Ages 4 to 18 · Counselling & play therapy
Helping kids and teens feel calmer, braver, and more themselves.
In person on Lonsdale Avenue in North Vancouver, and online across the UK, Canada, and worldwide. Creative, age-appropriate sessions that children actually enjoy.
Is your child going through a difficult time?
Children and young people can feel confused and overwhelmed by difficult life events. They often struggle to find words for how they feel, and their world keeps getting more complicated: social media, school pressure, friendships that shift under their feet.
Counselling offers your child a safe, supportive space to express their inner world and work through what is going on, at their own pace. Because kids rarely talk the way adults do, sessions use creative therapies and CBT-informed techniques: play, art, stories, and role play that help feelings make sense.
What we can work through
- Anxiety and excessive worries
- Low self-esteem and lack of confidence
- Family changes such as divorce, separation, and sibling conflict
- Loss and bereavement
- School transitions and learning difficulties
- Friendship struggles and bullying
- Neurodiversity, including ADHD, ASD, and PDA
- Obsessive thoughts and behaviours (OCD)
- Communication and behavioural challenges
What families often notice
- More confidence and self-awareness
- Less distress, anxiety, and overwhelm
- Stronger relationships through better communication
- Greater emotional resilience and coping skills
- More enjoyment of everyday life
"At first I didn't want to do counselling but now I think it's really good, as it has helped me become more confident in speaking and discussing my emotions."
A client, age 9
How sessions work
Weekly, during term time. Sessions happen on the same day at the same time, which gives your child a steady framework they can rely on. Counselling sessions are usually 50 minutes, unless your child prefers a shorter time.
In person or online. Younger children, under about 8, settle most easily in person, where sessions use a play therapy approach. Older kids and teens might prefer working online from the safety of their own room, using interactive tools built for it: animated videos and teen-led courses based on cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety, OCD, and anger, plus worksheets and drawing activities. If you are not sure your child will engage online, ask about a trial session.
Parents stay in the loop. Work starts with a parent assessment, and reviews along the way keep you part of the picture without sitting in the room.
Fees
Simple, clear fees.
50-minute session
C$125 online · C$150 in person for Canadian clients£75 online for UK clients
The standard counselling session, weekly during term time.
30-minute session
C$75 online · C$100 in person for Canadian clients£55 online for UK clients
A shorter session, where that suits your child's age or attention.
Support letters
from C$100 for Canadian clients£75 for UK clients
Letters for schools or other services, as needed.
A sliding scale is available for families who find the fees difficult. As a Registered Master Therapeutic Counsellor, Sandra's sessions are recognized by many insurance providers. Just ask. Every fee is also on the fees page.
Common questions
How do I decide if my child needs counselling or coaching?
You don't have to. The assessment session usually makes the right approach clear, and if it stays uncertain, sessions can blend both. The work is tailored to your child, so the label matters far less than the fit.
How long will my child work with Sandra?
Counselling usually runs between 3 and 12 months, though a 6-week assessment block is available and some families stay longer term. You will always know where things stand.
What ages do you work with?
Ages 4 to 18. Online sessions suit children over about 8; younger children are seen in person in North Vancouver.
Do online sessions actually work for kids?
Most kids, and especially teens, settle quickly working from their own home. Online sessions stay creative and interactive rather than being an hour on a video call.
Common concerns