Give your teen a safe place to talk, feel, and grow
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*Private and secure virtual sessions also available for out-of-area clients
Supportive teen counselling for Burnaby and Vancouver, BC*
Being a teen is a lot.
School pressure, social media, friendships, identity, family expectations—sometimes it feels like everything is happening all at once.
You want them to feel supported and understood, not pressured or judged.
Our registered clinical counsellors are here to offer warm, evidence-based therapy for teens that feels safe, relatable, and grounded in real life.
That’s where teen counselling comes in.
You might notice your teen:
- 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
- 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 offer individual teen counselling to support youth mental health concerns, including:
Teen counselling for Burnaby and Vancouver youth
SPEAK TO A COUNSELLOR
We’re happy to collaborate with your teen’s doctor, school counsellor, or other professionals to support their youth mental health care.
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:
Meredith MacKenzie, MA
Registered Clinical Counsellor and Founder of Parallel Wellness
book with meredith
Anxiety
Couples Counselling
Disordered Eating
High achievement and perfectionism
Infertility
Relationships
Trauma
Women’s Mental Health
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.
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:
book with CJ
Chantal Lui, MACP
Registered Clinical Counsellor
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.
Depression
Anxiety
Stress
Emotion Regulation
Self-harm
Suicidality
Relationships
Personal Growth
Career Guidance
Life Transitions
Faith and Spirituality
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:
book with alexandra
Alexandra Pesa
registered clinical counsellor
ADHD
Anxiety
Depression
Emotional Regulation
Grief and Loss
Identify Exploration
Life Transitions
People Pleasing
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.
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.
Self-esteem and body issues
Stress Management
Relationship issues including breakups, infidelity, and family dynamics
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.
book with TAMMY
Tammy Carpenter, MACP, CCC
Canadian certified Counsellor
Anxiety and Stress
Grief and Loss
Adoption and Identity
Parenting and Family Transitions
Relationship Concerns and Communication
Self-esteem and Personal Growth
Adolescent Mental Health
Life Transitions and Burnout
Eating Disorders and Body Image
Hazyl specializes in Eating Disorder Therapy and is passionate about supporting individuals on their journey to recovery and mental wellness. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Adler University.
She supports clients in the following areas:
book with HAZYL
Hazyl Jonas, MCP
Hazyl's approach to therapy is rooted in empathy and collaboration. In her work with clients she combines cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness-based techniques. Hazyl's goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where individuals can feel valued, accepted, and empowered.
Hazyl is dedicated to helping clients uncover their strengths, challenge diet culture narrative, and develop strategies to not only overcome their challenges but to also thrive in life.
When Hazyl is not serving clients you can find her enjoying a chai latté, with one of her cats in her lap, and probably indulging in reality TV or a classic rom-com. She loves connecting with others over shared interests and is always up for a good chat about the latest in pop culture or a heartfelt discussion about life’s ups and downs.
When Hazyl is not serving clients you can find her enjoying a chai latté, with one of her cats in her lap, and probably indulging in reality TV or a classic rom-com.
She loves connecting with others over shared interests and is always up for a good chat about the latest in pop culture or a heartfelt discussion about life’s ups and downs.
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Eating disorders
Disordered and emotional eating patterns
Body image concerns
Low self-esteem & self-worth
Emotional regulation
Depression
Anxiety
Grief and loss
Stress management
Perfectionism
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:
book with laura
Laura Palermo, MCP, RCC
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Anxiety
Career development
Child therapy
Couples and relationship counselling
Depression
Early childhood mental health
Emotional dysregulation
Parenting education
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.
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
Personal development
Selective mutism
Self-esteem
Sexual abuse or assault
Stress management
Trauma
We move at their pace.
- 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
What teen counselling looks like at Parallel Wellness
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.
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- 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
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.
If you’re hoping your teen can…
SPEAK TO A COUNSELLOR
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.
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.
Yes. Many of our counsellors offer after-school and evening sessions to make scheduling easier for teens and their families.
Is what my teen shares in therapy confidential?
How long can my teen expect to be in counselling?
Do you offer evening or after-school appointments?
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.
Will I (the parent/caregiver) be involved in my teen’s counselling?
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.
Is teen counselling covered by insurance?
Frequently Asked Questions
