Simmons Counselling & Consulting

07/21/2025

07/18/2025

Makes perfect sense!

Sensory processing and anxiety are intricately linked in children and adolescents. Research has shown that altered sensory processing is associated with symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders (ADs) in youth. Understanding these connections can help parents, educators, and mental health professionals support children who face these challenges.

07/08/2025

07/08/2025

In today’s busy world, we often forget how much kids need quiet time to feel calm and aware.

Let’s give them the space to slow down, reflect, and grow.

06/23/2025

parenting_in_the_21st_century
Children are not bad, their behaviour may not be acceptable but they are acting in a way to get a need met. Let’s take a toddler for example. A toddler’s need is to explore in order to learn about the world. This means they get into many things that they perhaps should not be getting into. For instance, a toddler is curious about the shiny object that is sitting within their reach on the coffee table. The toddler goes to reach for it is told “No!” by the parent and to not touch it. One minute later, the toddler still curious about that object, goes to reach for it once more, while looking back at the parent to see what happens. The toddler is once again told “No!” and the parent might interpret this as an act of defiance by the toddler. The reality is that A. the toddler’s brain has not developed to the point yet where they are able to be defiant, B. because they do not yet understand constancy, that things stay the same regardless of the situation, they look back at their parents to see if the parent will still have a reaction. They do not yet realise that No now for that object means No in 2 minutes, in 10 minutes and always for that object.
How does reframing behaviours in this way change how you view your child’s behaviour? Ask yourself, “What need are they trying to get met?”

06/11/2025

It's International Day of Play. Play is more than a toys—it’s a relationship – one built moment by moment, in mud puddles and sandy beaches, in tears and laughter, in quiet observation and shared wonder. Make today about playing and building relationships.

06/02/2025

Go to neuroinformed.ca/for-professionals to learn more about this one-of-a-kind training opportunity.

06/02/2025

Just 6 spots available for this summer youth camp in Surrey, BC. ☀️

An amazing opportunity for youth to connect with other adoptees while learning about and practicing social skills & emotion regulation. 💚

Message the office for more information and a registration form! info@achildssong.ca

06/02/2025

Institute of Child Psychology 💜

06/02/2025

My book is coming soon! Winter 2025. It’s the only parenting book you’ll ever need!!

In Parenting in the 21st Century: The Neuro-Informed Parent, Johanna Simmons – a seasoned therapist, educator, and parent – invites readers into a transformative understanding of child behaviour through the lens of brain development and nervous system regulation. Blending neuroscience with heartfelt personal stories and practical tools, this guide empowers caregivers to respond rather than react, build lasting emotional bonds, and foster resilience in both children and themselves. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or anyone working with kids, this book offers a compassionate and insightful roadmap to deeper connection and joyful parenting.

02/19/2025

Learn play therapy basics, apply them and get supervision along the way. A 6-month course on play therapy fundamentals.https://neuroinformed.ca/flyer