In-Person in Vaughan, ON L4K 2N1
In-Person in Saugeen Shores, ON N0H 2C3
Online in
Multiple Canadian Provinces
Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland And Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island
I believe therapy begins with being genuinely heard, understood, and accepted. My work is grounded in the belief that every child, teenager, adult, and family has unique strengths, experiences, and needs that deserve to be respected.
I am Amir Haimove, founder of Autism Center for Kids, with more than 20 years of experience working with children, families, autism, ADHD, developmental challenges, and emotional and social needs. My background in child development has shaped an approach that looks beyond a diagnosis or a particular behaviour and seeks to understand the person behind it.
I provide individualized, compassionate therapy and support for children, teens, and families, with a particular focus on autism, ADHD, anxiety, emotional regulation, social challenges, and developmental concerns. My therapeutic work may incorporate approaches such as play therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, art therapy, and other developmentally appropriate interventions depending on the individual's needs and goals.
For autistic children, I believe therapy should respect neurodiversity and support genuine communication, emotional development, confidence, relationships, and independence rather than simply focusing on making a child appear or behave differently. Play, connection, creativity, and relationships can provide powerful opportunities for children to express themselves and develop new skills.
I also work with parents and families because meaningful change often happens when caregivers feel supported and better understand their child's experiences. My goal is to create a safe, collaborative environment where families can explore concerns, develop practical strategies, and build stronger relationships.
Whether someone is seeking support for a child, teenager, or themselves, I want therapy to feel like a place where they can be understood without judgment and supported at their own pace. My goal is not to provide a one-size-fits-all solution, but to work collaboratively with each person and family to develop meaningful, individualized support.
My practice is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and empowered, no matter their challenges. I specialize in working with clients facing anxiety, trauma, social-emotional difficulties, autism, ADHD, and family transitions. Through online and in-person therapy, I aim to create personalized and meaningful therapeutic relationships that foster long-term resilience and emotional well-being.
At Tikvah, we are proud to support a wide range of communities, including newcomers, refugees, and families from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. My work is not only a profession—it is a calling to help people find hope, strength, and transformation through therapy.
Client Focus
Session Format: Couple, Family, Group, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Children, Teen, Young Adult
Treatment Approach
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, while committing to actions that reflect their values. It blends mindfulness with practical behavior strategies.
- Art Therapy Uses creative activities like drawing, painting, or sculpture as a way to express emotions. It is especially helpful when words are hard to find.
- Behavioral Therapy Uses learning techniques like reinforcement and practice to change unwanted behaviors. It is often applied to phobias, anxiety, and habits.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Dance / Movement Therapy Uses movement and body awareness to express emotions and improve mental health. It can increase confidence, reduce stress, and support healing.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Combines CBT with mindfulness to help regulate emotions, tolerate stress, and build stronger relationships. Originally designed for borderline personality disorder, it’s now used more broadly.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Focuses on strengthening emotional bonds in couples or families. It helps people identify negative cycles and create more secure connections.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) A structured therapy that uses guided eye movements to help process traumatic memories. It is widely recognized for treating PTSD and trauma-related conditions.
- Family Systems Therapy Looks at problems within the context of the family as a whole. It aims to improve communication and balance in family relationships.
- Gestalt Therapy Encourages awareness of thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present moment. It helps people integrate different parts of themselves for wholeness.
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy Based on decades of research, this method gives couples tools to improve communication, manage conflict, and strengthen intimacy.
- Music Therapy Uses music listening, songwriting, or rhythm exercises to support healing. It is effective for stress, emotional expression, and cognitive challenges.
Approach Description: Our approach is individualized, relationship-based, and focused on the whole person. We believe effective therapy begins with understanding rather than judgment and that each client deserves support that reflects their unique strengths, experiences, communication style, and goals.
When working with autistic children and individuals, our approach is neurodiversity-informed. We do not believe therapy should be about forcing someone to hide who they are or conform to a predetermined idea of how they should behave. Instead, we focus on meaningful communication, emotional well-being, self-confidence, relationships, coping skills, independence, and participation in everyday life.
With children, play can be an important therapeutic language. Through play, creativity, movement, and interaction, children may communicate feelings and experiences that they cannot yet express through words. Depending on the individual's needs, our work may incorporate play therapy, CBT-based strategies, art therapy, emotional regulation strategies, social development, and parent coaching.
For teenagers and adults, therapy may focus on anxiety, emotional regulation, relationships, self-esteem, life transitions, communication, stress, and developing practical coping strategies. We work collaboratively with clients to identify goals that are meaningful to them.
Family involvement can also be an important part of treatment. Parents and caregivers may receive guidance and support to better understand their child's needs and strengthen communication and relationships at home.
Our goal is to create a safe and accepting therapeutic relationship where clients can be themselves, develop a deeper understanding of their experiences, build on their strengths, and work toward meaningful change at their own pace.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Average Session Fee 200
- Accepts Insurance
Education & Credentials
Haimove Amir psychotherapist
- Male
- License # #15981
- Licensed in Ontario
- Practicing Since 2013
Education: BA in Psychology and Special Education, Open University; graduate studies in Psychology through Harvard Extension School; graduate education in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University; doctoral studies in Early Childhood Development and Mental Health at Fielding Graduate University.
Haimove Amir Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Vaughan, ON L4K 2N1 and Saugeen Shores, ON N0H 2C3
- Available Online for residents of Multiple Canadian Provinces Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland And Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island
- Online Therapy Details: Teletherapy
At Autism Center for Kids, we provide individualized, compassionate therapy and developmental support for children, teens, adults, and families. Our approach is centered on understanding the whole person—not simply a diagnosis or a specific behaviour.
We support individuals experiencing autism-related challenges, ADHD, anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, social and communication challenges, developmental concerns, family and relationship difficulties, and other life challenges.
Our therapeutic approach may include play therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), art-based approaches, parent support, and developmentally appropriate therapeutic strategies. For autistic individuals, we take a respectful, neurodiversity-informed approach that focuses on communication, emotional well-being, relationships, confidence, and meaningful participation in everyday life.
We also provide parent and family support, recognizing that caregivers often need guidance and a safe place to discuss concerns, understand their child's needs, and develop practical strategies.
Services may be available in person and online, depending on the individual's needs and location. Our goal is to create a welcoming, supportive environment where children, teens, adults, and families feel heard, respected, and understood.
At Autism Center for Kids, therapy is individualized. We take the time to understand each person's strengths, challenges, goals, and experiences and work collaboratively toward meaningful and practical change.
Our practice emphasizes relationship-based, non-ABA approaches, including psychotherapy, play therapy, art therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), speech therapy, and occupational therapy. Sessions are available in-person or online, with flexible scheduling to meet the unique needs of each client.
Located in Ontario, our services are covered by most private insurance plans, insurance,OAP (Ontario Autism Program), and refugee funding. At Tikvah, we meet every client with compassion, professionalism, and hope—because everyone deserves support on their path to growth and healing.