Pediatric Counselling
Services
Teen therapyAnxietyOCDDepressionParents and familiesSelf-harm and suicidal ideationStress managementDifficult life transitionsApproaches
Play therapy and art therapyVideo game therapyCognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)Exposure and response preventionMindfulness-based therapiesFamily and filial therapyCollaborative problem solvingSafety planning and harm reductionBook on JaneSupport for the whole family, so everyone can feel closer.
Parent coaching, collaborative problem solving and play-based family sessions that help parents and children or teens understand each other, communicate and enjoy time together, including support for parents working through parenting disagreements.
Parenting is hard, and you do not have to do it alone.
Raising children brings joy and also big moments that leave parents feeling stuck, worn out or unsure. This work is not about fixing your child, and it is not about blame. Your relationship with your child is the most important one in their life, and it is where healing happens. I help you feel equipped to support them, so the whole family can feel understood.
Behaviour is communication. When parents understand what a child is trying to say, and children feel heard in return, the whole family starts to change.
Pamela Wallberg, RCC
Every request turns into a battle.
Solving problems together.
Everyone ends the day drained.
Hard moments that settle faster.
Not sure what your child is really saying.
Understanding what is underneath.
“I should be doing better.”
Knowing you are doing your best.
Days that run on tasks and screens.
Playful time that fills everyone up.
Parents unsure they agree.
A shared plan you both trust.
Running on empty.
Not doing it alone.
Avoiding triggers at home.
Knowing how to respond.
My approach
Strengthening the relationships at the centre of the family.
Many families come to me because their child is struggling. In these sessions the work is with you as parents and with your family as a whole: building attunement, communication and problem-solving. Sometimes your child joins. Sometimes it is just you.
Together we build confidence, connection and ways of working through hard moments as a team.
listening to children’s voices.
Parent coaching
Practical, personal support for the parenting moments that feel hardest. We look at what is happening, build language and routines that fit your family, and practise responses you can use at home. Sessions are for parents and are held online, without your child present.
ExploreCollaborative problem solving
A way for parents and children, or parents with each other, to work on a problem as a team instead of a battle. We name what is getting in the way, hear each person’s concerns and find solutions everyone can live with.
ExplorePlay-based Filial and Family therapy
You attend sessions alongside your child. In-session coaching helps you follow your child’s lead in play, so they feel seen and understood. The goal is a stronger relationship, better attunement and easier communication, which carry over into daily life.
ExploreDIR Floortime support for neurodivergent children
For parents of neurodivergent children, I offer Floortime-informed coaching during family sessions. Parents learn to join their child’s world, follow their interests and build back-and-forth connection, communication and emotional growth through play.
ExploreLeijten, P., et al. (2019). Meta-analyses: Key parenting program components for disruptive child behavior. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 58(2), 180–190. link
Mingebach, T., Kamp-Becker, I., Christiansen, H., & Weber, L. (2018). Meta-meta-analysis on the effectiveness of parent-based interventions for the treatment of child externalizing behavior problems. PLoS ONE, 13(9), e0202855. link
Kaminski, J. W., & Claussen, A. H. (2017). Evidence base update for psychosocial treatments for disruptive behaviors in children. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 46(4), 477–499. link
Kaminski, J. W., Valle, L. A., Filene, J. H., & Boyle, C. L. (2008). A meta-analytic review of components associated with parent training program effectiveness. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 36(4), 567–589.
Ollendick, T. H., Greene, R. W., et al. (2016). Parent management training (PMT) and Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS): A randomized control trial for oppositional youth. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 45(5), 591–604. link
Greene, R. W., Ablon, J. S., Goring, J. C., et al. (2004). Effectiveness of collaborative problem solving in affectively dysregulated children with oppositional-defiant disorder. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72(6), 1157–1164.
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
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
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.
Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre (BC Children’s Hospital): Empowered Parenting. link
Read the researchWho this is for
Every family is different. These are the situations that most often bring parents and children to this work. You do not need a diagnosis or a referral to get started.
Power struggles
Daily standoffs, big reactions and meltdowns can leave parents second-guessing everything. We build understanding and tools that lower the temperature.
Parents of neurodivergent children
Autistic, ADHD and otherwise neurodivergent children often need parenting approaches that fit how they experience the world. We build on your child’s strengths and interests.
Parent and child in conflict
When arguments are frequent and communication has broken down, sessions together help each person be heard and rebuild trust.
Parents on different pages
Parents often have different instincts about what to do. We work toward a shared understanding and a plan you can both follow.
Families going through change
Separation, a move, a new sibling, illness or loss all affect children and parents alike. Support helps the family find its footing.
Parents who feel worn out
Being the steady one all the time is tiring. Coaching gives you practical support and a place to be heard, without judgment.
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 chatFree 15-min consultation
Common questions
Do you work with toddlers and preschoolers?+
Yes. With toddlers and preschoolers I work in family sessions: you come with your child, and we use play, parent coaching and filial therapy to support big feelings, behaviour, routines and connection at home. Sessions are in person in Vancouver or online across B.C. For toddler behaviour concerns, we start with a free 15-minute consultation to talk about what you are seeing.
Do I need to bring my child?+
Not always. Some sessions are just for parents, which is often where we start. Others include your child, especially play-based family sessions. We decide together what fits your family and your child’s comfort.
Is this therapy for my child or for me?+
It is for your family. The focus is on your relationships, your skills and your communication, not on fixing a child. If your child also needs their own therapy, we can talk about that too.
What happens in a play-based family session?+
You and your child spend time in play together, often in the playroom with the sand tray, dollhouse and art materials, while I coach you gently in the moment. Many parents are surprised how much they learn about their child, and how much their child enjoys having them fully present.
Can you help if my child is neurodivergent?+
Yes. I adapt the approach to your child’s strengths, communication style and sensory needs, and I offer Floortime-informed coaching for parents.
How many sessions will we need?+
It depends on your goals and your family. Some parents come for a few sessions of coaching, and others continue longer for relationship work. We review progress together regularly.
Trusted resources
More help for families in B.C.
Free, evidence-informed information from Kelty Mental Health at BC Children’s Hospital. These links open in a new tab.
Information on this page is provided by Pamela Wallberg, MA, RCC, Registered Clinical Counsellor. Last updated October 2026. This page is general information and is not a substitute for individual care.
Related: Family and filial therapy · Collaborative problem solving · Teen therapy