Who I help

What I help with

Anxiety Autism and ADHD support OCD Self-harm and suicidal thoughts Stress and major life changes

How I help

Play and art therapy Video game therapy Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)Exposure and response prevention (ERP)Harm reduction and safety planning Family and filial therapy Collaborative Problem-Solving

Fees Training Book on Jane

Book on Jane

In person in Vancouver • Virtual across B.C.

Autism and ADHD support for children in Vancouver.

Counselling for children ages 3 to 12 who are autistic or have ADHD, and for their parents. Support for big feelings, transitions, friendships and the anxiety that often comes with them, in person in Vancouver or online across B.C.

How I help with autism and ADHD support

Play and art therapy →Video game therapy →Family and filial therapy →

Your child is not alone, and neither are you.

Autistic children and children with ADHD often have strong feelings, big reactions to change, and a harder time with friendships or flexibility. Anxiety is common alongside both. Parents often hear conflicting advice and are worn out from trying to manage it all.

I work in a way that suits how your child plays and communicates, and I help you understand what is behind the behaviour. Sessions use play, art and games, and you are part of the work. I do not diagnose autism or ADHD; I support children who have a diagnosis or are being assessed.

Big reactions
Meltdowns that seem out of proportion.

Understanding
Knowing what is behind them.

Change
Transitions that feel impossible.

Flexibility
Small steps for handling change.

Friendships
Feeling out of step with other kids.

Connection
Ways to join in that feel doable.

Worry
Anxiety that builds and builds.

Steadiness
Worry that feels more manageable.

School stress
Frustration with homework and rules.

Support
A plan that fits your child.

Hard to say
Words that do not come easily.

Expression
Play and art that say it for them.

Feeling different
Being told to just try harder.

Acceptance
Being understood as they are.

Worn-out parents
Not knowing which advice to follow.

Clarity
A plan that fits your family.

My approach

Support that fits how your child plays and learns.

Children do best when therapy matches how they communicate. I follow your child’s interests, use play and art to make feelings easier to show, and share what we are learning with you so you can support them at home. Sessions can be in person in Vancouver or online anywhere in B.C.

Parents are involved at every step, from short check-ins to family sessions.

30+Over three decades of
listening to children’s voices.

Play

Play therapy

Children show what is hard through play long before they can say it. Toys, sand and games give feelings a safe place to be shown, understood and practised.

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Art

Art therapy

Drawing, painting and making help children express feelings that are hard to put into words. No artistic skill is needed.

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Games

Video game therapy (preteens)

Many preteens find it easier to talk while doing something together. Games such as Minecraft can be an easier way in.

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Family

Family and filial therapy

Parents join sessions to strengthen connection and communication at home. In-session coaching shows you how to follow your child’s lead and respond to big feelings with steadiness.

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van Steensel, F. J. A., Bögels, S. M., & Perrin, S. (2011). Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents with autistic spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 14(3), 302–317. link

Sharma, S., Hucker, A., Matthews, T., Grohmann, D., & Laws, K. R. (2021). Cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety in children and young people on the autism spectrum: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychology, 9, 151. link

Gould, K. L., Porter, M., Lyneham, H. J., & Hudson, J. L. (2018). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for children with anxiety and comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 57(7), 481–490. link

Vogel, S. W., Mullins, K. L., & Kumar, S. (2024). Art therapy for children and adolescents with autism: A systematic review. International Journal of Art Therapy, 30(2), 113–122. link

Pajareya, K., & Nopmaneejumruslers, K. (2011). A pilot randomized controlled trial of DIR/Floortime parent training intervention for pre-school children with autistic spectrum disorders. Autism, 15(5), 563–577.

Bratton, S. C., Ray, D., Rhine, T., & Jones, L. (2005). The efficacy of play therapy with children: A meta-analytic review of treatment outcomes. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 36(4), 376–390. link

Lin, Y.-W., & Bratton, S. C. (2015). A meta-analytic review of child-centered play therapy approaches. Journal of Counseling & Development, 93(1), 45–58. link

Allen, B. (2020). Child-Parent Relationship Therapy for externalizing problems: A meta-analysis and methodological critique. Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 5(4), 426–436. link

Zayeni, D., Raynaud, J.-P., & Revet, A. (2020). Therapeutic and preventive use of video games in child and adolescent psychiatry: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11. link

Wilkinson, N., Ang, R. P., & Goh, D. H. (2008). Online video game therapy for mental health concerns: A review. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 54(4), 370–382. link

Read the research

What families come to therapy for

Every child is different. These are the concerns families most often bring to me when their child is autistic or has ADHD.

Big feelings and meltdowns

Strong reactions that are hard for your child and for you. Support builds understanding of what is behind them and ways to settle.

Change and transitions

Starting school, new routines, separation or divorce, or a move. Small steps help change feel manageable.

Friendships and belonging

Feeling out of step with other children. Sessions practise connection at your child’s pace.

Anxiety and worry

Worry, fears or avoiding things that feel scary, which are common alongside autism and ADHD. Therapy builds skills for facing fears safely.

Support for parents

Practical language, routines and ways to respond so home feels calmer. Parents are part of the work.

Let’s connect

Taking the first step is often the hardest. I’m here to answer your questions and help you decide whether this is the right path for your child.

Let’s chat

Free 15-min consultation

Learn more about me

Common questions

Do you work with autistic children and children with ADHD?+

Yes. I support children ages 3 to 12 who have an autism or ADHD diagnosis, or who are being assessed, and their parents, in person in Vancouver and online across B.C. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with a Master of Arts in Education and play therapy training.

Can you diagnose autism or ADHD?+

No. In B.C. a diagnosis is made by a paediatrician, psychiatrist or registered psychologist. I can support you with questions and next steps, and I work with children who are being assessed or who already have a diagnosis.

What does a session look like?+

Sessions are built around how your child plays and communicates. For younger children that is mostly play and art, and for preteens it can include games and talking. Parents are involved, with check-ins and family sessions, so what we practise carries over at home.

Do you work on anxiety and OCD as well?+

Yes. Anxiety and OCD are common alongside autism and ADHD, and I work on them with the same play-based approach. You can read more on the anxiety page and, for preteens, the OCD page.

What ages do you work with?+

This page is for children ages 3 to 12. If your child is a teen, a free 15-minute consultation is a good place to start.