CHILD & YOUTH COUNSELLING
Helping children, teens, and families build resilience, confidence, and stronger connections.
Every Child Deserves to Feel Safe, Understood, and Supported.
Childhood and adolescence are filled with growth, change, and new experiences—but they can also bring anxiety, overwhelming emotions, behavioural challenges, friendship difficulties, school stress, family changes, grief, or trauma. With the right support, children and teens can build the confidence, resilience, and coping skills they need to navigate life’s challenges.
At Hollyburn Support Services, our experienced child and youth counsellors provide compassionate, evidence-informed counselling tailored to each young person’s age, personality, strengths, and unique needs. We work collaboratively with children, teens, and caregivers to foster emotional wellbeing, strengthen relationships, and support lasting positive change.
We Can Help With
If you’re wondering whether counselling is the right step for your child, you’re not alone. Many families reach out during times of change, stress, or uncertainty. Our child and youth counsellors support children and teens experiencing a wide range of emotional, behavioural, and relational challenges, including:
- Anxiety and stress
- Depression and low mood
- ADHD and emotional regulation
- Behavioural challenges
- School stress or school refusal
- Family transitions (separation, divorce, relocation)
- Trauma and grief
- Bullying and friendship difficulties
- Self-esteem and identity development
- Social skills and peer relationships
A child’s wellbeing is closely connected to the people and environments around them. Whenever appropriate, we partner with parents and caregivers to strengthen communication, improve family relationships, and support lasting change beyond the counselling room.
What to Expect from Child & Youth Counselling
Every child communicates differently. While some children are comfortable talking about their thoughts and feelings, others express themselves more naturally through play, creativity, movement, or everyday conversation. Our counsellors tailor each session to your child’s developmental stage, personality, and unique needs.
Younger Children
For younger children, counselling often includes play, art, storytelling, games, and other creative activities that help them safely express emotions, process experiences, strengthen problem-solving skills, and build healthy coping strategies.
Older Children & Teens
Older children and teens often benefit from a more conversational approach while still incorporating creative or experiential techniques when appropriate. Counselling provides a safe, supportive, and confidential space where they can explore challenges, develop emotional regulation skills, strengthen self-confidence, and build resilience.
Partnering With Parents & Caregivers
Parents and caregivers play an important role in the counselling process. Depending on your child’s age, goals, and needs, counselling may include parent consultations, family sessions, or practical strategies to support progress at home. We work collaboratively with families while respecting each child’s privacy, growing independence, and developmental stage.
Every child deserves to feel seen, heard, and understood. We meet them where they are and help them build the confidence, resilience, and skills they need to thrive.
A Space Designed for Children
Our North Vancouver office features a dedicated child and youth counselling space with a sand table, games, creative materials, and comfortable therapy rooms designed to help children feel safe, relaxed, and supported from their very first visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Children and teens don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from counselling. If your child is experiencing anxiety, sadness, behavioural changes, school difficulties, friendship challenges, grief, family changes, or simply seems different from their usual self, counselling can provide a safe and supportive space to explore what’s going on and build healthy coping skills.
That’s completely okay—and very common. Our counsellors don’t expect children to sit down and immediately talk about their feelings. Depending on their age and comfort level, sessions may include play, art, games, storytelling, or other creative activities that help children express themselves naturally and at their own pace.
Parents and caregivers are an important part of the counselling process. Depending on your child’s age, goals, and needs, counselling may include parent consultations, family sessions, or strategies to support progress at home, while also respecting your child’s privacy and growing independence.
Yes. Building trust is an important part of the counselling relationship. While parents are involved when appropriate, teenagers also benefit from having a confidential space to talk openly. Your counsellor will explain the limits of confidentiality, including situations where safety concerns require information to be shared.
Yes. We offer secure virtual counselling for children, teens, and families throughout British Columbia, as well as in-person appointments at our North Vancouver, Surrey, and Nanaimo locations. Together, we’ll help determine which option is the best fit for your family.
Many extended health plans provide coverage for counselling services delivered by Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) or Registered Social Workers (RSWs). Coverage varies depending on your individual plan, so we recommend checking with your insurance provider before your first appointment. Check out out direct billing partners here.
Affordable and Accessible Support
We believe every child and family deserves access to quality mental health support. While counselling is an investment, we understand that cost can sometimes be a barrier.
To make counselling more accessible, we offer lower-cost sessions for youth ages 12 and up with practicum students and intern counsellors who are completing their clinical training under the supervision of experienced clinicians. These sessions provide compassionate, evidence-informed care at a reduced rate.
If cost is a concern, we encourage you to contact our Director of Counselling Services to discuss the options that may be available. We’re committed to helping you find support that fits your family’s needs.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Reaching out for support can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether your child is facing a specific challenge or you simply have a feeling that something isn’t quite right, we’re here to help.
Our experienced child and youth counsellors offer in-person counselling in North Vancouver, Surrey, and Nanaimo, as well as secure virtual counselling for families throughout British Columbia.
Explore our team to find the counsellor who feels like the best fit, or complete our referral form and we’ll help match your family with the right clinician.
Your child’s journey toward greater confidence, resilience, and wellbeing can begin today.