Counselling in the Comox Valley
Counselling for Teens & Young People in the Comox Valley
Maybe your kid isn’t telling you much these days, but you can see something’s off—the closed door, the stomach aches before school, the light that’s dimmed a little. Wanting help for your child is one of the most loving things a parent can do. I’m glad you’re here.
If you’re a parent, some of this might sound familiar
Being ten, thirteen, sixteen has never been easy—and today’s young people are carrying pressures many of us never had to. From the outside, it can be hard to tell what’s ordinary growing up and what’s a quiet call for help.
- School mornings have become a battle—stomach aches, tears, or stony silence.
- “I’m fine” is the answer to everything, but the bedroom door stays closed.
- Friendship drama follows them everywhere—online and off—and it cuts deep.
- Their worries seem bigger than the situation, and your reassurance doesn’t stick anymore.
- Big feelings arrive like storms—tears or anger that seem to come out of nowhere.
- You miss the easy laughter you used to hear from them.
- You’re not sure whether this is “normal teen stuff” or something more—and you’d rather not wait to find out.
How counselling can help
Before becoming a counsellor, I spent five years teaching elementary school in Singapore and Canada—so I’m deeply at home with young people. I know how to earn trust without forcing it, how to listen to what’s underneath the eye-roll, and how much courage it takes for a kid to let an adult in. That’s why our early sessions might not look much like “therapy”: we go at your child’s pace, and there’s no pressure to spill everything to a stranger on day one. Comfort first. The rest follows.
My work is grounded in attachment theory and Emotionally Focused Therapy, because young people do best when they feel securely connected—to their family, their friends, and themselves. Whether it’s anxiety, school stress, friendship troubles, questions of identity, or feelings that arrive bigger than they can name, we work on understanding what’s happening inside and finding ways through it. And because you know your child best, I’ll keep you in the loop about how things are going and how you can support them at home—without breaking the trust that makes counselling work.
If you’re the young person reading this
Hi. Maybe a parent showed you this page, or maybe you found it yourself. Either way—counselling isn’t about someone deciding what’s wrong with you. It’s a place where you get to say what’s actually going on, or say nothing much at all some days, and that counts too. You don’t need the right words, and you get a real say in all of it—what we talk about, and whether we keep going. Nothing about you gets decided without you.
What we might work on together
Every young person is different, so sessions are shaped around what yours actually needs. Together, we might work on:
- Worry and anxiety that’s crowding out the good stuff
- School stress—pressure, perfectionism, and feeling behind no matter how hard they try
- Friendships, fitting in, and figuring out who they are
- Naming big feelings and learning to ride them out without shame
- Confidence and self-compassion for the hard days
- Feeling more connected at home—so the door opens a little more often
Questions parents often ask
What will you tell me about my child’s sessions?
I’ll keep you in the loop about how counselling is going in a general way—how your child is settling in, the themes we’re working on, and how you can support them at home. The details of what they share stay between us, because that trust is what makes counselling work. The important exception is safety: if I’m ever seriously worried about your child’s safety or someone else’s, I will involve you. I explain all of this to both of you at the start, so there are no surprises.
My teen doesn’t want to come. Should I make them?
Forcing it rarely helps, but a low-pressure invitation often does. Many reluctant teens are willing to try one meeting once they know they get a say—in what we talk about, and in whether we continue. The free consultation is a gentle way to test the waters together.
What ages do you work with?
I see young people aged 10 and up, through the teen years and beyond. Sessions look different at different ages—with younger kids there’s often more activity and less sitting-and-talking—and I follow each young person’s lead about what feels comfortable.
How does booking and the free consultation work?
Parents book online through Jane. The free consultation is a short, relaxed conversation—you’re welcome to join, and your child can ask me anything. It helps everyone decide whether it feels like a good fit before committing to a first session.
Are sessions in person or online?
Both. I meet young people in person at Comox Valley Counselling in Courtenay, or virtually and by phone across BC. Some teens open up more easily from their own room; others do better face to face. We’ll find what works for yours.
Growing up comes with some steep hills. Your kid doesn’t have to climb them alone.
A free consultation is an easy, no-pressure way to start—a short conversation to see whether I’m the right fit for your young person. You’re both welcome.
Book your free consultationIn person in Courtenay · virtual & phone across BC · individuals aged 10+