I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. I hold an undergraduate degree in Child and Youth Counselling and a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology from Adler University. I have been working with children, youth and families for the past 10 years and provide counselling based on their individual and specific needs from a trauma-informed lens.

I recognize that each client is unique and individual, and therefore I draw from a wide range of counselling modalities depending on the needs and requirements of my clients. These include Play Therapy, Expressive Arts, Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (TF-CBT), Adlerian STEP Parenting and Attachment-Based approaches.

I believe in providing emotional support and practical tools to process experiences and strengthen and deepen bonds.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. I hold an ... Read More

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My name is Dana (she/her) and I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor who is passionate about working with young people and their families. I hold a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Adler University and I am registered with the BCACC. My goal is to use my experience, creativity and warm energy to create an enriching and healing space for young people.

My approach to working with children and their families comes from my extensive background working in schools and clinical settings in one-on-one support roles while consulting with parents. I use a combination of play therapy, expressive art therapy and cognitive behavioral therapies in the counselling room. This includes Synergetic Play Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Sandtray Therapy.

Using an attachment-based approach allows me to connect with clients and learn more about the needs of the child and their family by building trust and establishing safety. Collaborating with families this way leads to a deeper understanding of their child’s needs and provides skills for caregivers in this process.

Dana Begg works with our youngest clients under the age of 10 years old and is part of our specialized early childhood mental health team.

My name is Dana (she/her) and I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor who is passionate about workin... Read More

I am a compassionate and experienced therapist specializing in relationships, childhood dynamics, emotional regulation and parenting support for over 26 years. I have earned two degrees from Simon Fraser University and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Southern California. I am a professional and certified member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and have offered clinical supervision to Master’s level students as I feel it is important for me to give back to the vocation that has provided me with endless opportunities.

With a deep understanding of how early experiences shape our adult lives and our approaches to parenting, I help individuals, couples, and families navigate challenges, improve communication, and build stronger, healthier connections.

Drawing on evidence-based approaches such as attachment theory, family systems, and mindfulness practices, I establish and maintain a safe and supportive space for clients to explore their past, process barriers, resolve struggles, and cultivate fulfilling relationships. Whether you’re working through childhood trauma, navigating parenting struggles, or seeking to strengthen your partnership, together we will explore practical tools and insight to empower you on your journey toward growth and resilience.

I am passionate about helping clients break generational patterns and create a foundation of love, respect, and understanding for themselves, their children and their families.

I look forward to meeting you.

I am a compassionate and experienced therapist specializing in relationships, childhood dynamics,... Read More

Frustration often comes from not having the tools to parent a child that is struggling. A crisis is often the catalyst to seeking help. The decision to reach out for help often comes with apprehension, and fear of not knowing how counselling works. You will learn, grow and become stronger as a family through therapy. Your child will develop life long coping skills and your family will thrive and build lasting relationships.

I hold an undergraduate degree in psychology, a Bachelor of Social Work, and a Master of Social Work. I have a strong background in mental health, and speciality training in treating children with anxiety, selective mutism, OCD and behavioural issues. Im also trained in family therapy and work closely with family lawyers and parenting co-ordinators in the community to strengthen family functioning.

Along side my role as the Clinical Director at Bright Star I supervise graduate level social workers and clinical counsellors, and run our Parent Child Interactive Therapy Program.

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My name is Carleigh Henly, a registered Occupational Therapist who uses a strengths based approach to support children and their families reach their OT related goals. Utilizing parent coaching through virtual care, Carleigh supports families throughout BC. Carleigh aims to minimize barriers, and help people access required OT assessment and intervention that can enable kids to thrive in their everyday lives and routines. Some key areas that Carleigh can support families with are expanding selective eating, improving executive functioning skills, fine and gross motor skills, social and emotional skills, functional play skills and exploring sensory strategies. The goal is to make life at home, school and other environments more fun, engaging and peaceful. I work remotely though engaging online tele-health sessions to support children and parents with:

Challenging behaviour Selective eating Executive functioning skills (problem solving, independence, memory) Fine and gross motor skills (OT can create a personalized home based program) Social skills Regulation Sensory strategies

• Carleigh can complete virtual sensory based assessments, support with collaboration and consultation with other team members (teachers, EA’s, SLP’s, counsellors) and provide equipment recommendations.

