Autism & Neurodivergent-Affirming Counselling
Celebrating neurodivergence while supporting mental health and emotional needs.
Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy & Behaviour Support
Our practice is deeply committed to neurodiversity-affirming care. We support children and teens with autism who may be navigating anxiety, burnout, sensory overwhelm, and a neurotypical world.
Leveraging Sheila’s background in behaviour intervention, we do NOT use compliance-based therapies to enforce masking. Instead, we foster authentic self-advocacy, provide tools for sensory and emotional regulation, and work with the child’s ecosystem to create accommodating, supportive environments. Families often pair this work with parent coaching to build consistent, affirming support at home.
For teens with autism navigating anxiety, burnout, or social expectations, support for neurodivergent teens in Port Coquitlam offers affirming care that honours exactly who they are.
Parents and caregivers may also need a space for their own emotional wellbeing while navigating advocacy, appointments, school systems, and the work of creating affirming support. Learn about counselling for mothers and caregivers. When support needs to extend across home and school, Sheila can also collaborate with educators and school teams. You can also explore social skills support and the main FAQ for fees and availability.
Not sure whether this support is the right fit? A free 15-minute consultation is a simple place to begin.
Book a Free 15-Minute ConsultationProfessional Collaboration
A child's growth is supported best when their whole village works together. Sheila actively collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to ensure consistent, wrap-around support across all environments. We partner closely with:
Bridging the Gap: To ensure that therapeutic strategies translate into real-world success, Sheila is available to attend school meetings (including IEPs), conduct school and daycare observations, and help develop cohesive, evidence-based behaviour and emotional regulation plans that work seamlessly between home, school, and clinic.
Learn how Sunny Spot can collaborate with families, educators and school teams.
For things to try at home, explore our free gentle resources for regulation and school stress.
Frequently asked questions
Not Sure How to Tell Your Child About Counselling?
The way counselling is introduced can shape how safe and open it feels. Our gentle parent guide includes age-appropriate language, simple scripts, what to avoid, and what the first sessions may look like.
Read the Parent Guide
Ready to talk about what support could look like?
Get FREE Parent Resources & Sunny Spot Updates
Receive FREE parenting resources and a FREE workbook on anxiety, plus occasional Sunny Spot updates, blog posts, and gentle, practical support for families—straight to your inbox.