West Vancouver Family Counselling
Help for Families Finding Their Way Back to Each Other
When parents in Ambleside and Dundarave start arguing every night after the kids go to bed, or teenagers at Sentinel Secondary stop talking to anyone at home, families know something needs to change. That's when West Vancouver family counselling becomes the bridge between feeling stuck and finding solutions that actually work.
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At Creekside Counselling, we see it all the time - good people who love each other but can't seem to communicate anymore. Maybe you're fighting about the same things over and over. Maybe your teenager locks themselves in their room and won't talk. Maybe you and your partner feel more like roommates than a team. Whatever brought you here, you're not alone, and there's a path forward.
Benefits of Family Counselling
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You learn to actually hear each other. Most family fights aren't really about dishes or curfews. They're about feeling ignored, disrespected, or misunderstood. A family therapist helps everyone slow down and really listen instead of just waiting to respond.
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Kids see their parents trying. When children watch their parents show up for family counseling in Vancouver, it tells them "you matter enough for us to do this hard work." That message alone can shift everything in a household.
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Old patterns get interrupted. Every family has their scripts - the same arguments that play out the exact same way. Family therapists help you spot these patterns and try something different instead of just repeating what doesn't work.
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Everyone gets a voice. In regular family life, the loudest person or the one with the most power often dominates. In counselling sessions, even the quietest family member gets heard and respected.
Creekside Counselling's EMDR Process and Approach
Our family therapist Vancouver team doesn't believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. What helps a blended family in British Properties will look different than what helps parents and their young adult child navigate new boundries.
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We spend time understanding your family's unique situation. What's the main struggle? How long has it been happening? What have you already tried? We also figure out who should be in the room - sometimes that's everyone, sometimes it's better to start with just parents or just the kids.
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Nothing changes if people don't feel safe enough to be honest. Our marriage and family therapist works hard to make sure everyone knows this is a judgment-free space where all feelings are valid, even the messy ones.
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We don't just talk about feelings for an hour and send you home. You'll learn specific communication techniques, conflict resolution strategies, and ways to rebuild trust that you can practice between sessions.
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Some families need weekly sessions for a few months. Others check in monthly for ongoing support. Some do intensive work then take breaks. We adapt to what your family needs, not what a textbook says.
Pricing Information
We charge $200 per session, and most sessions run 50 minutes. Many extended health plans cover counselling family sessions - we provide reciepts you can submit for reimbursment.
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Some families worry about the cost, but here's how to think about it: what's the cost of not addressing these issues? The tension at home, the impact on your kids, the relationship damage that gets harder to repair the longer you wait. Investing in family therapists now can prevent much bigger problems down the road.
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We also offer family therapists online sessions for families who prefer meeting from home or have scheduling challenges. The work is just as effective, and sometimes people open up more easily from their own space.
Areas We Serve
We're located right here in West Vancouver and work with folks from all over the North Shore. Our clients come from Horseshoe Bay, Dundarave, Ambleside, Eagle Harbour, Caulfeild, Whitby Estates, British Properties, Cypress Park, Gleneagles, Bayridge, Chartwell, and everywhere in between.
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We also see clients from North Vancouver, Lions Bay, Bowen Island, and even downtown Vancouver or Burnaby when people are willing to make the drive for family therapy. Virtual sessions available too for those who prefer meeting online or can't make it to the office.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Counselling
How do I know if my family needs counselling?
If you're wondering about it, that's usually a sign something needs attention. Common reasons families reach out: constant fighting, communication breakdowns, major life transitions (divorce, blending families, moving), behavioral issues with kids, loss or grief affecting the whole family, or just feeling disconnected from each other. You don't need to wait until things are terrible - life and family counselling works best when you address issues before they become crisises.
Will my teenager actually participate or just sit there angry?
Honestly? Sometimes teens are resistant at first. That's normal and ok. A skilled licensed marriage and family therapist knows how to work with reluctant teenagers without forcing anything. Often once teens realize we're not taking sides and actually care what they think, they start opening up. Even if they're quiet for the first session or two, just showing up matters.
What if one family member doesn't want to come?
We can still help. Sometimes starting with whoever is willing creates enough positive change that others get curious and join later. Sometimes working with part of the family is exactly what's needed. We'll talk through the best approach for your specific situation.
How long does family counseling usually take?
Most families see noticable improvement in 8-12 sessions, but that varies widely. Some families get what they need in 5-6 sessions. Others benefit from ongoing support over many months. We check in regularly about progress and adjust as needed. You're never locked into continuing if it's not helping.
Do you see families or do marriage counselling too?
Yes to both. Many marriage family therapists work with couples and with whole families. Sometimes we see parents together for a few sessions, then bring kids in. Sometimes couples work on their relationship seperately from family sessions. We're flexible based on what'll help most.
What happens in a typical session?
We usually start by checking in about how the week went and what everyone wants to focus on. Then we dig into whatever's most pressing - maybe practicing a difficult conversation, working through a specific conflict, or teaching new communication tools. We always leave time at the end to summarize what we learned and plan practice for the week ahead. Sessions feel more like guided conversations than formal therapy.
Is everything we talk about confidential?
Mostly yes, with important exceptions. We can't keep secrets if someone is being hurt or at risk of hurting themselves or others. We're also careful about confidentiality with kids - we explain clearly what we might need to share with parents versus what stays between us. Building trust means being honest about the limits of confidentiality upfront.
Do you offer family therapists online or only in person?
We offer both. Some families prefer coming to our office in West Vancouver - that physical seperation from home can be helpful. Other families love the convenience of online sessions, especially with busy schedules or multiple kids. The counseling family approach works well either way, so it's really about your preference.