My name is Carleigh Henly, a registered Occupational Therapist who uses a strengths based approac... Read More

My name is Taylore (she/her), and I am currently completing my Master’s in School Counselling at City University in Vancouver. I have a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Sociology and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia, where I also played varsity softball. I’ve spent the past three years working as an elementary school teacher in West Vancouver. My experience coaching and teaching deepened my passion for building strong relationships with children and supporting their emotional growth. My time in the classroom has given me meaningful experience helping students navigate anxiety, emotional regulation, peer conflict, and self-confidence. My counselling approach is client-centered, strengths-based, and relational. I aim to create a warm, safe, and collaborative space where children feel heard and supported. I draw from Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Play Therapy to help children manage anxiety, build confidence, and strengthen emotional regulation. I also value working closely with families to create consistent and supportive environments.

Outside of work and school, I enjoy spending time outdoors—hiking, biking, and running—as well as practicing hot yoga and connecting with family and friends. Staying active is an important part of my own well-being, and I enjoy bringing energy and creativity into the work I do with children.

*Taylore is supervised by Julia McCarron

My name is Taylore (she/her), and I am currently completing my Master’s in School Counselling at ... Read More

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It can be difficult to know where to start when seeking support for your child. As caregivers, you may recognize specific challenges your child faces—such as academic pressures, family transitions, or grief—or feel unsure of the cause, as behaviors seem to arise unexpectedly. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with over 15 years of experience supporting children, youth, and families. I hold a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Education in Gifted and Special Education, and a Master of Counselling. I am also a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor specializing in child-centered theory, which is the foundation of my therapeutic approach. Child-centered play therapy forms the core of my work. This approach is grounded in the belief that children have the inner strength to heal and grow when provided with a safe, supportive, and empathetic environment. My strength is helping parents understand their child’s behavior from a compassionate perspective, enhancing their empathy, and building a stronger parent-child relationship. I work closely with parents to provide guidance, practical strategies, and unwavering support throughout the therapeutic journey. In addition to child-centered play therapy, I integrate sand tray therapy and child-parent relationship training when suitable, tailoring my approach to meet each family’s unique needs. I have supported children aged 0–18 and their families through challenges such as anxiety, low mood, emotional dysregulation, attention difficulties, opposition, peer conflict, and learning challenges. My strength is helping parents better understand their child’s experiences and behaviors, enhancing their empathy, and deepening the parent-child connection. By fostering this understanding, I empower parents to create nurturing spaces for their children to thrive. Beyond my professional practice, I am an aunt to nine nieces and nephews, which has deepened my understanding of the joys and challenges of supporting children. My personal experiences fuel my passion for helping families foster meaningful connections and create positive changes.  Sand tray Therapy  Child-Parent Relationship Training  Individual and Group Play Therapy

It can be difficult to know where to start when seeking support for your child. As caregivers, yo... Read More

I have 18 years of experience working with children and youth; included in that is 15 years working for the New Westminster School Board as a Child Care Worker assisting children in elementary schools. As a Child Care Worker, I support children in areas of crisis intervention, conflict resolution, outreach, individual, group and parenting/family support with the overall goal of creating a positive social climate at school. Additionally, my family counselling experience includes supporting challenging behaviours and/or mental health conditions such as conduct disorders, ADHD, depression, FASD, CDBC, OCD, autism, aggression, trauma, violence, withdrawal, and anxiety.

I completed my final year of clinical training at Bright Star, and currently accepting new children and families at the clinic. I’m a mother of two daughters. I am passionate in supporting children and youth to be the best that they can be, and offer a safe, non-judgmental, and down to earth approach.

I have 18 years of experience working with children and youth; included in that is 15 years worki... Read More

A paediatric Occupational Therapist works with children to improve their participation and independence in childhood occupations. These occupations are the day to day skills such as getting dressed, playing, holding a pencil, or emotional regulation skills that children require to participate at home, school, and in the community.

As a Registered Occupational Therapist, my job is to help develop solutions to support a child and their family to achieve their unique goals. I have over 15 years of experience working with children aged 2.5 years to 18 years old with varying diagnoses in both the school and home settings. I have vast experience with the preschool and kindergarten aged population along with medically complex children with augmentative communication and assistive technology needs.

I am passionate about supporting children to reach their full potential and collaborating with the adults that support them. I take a strengths based and holistic approach to children and their families.

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Outside of the clinic, I am a mom to 2 small children and love exploring the outdoors.

