Chelsea Houston, MSW, RSW
SHE/HER
REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKER
Child Counsellor
QUALITIES
Chelsea Houston is a child counsellor
in Calgary who uses her Superpowers
to help kids through tough times
and tricky 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 super smart and kind little girl named Chelsea who lived in a blue house, in a forest by the sea.
From her garden, she could often spot blue dolphins jumping in the ocean .Just like the dolphins, she loved playing and jumping up and down. She loved playing with other kids! Her favourite things were building forts and sand castles, telling silly jokes, and making people laugh. Everyone was always telling Chelsea how kind, funny, and smart she was. She loved having those Superpowers, and the more she used them, the bigger they grew.
Click to see how he playfully says hi!
Chelsea did very well in school, until one day, some Big Worries showed up in her life. Then she started doing terribly in school.
How the big worries started
Chelsea’s tough times of tricky worried feelings began the week before the first day at a new school. Her parents explained that she was a Big Girl now. Big Girls were brave, and they had to go to grade school, which they said was exciting.
“A scary new school? No way!” thought Chelsea. She felt super scared, not brave. Not big — super small. Her tummy hurt all over. Thinking about going to the new school made her hands feel cold.. She did not feel excited at all.
Instead of excited, she felt worried about many things. What if the other kids did not like her? She did not know anyone there. Maybe the teacher would not like her. Plus, Chelsea could not read very well yet. She could only write her name. If the other kids were mean to her, what would she do?
That first week of school was so hard for Chelsea. She did not laugh or make silly jokes anymore. During recess she did not join in to play ball – she did not talk to any kids at all. Chelsea thought nobody liked her at school. Everyone else seemed to get along except for her – it felt like nobody understood.
Feeling all alone in the world is not fun
For Chelsea, feeling all alone felt sad and her tummy hurt. When she tried to talk to the other kids, she felt a big lump in her throat. She felt like crying instead of playing, and she worried all day. Chelsea started to get into trouble. She forgot to put things away and her room got messy. Her homework was always done but she didn’t remember to send it in.
Then she began to dread going to school, especially on Sundays. The “Sunday scaries” were the worst! This was only the first few weeks of school, but to Chelsea, it felt like forever and ever— that’s how tricky worried feelings work. Some types of tricky worried feelings are what therapists call “anxiety“.
A new friend?
One day at school, a super kind kid called Nathan gave Chelsea an invitation to his birthday party. Chelsea felt scared and shy (again those tricky anxiety feelings came up) to say anything much, and her voice trembled a bit, but she remembered to say “thank you” politely.
(Can you see where this story is going? Chelsea got an invitation – how exciting!)
Chelsea was feeling so full of those tricky anxiety feelings that she missed the excitement part! She was so worried thinking of Tricky Troubling Things that she put the invitation in her bag and forgot about it.
When she got home, her Mom asked her:
“How was school, dear?”
Her Dad piped in as well:
“Hey Chelsea, did you learn anything cool today? Are any of the other kids fun to play with?”
What was Chelsea really feeling?
Lots of worried feelings (UGH – that annoying anxiety) like sad, alone, shy, worried, and scared. Her mind was so full of worry that there was no room for fun, play, adventure, excitement, or to learn anything new. At night she worried instead of sleeping, so she felt sleepy at school. Her mind went around and around thinking worried thoughts, so she forgot about things like homework, doing her chores, and putting away her things. She even forgot about her Superpowers.
Chelsea did not want to disappoint her Mom and Dad. So instead of sharing her real feelings, she just said, in a very small voice, “School was fine. I‘m fine.“
Her Mom and Dad looked at each other with a “We Need to Talk” look that parents sometimes share with each other. They could tell Chelsea was not really feeling fine.
How Chelsea began to figure out her feelings
Chelsea’s Mom gave her a hug and suggested something helpful.
“It’s a nice sunny day, she said to Chelsea. “You love watching the dolphins play. How about you go outside and get some fresh air and play in the garden, while Dad and I make dinner?”
So Chelsea went outside for a little walk. The beach was right in front of her garden. She sat on the sand and watched the dolphins jump up and down in the air. Then a little fox came by the bushes, sat down next to her, and curled into a little fluffy ball for a nap.
Before she knew it, Chelsea fell asleep too. She had a beautiful dream about a bouncy baby dolphin called Sky, who played with her. Sky sat on her shoulder and they played in the sand. Chelsea build a nice castle that was her school and one that was her house. They played in the sand and talked about many things. Chelsea told Sky about all her big worries and how scared she was. Sky and listened to her and really understood. Then a furry fox joined in.
“Hey there,” Chelsea said. “I’m Chelsea. This is my friend Sky. What is your name?”
“Hey folks,” the little fox said. “I’m Zale.”
“Hi Zale, said Chelsea in her warm, kind voice. “Would you like to play with us?”
Sitting together in a circle, they shared stories and they played in the sand. They also talked about worries, about how the worried feelings felt in their body, and about all their Superpower strengths. They practiced breathing in and out. Playing in the sand, they figured out some important things. For example, Sky and Zale helped Chelsea understand that it’s important to notice and share our feelings in a safe space. Together, they remembered how smart, funny, friendly, and kind Chelsea was. Then Chelsea decided that she would share her feelings with her Mom and Dad.
How Chelsea’s Superpowers grew
When Chelsea woke up, she remembered her Superpowers: she was kind and brave and smart and funny and friendly! Plus, she had a party to go to! She was a little scared to go because she didn’t know all the other kids, but she thought Nathan would feel sad if nobody showed up to his party.
That’s how Chelsea figured out that she was strong and brave.
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 IN and OUT
with him!
How Chelsea shared her feelings with her parents
She rushed home and looked inside her bag. The invitation from Nathan was there!
“Mom, Dad, look what I got from a kid at school,” she said. “Can you please read it to me?”
“You’re invited to Nathan’s birthday party, Chelsea. It’s next week. We need to call his parents and tell them if you can come. How do you feel about that? Do you want to go?”
Chelsea took a deep breath. It was time to be brave and tell her parents how she was really feeling at school. They gave her a big hug. They were so proud of Chelsea. She was relieved and felt much better already!
The next day they went to see Chelsea’s teacher. She told them about a wonderful play therapist who could help.
Chelsea went to see the play therapist and they played in a sand tray. It was so much fun! By the time Chelsea went to the birthday party, she was feeling much better. When she talked to Nathan, she found out that Nathan was also new in school.
At the party, there were more kids who were also new. Most of them felt shy and scared too, until Chelsea came around. She used her friendly, brave Superpowers and said “Hello”. Then, in her warm, friendly way, she introduced everyone to each other. Chelsea organized a game where the kids sat in a circle and each kid shared their favourite jokes. All too soon, it was time for cake! They sang happy birthday to Nathan and everyone had a great time.
What happened when Chelsea grew up?
Chelsea began to do super well in school again. She got great grades and made many friends, Then when she grew up, she went to university and became a Registered Social Worker.
Registered Social Workers who work with kids are also sometimes called Child Therapists or Child Counsellors. These are all words that mean “Feelings Helper” – and they help kids in may different ways, like play therapy, sand tray therapy, art therapy, narrative therapy, and many more.
Nowadays, 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 learn more about how Chelsea helps kids who are experiencing anxiety
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 counsellor 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.
