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You're Watching Your Child Struggle—And It's Breaking Your Heart
Maybe it's the meltdowns that come out of nowhere. The anxiety that makes simple tasks feel impossible. The social struggles that leave them feeling left out and alone.
Maybe they're dealing with ADHD and every day feels like a battle—homework takes hours, routines fall apart, and you're both exhausted.
Maybe they're on the autism spectrum and you're constantly advocating, explaining, trying to help them navigate a world that doesn't always understand them.
Or maybe they just need someone—someone patient, someone who gets it, someone who can help them build the skills they need to feel capable and confident.
You've tried so hard. You've read the books, followed the advice, gone to the appointments. But you're tired. And your child is still struggling.
What you need isn't another diagnosis or another strategy you have to implement yourself.
What you need is someone who will actually work with your child, in your home, in the community, in real life, to help them build skills, gain confidence, and feel like they belong.
I'm Colleen, and I'm Here to Help
I know what it's like to watch a child struggle and wonder if you're doing enough. I know the guilt, the exhaustion, the constant worry about whether they'll be okay.
And I know that with the right support, kids can surprise us in the best possible ways.
For over 10 years, I've worked with children and youth who need a little (or a lot of) extra support. As a Therapeutic Coach at InnerWorks, I work one-on-one with kids and teens—not in an office, but in their real lives: at home, in the community, wherever they need me.
I help kids develop:
Life skills they need for daily independence (cooking, hygiene, organization, time management)
Social skills so they can make friends and feel confident in groups
Executive functioning to manage homework, routines, and responsibilities
Emotional regulation so meltdowns become less frequent and less intense
Confidence to try new things and believe in themselves
I'm not here to fix your child. I'm here to help them discover what they're already capable of—and build the skills to show the world.
How I Work
I meet kids where they are—in every sense.
I don't expect your child to sit still in an office and talk about their feelings for an hour. That's not how kids learn, and it's definitely not how they build real-world skills.
Instead, I work with your child:
In your home – practicing cooking, hygiene, morning routines, homework systems
In the community – navigating the bus, ordering food, grocery shopping, going to appointments
In social settings – building confidence to join activities, practice conversations, make connections
My approach is:
Strengths-Based I focus on what your child CAN do, not just what they struggle with. We build on their interests and abilities.
Practical and Hands-On We don't just talk about skills—we practice them. Over and over, in real situations, until they stick.
Collaborative I work closely with you (and your child's school, therapist, or other supports) to make sure we're all working toward the same goals.
Patient and Flexible Every child learns differently. I adapt my approach to what works for YOUR child—not what a textbook says should work.
Judgment-Free There's no "should" here. No shame. No pressure to be someone your child isn't. Just support, encouragement, and belief in what they're capable of.
Here's How We'll Work Together
1. We'll Start Where Your Child Is—Not Where They "Should" Be
In our first session, I'll meet your child where they are—literally and figuratively. We'll talk about what's hard, what they enjoy, what they want to get better at. No judgment. No pressure. Just connection.
You'll be part of this conversation too, because you know your child best.
2. We'll Build Skills in Real Life, Not Just Talk About Them
I don't sit in an office and give advice. I work with your child in the places where they actually need skills:
At home, learning to cook a meal or manage their morning routine
In the community, practicing how to order at a restaurant or navigate the bus
In social settings, building confidence to join a group or start a conversation
Skills stick when they're practiced in real situations—not just talked about in theory.
3. You'll See Progress That Actually Matters
You'll see your child gaining independence. Managing their emotions better. Trying new things. Making progress on goals that matter to your family.
And I'll be checking in with you regularly—because this works best when we're all on the same page.
Imagine This
Your child wakes up and gets themselves ready for school—without you having to nag or remind them ten times.
They come home from school and tell you about a conversation they had with a friend. A real friend. Someone who gets them.
Homework gets done without a three-hour battle. Routines happen. Meltdowns are less frequent, less intense.
Your child looks at you and says, "I can do this."
And they mean it. Because they've practiced. Because they've built skills. Because someone believed in them and showed them how.
You finally get to breathe. Not because everything is perfect, but because your child is growing, learning, and building the life skills they'll need to thrive.
That's where we're headed.
Your Child Might Be Dealing With...
