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Child & Youth Counselling Kelowna & Vernon

Children and youth experience big emotions, difficult transitions, and challenges that can be hard to navigate alone. Anxiety, grief, divorce, bullying, trauma, friendship struggles, family changes, and difficulties at school can all impact how a young person feels, behaves, and connects with others.

If your child or teenager is struggling, counselling can provide a safe, supportive space to feel understood, develop new skills, and build confidence and resilience.

We also believe parents and caregivers are an important part of the process. You do not need to have all the answers. Sometimes you need support, guidance, and practical strategies too.

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Direct Billing

ICBC · CVAP · Autism Funding

Accredited Clinical Counsellors

RCC, CCC, RSW

Developmentally Guided

Relational, & Strength Based

Accepting New Clients

No Referral Required

In-Person and Online

Kelowna · Vernon · Anywhere in BC

When your child is struggling, it can be heartbreaking and leave you unsure of what to do next. Changes in mood, behaviour, relationships, sleep, school, or activities can be signs that they need support. You may find yourself wondering what to do or how best to help.

Children and youth do not always have the words to explain what they are experiencing. Our therapists create developmentally appropriate, relational, and creative environments where they can feel safe and understood, build coping skills, and strengthen confidence, resilience, and connection.

What Brings Children & Youth to Counselling

  • Anxiety, excessive worry, or fears that are interfering with everyday life
  • Difficulty managing big emotions, anger, frustration, or emotional outbursts
  • Grief and loss following the death of someone important or another significant change
  • Divorce, separation, blended family changes, adoption, or other major family transitions
  • Friendship difficulties, bullying, social isolation, or trouble connecting with peers
  • Low self-esteem, confidence, or a negative view of themselves
  • Trauma, abuse, or other difficult experiences
  • Changes in sleep, eating, behaviour, or school performance
  • Difficulty adjusting to new environments, routines, or life changes
  • Self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or other behaviours that are causing concern
  • Alcohol or substance use
  • Family conflict or relationship difficulties
  • Learning, developmental, or emotional challenges that are affecting daily life

Our Approach to Child & Youth Counselling

Developmentally Appropriate Therapy

Children and teenagers are not simply small adults. They process experiences, emotions, and relationships differently depending on their age and stage of development. Our therapists adapt counselling to meet each young person where they are, using language, activities, and interventions that feel accessible and meaningful.

Play, Art & Expressive Therapy

While adults often process through talking, children frequently communicate through play, creativity, movement, and art. These approaches can help children express experiences that may be difficult to put into words while building problem-solving skills, emotional awareness, safety, and trust.

Attachment & Relational Therapy

Relationships matter. We help children and youth strengthen their relationships with parents, caregivers, siblings, peers, and other important people in their lives. When appropriate, parents and caregivers are included in the therapeutic process to support connection and lasting change.

Trauma-Informed Therapy

When children have experienced trauma, their behaviour and emotional responses often make more sense when we understand what their nervous system has been through. Our therapists use trauma-informed approaches to help young people develop safety, regulation, coping skills, and a greater sense of control.

What You'll Actually Work On in Sessions

  • Emotional regulation
  • Anxiety reduction
  • Building self-esteem and confidence
  • Strengthening relationships
  • Coping and resilience
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Communication skills
  • Grief and loss
  • Processing difficult experiences
  • Trauma recovery
  • Healthy boundaries
  • Navigating family and life transitions

Support for Parents & Caregivers

Counselling is not only about supporting the child. Parents and caregivers can benefit from having a better understanding of what their child may be experiencing and how to respond in ways that promote connection, safety, and growth.

Depending on your child’s needs, counselling may include parent or caregiver sessions alongside individual work with your child or youth.

We can help you:

  • Understand your child’s needs and behaviour and feel more confident in how to support them
  • Build connection and communication
  • Develop practical coping strategies
  • Navigate change and family challenges
  • Feel more confident supporting your child
  • Clarify goals and create a collaborative plan

Who We Work With

  • Children and pre-teens
  • Teenagers and youth
  • Parents and caregivers
  • Families navigating separation or divorce
  • Blended and adoptive families
  • Children and youth experiencing anxiety
  • Children and youth impacted by trauma, grief, or loss
  • 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and families
  • Families navigating significant life transitions

Find the Right Fit for Your Child

Choosing a therapist for your child or teenager matters. Young people need to feel safe, understood, and comfortable enough to build a trusting therapeutic relationship.

