Chelsea Houston, MSW, RSW
SHE/HER
REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKER
Child Therapist
QUALITIES
Chelsea Houston is a child therapist
in Calgary who uses her Superpowers
to help kids through tough times
and bug feelings like anxiety.
She uses a myriad of play therapy techniques,
to help kids thrive as they discover and grow
their own Superpowers.
Chelsea’s Superhero Story
Attention Parents
Before your first session, you can share this story with your child. Parents can also scroll below to read about Chelsea’s professional expertise as a child counsellor in her professional bio (below).
Once upon a time, there was a clever, kind little girl named Chelsea. She lived by the sea in a blue house, where she loved to play with dolphins, jump in the waves, and build sandcastles with her friends. Chelsea’s Superpowers were her kind heart, her smart brain, and finding fun everywhere, for everyone.
But one day, Big Worries sneaked into little Chelsea’s life.
It all started right before she had to start at a new school.
“Oh no! A new school?” Chelsea thought.
She felt scared and super small. Her tummy wobbled, and her hands got cold. She worried about making friends and her reading. What if the other kids or the teacher didn’t like her? Chelsea didn’t feel like a Superpower hero at all.
Instead of feeling excited, little Chelsea felt so worried and shy at school that she did not want to join in any games. She didn’t play or talk to anyone, and her tummy hurt. All day she felt lonely and sad.
This is what therapists call “anxiety”
Anxiety, or big anxious feelings happen to a lot of kids.
Sometimes, small worries happen and they grow and grow bigger and bigger. When feelings get very big, they can get so big that they are too much for a kid (or even a grown-up!) to handle all alone.
Fortunately, when kids’ feelings are very big, special Feelings Helpers for kids (also called child therapists, child counsellors, or play therapists) can help.
The day of the biggest worry of all
One day, a kind boy in her class, called Nathan, invited Chelsea to his birthday party. Chelsea was excited about the party. But she was also scared and she worried so much about going to the party that she cried and could not stop.
At home, Chelsea’s parents noticed she was crying a lot.
With big hugs, they encouraged her to share what was going on. They listened as she tried to talk, but she just wanted to cry. This happens a lot when feelings are big; it can be too hard to talk, especially for kids. Her parents decided to find a child therapist in Calgary who could help Chelsea figure out her feelings.
So they found a Feelings Helper in Calgary!
At first Chelsea was scared and worried about going to the child therapist office.
But then her parents showed her pictures of the playroom. This looked like a really cool place for a kid. They also explained about the other name for a child therapist was Feelings Helper, or Play Therapist. There would be lots of playing, and all kinds of toys.
Chelsea discovered how fun child therapy was. She loved going to the lovely playroom full of toys and rainbow-coloured art supplies, figuring out feelings, playing, talking, and having fun.
Did Chelsea get to play in the play therapy playroom?
Yes! With the child therapist, Chelsea played a lot.
It was a special kind of play to help kids, called play therapy, sand tray therapy, art therapy, narrative therapy, somatic therapy, and many more. They used puppets, paint, and coloured clay. Plus, they built sandcastles and made mini worlds, where figurines and feelings were small. And that’s not all! They also laughed as they did stretches and silly dances. One time, they even came up with a guitar song!
Among all the stuffies, games, toy trucks, and tea sets, Chelsea picked out her favourite toys: a friendly blue dolphin called Sky, and a calm furry fox called Zale. Together, as they played, they learned breathing games and calming games. So by playing in the special playroom with the Feelings Helper, Chelsea found her strong, brave Superpower skills.
She also learned it’s okay to feel very worried sometimes, and how dancing, playing, and visiting a Feelings Helper can help.
Meet Chelsea’s favourite play therapy toys!
Click to see how he playfully says hi!
Sky and Zale helped Chelsea understand what being brave means.
Being brave doesn’t mean that you are not scared or worried or anxious.
Being brave does not mean that you don’t feel shy, scared, or worried – it’s that you feel difficult feelings but you still try. It’s hard to do brave things in the beginning, but as you practice, you get braver and braver and it’s way easier to do. So much so, that when others see you do brave things, they will feel braver too – just like you.
Sometimes, to find our own Superpowers, it helps to see we how others use theirs. That is called EmPOWERing.
Zale the fox loves practicing mindful breathing techniques
to help him feel better.
Click to breathe
What happened when Chelsea grew up?
Brave, kind, smart, friendly Chelsea went to school for many years and became a Feelings Helper, herself.
Today, she is a Child Therapist at Kids Reconnect in Calgary, helping other kids find their Superpowers through play therapy and child counselling! She loves parties and play. With her play therapy sparkles, she helps kids every day. In Chelsea’s play therapy playroom, every day brings a special sparkle and smile in the land of play.
In her work as a child counsellor at Kids Reconnect, Chelsea gets to be funny, silly, and she uses her Superpower smarts and big heart to help kids, parents, and families. When you come to see Chelsea for a child counselling adventure session, if you spot Zale and Sky, please be sure to say hi.
Click below to find out more about how Chelsea helps kids and teens who are experiencing anxiety and Big Worries
Chelsea’s Professional Bio
Chelsea Houston is a Registered Social Worker with the Alberta College of Social Workers. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work, specializing in Health and Mental Health, from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies from the University of Calgary.
As a child therapist on the Kids Reconnect team of child psychologists, play therapists, and Registered Social Workers, Chelsea uses an integrated approach to therapy founded upon child-centred, somatic, attachment-informed, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed theories. She is certified in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SPI Level 1) with the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute (SPI) and has certification in Child and Family Trauma Therapy techniques.
Using her knowledge of attachment, the importance of play, and nervous-system regulation, Chelsea is experienced at building safety and a strong therapeutic relationship with children and families to help them grow and thrive. Her professional experience has focused on working with teens, adults, parents, and families who have experienced significant trauma and stress in their lives, including depression, anxiety, and sexual abuse. Chelsea has found that SPI and IFS techniques are highly effective in bringing healing to her clients’ lives. She has also worked extensively with kids as a dance instructor and loves working with kids using play therapy techniques.
When working with Chelsea, families, kids, and teens quickly feel at ease thanks to her gentle, compassionate, and light-hearted approach. Her heart is sure to do a happy dance when she welcomes your child or adolescent to their counselling adventure at Kids Reconnect.
