Play. Connect. Flourish.

Charlotte King-Harris Counselling Ltd.

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Children

• Trauma
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Life Transitions
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
And More

Teens

• Substance Use/Addiction
• Anxiety
• Gender and Sexuality
• Suicidal Thoughts and/or Self-Harm
• Borderline Personality Disorder
And More

Family and Parent Support

• Family Therapy
• Parent and Child Play Therapy
• Psychoeducation
• Parent Support Sessions
And More

Individuals

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trauma
• Eating Disorders
• Gender and Sexuality
And More

Who We Are

The decision to seek counselling is not always an easy one. Like many others who visit this site you may be experiencing confusion, frustration, hopelessness, fear, shame, or perhaps a desire to gain a deeper awareness and understanding of your relationships with self and other.  At Vancouver Island Child, Youth & Family Counselling Services we specialize in helping children, teens and families find their best selves. With an incredibly diverse team of therapists, each with their own unique areas of specialization related to child and youth mental wellness, we will work with you and your family to create a supportive and empowering space for self-discovery.  We offer a variety of counselling services including, play therapy, art therapy and parent support both in person and online via our secure telehealth platform.  We are also proud to work with a number of third party funders including the Autism Funding Unit, Crime Victim Assistance Program, MCFD, and First Nations Health Authority.  Contact us to speak with our intake coordinator and take the next step in your journey towards healing, or learn more about each of our therapists and the services they offer by clicking the button below.

Our Therapists

Charlotte King-Harris

M.A., R.C.C.-A.C.S., R.S.W., R.P.T., B.C.R.P.T.-S, C.T.T.S.

Virtual Counselling

Hello and welcome! I am the founder and director of VICYFCS, a mother of two teenagers, and a proudly queer therapist. As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Registered Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist and Play Therapist Supervisor, Certified Synergetic Play Therapist, BCACC Approved Clinical Supervisor, and Certified Trauma Treatment Specialist, I am committed to providing compassionate, expert care.  Currently, I offer virtual support to parents, trauma therapy for youth and adults, and clinical supervision for professionals, particularly those focusing on play therapy or its supervision.

I believe that the relationship between caregivers and their children is at the heart of a child’s well-being, and I am passionate about empowering parents to foster strong, secure attachments.

Using a blend of neuropsychology, mindfulness, attachment theory, polyvagal theory, and trauma-informed practices, I help parents develop the skills to regulate their own emotions and responses. This not only supports their personal growth but also creates a nurturing environment where their children can thrive. My goal is to help parents tap into their strengths, build resilience, and create lasting, positive connections with their children.

I am excited to lead an amazing team of compassionate, highly trained therapists who share this commitment to supporting families. We are here to walk alongside you on this journey and look forward to supporting you!”

 

Pronouns: She/Her

Charlotte King-Harris

M.A., R.C.C., R.S.W., R.P.T., B.C.R.P.T.-S, C.T.T.S.

Oak Bay

Hello and welcome!  I am the clinic owner and work out of our Oak Bay location.  In addition to being a registered clinical counsellor I am also a registered social worker, registered play therapist and play therapist supervisor, and certified trauma treatment specialist.  I enjoy working with people of all ages but have specialized training to work with children ages 2-19 and their parents as well as a passion for working with LGBTQ2S+ folx.  I use a combination of expressive arts therapies and mindfulness-based therapies to help clients navigate the challenges they are facing.  I am registered with both the Crime Victim Assistance Program and the First Nations Health Authority.  Pronouns: She/Her

