We can help with
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Anxiety & worry — Fears, perfectionism, school avoidance, separation anxiety, or a child who worries more than their peers.
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Big feelings — Emotional outbursts, meltdowns, or emotions that arrive fast and feel hard to manage.
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Life transitions — Divorce, a new sibling, moving schools, bereavement, or any change that has unsettled them.
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Trauma & difficult experiences — Things that have happened that have left your child feeling unsafe, confused, or withdrawn.
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Social difficulties — Friendship struggles, bullying, loneliness, or difficulty reading social situations.
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Neurodivergence — ADHD, autism, sensory differences — and the particular experiences that come with being a child whose brain works differently.
How children's counselling in Langley works
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We start with you
A free call with the parent or caregiver first — to understand what you're noticing, answer your questions, and find the right fit.
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We build trust with your child
The first sessions are about relationship, not work. Your child needs to feel safe before anything else can happen.
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We involve you where it helps
You are part of your child's healing. Where appropriate, we support the connection at home as well as the work in the room.
Every child I've sat with has had something worth knowing inside them. Sometimes they just need someone to sit with them long enough to let it emerge.
Meet the children's counselling team
Children's counselling at Joy on the Journey is offered by both Sara and Alicia Dover, our intern therapist.
Sara brings years of experience working with children of all ages, a playful and patient presence, and deep roots in attachment and trauma-informed care.
Alicia specialises in working with children and neurodivergent young people, bringing neuroaffirming, embodied approaches and specialist ADHD training. Having two counsellors means more availability — and shorter waits for families who need support now.
Will you tell me what my child talks about in sessions?
This depends on your child's age and what comes up. With younger children, parents are more actively involved in the process. With older children and teens, building a private, trusted space is often part of the healing — though we will always communicate if there is a safety concern. We'll talk through the approach together right from the start so you know exactly what to expect and feel confident in the process.
What ages do you work with?
Sara and Alicia work with children from approximately age 5 through to the teenage years. If you're not sure whether your child is a good fit, a free 15-minute call is the simplest way to find out.
How does counselling work with children?
Children don't always have words for what's happening inside them — and they shouldn't have to. With younger children, we work through play, creativity, movement, and gentle exploration. Play is not just fun — it is the language through which children process their experiences, make sense of the world, and begin to heal. We never push a child to talk about something they're not ready for. We follow their lead, earn their trust slowly, and create a space where they feel genuinely safe. What happens in the room often surprises parents — because children, when they feel safe, have a remarkable capacity to work through even very hard things.
Watching your child struggle is one of the hardest things a parent can do. Reaching out is one of the most loving things you can.
Book a free call to talk about your child