Clinical counselling · [City], BC & online
Counselling for children, teens and adults who want a kind, practical way through what's hard right now. In the room, on a trail, or online — at your pace.
ChildrenTeensAdultsParents & families
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About Sandy
Reaching out is often the hardest step, and you've already taken it. I'm a clinical counsellor working with children, teens, adults and families. People come to me carrying anxiety, grief, big transitions, parenting worries and the quieter feeling that something isn't working the way it used to.
My work is warm, honest and practical. Some of it happens in conversation. Some of it happens through play, because children say the most when they're building, drawing and pretending. And some of it happens outside, walking side by side, because the body often knows things before the mind catches up.
“You don't need to have the words yet. We'll find them together.”
Ways of working
Everyone arrives differently. Talk, Play, Move and Grow aren't separate services so much as different ways in — and most people move between them over time.
01 — TALK
Individual counselling for adults and teens
A calm, unhurried conversation with someone whose only job is to listen well and help you see things more clearly. We'll make sense of what's happening, notice patterns, and build skills you can use between sessions.
02 — PLAY
Play therapy for children, with parents alongside
Children rarely have the words for big feelings, but they always have play. Through sandtray, art, stories and games, kids show what's going on and work through it at their own pace. Parents are part of the process from the first session.
03 — MOVE
Walk-and-talk and nature-based sessions
Some conversations are easier side by side than face to face. We meet at a trailhead and walk — rain gear welcome. Movement, fresh air and the forest do part of the work, and the pace is always yours.
04 — GROW
Ongoing support, parent sessions and small groups
When the crisis has passed, there's often a quieter question: what now? Grow is the longer, gentler work of becoming more yourself — ongoing sessions, parent coaching, and occasional workshops and small groups.
Who I work with
Play-based sessions that help kids name feelings, settle their bodies and feel braver — with parents coached along the way.
Honest, non-judgemental support that respects their privacy and independence. In the room, online, or on a walk.
For anxiety, grief, burnout, transitions and the moments when you'd like a steady hand while you sort things out.
Practical help with the hard parts of parenting, and family sessions when everyone needs to be heard.
How I work
I don't believe anyone is broken. I believe people are doing their best with what they've been handed — and that with safety, honesty and a little movement, things change.
We go as fast or as slow as feels right. Nothing is forced, and you never have to talk about something before you're ready.
Trauma-informed, attachment-focused and strengths-based — which is a long way of saying I pay attention to your story, your body and the people around you.
Mountains, forest and ocean are part of how I work. Sessions can happen outdoors, and nature shows up even when we're inside.
What to expect
Most people feel better once they know the shape of things. This is the shape.
Send a short note through the form or by email. You don't need to explain everything — a sentence or two is plenty.
A relaxed phone or video call to hear what's going on, answer your questions and see if we're a good fit. No pressure either way.
We take time to understand your story and what you'd like to be different. For children, this first session is usually with parents on their own.
Weekly or every other week to begin with, then spacing out as things settle. We check in regularly on how it's going.
Fees & practical things
Counselling is an investment, and you deserve to know the cost up front.
Adults & teens · in person or online
$[___]/ 50 min
Children · includes parent check-ins
$[___]/ 50 min
Outdoors · local trails
$[___]/ 50 min
Together or separately
$[___]/ 75 min
Questions
If something has felt heavy, stuck or confusing for a while, that's reason enough. You don't need a diagnosis or a crisis. The free consult is a low-pressure way to find out whether this is a good fit.
Your child chooses from a room full of carefully selected toys, art materials and a sandtray, and I follow their lead. Play is how children process what's happening to them. I'll meet with you regularly to share what I'm noticing and how to support things at home.
It's a regular session that happens outdoors, walking a quiet local trail at an easy pace. Many people find it easier to open up when they're moving and not making eye contact. We'll talk about privacy and weather before your first outdoor session.
Yes — secure video sessions are available to anyone living in British Columbia. Many clients mix in-person and online depending on their week.
Many plans cover Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC). You'll receive a receipt after each session to submit. It's worth a quick call to your plan to confirm your coverage and annual limit.
Yes. What you share stays between us, with a few legal exceptions — such as a risk of serious harm to you or someone else — that I'll walk you through in our first session so there are no surprises.
Get in touch
Start with a free 15-minute consult, or send a note and I'll reply within two business days.
If you need help right now: call or text 9-8-8, Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline, any time. In an emergency call 911.