Adriana Sorbo's Story
Specialized training. Deep experience. A clear focus on children and families.
I've always felt drawn to working with children and families. As a child, I once dreamed of becoming a professional ballerina, but as I grew, my true passion became clear: understanding how children develop, supporting families through their challenges, and helping little ones express feelings that are hard to put into words. For the past 15 years, I've been guided by specialized training, varied clinical experiences, and a heartfelt commitment to care that is both evidence-based and deeply attuned to each child's needs.
A career built around children and families
My path started with a degree in psychology from the University of Calgary, then led me to graduate studies in counselling psychology at McGill University. When I returned home to Calgary, I followed my curiosity and passion for working with children, completing advanced post-graduate training in Play Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy. Early on, I realized that truly connecting with children means meeting them where they are, using approaches that honor the unique ways they communicate and grow.
From the very beginning, I’ve been dedicated to understanding the emotional worlds of children, adolescents, and the families who care so deeply for them. Rather than simply adapting adult therapy for younger clients, I use approaches created especially for kids and teens, with their unique needs in mind.
Clinical experience across complex settings
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working in a wide range of clinical environments, including:
Domestic violence treatment programs
Large community counselling agencies
Crisis intervention services
Inpatient and outpatient mental health programs
Specialized private therapy settings
This breadth of experience has shaped my ability to support children and families navigating trauma, anxiety, behavioural challenges, family transitions, and loss.
I place a strong value on collaboration and regularly work alongside teachers, physicians, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other professionals involved in a child’s care.
Specialized training in play therapy
Play therapy is not an add-on to my work, it is a central part of my professional identity.
I am a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) with nearly 15 years of specialized training and clinical experience. I am also:
An Approved Supervisor with the Association for Play Therapy
An Approved Supervisor with the Canadian Association for Play Therapy
An Instructor with the Rocky Mountain Play Therapy Institute
A Guest Instructor at City University (CityU), teaching play therapy concepts to graduate-level students
This level of training reflects my belief that helping children effectively takes more than just an interest in working with them. It means committing to depth, mentorship, and ongoing professional development, so I can truly support each child’s needs.
Working with young children
A significant part of my practice is dedicated to working with preschool and early school-aged children, a population that is often underserved due to the level of specialization required.
Young children share their feelings and experiences mostly through play, movement, and creativity. Helping them thrive means truly understanding their developmental stages, their attachments, and even how their bodies respond to stress. It also means working hand in hand with caregivers every step of the way, creating a warm and supportive partnership.
I find this work both challenging and deeply meaningful.
Supervision & mentorship for early career therapists
In recent years, I’ve expanded my work to include clinical supervision for early career professionals who want to specialize in child and play therapy.
I provide supervision for:
Provisional psychologists
Psychologists
Social workers
Certified clinical counsellors
My supervision style is collaborative, reflective, and grounded in clinical integrity. I aim to support clinicians in developing confidence, competence, and a clear professional identity when working with children and families.
Looking for how this shows up in practice?
Learn more about how my training, values, and experience guide the way I work with children, families, and professionals.