Play TherapyChild & Youth Counselling in Nanaimo & on Vancouver Island

At Island Clinical Counselling (ICC), our team supports children, youth, and their caregivers by providing a safe, therapeutic space where young people can express their thoughts, build emotional resilience, and access healing tools.

Child and Youth Mental Health

We offer youth counselling, play therapy, and individual counselling for children and teens experiencing a wide range of challenges, including:

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity (ADH)
  • Selective Mutism & Social Phobia
  • Autism Spectrum
  • Anxiety, Depression & Mood Disorders
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
  • Childhood Trauma & PTSD
  • Tics and Tourettes
  • Bullying, Peer Conflict & School Avoidance
  • Support for Skin Picking, Hair Pulling, and Nail Biting
  • Family Transitions, Separation, and Divorce

Our evidence-based counselling for children and youth incorporates expressive and developmentally appropriate methods such as:

We collaborate closely with parents and caregivers, offering additional parent coaching and family therapy to ensure holistic and lasting support. All treatment plans are individualized to meet the unique needs of each child, teen, and family we serve.

🌱 Serving clients in Nanaimo, Duncan, Port Alberni, Comox, Parksville/Qualicum, and virtually throughout British Columbia.

Now offering play therapy in Campbell River

👉 Learn more about our Child & Youth Services or Book a Free Consultation or Meet Our Therapists

Play Therapy & Child & Youth Counselling on Vancouver Island

“Play therapy provides an opportunity for the child to ‘play out’ his or her feelings and problems just as, in certain adult therapy, an individual ‘talks out’ their difficulties.”
— Virginia Axline, pioneer of play therapy

Are you seeking a child therapist on the island?

At Island Clinical Counselling, our Registered Clinical Counsellors, Social Workers, trained interns, and Child & Youth Care Counsellors provide one-on-one child counselling services tailored to help children:

  • Reduce anxiety
  • Improve mood regulation
  • Strengthen social skills
  • Build effective problem-solving strategies

Using both directive and non-directive play therapy techniques, we allow children to communicate their feelings and experiences through the most natural medium available to them: play. For children with limited verbal skills or those processing trauma, expressive art therapy and play-based interventions provide safe, creative outlets for emotional expression.

Play Therapy

We also help children regulate big emotions using:

  • Mindfulness-based strategies
  • Emotion identification tools
  • Age-appropriate coping techniques
  • Family Involvement & Inclusive Support

We encourage parent participation through:

Our therapeutic approach is inclusive of children of all ages and abilities, and our play spaces are designed to foster comfort, creativity, and emotional safety.  We are an affirming place for diversities.

📍 Available in Nanaimo, Parksville/Qualicum, Campbell River, Comox, Port Alberni, Duncan, and virtually throughout BC.

👉 Discover Your Best Match: Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation

 

Group Therapy for Children, Youth & Parents on Vancouver Island

Many of our clients tell us that adding group therapy to their weekly routine brings meaningful benefits. In fact, research shows that children who participate in group therapy are better off afterward than 73% of those who do not receive group treatment.

Group counselling provides a safe, supportive environment where children and youth can connect with others facing similar challenges, reducing feelings of isolation and helping them build valuable emotional and social skills.

Benefits of Group Therapy for Kids & Teens:

  • Reduces feelings of isolation and emotional stress
  • Increases self-esteem and social confidence
  • Teaches emotional regulation and awareness
  • Builds empathy and prosocial behaviour
  • Encourages healthy friendships and connections
  • Develops assertiveness and communication skills
  • Promotes the ability to give and receive feedback

Our child and youth therapy groups are facilitated by experienced counsellors and are structured to support social-emotional development in a fun, engaging, and therapeutic setting.

👉 Explore our Child & Youth Therapy Groups

Who Should I Book With for Child & Youth Counselling?

Our child therapists and youth counsellors have specialized training, clinical supervision, and a passion for supporting young clients through play therapy, talk therapy, and activity-based approaches.

💲 Session Fees:

  • Individual Child & Youth Counselling: $70–$150 per session
  • Group Therapy for Kids & Teens: $30 per session
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity (ADH) Coaching for Children & Youth is also available

Psychological & Psychoeducational Assessments in Nanaimo

We offer access to autism, ADHD, and psychoeducational assessments in Nanaimo for children and adults through a Registered Psychologist.

  • Available in North Nanaimo
  • Assessment fee: $4,000
  • New assessment referrals are temporarily paused until mid-September 2026.

We are currently updating our assessment referral process to provide clients and families with more support before, during, and following an assessment.

Please check back in mid-September for information about our new assessment referral pathway.

If you are currently looking for counselling support while considering whether an assessment may be right for you or your child, our Client Care Team can help match you with an ICC counsellor.

Contact our office: 778-762-3750 ext. 1

Need Help Choosing a Counsellor?

We know how important the right fit is for your child. If you’re unsure who to book with, you can:

✅ Book a free 15-minute consultation with any (or several) of our practitioners
✅ Read our counsellor bios here – choose based on location and age group specialty
✅ Consider working with one of our skilled interns, who also offer child and youth sessions at reduced rates

📞 Still Not Sure? We’re Happy to Help

Call our friendly admin team for personalized guidance:

📱 778-762-3750 ext. 1
Prefer texting? Message us at: (778) 484-0597
📧 Or send us an email

Book an appointment now
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Play Therapy