work through emotions, build confidence, and feel understood, even when they struggle to put their feelings into words.

When words aren’t enough

Sometimes, big feelings are hard to put into words. But watch a child at play, and you’ll see their whole inner world come to life—their worries, their joys, their struggles, and their dreams.

Play therapy gives kids a safe, comforting space to explore their emotions in the way they know best — through imagination, storytelling, and creativity. Whether they’re building, pretending, or drawing, they’re also expressing, processing, and growing. Through play, children find their voice, build confidence, and discover new ways to navigate their feelings small or big — all while having fun!

Helping your child think through challenges

Through pretend play, hands-on activities, and playful exploration, children learn to think on their feet, try new ideas, and come up with “Aha” moments. In play therapy, kids experiment, make mistakes, and try again in a way that feels safe and exciting. Each challenge becomes a game, each obstacle a puzzle, helping them build confidence and flexible thinking.

Big feelings – big confidence

As our kids grow, they are figuring out who they are—what they love, what they’re good at, and how they fit into the world. Play therapy helps children explore different roles, express their emotions, and understand themselves in a safe and supportive way. Through play, they learn what makes them unique, what challenges they can overcome, and how to trust themselves in new situations. This sense of self-awareness and resilience helps them face the world with confidence, curiosity, and courage.

Growing friendships: helping kids connect

Friendships can be tricky! Sharing, taking turns, understanding feelings, and knowing how to join in. When kids struggle with these skills, it often shows up as frustration, withdrawal, or big emotions. Through play therapy, children learn how to make and keep friends, handle social challenges, and express their feelings in a way that strengthens relationships. Instead of reacting with outbursts or shutting down, they develop the confidence to communicate and connect with others in a positive way. Friendships grow in small moments — learning to listen, taking turns, and feeling safe to be themselves. With the right support, kids can build meaningful relationships that help them feel happy, included, and understood.

Healing through play: processing trauma in a safe space

When a child experiences something overwhelming, they may not have the words to express how they feel—but their emotions don’t disappear. Instead, they may show up in fears, mood changes, or unexpected behaviours. Through storytelling, drawing, and role-playing, they can explore their emotions safely, regain a sense of control, and develop healthy coping strategies. Healing happens when a child feels safe, seen, and supported.

Growing together: strengthening parent-child relationship

A child’s world feels safest when they know, deep down, “My parent is here for me.” That sense of security—built through love, play, and shared moments—is the foundation of emotional well-being.

Play therapy helps strengthen this bond by creating joyful, meaningful experiences between parents and children. Through play, kids feel heard, understood, and deeply connected, making it easier for them to express their emotions, navigate challenges, and build trust.

Every giggle, every shared game, every “I see you” moment brings you closer. When your child feels safe in their connection with you, they grow with confidence, knowing they are loved just as they are.

Looking for play therapy in Calgary?

At Unicorn Psychology in Calgary, we provide compassionate, evidence-based play therapy to help children develop emotional resilience, problem-solving skills, and healthy relationships. If your child is struggling with anxiety, behavioural challenges, or emotional regulation, play therapy can be a support for their emotional and social development.

Child psychologist Natalie Bergman in a playroom at Unicorn Psychology. The playroom is decorated with a pink unicorn theme.

Areas of Support

ADHD ↓

What is ADHD?

If you’ve clicked on this page, chances are you’ve Googled “ADHD” more than once, trying to make sense of what it really means—and wondering if it might explain some of your child’s struggles.

Let’s start with the basics.

ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. According to the DSM-5 (that’s the big guide doctors and psychologists use to understand mental health), ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, which simply means it’s about how a child’s brain develops and functions.

It’s not something your child is choosing. It’s not a result of bad parenting. It’s a difference in how their brain is wired.

Children with ADHD may struggle with:

Focusing and paying attention

Sitting still when needed

Thinking before they act or speak

Why does ADHD happen?

These challenges can show up at school, at home, with friends, or during everyday routines—and they often need a different kind of support to feel successful.

There’s no single cause of ADHD, but research (Drechsler et al., 2020) tells us that genetics play a big role—about 75% of ADHD cases are inherited. Environmental factors like premature birth, low birth weight, or prenatal exposure to smoking or alcohol may increase risk (but don’t cause ADHD on their own)

How do we know it’s ADHD?

ADHD is diagnosed by a trained professional—often a psychologist or pediatrician—using interviews and questionnaires. You can explore the SNAP questionnaire, a widely used ADHD screening tool for parents and teachers. It’s not diagnosed with a blood test or brain scan.

According to the DSM-5 symptoms must:

Begin before age 12
Last at least six months
Be present in two or more settings (like home and school)
Interfere with a child’s ability to learn, play, or function day-to-day

ADHD can show up in different ways depending on the child. The DSM-5 describes three main types:

1) Inattentive Type

These children may:

Seem daydreamy or easily distracted
Struggle to follow instructions
Lose things or forget what they’re doing

2) Hyperactive-Impulsive Type

These children may:

Fidget constantly or move around even when told to sit
Talk a lot or interrupt others
Act without thinking

Combined Type

Most children show a mix of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive traits.

Emotional regulation and ADHD

ADHD it’s not just focus or movement. Many children with ADHD also experience strong, fast-moving emotions. In fact, 50–75% of children with ADHD struggle with emotional dysregulation—things like:

Angry outbursts
Low frustration tolerance
Mood swings
Difficulty calming down
Even inappropriate bursts of excitement

These emotional challenges increase the risk of other conditions, such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and anxiety disorders.

What does dopamine have to do with ADHD?

You may have heard that ADHD is linked to something called dopamine. But what is it—and why does it matter? Dopamine is a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that plays a big role in:

Motivation
Focus and attention
Reward and pleasure
Emotional regulation

For children (and adults) with ADHD, research (MacDonald, et al.,2024) shows that there may be lower levels of dopamine in parts of the brain responsible for:

Concentration
Impulse control
Decision-making
Delaying gratification (e.g., waiting your turn)

This means that everyday tasks—like doing homework or brushing teeth—may feel less rewarding or even boring to a child with ADHD. Their brain isn’t producing the same “motivated” or “feel-good” signals that help other kids get things done.

What ADHD might look like at home or school

Here’s what parents often notice:

Constant fidgeting or moving
Easily distracted—even by their own thoughts
Losing things (shoes, homework, water bottles…)
Meltdowns over “small” things
Trouble finishing tasks (especially those that are boring or hard)
Talking non-stop or blurting things out
Getting in trouble, even when they’re trying their best

These aren’t “bad behaviours.” They’re clues that your child’s brain processes the world differently—and needs support tailored to that.

How can I help my child who has ADHD?

Supporting a child with ADHD doesn’t mean fixing them. It means giving them tools that fit how their brain works best.

Here are a few strategies that can really help:

Stick to routines – predictability helps kids feel safe
Break things into steps – “Clean your room” becomes “Pick up your clothes”
Use visuals – timers, charts, and checklists are your friends
Celebrate effort – praise how hard they’re trying, not just the result
Help with emotions – teach calming strategies and name feelings together

At Unicorn Psychology, we work with families to understand what’s happening beneath the behaviour—and to build a plan that supports your child’s growth and resilience.