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

Canoe Therapy, 3455 Fairview Street Unit 8, Burlington, ON (2025)

10/11/2025

As we head into the Thanksgiving weekend, all of us at Canoe Therapy want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the families who trust us to be part of their children’s growth and well-being.

Every day, we’re reminded of the courage, creativity, and resilience we see in the children and teens who walk through our doors—and the care and dedication of the families who support them.

This weekend, we hope you take time to rest, connect, and enjoy the simple moments with your loved ones. From our Oakville and Burlington teams, we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with warmth and gratitude.

Oakville: 905-257-5555
Burlington: 905-633-9222
https://canoetherapy.ca/get-in-touch/

10/09/2025

Most children will experience some social anxiety as they grow. It’s natural to worry about being judged, saying the wrong thing, or feeling out of place. These moments are part of learning how to connect.

When teens continue to show up despite their fear, they’re actively building confidence and developing social skills. Fear and regret, when reflected on, can actually be healthy teachers.

But when anxiety becomes paralyzing — when your teen avoids, shuts down, or withdraws — it may be time for support. Therapy can help untangle negative self-talk, rebuild self-image, and teach practical strategies for managing social situations step by step.

The only way to ease social anxiety is through practice being social — in safe, supported ways.

At Canoe Therapy, we help teens do just that.

Learn more or get in touch at canoetherapy.ca.

10/07/2025

Why isn’t praise the effective parenting tool we think it is?

When we praise our kids, we unintentionally teach them to look outside themselves for validation — creating what psychologist Carol Dweck calls a fixed mindset. They begin to see their worth as tied to performance and approval rather than self-awareness and effort.

At Canoe Therapy, we encourage parents to shift from praising to noticing.
Noticing means observing and reflecting back what you see without judgment or evaluation.

Try:
“You worked hard on that drawing.”
“You kept trying even when it was tricky.”
“You really seemed to enjoy that game.”

When we notice our kids, we help them understand themselves, build confidence from within, and feel seen simply for who they are — not just what they do.

Why isn’t praise the effective parenting tool we think it is?

Dr. Alex Russell, clinical psychologist and author of Drop the Worry Ball, explains that when we constantly praise our kids, we teach them to rely on outside approval rather than their own sense of accomplishment. Over time, they stop looking inward for how they feel about what they’ve done — and start looking to us for clues.

Instead of praising, Dr. Russell encourages parents to notice.

Noticing is about reflecting back what you see without evaluation or judgment.
It’s how children learn who they are and develop a grounded sense of self-worth.

Try saying:

“You really focused on that puzzle.”
“You stuck with it even when it was hard.”
“You seemed proud of that drawing.”

When we notice our kids, we help them understand themselves — and communicate that they matter, not because of what they achieve, but simply because of who they are.

Learn more about Canoe Therapy’s child-centred, evidence-based approach at canoetherapy.ca.

Learn more about our approach to child development and emotional growth at canoetherapy.ca

10/05/2025

Tips We Share with Parents of Teens:

Raising teenagers can feel like a rollercoaster, but with the right tools, it becomes an opportunity to strengthen connection and build independence. Here are some of the common strategies our therapists at Canoe Therapy share with parents:

• Validate, validate, validate. Look beneath the behaviour. If your teen is procrastinating, instead of lecturing, try reflecting: “You seem low. Is something else adding to the stress?”

• Set expectations just ahead. Treat your teen as if they are six months older. This communicates confidence in their ability to grow and fosters independence.

• Focus on what you can control. You cannot control your teen—you can only control your own responses and the environment you create.

• “Never react, always respond.” Pause, plan, and come back to the issue later with a calm, united front.

• Don’t get pulled into the storm. Treat your teen as capable of handling their own moods and anxiety. This builds resilience and self-regulation.

• Know the difference in transgressions. If it’s “out in their world,” step back and let natural consequences unfold while offering support. If it’s in “shared life,” calmly reinforce rules—short, clear, and consistent.

Parenting teens is not about perfection, it’s about planting the seeds for independence, resilience, and confidence.

At Canoe Therapy, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Oakville: 905 257 5555
Burlington: 905 633 9222

We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch today :)

10/03/2025

Parenting Challenge: Create Opportunities for Social Practice

In today’s world, children and teens have fewer chances to interact with strangers in everyday life. Those small social moments that used to shape us, like chatting with a bus driver, calling a landline and speaking to someone’s parent, or asking a shop clerk for help, are disappearing. Without them, kids miss out on the practice they need to build confidence and social savvy.

The result? A rise in social anxiety. Without real-life practice, many kids freeze in the moment because they don’t know what to say or how to act.

So how can you help? Try weaving in small opportunities for your child to connect with others:

• Skip the mobile order and send your teen in to order their Starbucks.
• Have them call to book their own doctor appointment.
• Encourage them to ask a coach directly for feedback.
• If walkable, let your teen take the dog to the vet for a routine check-up.
• Instead of asking the teacher on their behalf, coach your child on how to ask themselves.
• When buying new sneakers, have them ask for their own size.

