Youth Counselling in Chilliwack
Youth counselling (ages 12-18 ) offers a supportive space where teens can feel heard, understood, and supported as they navigate what’s going on in their lives.
Session rates: $160 (50 minutes)
Youth counselling may be helpful for teens and pre-teens who are experiencing:
Anxiety, stress, or emotional overwhelm
Low mood or changes in motivation
Difficulty with peer or family relationships
Challenges related to identity or self-esteem
School-related stress or pressure
Coping with life changes or difficult experiences
Each young person’s experience is unique, and counselling is tailored to their individual needs and stage of development.
What to expect from youth counselling in Chilliwack
A safe, and supportive space
Youth counselling provides a confidential and supportive space where teens can explore their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. Building trust and safety is central to the counselling process, allowing youth to feel comfortable sharing at their own pace.
An experienced, patient approach
I bring extensive experience working with children, youth, and families in community mental health settings, including supporting youth through times of crisis. I approach counselling with patience, care, and respect, giving youth the time they need to feel comfortable and understood.
Starting gently and collaboratively
The first session is an opportunity for youth to get a feel for counselling and for us to begin understanding what support might be most helpful. Sessions move at a pace that feels respectful and appropriate, with collaboration and care at the centre of the process.
My approach to working with youth
My work with youth is grounded in a trauma-informed, person-centred approach that recognizes the complex emotional, social, and developmental experiences young people navigate. I strive to create a supportive and respectful environment that helps youth build insight, coping skills, and confidence.
In session, we might draw/create, talk, play a therapeutic game, or use the sand tray.
Where appropriate, collaboration with caregivers may be included to best support the young person, while still respecting their need for privacy and trust.
I incorporate Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (increasing skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness), and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (understanding and coping with how our thoughts, emotions and behaviours are interconnected) and Emotion Focused Family Therapy for caregivers (helping parents with advanced caregiving strategies of emotion coaching, behaviour coaching).
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. Parents and caregivers take part in their youth’s counselling. This includes an initial intake just for parents, plus short phone updates if relevant or scheduled meetings to talk about concerns, parenting strategies, or other relevant topics. If the youth agrees, a parent may join a session to help build understanding, shared language, coping skills, or problem-solve together. The youth’s privacy is respected, but parents will be contacted if there are concerns about the youth’s physical safety, including abuse, neglect, or suicidal thoughts.
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I am trained in Early Childhood Education, Child and Youth Care and a Masters of Counselling Psychology. I have almost two decades of experience including daycare/preschool teacher, youth and family outreach worker, and mental health clinician for children and youth experiencing moderate to severe mental health diagnosis’.
In addition, I have completed trainings in:
Suicide and Self Harm Intervention in Adolescents
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Adolescents
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Children and Adolescents for Anxiety and Depression
Emotion Focused Family Therapy (Level One) for Parents/Caregivers
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When booking sessions for children and youth, I recommend scheduling 4 sessions at a time every week or every other week at a consistent time. This supports a predictable environment to build the rapport and relationship between the child/youth and the counsellor. A stronger therapeutic relationship in turn promotes progress in their goals.
Ready to start youth counselling in chilliwack?
If you’re considering counselling for a youth in your care and wondering whether it might be a good fit, I invite you to reach out. Questions are always welcome.