I am Claire Esikalam. My knowledge comes from being a Child & Family Therapist, former school teacher, Christian, and a mom.

I am a lifelong learner and have taken so many trainings over the years, and will continue to enjoy more! I have included the major professional ones here…

• Various trainings in CBT, DBT, Emotional Focused Therapy, Family Therapy
• Solution-Focused Therapy Essentials through the Association for Psychological Therapies (APT), Canada
• Masters of Social Work, York University Ontario (graduated in 2021), and registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers (Lic. #839358)
• Infant Mental Health Certification through Infant and Early Mental Health Promotion (IEMHP) and the Hospital for Sick Children Toronto Ontario
• Bachelors of Social Work, York University Ontario (graduated in 2016)
• Bachelors of Education (Hons.), University of Malta, Malta (graduated in 2000), and registered with the Ontario College of Teachers (Lic. #685307)

My mission is helping children thrive and be the best that God designed them to be.

I specifically specialise in school age children (ages 6 to 12) who seem to be experiencing challenging behaviours. In my work, I focus on supporting the children and their family to in turn support the children (more effective, more long-term impact, more sustainable, healthier).

I work with Christian families and I like to add a Christian worldview perspective in sessions for a more holistic approach. I also encourage parents and caregivers to bring along their and their child’s other caring adults, when possible, to join to support the Circle of Care of the child.  

The sessions are family sessions. Sometimes (depending on age of child) children can be invited in a session, but to be part of the family session. 

• It is more impactful to equip the most important (and most present) people in a child’s life – and that usually is the parent/caregiver who has a lifetime with this child (whereas I would only have very little time and then I am gone from the child’s life).
• We work from an attachment focus, and understand that relationship/connection is the building block of any work with children. Our work focuses on strengthening the relationship/connection between caregiver and child. So introducing a new adult (me) for a very brief time in a child’s life is not helpful, and in all fairness all the hard work is going to be done within the family unit to strengthen this relationship (although I would definitely be there supporting along the way). 

Some of your concerns might be:
–> child acting defiant, not following rules
–> child talking back, lying, swearing
–> child struggling at school
–> child withdrawing, spending lots of times alone
–> child being influenced by peers/culture

Some of the goals we can achieve:
–> more connection with your child
–> more peaceful home environment
–> more co-coperation
–> having an evidence-based roadmap that works
–> feeling confident and well-equipped

In session, expect to get evidence-based information and skills that you can incorporate into your daily life, enabling you to feel better equipped to understand and manage your child’s behavioural needs. Additionally, we can work to process the surprising and sometimes complex emotions that come up while parenting.

I only provide counselling and coaching sessions via secure online video conferencing or telephone. I find this to be as effective as in-person, and so does the research. Also, online services can be more accessible for people – I work with people anywhere in Ontario and internationally, one can schedule a session during their lunch break in the car or curled up in comfortable clothes on the sofa, you don’t have to deal with commuting and making arrangements for child care.

At the same time, aware that few people might have different preferences. If we start virtual sessions, and you find that they are not so helpful to you as in-person would, we can look for a clinician or coach who provides in-person services to support you.

For counselling sessions, yes. I work with families living anywhere in Ontario. I am registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers and licensed to work with clients in Ontario.

For coaching sessions, you can be anywhere in the world, as all sessions are done virtually using secure video conference.

During our first session:

• we will spend some time going over the Client Service Agreement Form, to make sure that you understand the components and have time to ask any questions. 
• we will then move on to the Intake Form. Through this form we will spend time to understand more about you and your history. It might seem a lot of details, but it would help me understand what has been happening to you, what is important to you and how we can formulate a plan moving forward. 
• through this process we will start working on framing the goal/s that we want to work on in sessions – this might take up the majority of the first and perhaps second session as we want to have a clear idea of what the goals are for our time together. This does not mean that the goals cannot be revised during our time together, as most likely they will.  

A lot is covered in the first session, which might look like processes (which I have to go through with all clients). At the same time, I am mindful that you might have some urgency to talk about the things that you want to talk about, and leave with some strategies and next steps. If helpful to you, you might want to consider booking 80 mins ($245)  for the first session only, to cover more ground. Or we can also leave it at 50 mins ($165), and then continue in our second session (a week or two later usually).

