Child Psychologists and Child Therapists in Yaletown Vancouver, BC.

As a Certified Play Therapy Supervisor, I have extensive training working with children and teens. I use play therapy and a combination of other modalities that may fit the child's/teens needs. I use these methods to help children process difficult situations and find new healthy ways of coping. We also work with parents as we know how important their roles are on-going. We help them help their children.

I have over twenty years of experience in working with children. I understand that children process information at different rates and often in different ways than adults. My Counselling approach is gentle, warm and age and stage appropriate. I help young children and elementary-aged children to manage their emotions, build friendships, organize their school life, improve their academics, cope with anxiety, understand death, grief and loss, as well as deal with family dynamics e.g., separation/ divorce. I use play, art, narrative and cognitive behavioural therapy as some of my therapeutic tools. I really enjoy working with my young clients and seeing how happy they become!

As a family man, I'm seriously passionate about the importance of family and hope to support families in my private practice struggling with hopelessness, break downs in communication and lack of boundaries and clear expectations in the home. If you're looking for help improving the environment in your home, please reach out for a free consultation.

Therapy and counselling for young children is a unique and delicate process. I have experience and expertise in working with young children in a safe, relaxed and healing way. I believe that children are highly resilient and intuitive and therapy can be very effective and rewarding for them. As an adjunct to my approach, I offer intensive support to parents in gaining understanding and insight into their child's behaviors, even if they are highly difficult to manage. I also welcome any and all families with children who have mental health diagnoses as I have expertise in that area as well. Contact me for a free consultation to see if I am the right fit for you and your child.

With young children, I utilize play-based therapy, which allows them to express their emotions and fears in a natural way. I make therapy enjoyable and effective by incorporating games, stories, and art, helping children learn to communicate their feelings and needs while also developing emotional regulation skills. I provide a safe and supportive environment, guiding them until they can navigate their emotions independently.

Sessions can consist of art activities in person, expressive play interaction and learning how to regulate emotions as well as where they may come from. With children and youth I can provide a safe space for support and listening, help enlighten them on their feelings and thoughts. Challenges with anxiety, family stress and school issues can be looked at.

Children, like adults, can be affected by anxiety, stress, pressure and self-esteem issues. It can be very challenging for children to balance a busy lifestyle of sports, school, friends, and personal growth. It can also be very challenging for parents to watch and support their child as they struggle. We use child play therapy as a great tool to support young children in expressing their inner thoughts and feelings, while also creating tools and strategies for how they can cope with things better. We will also work with the parents, as needed to better understand their child and learn tools on how to support them.

I have worked with many young children over the last 30 years and have developed tools to help them to express themselves. I encourage children to work through issues in a manner that is supportive yet enquiring, all the while allowing the child to lead. Young children are able to reap the benefits of brain training with Neurofeedback (NFB) and work through issues with desensitizing hurts through EMDR. As well, when utilizing the skill of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), I offer many child friendly approaches such as games and drawing and have weighted blanks and animals to help comfort children with sensory integration / over stimulation challenges. My office is child friendly.

Art Therapy and Play Therapy approaches are offered for kids ~ these are the languages of kids and the way that they learn. These approcahes are used to explore feelings and thought, problem solve and resolve conflicts or challenges in their lives. Parents should expect to be involved either in additional session(s) or at times, as part of a session. Parent support, education and assistance is of high priority. Parent education is also offered, which involves a series of sessions to address conflicts in the family, behavioral problems, discipline issues and improve overall family functioning and better relationships.

I have worked with young children for three decades in school therapeutic settings. I have counselled children and their parents through all sorts of difficulties. I have insider knowledge about schools, school behaviour problems, and special education. I am passionate about helping children find their tears, so they can release emotions safely and continue to grow.