Child Counselling in Burnaby, Coquitlam & Vancouver
Child-friendly, trauma-informed counselling that helps children understand big feelings, manage anxiety, and feel safe through change.
Child counselling at KidStart helps children work through worries, big emotions, and tough experiences in a way that fits how they actually communicate — through play, story, and connection. It is led by Joanne Kwong, a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #27879).
This is emotional and mental-health support, and it is distinct from occupational or behavioural therapy. Where OT builds developmental skills and behavioural therapy shapes specific behaviours, child counselling helps a child make sense of their feelings — anxiety, sadness, anger, fear, or the impact of a family change.
Children’s mental health matters earlier than many parents expect: about 1 in 7 young people in BC experience a mental illness, and roughly 6% of children experience an anxiety disorder — the most common challenge of childhood. We serve families across Burnaby, Coquitlam, and Greater Vancouver.
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When a Child Might Need Counselling
Children rarely say "I feel anxious." Instead, their distress shows up in behaviour, sleep, tummy aches, or clinginess. Counselling can help when you notice:
- Frequent worry, fears, or clinginess beyond what fits their age
- Big, hard-to-soothe emotional outbursts or meltdowns
- Sadness, withdrawal, or loss of interest in play
- Trouble sleeping, nightmares, or new physical complaints
- Big reactions to a family change — separation, a move, a new sibling, loss, or illness
- Low confidence, excessive self-criticism, or fear of making mistakes
- The effects of a frightening or overwhelming experience
Counselling, Occupational Therapy, or Behavioural Therapy?
KidStart offers all three, and they answer different questions. Occupational therapy builds skills like fine motor, sensory processing, and self-regulation. Behavioural therapy and ABA shape specific behaviours and support autism and developmental needs. Child counselling supports a child’s emotions and mental health — how they feel, cope, and make sense of their world.
Many children benefit from more than one. If you are unsure where to begin, the free consultation will help you find the right fit, and our team can coordinate care across services under one roof.
Why Early Emotional Support Matters
The childhood years are a foundational window for emotional health. Between 50% and 70% of lifelong mental illnesses first emerge before age 18, and anxiety — affecting around 6% of children — is the most common. Supporting a child early, while their coping patterns are still forming, is far easier than unwinding entrenched ones later.
Counselling at this age is not about labelling a child. It is about giving them words, tools, and a felt sense of safety — so big feelings become something they can handle rather than something that handles them.
Have Questions? We're Here to Help.
Every child's journey is different. Book a free consultation to discuss your child's needs with our team.
A Child-Friendly, Trauma-Informed Approach
Children process feelings through play and story far more than through conversation, so counselling is built around how they naturally express themselves. Joanne uses play-based and creative techniques alongside child-adapted Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, all through a trauma-informed lens.
1. Free Consultation
We talk with you about your concerns and what your child is experiencing, with no pressure.
2. Building Safety
Early sessions focus on helping your child feel safe and comfortable, often through play.
3. Understanding Feelings
Through play, story, and child-friendly CBT, your child learns to name and manage their emotions.
4. Tools & Parent Partnership
Your child builds coping skills, and we equip you to support those skills at home.
Parents Are Part of the Process
With younger children especially, parents are central to counselling. Joanne keeps you closely involved — sharing age-appropriate insight into what your child is working through and giving you practical ways to reinforce their progress at home, while still honouring your child’s comfort and trust.
Child Counselling Across Burnaby, Coquitlam & Greater Vancouver
Our clinic is at #220 – 3355 North Road in Burnaby, on the Burnaby–Coquitlam border near Lougheed Town Centre and the Millennium Line SkyTrain — convenient for families in Metrotown, Brentwood, North Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, and Port Moody.
Child counselling takes place in our welcoming, play-friendly rooms at the Burnaby clinic, with secure video sessions also available across British Columbia.
- Free 15-minute consultation — no referral required
- In-person in Burnaby or secure online sessions anywhere in BC
- Coordinated care with our occupational, speech, and behaviour teams under one roof
- Provided by a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) — often reimbursable through extended health benefits
- Sessions in English, Cantonese, or Mandarin
Have Questions? We're Here to Help.
Every child's journey is different. Book a free consultation to discuss your child's needs with our team.
Meet Your Counsellor
Child counselling at KidStart is provided by Joanne Kwong, whose dual training in counselling and behaviour analysis gives her a rare, whole-child perspective.
- Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #27879), BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
- Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) — deep grounding in child development
- Master of Social Science in Counselling, University of Hong Kong
- Trauma-Informed Practice Certificate (2026)
- 17+ years supporting children aged 2 and up, fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin
- In-person at the Burnaby clinic, serving Coquitlam and Greater Vancouver
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does child counselling cost, and is it covered by insurance?
Child counselling at KidStart is a private-pay service, and many extended health benefit plans reimburse sessions provided by a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) — check your family plan for "Registered Clinical Counsellor" or "RCC" coverage. Your exact session fee is confirmed at your free 15-minute consultation, and no referral is required to begin.
What age does child counselling start?
We work with children from around age 6 through preteen years, using play-based and child-adapted approaches. For teenagers, our teen counselling service is a better fit, and for very young children we will advise the most appropriate support at the free consultation.
How is counselling different from my child’s OT or behaviour therapy?
Occupational therapy builds developmental and sensory skills; behavioural therapy and ABA shape specific behaviours. Child counselling supports emotional and mental health — how your child feels and copes. Many children benefit from more than one, and we coordinate care across services.
My child will not "talk about feelings." Will this work?
Yes — that is exactly why we use play-based methods. Children naturally express themselves through play and story rather than direct conversation, so counselling is built around how your child already communicates.
Will I know what happens in sessions?
Yes. With children, parents are closely involved. Joanne shares age-appropriate insight into what your child is working through and gives you tools to support them at home, while respecting your child’s comfort and trust.
What can child counselling help with?
Common reasons include anxiety and worries, big emotions and meltdowns, sadness or withdrawal, low confidence, family changes like separation or loss, and the effects of frightening experiences. If you are unsure, the free consultation is the place to start.
Do you offer counselling in Cantonese or Mandarin?
Yes. Joanne is fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, so counselling can be provided in the language your child and family are most comfortable with.
Related Reading for Parents
In-depth guides to help you understand your child's behaviour and what support looks like.
Help Your Child Feel Safe With Their Feelings
Big feelings are part of growing up — but children do not have to face them alone. Book a free consultation with our Registered Clinical Counsellor today.