Dynamic Balance offers full-life spectrum occupational therapy and counselling services for families, couples and individuals in Nova Scotia.
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Developmental Movement / Occupational Therapy for Babies and Toddlers
Play-Based Occupational Therapy for Children
Counselling for Teens and Youth
Counselling for Individuals and Relationships
Somatics and Meditation Circles and Education
Developmental Movement / Occupational Therapy for Babies and Toddlers
Age 3 months to 3 years
Therapy at this early age supports healthy rhythms of bonding and connection, and helps to open natural pathways of movement and exploration.
Who we see
It’s never too early! The first years of life are key for developing the foundational skills that will support a child through the lifespan. Bonding with loved ones and coming into a healthy relationship with gravity and space is where it all begins.
This therapy is right for parents/families/caregivers:
- who are curious about the best ways to support their healthy baby’s early development, specifically around positioning and movement
- who have a baby or young child who may be at risk for developmental issues due to a difficult birth
- who have a baby born with a genetic condition, however mild or severe
- who have a child with movement challenges due to injury
- who are seeking support in bonding and connecting with their baby
More about the process
As a parent or caregiver you will be present for sessions, and are warmly invited to participate in the way that feels right for you. You’ll leave with suggestions of simple ways that you can continue the connection at home. Together we will determine a rhythm of sessions that works well for your family, or it may be that a one-session consultation is all you need.
Play-based Occupational Therapy for Children
3 years and up
Play is the language of children, so the best way for your child to tell their story is through play.
Who we see
Play-based occupational therapy can be a good fit for families with a child who is having difficulty at home or at school. Whatever your concern we will work to understand the challenge, identify underlying causes, and find a creative way to move forward in a way that best serves your child and family.
Some common concerns include:
- Difficulty regulating emotions
- Sensory processing issues that make life difficult
- Learning challenges (in general or related to specific conditions)
- Movement or coordination challenges (in general or related to specific conditions)
- Attentional challenges (in general or related to specific conditions)
- Visual or auditory challenges, or visual-motor coordination challenges
- Neurological differences or conditions of any kind
- Social-emotional or relational difficulties
- Challenging life transitions or situations
How we begin
The first meeting takes place at the centre, without your child present. You can speak freely about your concerns. A developmental history is taken in this session, and you can ask any questions you have about the process. At this time we can arrange the first session, or a series of sessions, for your child.
The therapy process
Often the initial concern has a developmental underlay. For example, a child who is struggling in school may have issues of postural tone or reflex integration that make paying attention difficult. Difficulty with emotional regulation or aggressive behaviours can be rooted in sensory processing issues. And sometimes the developmental foundations are clear and there are emotional issues that a child needs to process through play and movement.
The communication process
In general, we will meet again (without your child present) after 2-3 play-based therapy sessions to discuss progress so far and to look ahead to the next steps. We will decide together whether therapy would be beneficial and how to move forward, what frequency of sessions fits your schedule, and the best way to communicate and measure progress.
Where you are while your child plays
Every situation is unique, but in general, school-aged children are on their own with the therapist in the play area. Parents are in the waiting area just adjacent. We serve one family at a time, so you will have the space (and time!) to yourself. For younger children, we decide based on the specific needs of the child. As with all things, we are flexible, so there may be times that it is helpful for you to be involved more directly in therapy.
What you can do…
Giving your child the opportunity to engage in play-based therapy is powerful in and of itself. Having a new awareness and understanding of your child’s strengths and challenges will naturally shift the way that you interact with your child. If you are looking for specific solutions for difficulties at home and school, we can offer recommendations unique to your situation.
Counselling for Teens and Youth
A safe and non-judgemental space where young people can relax and be themselves is an important foundation for self-acceptance.
Who we see
For youth having difficulty at home or at school, a one-on-one therapeutic relationship that nurtures self-expression, insight and communication skills can be a powerful agent for positive growth and change.
Areas of focus could include:
- Building parent/teen communication skills
- Moving through grief and loss
- Processing physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- Coping with anxiety and/or depression
- Navigating changes in family dynamics
- Developing confidence and self-expression
Counselling for Individuals and Relationships
Counselling can help you to navigate life changes, to build your ability to meet challenges, and to increase your feelings of joy and well-being.
Who we see
We offer an atmosphere of safety, comfort, confidentiality and non-judgemental understanding for individuals, couples or families to explore any issues that arise.
Some common concerns include:
- Exploring relationship issues
- Coping with anxiety and depression
- Processing issues of abuse or past trauma
- Focusing on parenting
- Navigating relationship endings
- Charting a new course in life
- Aging gracefully
- Contemplating end-of-life care and decision-making
- Moving through grief and loss
- Self-care for caregivers or helping professionals
Somatics and Meditation Circles and Education
Therapists, Helping Professionals Groups & Organizations
We love creating workshops that fit the unique needs of local groups and organizations.
Our Workshops
Our public and private workshops are experiential, interactive, and fun!
Examples of Dynamic Balance workshops hosted at local organizations include:
- Developmental Foundations for Mindfulness and Self-Regulation
- Mindfulness Meditation Introduction
- Developing Elemental Awareness: A Somatic Workshop
- The Five Elements
- Developmental Movement Foundations
- Movement: Body, Mind and Spirit
- Dynamic Balance: An Experiential Workshop for Elementary and Pre-K Teachers
- Circle for Moving through Organizational Change
- The Five Wisdom Energies
- Developmental Movement and Perception
- Exploring Early Developmental Movement Patterns – Neurocellular Patterns
- Exploring Early Developmental Movement Patterns – Pre-spinal Patterns
- Exploring Early Developmental Movement Patterns – Focus on Reflexes
- Exploring Developmental Movement and Consciousness through the Fluid System
Fees & Billing
RATES
Counselling: $155.00 per individual session
Couples/Family Counselling: $175.00 per session
Occupational Therapy: $125.00 per session
Sessions are 50 minutes
There is no HST charged for Counselling or Occupational Therapy sessions.
COVERAGE
Our services are not covered by provincial health care, and we do not bill insurance companies directly. Some supplemental insurance policies do cover occupational therapy and/or counselling.
Check with your insurer to be clear.
We are a provider for the Criminal Injuries Counselling Program through the Department of Justice/Victim Services division.
We provide services to First Nations clients through Jordan’s Principle.
We provide a sliding scale for clients who are eligible.
INVOICES
Invoices are emailed to you and payment is due upon receipt.
We accept payment through credit card, e-transfer, cheque or cash.
CANCELLATION POLICY
When you need to cancel or change an appointment, please let us know so that we can reschedule it. At least 24 hours of notice is appreciated, but we understand that life gets in the way, especially with little ones! For missed appointments with no notice clients are charged the rate of a half session. There is never a charge for appointments missed due to inclement weather.