Westshore Therapists

Emma Chalifour

 Registered Clinical Counsellor
BC Registered Play Therapist

Children, Teens, Adults, Family, Parent/Caregiver Support, Play Therapy

 Pronouns: She/Her 

Allison (Stickney) Thomson

 Registered Clinical Counsellor
BC Registered Play Therapist

Children, Teens, Adults, Family, Parent/Caregiver Support, Play Therapy

 Pronouns: She/Her 

Chelsey Thorpe

 Registered Clinical Counsellor
Registered Art Therapist

Children, Teens, Family, Parent/Caregiver Support, Art Therapy

 Pronouns: She/Her

Kendra Stone

Registered Clinical Counsellor

Children (10+), Teens, Adults, Family/Couples, Parent/Caregiver Support

 Pronouns: She/Her

Inka Hart

Registered Clinical Counsellor

Infants, Children, Adults, Parent/Caregiver Support, EMDR 

Pronouns: She/Her

Amy Morrissey

Registered Clinical Counsellor

Children, Family, Parent/Caregiver Support

 Pronouns: She/Her

Danny Buchanan

Registered Clinical Counsellor
Children, Teens, Adult, Family, Parent/Caregiver Support 

 Pronouns: He/Him 

Carmelle Hermoso

Registered Clinical Counsellor

Children, Teens, Young Adults, Family, Parent/Caregiver Support, Play Therapy

Pronouns: She/Her 

Michelle McElroy

Registered Clinical Counsellor 
Registered Social Worker
Registered Art Therapist
BC Registered Play Therapist

Children, Teens, Young Adults, Parent/Caregiver Support, Art Therapy, EMDR, Play Therapy

Pronouns: She/Her 

Kimberly Ajele

Registered Social Worker

Children (10+), Teens, Adults, Family/Couples, Parent/Caregiver Support

 Pronouns: She/Her  

Sarah Doyle

Registered Social Worker

Youth (Ages 12+ only), Adults, Family, Parent/Caregiver

Pronouns: She/Her

Harmony Wildman

 Registered Clinical Counsellor

Children, Teens, Adults, Family, Parent/Caregiver Support

 Pronouns: She/Her

Justin Robertson

Registered Social Worker 
Youth Outreach Worker

Youth (Ages 10+)

 Pronouns: He/Him 

Alexandra Peters

Registered Social Worker
Registered Clinical Counsellor

Children, Family, Parent/Caregiver Support

 Pronouns: She/Her

Stephanie Azari

Practicum Student

Children, Teens, Adults, Family, Parent/Caregiver Support

 Pronouns: She/Her

Oak Bay Therapists

Allison (Stickney) Thomson

 Registered Clinical Counsellor
BC Registered Play Therapist

Children, Teens, Adults, Family, Parent/Caregiver Support, Play Therapy

 Pronouns: She/Her 

Amy Morrissey

Registered Clinical Counsellor

Children, Family, Parent/Caregiver Support

 Pronouns: She/Her

Patrycja Niesluchowska

Registered Clinical Counsellor
BC Registered Play Therapist

Children, Teens, Adults, Parent/Caregiver Support, Couples, Family, Play Therapy, EMDR

Pronouns: She/Her

Chelsey Thorpe

Registered Clinical Counsellor

Registered Art Therapist

Children, Teens, Family, Parent/Caregiver Support, Art Therapy

 Pronouns: She/Her

Kyle Shaw

Registered Clinical Counsellor

Teens, Adults

 Pronouns: He/Him 

Harmony Wildman

Registered Clincal Counsellor

Children, Teens, Adults, Family, Parent/Caregiver Support

 Pronouns: She/Her

Online Therapists

Sarah Gibson

Registered Clinical Counsellor

Children, Teens, Adult, Family/Couples Parent/Caregiver Support

 Pronouns: She/Her 

Emma Lavoie

Registered Social Worker

Children, Teens, Adults, Family/Couples, Parent/Caregiver

Pronouns: She/Her

Our Counselling Space

Come in and visit us for a free 20 minute consult

Oak Bay Office

Located in the Jubilee Professional Building on Oak Bay Ave, this wheelchair accessible office has its own private waiting room, a play therapy room, a warm and inviting consult room for older kids and adults and private outdoor deck space. There are bathrooms on site and paid parking is available as well as free street parking in the neighbourhood. This office also offers secure, complimentary wifi access. Click here to see more photos.

