Ajax, Ontario · Ages 7–12 · August 10–14, 2026
Groundwork:
Emotional Skills for Kids
A five-day small-group program that gives children the tools to understand and manage their emotions.
Most kids aren't taught how to handle their emotions. They're told to calm down, cheer up, or shake it off, but nobody shows them how.
So they do what they can. They might shut down, act out, or carry it quietly. They feel things deeply but don't have words for any of it. And the older they get, the more those unprocessed feelings show up in how they move through the world.
This isn't about something being wrong with your child. It's about skills they haven't been given yet.
What Groundwork is + How it Works
What
Group psychotherapy for children — a structured, skills-based program combining psychoeducation and experiential learning
Who
Children aged 7–9 (10 am) and 10–12 (1 pm)
When
Monday–Friday, August 10–14, 2026 · 90 minutes per day
Where
Ajax, Ontario (shared with registered families)
Group Size
4–6 children per group
Sessions are structured and build on each other. Each day picks up where the last one left off — this isn't a drop-in workshop.
What your child gains
Greater confidence and resilience in handling hard moments
Stronger emotional self-regulation skills
Practical strategies they can use at home, school, and in their community
What you gain as a parent
A clearer understanding of emotion regulation and co-regulation
Practical tools for responding to challenging behaviours and emotions
Strategies to reinforce what your child is learning, at home
The Five Sessions
What the program works on
Understanding and naming emotions
Learning real coping tools children can actually use
Building the inner strength to handle stress and challenges
Groundwork is built differently than a one-off workshop or drop-in program. Every group is led by two seasoned psychotherapists as co-facilitators, kept small at 4 to 6 children so every child is seen. Before the week begins, parents attend a 90-minute workshop to feel equipped supporting their child's emotional regulation at home. And before registration, a 30-minute screening call makes sure Groundwork is the right fit.
A good fit if your child:
Has big emotions that are hard to manage
Shuts down, melts down, or struggles to bounce back
Has a hard time putting feelings into words
Could benefit from learning alongside other kids their age
May not be the right fit if your child:
Is currently in crisis or needs more intensive support
Has significant social anxiety that a group setting could overwhelm right now
Isn't yet ready or willing to participate
Not sure? The screening call is exactly the right place to figure that out together.
Meet Your Facilitators
Groundwork is led by two experienced child and adolescent mental health professionals who believe in working as a team with parents and children alike.
Shruthi Venkatesh Ranga Rao,
Registered Psychotherapist
Shruthi has over a decade of experience working with children and teens, specializing in neurodivergent youth. She holds a Master's in Psychology with a specialization in Learning Disabilities and brings a client-centred, cognitive approach to her work.
Elda Almario,
Registered Psychotherapist
Elda has over a decade of experience working with neurodivergent children and youth, with specialized training in play therapy. Her training has sharpened her ability to meet children where they're at, helping them relate and engage in ways that feel natural to them. She is the founder of Larô Therapy.
Groundwork:
Emotional Skills for Kids
August 10–14, 2026 · Ajax, ON
Investment
$1,200 per child
Deposit
$200 non-refundable, due at booking to secure your spot
Remaining Balance
$1,000, due by August 5, 2026
Spots are limited to 4–6 children per group, and spaces fill quickly.
A few questions you might have
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Groundwork is delivered as group psychotherapy by Registered Psychotherapists, which may be eligible for reimbursement under many extended health plans. We recommend checking with your provider directly, as coverage for group sessions can vary by plan.
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That's completely normal, and groups are designed with that in mind. Small group sizes, experienced facilitators, and a structured format help children feel safe even if they're shy at first. The screening call is also a chance to talk through any concerns before the program begins.
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It's a 30-minute conversation to learn more about your child, answer your questions, and make sure Groundwork is the right fit before registration is confirmed.
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Because sessions build on each other, consistent attendance matters most for getting the full benefit of the program. If you know of a conflict ahead of time, let us know during the screening call so we can talk through it together.
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The full program fee is $1,200, covering all five sessions plus the parent workshop and screening call. A $200 deposit secures your child's spot and is non-refundable. The remaining $1,000 is due by August 5, 2026.
If you need to withdraw your child from the program before it begins or partway through, fees for any sessions not yet provided will be refunded within 7 days of your request.
A full written agreement outlining these terms is provided at the time of booking.
Ready to find out if Groundwork is right for your child?
Spots are limited to 4–6 children per group. Book a screening call to get started.