Welcome to Sunny Spot Child, Youth and Family Counselling

Sunny Spot began as a quiet dream. A counselling space where children, teens, parents and families could feel genuinely welcome, exactly as they arrived, without having to perform calm or have the right words ready.

That dream is now a small practice in Port Coquitlam, built around one simple belief: relationship comes first. Before strategies, before goals, before change, a person needs to feel safe with another person. Everything else grows from there.

Meet Sheila

Sheila Aini, MC, RCC is the founder of Sunny Spot and a Registered Clinical Counsellor. She holds a Master of Counselling and brings nine years of experience in behaviour intervention, along with trauma counselling experience at Battered Women's Support Services. You can read more about her background and approach on the About Sheila page.

Sheila's work is relationship first, trauma informed and neurodiversity affirming. That means she meets each child, teen and caregiver with curiosity rather than judgment, and she pays attention to the need underneath the behaviour instead of only the behaviour itself.

What families can expect inside the space

The Port Coquitlam office is set up to feel less like a formal appointment and more like a place to settle. There is room to talk, play, draw, build, move, pause or simply take time to arrive.

Some children head straight for the art supplies or the sand tray. Some teens prefer to sit and get comfortable before saying much at all. Some caregivers come for their own conversations about parenting, burnout or family stress. There is no single right way to begin.

Relationship and safety are part of the work

Children do not need perfect words or a polished explanation of what is wrong. Often they cannot name what they are carrying yet, and that is expected. Trust is not a warm up before the real work. Trust is where the work begins.

If you would like to understand more about why children connect in their own way and time, you can read Why Children Connect Differently.

Who Sunny Spot welcomes

Sunny Spot welcomes children, youth, parents, mothers, caregivers and families from Port Coquitlam and across the Tri Cities and nearby Metro Vancouver communities. Support is available for big feelings, anxiety, ADHD, autism, emotional regulation, behaviour concerns, attachment, parent and child relationships, school stress, grief, family conflict and the emotional weight of caregiving.

You can explore child counselling, youth and teen counselling and play therapy to see what might fit your family.

How to explore fit through a free consultation

You do not need to be certain before reaching out. A free 15 minute consultation is a relaxed conversation where you can share what you are noticing and ask whatever is on your mind. There is no obligation and no pressure.

You can book a free 15 minute consultation through the Jane booking link, or learn more about the practice on the Our Philosophy page.

This article offers general information and is not a substitute for individualized care. A consultation is a gentle way to explore what support may be right for your family.