Westshore Office

Centrally located opposite the Royal Colwood Golf Club on Goldstream Ave, our beautiful Westshore office is equipped for play therapy, art therapy, group and family therapy as well as movement-based therapies such as trauma-informed yoga, and offers secure, complimentary wifi access. This office is wheelchair accessible and has free visitor parking as well as free street parking throughout the neighbourhood. Click here to see more photos.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is play therapy?
The part of the brain that handles complex spoken language, empathy, foresight and critical thinking skills does not fully mature until we are in our mid 20s. The younger we are, the more our brain relies on non-verbal communication, symbolism and imagination to navigate life’s challenges. Play therapy is an evidence-based counselling modality that allows the therapist to communicate with a child in the child’s language, the language of play. Art and expressive-based therapy methods are also commonly used in the context of Play Therapy. To learn more about play therapy and the training required to be a registered play therapist please visit the Association for Play Therapy website, located here: https://www.a4pt.org/ or watch the short video below:

Is my child too old for play therapy?
Technically speaking, there is no maximum age limit for play therapy, you’re never too old to communicate through play, and we would be happy to have people of any age in our therapeutic playroom! That being said, we find that kids 12 and under tend to get the most out of the play therapy experience.
What are the various letters behind each counsellor’s name and what do they mean?

The term ‘counsellor’ is not a protected profession in the province of B.C. This means that anyone can call themselves a counsellor and work in private practice. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure that the counsellor they choose has the proper training and registrations to ensure a safe and ethical counselling process. Furthermore, figuring out what kind of counsellor you need or what may be covered by your extended health plan can be confusing! Here is a breakdown of the most important abbreviations:

M.A./M.Ed. - this means the counsellor has completed a master’s level degree such as a master of arts or a master of education in counselling psychology. A master’s degree is required for registration with most counselling associations.

R.C.C. - Registered Clinical Counsellor. This designation is provided by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). A person with this designation has completed a master’s level university program in a counselling-related field along with at least 2000 hours of supervised clinical experience with a university-appointed supervisor. This designation requires that the therapist adhere to a specific code of ethics and disciplinary action can be taken against the therapist in the event of an ethical violation. Some extended health plans provide coverage for registered clinical counsellors. To learn more about this designation click here: https://bc-counsellors.org/

C.C.C. - Certified Clinical Counsellor. This designation is provided by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. The requirements for this designation are similar those set out by the BCACC but it is Canada-wide rather than province-specific. To learn more about this designation click here: https://www.ccpa-accp.ca/

R.S.W./R.C.S.W. - Registered Social Worker or Registered Clinical Social Worker. These designations are provided by the British Columbia College of Social Workers. The Registered Social Worker designation requires a Bachelor of Social Work degree, or equivalent, as well as successful completion of the board exam. The Registered Clinical Social Worker designation requires a Master of Social Work degree along with 3000 hours of supervised clinical experience and successful completion of the clinical board exam. Both RSWs and RCSWs must adhere to a strict code of ethics, proof of continued education each year, and are permitted to work in private practice however Registered Clinical Social Workers are also permitted to assess and diagnose mental health disorders. These are protected professions in BC which means that you may not call yourself a registered social worker unless you are a member of the college. In addition, a college is legally responsible for the conduct of its members (unlike an association which focuses more on promoting the profession and advocating for its members). For this reason, many extended health plans provide more coverage for registered social workers than they would for a registered clinical counsellor. To learn more about this designation click here: http://www.bccollegeofsocialworkers.ca/

R.Psyc - Registered Psychologist. This designation is given by the British Columbia College of Psychologists and requires completion of an accredited doctoral program (PhD or PsyD), a clinical internship, several years of supervised clinical experience and successful completion of both a written and oral exam. Alternatively, if you are a registered psychologist with a college in another Canadian province, you can apply to have your designation transferred to B.C. as long as you pass the board exams (each province has their own educational requirements for joining their college of psychologists). Registered psychologists must adhere to a strict code of ethics and are subject to disciplinary action by the college should that code be violated. It is a protected profession which means that you may not call yourself a registered psychologist unless you are a member of the college. Most extended health plans provide coverage for Registered Psychologists however their fees tend to be higher due to the requirement of more education and training. Psychologists are permitted to assess and diagnose mental health disorders. To learn more about this designation, click here: https://collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca/

I’ve seen other letters after a counsellor’s name that aren’t listed here. What do they mean?

