Practice information:

Helen Ritchie is  a Canadian Certified Counsellor, Certified Synergetic Play Therapist Supervisor,  and EMDR Therapist who sees children, youth,adults and parents in Vancouver. 

Play Therapy for children

 Are you concerned about your child’s worries, behaviours, mood changes, or ability to cope with transitions? Play therapy can help your child come back into a more balanced sense of well-being. 

Benefits of Play Therapy

Parents report that Play Therapy results in a decrease in problematic behaviours, and increased self-regulation and self-esteem. Through the process of Synergetic Play Therapy, both parents and children will learn about how the brain and nervous system work and will develop strategies to regulate.

Therapy for Parents, adults, teens and Families

Tired of feeling stressed, tired, panicked, depressed or angry? Counselling can bring you the change and peace of mind that you are looking for. My compassionate counselling approach will help you gently face your challenges and learn strategies to regulate your nervous system so that you can get back to feeling grounded and in control. 

 With adults and teens, I use expressive therapies such as Sandplay, and EMDR therapy for trauma in conjunction with talk-based therapies.  

Having lived in Canada, France, Japan, and the UK, and from work as an ESL teacher and International Student Counsellor, I have experience adjusting to new environments and in helping people with cross-cultural and settlement issues.

I am an anglophone able to provide counselling services in French. 

Areas of expertise

In my 18+ years of work as an elementary school counsellor, play therapist, and trauma counsellor, I have helped many children, teens, adults and families with issues such as

• Anxiety- worry, stress, separation anxiety, OCD
• Behavioural issues- aggression, withdrawal, impulsivity
• Trauma-medical, birth, witnessing family violence, accidents, etc.
• Depression
• Abuse
• Grief and loss
• Friendship issues
• Coping with transitions- moves, new schools, etc.
• Cross-cultural and settlement issues
• Identity issues 
• Parenting issues
• Selective mutism

Group therapy has been provided for

• Children affected by family violence Program at Family Services
• Youth requiring social and emotional support- Respect, Safety and Violence Prevention Program
• Social skills for children and youth
•  Coping with anxiety

My Education and Training

After receiving a  Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from UBC,  I trained  to become a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor. I have since completed  certification as a  Supervisor of Synergetic Play Therapy, an exciting new approach that combines the latest research in neuroscience, attachment and attunement with therapeutic work. I also  supervise students and colleagues. 

I have had extensive training in Play and Sandplay Therapy, Trauma-informed therapy (EMDR), Family Systems theory, The Satir Model, and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy. My passion for Play Therapy has resulted in 17 years of volunteer work on the BC Play Therapy Association (BCPTA) board where I am currently the President. 

My clients are some of my greatest teachers. I am indebted to all of the people that I have had the privilege of supporting on their healing path. 

Contact

For a free initial consultation please email Helen Ritchie at hritchietherapy@gmail.com.