Private Practice

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HELLO AND WELCOME

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My name is Sharon Selby and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor, with 27 years of counselling experience. I work in West Vancouver providing private counselling to children, teens, parents and families from across the lower mainland.

I am currently not able to accept new clients.  My waiting list is approximately two years long.  Please add your name to my waiting list here, to be informed when availability opens up.

There is no waiting list for the groups I run for children ages 7-9yrs. and 10-12yrs.  Click here for more information.

For current clients, you may book appointments for yourselves and your family members here.

For previous clients, please email me.

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My Education, Experience and Theoretical Perspective:

I obtained my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from UBC in 1999.  I also have post-masters training in Art Therapy from the Adlerian School of Psychology and am a Certified Parent Facilitator with a Bachelor of Education from McGill University.  Having spent many years in the school setting, I have a thorough understanding of school systems. For the past twenty-four years, I have specialized in supporting children and families experiencing difficulties such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, trauma, separation/divorce, parent-child conflict, sibling conflict, anger management, impaired social skills, attention deficit disorder, high-functioning autism spectrum disorder, behavioural problems, bullying and low self-esteem.  I have a broad range of experience culminating in over 20,000 clinical hours working 1:1 with children and families.

I draw on a broad range of psychological theories such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Adlerian Theory, Attachment Theory, Solution Focused Therapy, and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS).  I also use Art and Play Therapy to assist children in healing and expressing their feelings.

When working with families, I support the role of parents by coaching them effective parenting skills and guiding them in understanding the unique temperament traits of their child(ren).

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Group Counselling:

I run groups to teach children and youth about Anxiety and Anxiety Management Strategies.  To the children and youth, I refer to these groups as Brain Science Groups, as each session we learn something about the brain.  In this seven-week course, we meet once/week for 60 minutes in a small group with similar aged children.  (The last fifteen minutes of the session is the parent time where I summarize the children’s session and answer any questions.)  We cover topics such as the names and functions of the three areas of the brain most impacted by anxiety:  the Pre-frontal Cortex,  the Amygdala, and the Hippocampus.  I use CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) to teach them about irrational thoughts vs. rational thoughts, and perspective taking.  We also talk about facing our fears, and the steps to do this.  I teach calming and relaxation strategies and the principles of mindfulness.

For the upcoming schedule, please refer to the  Groups page on this website.

I also run Self-Empowerment Groups to teach children:
Assertiveness skills, Friendship/Bullying dynamics and bully prevention strategies, Optimistic thinking vs. Pessimistic thinking, Boundaries and Self-Regulation skills.  This is a seven-week course.  We meet once/week for 60 minutes in a small group with similar aged children.  (The last fifteen minutes of the session is the parent time where I summarize the children’s session and answer any questions.)

For the upcoming schedule, please refer to the “Groups” page.

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Presentations to Groups:

I am also available to present to parent groups on topics such as anxiety, self-regulation, emotional resilience, discipline and temperament.  I have experience presenting to parents of pre-schools and elementary schools, delivering workshops for colleagues, professional development workshops for teachers and at conferences.  If you would like to book me to present on a specific topic, which can be catered to your needs, please send me an e-mail.  Please refer to my speaking page for more information and testimonials.

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To learn more about Play Therapy, click here

For further information, please contact me.

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Coverage:

• I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor, and a few extended health plans will cover clinical private counselling services
• I am a registered counsellor with the Crime Victim Assistance Program, if you are eligible for counselling services through this program, you will receive $80 towards each session with me
• I am a registered counsellor/provider with Green Shield
• As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, I am covered under Autism funding, for psychological services
• If you have an extended health plan which you would like to cover my services, please contact me and I will happily apply to become one of their eligible counsellors

Testimonials: