Child, Youth & Family Counselling in Port Coquitlam

Children experience therapy differently than adults.

Most adults make the decision to seek counselling because they're looking for support, answers, or change. Children rarely make that choice themselves. They often arrive because a parent, caregiver, teacher, or another trusted adult recognized they needed support.

Many children don't fully understand why they're coming to therapy. Some feel nervous. Some are unsure what to expect. Others aren't ready to talk at all. That's okay.

I don't believe children should be expected to open up the moment they walk through the door. Instead, I believe meaningful change begins with connection. Before children can talk about difficult experiences, learn new coping skills, or work through big emotions, they first need to feel genuinely seen, understood, accepted, and free to be themselves.

Rather than rushing into treatment, I focus on building a genuine relationship through play, curiosity, laughter, creativity, and shared experiences. While it may look like we're "just playing," something much more important is happening. We're building the connection that allows therapy to become meaningful.

Every child deserves a place where they feel excited to come, understood without judgment, and supported for exactly who they are.

Not sure how to start the conversation at home? Our parent guide on introducing counselling to your child offers gentle scripts and age-appropriate language to help you prepare.