Oftentimes, after receiving their initial registrations, counsellors/psychotherapists will go on to specialize in certain areas. There are many associations across the world that offer certification in specific counselling modalities, each of which have their own set of requirements. Some of the more popular ones are:

R.P.T./C.P.T./B.C.R.P.T. - Registered Play Therapist designations from several different governing bodies (R.P.T. = Association for Play Therapy, C.P.T. = Canadian Association for Play Therapy, B.C.R.P.T. = BC Assocation for Play Therapy). If you see an ‘S’ after any of these it means the counsellor has also obtained the ‘supervisor’ designation and is permitted to help train individual counsellors working towards their own registration. Obtaining this registration means having participated in at least 150 hours of play therapy specific training along with 500 hours of experience and 35+ hours of clinical supervision. Continuing education is also required to ensure practitioners remain up to date in their training. For more information visit Association for Play Therapy (https://www.a4pt.org/), BC Association for Play Therapy (https://www.bcplaytherapy.ca/) or Canadian Association for Play Therapy (https://cacpt.com/)

C.T.T.S. - Certified Trauma Treatment Specialist. This designation is offered by the Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists and requires a minimum of 200 hours of trauma-specific training in several different competency areas, along with supervised clinical experience and references. This designation also requires continuing education to ensure practitioners remain up to date in their training. For more information on this designation click here: https://www.atss.info/

R.M.F.T. - Registered Marriage and Family Therapist. This designation is offered by the British Columbia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. For more information on this designation click here: http://www.bcamft.bc.ca/

Do you offer direct billing to extended health companies?
Unfortunately at this time counsellors in B.C. are not eligible to direct bill to insurance companies however after receiving payment we will provide you with a receipt that contains all necessary information for you to submit to your extended health plan for reimbursement.
What’s the difference between your two locations?
The Oak Bay location consists of a therapeutic playroom and a consult room (couch and chairs). This location is small but wheelchair and stroller accessible. There is also paid onsite parking in addition to free street parking. The Goldstream location is significantly larger and has five treatment rooms: two consult rooms, a family/group room, a playroom and a sensory/art room. This location is not wheelchair accessible and has limited onsite parking, however there is free street parking in the surrounding area.
How do I know which type of counsellor to choose?
Choosing the right type of counsellor depends largely on what your extended medical plan covers and whether or not you are seeking a diagnosis. If you are unsure of which type of counsellor to choose feel free to give us a call and we will help you figure it out!

Contact Us

VICYFCS
Fax: 778-698-2393

Oak Bay Office
303A-1830 Oak Bay Ave
Victoria, B.C.

Westshore Office
115-494 Goldstream Ave
Langford, B.C.

Contact Charlotte

250-986-7359

charlotte@vicyfcs.com

Contact Patrycja

604-716-5784

patrycja@vicyfcs.com

Contact Chelsey

250-986-9972

chelsey@vicyfcs.com

Contact Harmony

250-857-8160

harmony@vicyfcs.com

Contact Michelle

250-884-3884

michelle@vicyfcs.com

Contact Danny

250-589-9628

danny@vicyfcs.com

Contact Carmelle

250-896-0961

carmelle@vicyfcs.com

Contact Emma
250-382-0409

emma@vicyfcs.com

Contact Inka
778-350-4652

inka@vicyfcs.com

Contact Allison

250-893-3149

allison@vicyfcs.com

Contact Kyle

250-891-7429

kyle@vicyfcs.com

Contact Sarah

778-557-9525

sarah@vicyfcs.com

Contact Kendra

 

kendra@vicyfcs.com

Contact Sarah D

236-882-0416

sarahd@vicyfcs.com

Contact Emma L

emmaj@vicyfcs.com

Contact justin

250-216-0446

justin@vicyfcs.com

Contact Amy

250-589-2500

amy@vicyfcs.com

Contact Kimberly

604-671-3904

kimberly@vicyfcs.com

 

Contact STEPHANIE

stephanie@vicyfcs.com

 

Contact Alexandra

604-928-9525

alexandra@vicyfcs.com