West Vancouver Child Counselling

1. Kids don't process things the same way adults do. They can't always sit down and talk about their feelings in neat sentences. Child counselling uses age-appropriate approaches - play therapy for younger kids, talk therapy for older ones, EMDR for trauma - that meet children where they are developmentally.
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2. The earlier you address problems, the better. Anxiety that seems minor in grade 2 can become debilitating by middle school if left alone. Trauma from a car accident or family violence gets worse over time, not better. Child counselling helps kids process difficult experiences before they become deeper mental health issues.
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3. We help kids with the specific struggles they face. Separation anxiety that makes drop-off at school a nightmare every morning. Social anxiety where they can't handle birthday parties or group projects. Fears and phobias about things like dogs, the dark, or throwing up. Anger that explodes over tiny frustrations. Sadness they can't shake after losing a grandparent or beloved pet.
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4. For kids who've experienced trauma - abuse, witnessing violence, scary accidents, medical procedures - child counselling provides specialized trauma therapy that helps their nervous system calm down. Traumatized kids are often stuck in fight-or-flight mode, which shows up as behavior problems, nightmares, regression, or physical complaints like stomachaches.
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5. Child counselling also helps with the behavioral stuff that's driving you crazy but is actually a symptom of something deeper. The kid who can't sit still and gets in trouble constantly might be dealing with anxiety. The perfectionist who melts down over one wrong answer might be terrified of disappointing you. The kid who lies about everything might not feel safe telling the truth. We figure out what's underneath the behavior and address that.
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6. Parents get support too. We teach you how to respond to your child's struggles in ways that actually help instead of accidentally making things worse. You'll understand what triggers your kid, how to create safety at home, and how to support their healing between sessions.

First session is usually just me and the parents. We talk about what you're seeing at home and school, when it started, what you've already tried, family history, and what you're most worried about. This gives me context before meeting your child.

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When I do meet your kid, I make it comfortable and non-threatening. Younger children don't "do therapy" the way adults do - we play, draw, use toys, read books. That IS the therapy. Through play, kids show me what they can't say in words. Play therapy helps children process trauma, express difficult emotions, work through family changes, and develop coping skills without having to articulate complex feelings.

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For school-age kids (roughly 7-12), we mix talk and play depending on their maturity. Some 8-year-olds can talk about their feelings pretty directly, others need more hands-on activities. I follow their lead and use what works for that specific child.

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When kids have experienced trauma - abuse, accidents, witnessing violence, scary medical procedures - we often use EMDR therapy adapted for children. Kids can't always verbalize traumatic memories the way adults can, so we might use drawing, toys, or storytelling alongside bilateral stimulation to help their brain process what happened. EMDR works really well for childhood trauma, nightmares, and phobias.

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We also teach kids concrete coping skills they can actually use. Breathing exercises for anxiety (kid-friendly versions, not boring adult meditation). Ways to calm their body down when they're overwhelmed. How to recognize and name their feelings. Tools for handling friendship drama or school stress.

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I keep parents involved throughout. After each session, I give you a quick update on what we worked on and any strategies to practice at home. Every few weeks we do a parent check-in session to review progress and adjust our approach. Child counselling works best when parents and therapist are on the same team.

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Confidentiality with kids is tricky. I explain to children that what we talk about is private UNLESS someone is hurting them or they're thinking about hurting themselves or someone else. Parents don't get a play-by-play of everything their kid says, but you do get the information you need to support them at home.