Meet Natalie: Supporting Young People and Families Toward Calm, Confidence, and Connection
Have you ever felt like your emotions were just too much, or like your mind wouldn’t stop overthinking? Maybe you’ve watched your child struggle and wondered how to best support them. If so, you’re not alone. These are the challenges I help young people and parents with every day.
If you’re new here, I’d love to introduce myself. I’m Natalie, a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in British Columbia. For more than 12 years I’ve worked closely with young people—first as a youth volleyball coach and now as a therapist. My work is grounded in compassion, practicality, and a deep belief that both young people and their parents have incredible capacity for growth when given the right support.
Why do I work with young people?
Supporting teens and young adults has always felt natural to me. Coaching volleyball was my first window into how much young people carry with them—hopes, pressures, worries, and a constant stream of “Am I good enough?” moments. I saw how much it mattered to have an adult who could listen, encourage, and guide them without judgment.
That experience led me to pursue counselling, and now after more than eight years in practice, I’ve worked with many young people who felt overwhelmed by:
Anxiety that makes everyday tasks feel impossible
Overthinking that keeps them stuck in worry loops
Big emotions that come out as anger, sadness, or shutting down
Self-doubt that holds them back from friendships, school, or personal goals
One of the most fulfilling parts of my work is seeing young people move from feeling stuck and overwhelmed to feeling calmer, more confident, and more connected to themselves and others.
What makes my approach different?
I believe therapy should feel both compassionate and practical. That means you’ll feel understood and validated, and you’ll also walk away with strategies you can use in your daily life.
Some of the approaches I use:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helping young people understand how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours connect—and how small shifts can reduce anxiety.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Teaching tools to manage strong emotions, build resilience, and improve relationships.
Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT): Supporting parents to feel empowered and confident in helping their child’s mental health.
Trauma-Informed Practices (including Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment): Creating safety and stability while gently addressing past pain.
These evidence-based approaches are grounded in neuroscience but explained in ways that are accessible. My clients appreciate that our sessions are collaborative—we figure out together what’s most helpful.
Why do I work with parents too?
When a young person is struggling, parents often feel helpless. They want to support their child but aren’t sure how, or they worry they’re making things worse. This is where my work with parents comes in.
I believe the caregiver-child relationship has incredible healing power. That’s why I work with parents to:
Understand what their child may be experiencing
Build communication skills that keep connection open
Learn strategies to support their child’s emotional wellbeing
Feel more grounded and confident in their parenting role
Parents often leave sessions with both relief and practical tools—knowing they don’t have to do this alone.
What is it like to work with me?
Clients often describe me as warm, approachable, and genuine. I want our sessions to feel like a place where you can speak freely and know you’ll be met with compassion and understanding. I’ll always validate what you’re experiencing, while also guiding you toward practical strategies that make daily life a little easier.
Here’s what you can expect:
Collaboration: We’ll work together to set goals that matter to you.
Compassion: You’ll always be met with kindness and understanding.
Practical Tools: You’ll leave sessions with strategies you can use right away.
A Steady Presence: I’ll be a steady, supportive presence as you explore what feels hard and begin to build new skills.
And, occasionally, my dog Pasley makes a guest appearance in online sessions. She’s a therapy-dog-in-training, and her gentle (and cute!) presence often brings a smile or a moment of calm.
Who do I help?
I specialize in:
Teens and young adults dealing with anxiety, overwhelm, overthinking, or self-esteem struggles
Parents and caregivers supporting children or adolescents with mental health challenges
Whether it’s a young person learning to navigate their emotions or a parent trying to support their child, my goal is always to foster calm, confidence, and connection.
Why consider counselling now?
If you or your child are feeling overwhelmed, it can be hard to know where to start. You might be wondering if therapy will really help, or if things are “bad enough” to reach out. I want to reassure you: you don’t need to wait until things get worse. Counselling is not just about crisis—it’s about building tools, strengthening relationships, and creating a foundation for long-term wellbeing.
With the right support, young people and families can experience meaningful shifts:
Feeling calmer and more grounded
Building stronger relationships
Breaking cycles of overthinking
Gaining tools to manage stress and big emotions
Moving toward personal goals with confidence
Let’s connect
If you’re a young person struggling with anxiety, overwhelm, or big emotions—or a parent worried about how to support your child—you don’t have to figure it out alone. I offer free 15-minute consultations so we can get to know each other and see if my approach is the right fit.
Reach out today to book a consultation or ask any questions you might have. Together, we can take the next step toward calm, confidence, and connection.
