Supportive teen counselling for Burnaby and Vancouver, BC*
*Private and secure virtual sessions also available for out-of-area clients
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Give your teen a safe place to talk, feel, and grow
- Snapping over “small” things or shutting down completely
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Struggling to get out of bed, get to school, or keep up with responsibilities
- Overthinking every interaction or decision
- Seeming fine on the outside, but clearly not themselves
You might notice your teen:
That’s where teen counselling comes in.
Our registered clinical counsellors are here to offer warm, evidence-based therapy for teens that feels safe, relatable, and grounded in real life.
You want them to feel supported and understood, not pressured or judged.
School pressure, social media, friendships, identity, family expectations—sometimes it feels like everything is happening all at once.
Being a teen is a lot.
SPEAK TO A COUNSELLOR
Teen counselling for Burnaby and Vancouver youth
We offer individual teen counselling to support youth mental health concerns, including:
- Anxiety and worry
- Low mood
- Self-esteem
- Body image
- Friendship and peer conflict
- Separation/divorce
- School stress and performance pressure
- Identity exploration
- Grief and loss
We’re happy to collaborate with your teen’s doctor, school counsellor, or other professionals to support their youth mental health care.
Meredith strongly believes in the healing power of the human-to-human connection and strives to help others explore themselves and live authentic lives. She brings radical acceptance to her practice to ensure her clients feel safe, seen and understood.
Women’s Mental Health
Trauma
Relationships
Infertility
High achievement and perfectionism
Disordered Eating
Couples Counselling
Anxiety
book with meredith
Registered Clinical Counsellor and Founder of Parallel Wellness
Meredith MacKenzie, MA
Meredith founded Parallel Wellness in 2012 as a solo counsellor and now runs a thriving practice dedicated to helping her neighbours live fulfilling and peaceful lives. She has a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and is currently a PhD candidate in Counselling Psychology.
Meredith specializes in eating disorder therapy and is the founder of the One Body to Love program for women who struggle with binge eating. She also serves clients in the following areas:
Eating Disorders and Body Image
Life Transitions and Burnout
Adolescent Mental Health
Self-esteem and Personal Growth
Relationship Concerns and Communication
Parenting and Family Transitions
Adoption and Identity
Grief and Loss
Anxiety and Stress
Canadian certified Counsellor
Tammy Carpenter, MACP, CCC
book with TAMMY
Warm, thoughtful, and collaborative therapist offering a safe space to explore life’s challenges.
Tammy works with individuals and teens navigating anxiety, grief, parenthood, adoption, and major life transitions. She brings over 20 years of experience as a teacher, with a deep understanding of resilience, emotional development, and personal growth.
Tammy’s clients often describe her as easy to talk to, empathetic, and grounded. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, unseen in your relationships, or unsure of how to move forward, Tammy offers a compassionate, non-judgmental space to help you sort through what’s weighing on you.
Her approach blends Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), supporting meaningful change while honouring each client’s pace and values.
Trauma
Stress management
Sexual abuse or assault
Self-esteem
Selective mutism
Personal development
When Laura is not working with clients, you might find her reading her favourite book, doing a puzzle or painting, or taking a long walk outside.
A quote that inspires Laura:
“Worthy now. Not if. Not when. We are worthy of love and belonging now. Right this minute. As is.” -Brené Brown
Laura prides herself on creating a safe space that is genuine, kind, and non-judgmental. She works with her clients to experience movement towards their personal goals and general wellness.
Parenting education
Emotional dysregulation
Early childhood mental health
Depression
Couples and relationship counselling
Child therapy
Career development
Anxiety
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Laura Palermo, MCP, RCC
book with laura
Laura has been with Parallel Wellness since 2020. In her practice, she works with children, adults, couples, families, groups, and agencies.
Laura received her bachelor’s in Psychology from SFU and her master’s of Counselling Psychology from Adler University.
