Teen Counselling in Burnaby, Coquitlam & Vancouver
Confidential, trauma-informed counselling that helps teenagers navigate anxiety, low mood, stress, and the everyday weight of growing up.
Teen counselling at KidStart gives adolescents a private, judgment-free place to work through what they are facing — with Joanne Kwong, a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #27879) experienced in working with young people.
The teenage years are genuinely hard, and the data backs that up: in British Columbia about 1 in 7 young people will experience a mental illness, and anxiety is the single most common challenge. Roughly 1 in 4 youth aged 12 to 24 are affected by a mental health or substance-use concern.
Counselling helps teens build the skills to manage anxiety, regulate big emotions, and feel more in control — before small struggles become bigger ones. We serve families across Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, and Greater Vancouver, in person and online.
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Signs Your Teen Might Benefit From Counselling
Teenagers do not always have the words for what they are feeling — it often shows up in behaviour and mood instead. Counselling can help when you notice:
- Persistent worry, panic, or avoidance of school and social situations
- Low mood, irritability, or loss of interest in things they used to enjoy
- Big emotional reactions, anger, or shutting down
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Trouble sleeping, changes in appetite, or unexplained physical complaints
- Falling grades or refusing school
- Self-doubt, perfectionism, or struggles with identity and belonging
Why Early Support Matters
Adolescence is when mental health is most malleable — and most at risk. Between 50% and 70% of lifelong mental illnesses first appear before age 18, which makes the teen years a crucial window to build coping skills that last.
About 6% of young people experience an anxiety disorder, the most common condition in this age group. Reaching out early does not mean something is seriously wrong; it means giving your teen tools while those patterns are still easy to shift.
How We Work With Teens
Teens engage when they feel respected, not managed. Joanne combines Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Emotion-Focused Therapy, and trauma-informed practice, meeting each teen where they are.
1. Free Consultation
A relaxed first conversation to understand what is going on and whether counselling feels right for your teen.
2. Building Trust
The first sessions focus on rapport — teens open up when they feel safe and in control of the pace.
3. Skills & Understanding
Using CBT and emotion-focused tools, your teen learns to recognise and manage anxiety, mood, and stress.
4. Applying It to Real Life
Teens practise their new skills in the situations that matter — school, friendships, family, and self-image.
Confidentiality and the Parent’s Role
For counselling to work, teens need to trust that what they share stays private. Joanne maintains age-appropriate confidentiality within the legal and ethical limits BC counsellors follow, and explains those clearly at the start.
Parents are not shut out — you are an essential part of your teen’s support. We keep you involved in the plan and progress while protecting the private space your teen needs to be honest.
Teen 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 — within easy reach of Metrotown, Brentwood, North Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, and Port Moody.
Teen counselling is offered in person at the Burnaby clinic and by secure video across British Columbia, with evening options that fit around school and activities.
- Free 15-minute consultation — no referral required
- In-person in Burnaby or secure online sessions anywhere in BC
- Evening appointments available on select weekdays
- Provided by a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) — often reimbursable through extended health benefits
- Sessions in English, Cantonese, or Mandarin
Meet Your Counsellor
Teen counselling at KidStart is provided by Joanne Kwong, who blends clinical counselling training with deep experience in child and adolescent development.
- Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #27879), BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
- Master of Social Science in Counselling, University of Hong Kong
- Trauma-Informed Practice Certificate (2026)
- Trained in CBT, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy
- 17+ years supporting children and youth, fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin
- In-person in Burnaby and secure online sessions across BC
常见问题
How much does teen counselling cost, and is it covered by insurance?
Teen 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.
At what age is a young person a good fit for teen counselling?
We generally work with preteens and teenagers from around age 11 through 18. For younger children, our child counselling service uses a more play-based, developmentally tailored approach. The free consultation helps confirm the right fit.
What if my teen does not want to go?
That is very common. We never force the process — the first sessions focus on building trust at the teen’s pace. Many reluctant teens engage once they realise counselling is a private space that is genuinely about them, not about being lectured.
Will you tell me what my teen says?
Joanne maintains age-appropriate confidentiality within BC’s legal and ethical limits, which are explained at the outset. Parents stay involved in the overall plan and progress, but the private space teens need to be honest is protected.
What issues can teen counselling help with?
Common reasons include anxiety, low mood, stress, anger, school refusal, social difficulties, perfectionism, identity, family change, and trauma. If you are unsure whether counselling is right, the free consultation is a good place to start.
How long will my teen need counselling?
It depends on what they are working through. Some teens benefit from a short, focused set of sessions; others need longer support. Progress is reviewed regularly so you always know where things stand.
Do you offer online sessions for teens?
Yes. Joanne offers in-person sessions in Burnaby and secure video sessions across BC, including some weekday evenings — which many teens find easier to fit around school.
Related Reading for Parents
In-depth guides to help you understand your child's behaviour and what support looks like.
Give Your Teen Someone Safe to Talk To
The teen years are hard, but your teen does not have to face them alone. Book a free consultation with our Registered Clinical Counsellor today.