A paediatric Occupational Therapist works with children to improve their participation and indepe... Read More

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My name is Cecilia and I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor. I hold both a Bachelor’s and a Masters’ degree in Psychology oriented toward evidence-based therapies, neuropsychology and research. Before becoming a clinical counsellor, I worked as a behaviour interventionist for kids on the autism spectrum in a special education school. I have developed and implemented tailored cognitive and behavioural plans, collected and analyzed data, and collaborated closely with multidisciplinary teams to support the education of children high on the autistic spectrum. My work requires patience, critical judgment, and empathy to understand and respond to each kid’s unique needs. As a therapist, I believe no family or kid should be taken out of context. It Is at the core of my beliefs that a holistic approach, where we consider family, relationships, health and specific events in a safe non-judgmental space is the most realistic and empathetic way to address the issues that bring you to this clinic. I speak Spanish and Italian, and on top of my theoretical knowledge, my therapeutic toolbox is composed of Therapies like Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical-behavioural Therapy, play therapy, psychoeducation and roleplay, which help me trace and apply a specific course of treatment tailored for my clients’s needs.

My name is Cecilia and I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor. I hold both a Bachelor’s and a Maste... Read More

I believe that life has a way of challenging all of us with difficulty, loss and change and that healing is a collaborative journey that needs honest caring without judgement. I bring an attachment-based, strength-based and client-centered approach to my counselling practice. I strive for genuine connection with children and youth and use narrative, cognitive, behavioural and somatic approaches as the foundation of my work. I have a passion for working with children in a nonjudgmental way, while helping them journey their unique path. I support my clients to develop a stronger sense of self-worth and communicate effectively about their issues and needs. Through this active, collaborative therapeutic process children and their families reclaim balance, hope and mental health. I am a Board Certified Social Worker (RSW) have a Master’s degree in social work (MSW) along with additional clinical training with a concentration in Mental Health. I have also completed numerous post graduate courses specializing in attachment, parent, teen, and child relationships, anxiety, OCD, and trauma. (TF-CBT). I have been working as a Child and Family Therapist at Child and Youth Mental Health, where I specialized in working with children and teens struggling with Anxiety, ADHD, Depression, Trauma Related Symptoms, and OCD. I have over 10 years of experience providing counselling to children, youth, young adults, and their families. My main areas of practice are in Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Selective Mutism, Depression, Self-Harm and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. I am thrilled to be walking alongside children and youth in their journey to find growth and healing at Bright Star Counselling.

I believe that life has a way of challenging all of us with difficulty, loss and change and that ... Read More

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Youth face a lot of challenges in our world today. Not only are they struggling with who they are and how they fit into the world, but the pressures of being a teen with homework, social influences, expectations from family, sports, school, and what the future holds can lead to added stress and unhealthy coping tools.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. I hold an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Clinical Counselling.

I have a rich background of working with youth for the past 20 years in the school system as a Child and Youth Worker, as a Street Youth Worker in the DTES, and as a Substance Use Counsellor. I have supported teens struggling with anxiety, OCD, self-harm, depression, grief, substance use, gender identity and LGBTQ+2S, and children and families who have experienced intergenerational/systemic trauma.

I work from a healing-centred approach, with the belief that those who have experienced trauma are agents in the creation of their own well-being. My therapeutic approach is grounded in developing a warm and safe relationship with youth clients to create opportunities for connection and validation.

I have experience with a range of counselling modalities and follow the lead of clients to determine what works best for them. As a client-centred therapist, counselling sessions can include DBT, Narrative, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and Solution-Focused approaches.

By creating a safe and non-judgmental space where teens can talk, my hope is for them to have dedicated time to share and work through the “hard stuff” together. Collaboratively, we can explore solutions and tools so ultimately, they don’t feel alone and overwhelmed.

Youth face a lot of challenges in our world today. Not only are they struggling with who they are... Read More

My name is Olivia (she/her), and I am a Counselling Intern currently completing my Master’s of Education in School Counselling through City University Vancouver. I also work as an elementary school teacher in the community and have experience in both classroom teaching and learning support. These roles have shaped my understanding of the unique ways children grow, learn, and express themselves, and how important emotional connection is in that process.

My approach to counselling is grounded in relationships. I believe that when children feel safe and connected, they are better able to explore their emotions, build new skills, and gain confidence. I work from a trauma-informed, child-centered perspective and take care to meet each child where they are. I believe every child has their own strengths, and I aim to create space where those strengths can be seen, supported, and built upon with guidance and care. I am passionate about offering elements of Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and attachment-based practices to support emotional regulation, ADHD, anxiety, trauma, and self-esteem in my work. My background in education also helps me understand how to support children both at school and at home.

I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate closely with the Clinical Director and colleagues as I continue to grow in this work and provide thoughtful, supported care to the children and families I work with. Outside of work and school, I love to stay active, spend time outdoors, and be with my family and friends.

** Olivia is supervised by Sonja Friedland

My name is Olivia (she/her), and I am a Counselling Intern currently completing my Master’s of E... Read More