Laura can support clients with:
Faith and Spirituality
Life Transitions
Career Guidance
Personal Growth
Relationships
Suicidality
Self-harm
Emotion Regulation
Stress
Anxiety
Depression
CJ brings warmth and open-handedness to each session, which helps clients feel safe, seen, and supported. Drawing from Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and the Gottman Method, and with over ten years of providing pastoral care for people of different ages and cultural backgrounds, CJ is committed to helping clients from all walks of life find clarity and experience healing.
When CJ is not serving clients, you’ll probably find her playing volleyball, leading worship at church, or at a local coffee shop.
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Chantal Lui, MACP
book with CJ
Chantal Lui, who goes by CJ, has been with Parallel Wellness since 2025. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree from Yorkville University.
CJ specializes in adolescent mental health and well-being. She also works with young adults, adults, couples, and families. She can support clients in the following areas:
Relationship issues including breakups, infidelity, and family dynamics
Stress Management
Self-esteem and body issues
When Alexandra is not serving clients, you might find her jamming to Taylor Swift, trying a new local restaurant, or at the gym.
A quote that inspires Alexandra:
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.
Alexandra’s goal is to offer a safe, non-judgmental space where individuals can explore their inner worlds, discover the connections between the mind, body, and soul, and find their unique path toward growth and fulfillment.
As a young therapist, she brings a fresh outlook and an inherent understanding of the contemporary challenges younger generations encounter in today’s fast-paced world.
People Pleasing
Life Transitions
Identify Exploration
Grief and Loss
Emotional Regulation
Depression
Anxiety
ADHD
registered clinical counsellor
Alexandra Pesa
book with alexandra
Alexandra has been with Parallel Wellness since 2023. She works with a diverse range of clients, from teens and university students to families, adults, and individuals going through big life transitions.
Alexandra has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from Simon Fraser University. She received her master’s degree in Counselling from City University of Seattle.
Alexandra can support clients in the following areas:
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We recognize that mental health youth concerns can look different from adult experiences.
Teens are in a unique stage of life—and our approach to teen counselling reflects that.
What teen counselling looks like at Parallel Wellness
- Talk about what’s really going on, without worrying about disappointing anyone
- Learn how to name and understand their thoughts and feelings
- Practise new coping strategies for stress, anxiety, and overwhelm
- Build communication skills so they can express needs more clearly
- Explore who they are and what matters to them, in a supportive space
We move at their pace.
SPEAK TO A COUNSELLOR
If you’re hoping your teen can…
We’re here to listen without judgement, support your teen through the hard parts, and equip them with practical, science-based strategies they can carry into the rest of their lives.
And we’ll be with them every step of the way.
- Understand and manage big feelings with more confidence
- Communicate their needs more clearly
- Cope with school, friendships, and life transitions with less overwhelm
- Feel more comfortable in who they are
- Build healthier boundaries and relationships
- Experience more good days than hard ones
Frequently Asked Questions
Most extended health benefit plans cover a portion of the session fee with a registered clinical counsellor. However, each plan is unique. The best way to know if your teen’s sessions will be partially covered is to call or log in to your benefits account and check the details of your coverage.
You will be charged for the full session cost at the time of the appointment and receive a payment receipt. You must then submit this receipt to your insurance provider for reimbursement. Parallel Wellness does not direct-bill to insurance companies.
Often, yes. Especially at the beginning, we may invite parents or caregivers to share their perspective and collaborate on how to best support your teen. As counselling progresses, your teen may have more one-on-one time with their counsellor. We balance teen confidentiality with age-appropriate parental involvement and safety.
Yes. Many of our counsellors offer after-school and evening sessions to make scheduling easier for teens and their families.
This depends on their needs and goals. Some youth counselling concerns may be addressed in 3–6 sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. Your counsellor will work with you and your teen to create a plan and revisit it as you go.
Confidentiality is an important part of therapy for teens. Your teen’s counsellor will explain what is kept private and what must be shared for safety reasons (for example, if there is a risk of harm to themselves or others). We encourage open conversations about confidentiality so everyone feels informed and comfortable.