All sessions (except the first session) follow the same format:

• the beginning part – what brings you to session/s (the presenting concerns and challenges you are facing)
• the middle part – the ‘working’ part where we explore deeper, process collaboratively, and guide next steps
• the end part – our next steps which might include some ‘homework’ that you assign if helpful, next appointment scheduled

Although the format is a structure that we follow, the session itself is flexible to meet your needs and where you are at. And usually no two sessions are the same, which makes our time together so interesting and productive.

The care I provide is strength-based, with the number of sessions tailored to meet your specific goals. I usually follow the brief working model, where a block number of sessions might be sufficient in addressing the current concern. Session blocks can be repeated as often as needed, as new seasons/challenges come up.

I like brief work, because it focuses on the strengths and resiliency of individuals, and yet understands that individuals might face situations in the ‘here and now’ where they need support briefly until they are back on their feet and able to carry on. Then if another season/challenge comes along which sweeps them off their feet, then some more professional support can be scheduled at that time to manage that situation/challenge.

Having said all this, you as the client can decide to end sessions at any time.

Counselling sessions are confidential. We use secure video and telephone to do the sessions. My notes are done and stored online through a software practice company for mental health therapists that is PHIPA and PIPEDA compliant.

When doing sessions where there are multiple participants, e.g. partner, or in a group format, then you share what you feel comfortable with.

There are some instances outlined below, where all professionals are legally and ethically bound to disclose certain specific and relevant information to appropriate individuals or agencies. They would also be outlined in our informed consent form:

1. Court orders requiring the sharing of records,
2. Client disclosure of information which identifies registered healthcare professionals who may have committed offenses toward a client, 
3. Disclosure of potential or suspected child abuse as defined by the Child, Youth and Family Services Act,
4. Concerns of an imminent nature for the safety of the client or another person
5. A OCSWSSW required review or audit of the therapist’s records

Coaching sessions are confidential. We use secure video and telephone to do the sessions.

When doing sessions where there are multiple participants, e.g. partner, or in a group format, then you share what you feel comfortable with.

There might be some instances outlined below, where as a professional I would need to disclose certain specific and relevant information to the appropriate authority. These would be outlined in our informed consent form, and discussed with you prior to beginning of service.

1. Court orders requiring the sharing of records,
2. Concerns of an imminent nature or likely risk of danger or harm to the client or another person,
3. Disclosure that involves illegal activity.

These sessions are not for immediate crisis support.

If you require immediate support and reside IN Ontario, you can reach out to:

• Distress Centres of Greater Toronto 24 hour crisis line: 416-408-4357
• First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness 24 hour crisis line: 1-855-242-3310
• Kids Help Phone 24 hour help line: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
• 211 Ontario community support: call or text 211
• If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, then please call 911 or reach out to your nearest emergency services.

If you require immediate support and reside OUTSIDE Ontario, please reach out to your local crisis support.

I am glad that you are here and looking at investing in yourself.

Single sessions are 50 minutes in length with an investment of CAD $165. Sessions are usually scheduled every 1 or 2 weeks for effectiveness, however if need be we can also adjust this, to space it out to fit your monthly budget for professional services.

In Ontario, psychotherapy and counselling services through a clinical social worker can be claimed on your income tax through the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC). The cost of psychotherapy and counselling may be covered under your private insurance plan (a receipt would be provided to submit to your insurance carrier). Currently, psychotherapy and counselling services are not covered by OHIP.

Coaching services are not covered through the Medical Expense Tax Credit or your private insurance. 

Fees are paid every session, at the time of the appointment. I accept e-transfer and major credit cards. In case of a missed session, I kindly ask you to provide 24 hours notice. If a session is cancelled within 24 hours or missed, then the full fee is charged.

Fees are paid every session, at the time of the appointment. I accept e-transfer and major credit cards.

In case of a missed session, I kindly ask you to provide 24 hours notice. If a session is cancelled within 24 hours or missed, then the full fee is charged.

Yes! We usually start with a free 15 minute ‘discovery call’. During this time we will briefly discuss your reasons for service, and answer any questions that you might have about the sessions. If you think it is what you are looking for, then we can start 50 minute sessions over secure video or telephone. If you are ready to book the discovery call, then click here to connect and schedule a time in my calendar.

At the moment it is late afternoons and early evenings for weekdays. And Saturday morning. (All EDT/EST time)

If you don’t find the time that works for you, please contact me to discuss how we can make it work.

Please contact me or directly access my online calendar to schedule your sessions.