Registered Clinical Counsellor

Welcome to Stellar Counselling

Children & Youth Counsellor located in Port Moody, BC

As a specialist, I understand the challenges today’s children face, from managing social media to juggling busy schedules and navigating complex friendships both online and offline. While working alongside your child, I will uncover the underlying stressors, offer new strategies, and help develop a more resilient and empowered child that will feel more confident taking on the world.

Certifications:

Child • Adolescent • Teen Therapy Services in Port Moody

I see each client as a unique individual person on their own independent journey. I will create an environment of self-exploration, expression, and play which will help your child make everlasting and meaningful developmental change. By using the most current evidence-based interventions, I will provide personalized support across these four key areas (and more):

Anxiety

Children often don’t know how to say what is giving them anxiety. Expressive arts and play therapy offer a creative opportunity for your child to explore their inner feelings to give them a voice.

School and Extracurriculars

As the demands of school and sports increase, kids can feel overwhelmed and not be able to effectively communicate their stress. I will help them learn how to listen to their own body which will allow them to self-regulate.

Major Life Changes

Whether it be a divorce, a death in the family, a significant family illness, or moving cities; major life changes will have an impact on your child’s mental health. I will offer an additional level of support and provide healthy coping strategies for your child.

Extra Support

I will provide individualized support specific to your child’s diagnosis. Some of the diagnoses I specialize in are ADHD, OCD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and School Refusal. Together, we will develop a comprehensive strategy to help your child reach their potential.

A Nurturing Space for Self-Exploration

The counselling room is a warm and welcoming environment where your child will be allowed to go at the pace that is most comfortable for them. I will respect your child and give them the time and space they need to build the trust required to develop the strong connection that will be the foundation of the counselling relationship.

It is my philosophy that effective youth counselling often involves building a partnership with the parent(s) or primary caregiver. Throughout the counselling process and within the bounds of the child’s confidentiality, I will encourage parental participation in order to more efficiently integrate the sessions into home life.

Self-Expression

Through expressive arts, play therapy, and other methods, your child will be encouraged to creatively express themselves. Freedom in expression empowers independence.

Regulation

Your child will discover and learn about their nervous system which will unlock their internal superpower of self-regulation.

Confidence

As your child gains more self-awareness, their confidence and self-esteem will grow. Their independence and strong motivation will be signs of progress.

Counselling Services I Offer

I proudly provide a range of services designed to support the mental health and well-being of children, youth, and families. Whether you’re seeking individual support for your child, looking to strengthen family bonds, or are interested in one of my empowering workshops; I’m here to help.

Children & Youth Counselling

In children & youth counselling sessions, I create a safe, non-judgmental space for your child to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Together, we'll work to develop expressing their thoughts and feelings, learning self-regulation and coping strategies resilience, and building resilience.

Family Counselling

In family counselling, I provide a supportive environment where family members can come together to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and cultivate a deeper understanding of one another. Let me help you strengthen your family bonds and foster a newfound appreciation for one another

Workshops

My interactive workshops allow for more time with parents to more directly educate you on various psychological and emotional strategies that will help you further your understanding of the underlying counseling processes. These sessions offer participants a high value entry into counselling psychology.

"Nothing can dim the light that shines from within."

- Maya Angelou

Hi, I'm Ryan.

I opened Stellar Counselling to create an environment that first and foremost allows kids to be kids: to express their natural curiosity. Your child’s anxiety and resistance to new experiences are defense mechanisms against fear and are suppressing that curiosity. My goal is to help your child take back control from the fear, ease the anxiety, and reignite their curiosity.

By using various techniques such as reframing, mindfulness and relaxation, behavior modification, and changing negative thinking patterns, your child will create a toolkit and develop the skills to be able to use the right tools for the moment. First, we model the behaviour in the counselling room. Then, we model the behaviour at home. Then, the child takes the behaviour into the world.

As a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master of Counselling Psychology degree, my training in Expressive Arts, Play Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Kids, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Kids will offer your child and your family the highest standard of care. I have direct experience working with ADHD, OCD, Anxiety, Depression, School Refusal, Gaming Addiction, Screen Time Issues, Family Trauma, Cyberbullying and Bullying, and many other issues.

If you feel a connection to anything you read here, click book now to schedule your free 30-minute consultation and I can discuss how I can better help your child reach their fullest potential.

Join My Newsletter

Testimonials

What My Clients are Saying

Working with Ryan at Stellar Counselling has been a game-changer for my son. His compassionate and engaging approach has helped my child develop the confidence and coping skills needed to navigate the challenges of growing up.

Olivia Holmes

I was hesitant about counselling at first, but Ryan quickly put me at ease. His ability to connect with pre-teens and create a safe, non-judgmental space has made a significant difference in my daughter's life.

Roberto Lopez

Stellar Counselling has been an invaluable resource for our family. Ryan's expertise and dedication to empowering youth have helped our teenager build resilience, improve communication skills, and find a sense of purpose.

Julia Moore

As a single parent, I was struggling to support my child through a difficult time. Ryan's guidance and collaborative approach not only helped my son overcome his challenges but also strengthened our bond as a family.

Maria Anna

We acknowledge that Stellar Counselling operates on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem First Nation); sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie); xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam); Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Stó:lō First Nations. We thank the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm, the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh, and Stó:lō who continue to live on these lands and care for them, along with the waters and all that is above and below.