Our team includes Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC), Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC), and Registered Social Workers (RSW), each with their own specialties, experience, and approach to working with children, youth, and families.

If you are searching for a youth counsellor, a counsellor for your teenager, or youth counselling in Kelowna or Vernon, our team can help you find the right fit. Browse our team page to learn more about each counsellor, explore their areas of specialty, and see who is currently accepting new clients. If you are not sure where to start, book a free 15-minute consultation and we can help guide you.

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Common Questions

Counselling looks different for every child. Sessions may include talking, play, art, creative activities, games, storytelling, or practical strategies. We adapt our approach to your child’s age, personality, needs, and comfort level. Building trust comes first.

We believe parents and caregivers are an important part of the process. Depending on your child’s age and needs, counselling may include parent check-ins, caregiver sessions, family sessions, or individual sessions with your child. Our goal is to work alongside your family.

Not at all. You don’t need to wait until things become overwhelming. If you have noticed changes in your child’s mood, behaviour, relationships, sleep, school, or enjoyment of activities, it may be helpful to talk with a counsellor.

This is very common. We do NOT expect teenagers to immediately open up. Our therapists focus on building trust, respecting their voice and choices, and creating a space where they feel comfortable being themselves. Sometimes the first step is simply getting to know their therapist.

We want parents and caregivers to feel appropriately involved while also giving children and youth a safe space to develop trust and independence. We will discuss confidentiality and parent involvement with you at the beginning of counselling, including situations where information may need to be shared for safety reasons.

We believe in working collaboratively with families whenever possible. In BC, there are circumstances where a young person may be able to consent to their own counselling. This depends on their age, maturity, understanding, and individual circumstances. We are happy to talk with you about how the consent process works before getting started.

Yes. Our therapists use play, art, and other creative approaches when they are appropriate for a child’s age and needs. These approaches can help children express themselves, build skills, and develop trust without relying only on talking.

Yes. Counselling can help young people understand anxiety, recognize how it affects their thoughts and bodies, and develop practical tools for managing anxious feelings and situations.

Yes. Sometimes supporting a child also means supporting the family. Family counselling can help improve communication, strengthen relationships, navigate conflict, and help everyone better understand what is happening.

Yes. Online therapy for teens is available when it is clinically appropriate and feels like a good fit for the young person. We offer secure online counselling throughout BC, subject to jurisdictional requirements.

Finding the right fit matters. Our therapists have different backgrounds, specialties, personalities, and approaches to working with children and youth. If you are not sure where to start, book a free consultation and we can help you find a therapist who may be a good fit for your child and family.

You do not have to know exactly what is wrong before reaching out. If something has changed or you are concerned about your child, we are happy to talk with you, answer your questions, and help you determine what kind of support may be appropriate.

If your child is in immediate danger or you believe they are at immediate risk of harming themselves or someone else, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. You can also call or text 988, Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline, for immediate crisis support.

For ongoing concerns, our team can help you explore appropriate next steps and supports.

Have more questions about fees, cancellations, confidentiality, and what to expect in your first session? Visit our What to Expect page →

Ready to Support Your Child?

Knowing your child is struggling can leave you feeling worried, overwhelmed, or unsure about what to do next. You do not have to figure it out alone.

We offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation for parents, caregivers, and youth to ask questions and explore what kind of support may be most helpful. Finding the right counsellor is important, and this is an opportunity to connect, ask questions, and see if we are the right fit with no commitment and no pressure.

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Our Locations

Kelowna

Stewart Centre South 370-1855 Kirschner Rd Kelowna BC V1Y 4N7

Vernon

3007 – 28th Ave Vernon BC V1T 1W2

Online — anywhere in BC

Secure Zoom sessions available to anyone in British Columbia.