ADHD
Can't focus long enough to finish homework
Constantly losing things, forgetting responsibilities
Struggles to manage time or follow routines
Needs help with organization and executive functioning
Autism Spectrum
Social situations feel confusing or overwhelming
Routines are important but hard to maintain
Sensory sensitivities make daily life challenging
Needs support navigating a world that doesn't always make sense
Social Struggles
Has trouble making or keeping friends
Feels left out, lonely, or misunderstood
Doesn't know how to start conversations or join groups
Needs practice with real-world social situations
Life Skills Gaps
Can't manage basic hygiene, cooking, or household tasks independently
Struggles with time management and organization
Needs help preparing for adulthood and independence
Would benefit from one-on-one skill coaching in daily routines
Emotional Regulation Challenges
Meltdowns are frequent and intense
Struggles to calm down once upset
Has trouble identifying or expressing feelings
Needs tools and strategies to manage big emotions
Transition to Adulthood
Needs help preparing for independence, work, or post-secondary education
Struggling to build the confidence and skills needed for adult life
Would benefit from mentorship and practical support
If any of this sounds like your child, we should talk!
Your Child Can't Keep Waiting
Every week that goes by without support is another week your child struggles—and another week you carry the weight of trying to help them on your own.
Without support:
Social struggles get worse as other kids move on without them
Life skills gaps widen as peers become more independent
Confidence erodes with every failed attempt or meltdown
The transition to adulthood becomes harder and scarier
You're doing everything you can. But you can't do this alone.
Your child deserves someone who understands their challenges, believes in their potential, and has the time and expertise to help them build real skills.
That's what I do. And I'd love to help your family.
From Struggling to Thriving
Where your child is now: Overwhelmed, struggling, isolated, dependent, frustrated, losing confidence
Where we're going: Capable, confident, connected, independent, managing challenges, believing in themselves
This isn't about turning your child into someone they're not. It's about helping them become the best version of who they already are—with the skills, confidence, and support to navigate their world successfully.
Your child is capable of more than you might think. Let me help you see it.
Coaching Sessions & Logistics
Session Structure:
One-on-one coaching tailored to your child's needs
Sessions typically 2-3 hours (skill-building takes time!)
Can be scheduled weekly, bi-weekly, or as needed
Where We Meet:
Your home
Community locations (library, grocery store, mall, etc.)
Anywhere your child needs to build skills
Cost:
London, ON: $180 for 3-hour session
Additional hours: $60/hour
Monthly supervision fee: $125 (covers clinical oversight and individualized treatment planning)
Funding Options:
Passport funding
OAP (Ontario Autism Program)
SSAH (Special Services at Home)
Private pay
How to Get Started:
Reach out to InnerWorks
We'll talk about your child's needs and goals
We'll schedule an initial session to meet your child and create a plan
We'll start building skills right away
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Great question! I'm a Therapeutic Coach, not a therapist. Here's the difference:
Therapeutic Coaching (what I do) focuses on:
Building practical, real-world skills
Hands-on support in daily life (home, community, social settings)
Life skills, social skills, executive functioning
Action-oriented, skill-building work
Therapy (provided by our licensed therapists) focuses on:
Processing emotions, trauma, and deeper psychological work
Clinical diagnoses and treatment plans
Talk-based sessions in an office setting
Services that can be billed to insurance
Both are valuable—they just serve different needs. Many families work with both: a therapist for emotional processing and a coach for practical skill-building. Our team can help you figure out what's right for your child.
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That depends on your child's goals and needs. Some families work with me for a few months to build specific skills (like cooking or taking the bus independently). Others work with me long-term for ongoing support through transitions or complex challenges.
We'll check in regularly about progress and adjust as needed. You're always in control of how long coaching continues.
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I get it—lots of kids feel that way at first, especially if they've had negative experiences with adults trying to "fix" them.
I don't come in trying to fix your child. I come in curious, patient, and focused on what THEY care about. We start with their interests and build from there. Most kids warm up once they realize I'm not there to judge or lecture—I'm there to help them do things they actually want to do.
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I work primarily with children and teens (roughly ages 8-18), though I'm flexible depending on the child's needs and developmental stage. If you're not sure if your child is a good fit, reach out and we'll talk through it together.
Your Child Deserves This
You've been trying so hard—advocating, researching, managing appointments, implementing strategies. You're doing everything you can.
But you don't have to do this alone.
Your child deserves someone who will show up consistently, believe in them, and help them build the skills they need to thrive.
That's what I do. And I'd be honored to work with your family.