These micro-moments matter. They teach kids the rhythm of conversation, when to speak, how to listen, and even how to share a joke. Over time, these skills become the foundation that will help them thrive in interviews, on first dates, and in the workplace.

At Canoe Therapy, we help kids and families build the confidence and skills they need for everyday success.

Oakville: 905 257 5555
Burlington: 905 633 9222
Get in touch today

09/30/2025

Parenting is full of contradictions, and learning to hold both sides of those truths is where so much growth happens. You can say no to your child while still validating their feelings of disappointment. You can model conflict in ways that show respect, communication, and negotiation, teaching your child that disagreements are not something to fear but an opportunity to learn. You can hold firm to your boundaries while also showing deep compassion and respect for who your child is becoming.

These moments may not always feel easy, but they are the foundation of raising resilient, confident children. At Canoe Therapy, we support families as they navigate the challenges of parenting with intention, care, and evidence-based strategies.

Oakville: 905 257 5555
Burlington: 905 633 9222
Get in touch today

09/27/2025

Take a peek inside our ABA therapy room at Canoe Therapy!
From visual schedules to step-by-step guides, every tool is designed to help kids build independence, confidence, and everyday life skills.

📍 Oakville: 905-257-5555 | 📍 Burlington: 905-633-9222

Learn more: https://canoetherapy.ca/get-in-touch/

09/27/2025

At Canoe Therapy, we use ABA training to help kids and teens build independence in everyday living skills—step by step, with compassion and support.

One of our favourite ways to do this is through recipe programs and independent activity bins:

✔️ Following a Recipe Program
Learners follow visual step-by-step instructions to complete a recipe, with instructors using the least-to-most prompting approach so skills are learned independently. This often pairs with our grocery shopping program, where learners practice staying on task, following a list, and using functional communication—like asking for help when needed.
✔️ Independent Activity Bins
Using visual schedules, learners work through closed-ended activities, matching the picture from the schedule to the correct bin. This teaches independence, task completion, and smooth transitions—skills that translate directly to routines like mornings, school, or bedtime. Each program is tailored to the individual, meeting them where they are and building confidence one success at a time.

Through ABA training, these structured steps lay the groundwork for lifelong independence—whether that’s cooking a meal, managing daily routines, or gaining confidence in doing things on their own.

📍 Oakville: 905-257-5555 | 📍 Burlington: 905-633-9222
Learn more: https://canoetherapy.ca/get-in-touch/

09/25/2025

At Canoe Therapy, we believe in a holistic approach to supporting children and families. Instead of piecing together care across multiple providers, Canoe offers a one-stop space for kids’ mental health and developmental needs.

Whether your child needs physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychotherapy, or evidence-based ABA treatments, our multidisciplinary team works together under one roof. This collaboration means every child gets a personalized plan that considers their whole self—mind, body, and spirit—while giving families the comfort of knowing they’re not navigating this journey alone.

✨ This video takes you inside our Oakville clinic for a behind-the-scenes tour of where the magic happens.

📍 Oakville: 905-257-5555
📍 Burlington: 905-633-9222
Learn more: https://canoetherapy.ca/get-in-touch/

09/23/2025

This past Sunday, our Canoe Therapy team proudly took part in the Walk to the Lighthouse—a meaningful community event dedicated to raising awareness and funds for mental health and addictions programs at Joseph Brant Hospital.

It was an inspiring day filled with connection, hope, and purpose. Walking together reminded us of the power of community, and how every step forward helps improve care and support for those who need it most.

We were so grateful to be a part of this special day!

Learn more about the walk here: walktothelighthouse.com.

📍 Oakville: 905-257-5555
📍 Burlington: 905-633-9222

09/15/2025

Workshop Highlight: Supporting Kids with ADHD in the Classroom

Canoe Therapy’s Amanda Bailey (M.A., OCT) recently led a workshop at Mentor College on strategies to support students with ADHD.

Amanda explored key understandings of ADHD—including inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined presentations—while also addressing important gender differences that can impact how symptoms are recognized.

The session equipped educators with practical tools, such as:
Classroom strategies: flexible seating, quiet zones, visual schedules, and structured routines.
Instructional supports: clear directions, scaffolding tasks, visuals, and peer learning.
Behavioural approaches: validating students’ emotional experiences, using positive reinforcement, and asking “What is the function?” of behaviour.
Inclusive lesson design: applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to offer choice, representation, and multiple ways to demonstrate learning.
Amanda shared her passion for bridging literature, behaviourism, and teaching—helping educators walk away with strategies to make classrooms more supportive and inclusive for all learners.

👉 Interested in workshops like this for your school or community? Get in touch with Canoe Therapy today: https://canoetherapy.ca/get-in-touch

09/15/2025

Save the Date!

Canoe Therapy is proud to join Equilibrium Burlington’s Walk to the Lighthouse for Mental Health & Addictions.

Sunday, September 21, 2025
12:30–3:30 PM
JBH Parking Lot

Stop by our Care Partner Table and say hello! Let’s walk together in support of mental health and addiction care.

Learn more: walktothelighthouse.com
info@walktothelighthouse.com
Follow:

In support of the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation.

Canoe Therapy

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