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 JaneHelp your child feel calmer, steadier and more capable.
Practical, playful support for children and teens who feel overwhelmed, wound up or worn out, and for the parents who want to help.
Stress is a nervous system doing its job.
Two systems work together like an accelerator and a brake. When stress stays high, the accelerator gets stuck. Therapy teaches children how to use the brake.
Your child is not alone, and neither are you.
Stress can build quietly in children, through school, friendships, change at home or simply too much to do. Whether it shows up as tears, tummy aches or short tempers, you do not have to figure out what to do on your own.
Children rarely say “I’m stressed.” They say “my tummy hurts,” “I don’t want to go” or they melt down over something small. My job is to listen for what sits underneath.
Pamela Wallberg, RCC
A busy mind that will not slow down.
Slowing down and settling.
Headaches, stomach aches, tense shoulders.
A body that can relax.
Too much on the plate, all at once.
Room for rest and for play.
Big feelings that spill out at home.
Handling big feelings more smoothly.
Lying awake and worrying.
Winding down and sleeping better.
“It has to be perfect or it is a failure.”
“I did my best, and that counts.”
Putting off what feels too hard.
Taking small steps toward it.
Parents unsure how to help.
A family that handles stress together.
My approach
Tools your child can use anywhere.
Stress in children often looks like irritability, aches, clinginess or avoidance. I match the approach to your child’s age, needs and interests, and I work with you as a parent too, so the skills carry over to home and school.
Together we build calm, confidence and everyday coping skills, one small step at a time.
listening to children’s voices.
Mindfulness-based therapy
Short, gentle practices such as breathing, body scans and noticing the senses help children settle their bodies, steady their attention and step back from worries. Practices are taught in session and made easy to repeat at home.
ExplorePlay therapy
Play is how many children show what they cannot yet say. Sand tray, dollhouse and figures in the room, or video game therapy online, give children a safe way to work through pressure, feelings and relationships at their own pace.
ExploreArt therapy
Drawing, painting and making help children release tension and put stress into images instead of words. No artistic skill is needed.
ExploreFamily and Filial therapy
Parents learn simple, play-based ways to connect with their child at home, with coaching in session. Warm, predictable time together is one of the best buffers against stress.
ExploreCognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT helps children and teens notice the thoughts and habits that make stress bigger, then practise problem-solving, calming skills and small steps that build confidence.
ExploreDunning, D., et al. (2022). Do mindfulness-based programmes improve the cognitive skills, behaviour and mental health of children and adolescents? An updated meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Evidence-Based Mental Health, 25(3), 135–142. link
Dunning, D. L., et al. (2019). Research review: The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on cognition and mental health in children and adolescents—a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 60(3), 244–258. link
Zoogman, S., Goldberg, S. B., Hoyt, W. T., & Miller, L. (2015). Mindfulness interventions with youth: A meta-analysis. Mindfulness, 6(2), 290–302. link
Zenner, C., Herrnleben-Kurz, S., & Walach, H. (2014). Mindfulness-based interventions in schools: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 603. 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
Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre (BC Children’s Hospital): Managing Stress. link
Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre (BC Children’s Hospital): Mindfulness for Children and Youth. link
Read the researchWhere stress shows up
Stress looks different from child to child. These are the situations families bring to me most often. If a physical or mental health condition is suspected, I work alongside your child’s physician and care team.
School and homework pressure
Heavy workloads, tests and fear of falling behind can leave children wound up, tearful or avoiding school. We build study-time calm, problem-solving and perspective.
Perfectionism and performance worries
Some children are very hard on themselves and dread mistakes. Therapy helps them aim high without it costing their peace of mind.
Friendship and social stress
Conflict, left-out feelings and group dynamics weigh heavily. We practise handling hard moments with friends and building a steadier sense of self.
Big changes at home
Moves, a new sibling, separation, a change of school or a family loss all stir up stress. Support helps children feel safer and understood through the change.
Overscheduled and overstimulated
Full calendars, screens and constant noise leave some children with little room to recover. We look at balance, rest and what restores your child.
Stress in the body
Headaches, stomach aches, sleep trouble and tension are common signs. Mindfulness and calming skills help the body settle, alongside care from your child’s physician.
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
Is this stress, or something more?+
Every child feels stress sometimes. It is worth a closer look when it lasts several weeks, affects sleep, school or friendships, or shows up as frequent aches or meltdowns. A free call is a good way to talk it through, and I will tell you honestly if another kind of support would fit better.
What will sessions look like?+
Sessions are a mix of play, art, movement, conversation and practising skills, matched to your child’s age. Younger children often play while we work. Teens often prefer to talk and try practical tools. You are updated regularly, and we practise at home between sessions.
How long does it take?+
It depends on your child, what is causing the stress and how much support is in place at home. Many families notice small changes within a few weeks, and we review progress together regularly.
What can I do at home right now?+
Keep routines predictable, protect sleep, make time for relaxed play together, and name feelings out loud without trying to fix them. In sessions, I will give you specific tools that fit your child.
Does mindfulness work for children?+
Research on mindfulness with children and teens shows small to moderate benefits for stress and emotional wellbeing, with the strongest results when practices are short, concrete and age-appropriate (Zoogman et al., 2015; Zenner et al., 2014). It is one of several tools, not a cure-all.
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: Mindfulness · Teen therapy · Anxiety