Psychologists, Counsellors, and Social Workers working with children and youth are currently offering both in-person and virtual appointments. Online virtual sessions are being offered through a secure online platform. 
1 in 5 children and youth struggle with a mental health issue, but only 31% are getting the help they need*

At Nova Mental Health, Children and Youth Can Gain Skills & Strategies to Help Them Lead Fulfilling Lives
At Nova Mental Health, our counsellors, psychologists, and social workers provide therapy to help children and youth manage the mental health issues interfering with the quality of their lives. 

When working with children, we use playful approaches and age appropriate language to engage children. We are also able to meet teens where they are at and provide them with the support that they need. We can help children and teens learn to better manage anxiety (e.g., social anxiety, panic attacks, generalized anxiety, academic, etc.), depression, OCD (and related disorders), interpersonal issues, day-to-day stress, behavioural concerns, and other issues. Please note that we do not provide assessments (e.g., for ADHD or psychoeducational)
 
We also provide parenting support to parents, as many children who struggle with mental health issues benefit from specific parenting approaches. We can also help parents learn to implement evidence-based parenting strategies for helping children with anxiety and / or OCD - Supportive Parenting for Childhood Emotions (SPACE). This approach can be combined with individual child sessions or it can be used alone. This can be especially helpful for situations in which young children are experiencing anxiety (and may not be able to engage in virtual therapy), when parents are being drawn into anxiety related behaviours, or when children or youth refuse to engage in treatment.  

If you require financial assistance for mental health treatment for your child, please review our financial assistance page or request to work with our practicum student.

We are located in North Vancouver at the Lonsdale Quay. We are happy to meet in our office in-person or provide virtual services to client's living further from the North Shore. ​
​​Treatment Areas: 
  • Anxiety
    • Panic and Agoraphobia
    • Generalized Anxiety
    • Test and School Anxiety
    • Phobias
    • Health Anxiety
    • Social Anxiety
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • ​Interpersonal issues
  • Day-to-day stress
  • Behavioural concerns
  • Tics 
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Behavioural Concerns
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Sleep Difficulties
  • Depression​​
  • Mind-Body Connection
  • Parenting Support for Specific Mental Health Issues
  • Supportive Parenting for Childhood Anxious Emotions (SPACE)
Children / Teens / Young Adults Team:
Dr. Gabriela Ionita (Registered Psychologist)
Kara Mulligan (Registered Clinical Counsellor)
Cara Brand (Registered Clinical Counsellor)
​Poupak Toufanian (Registered Clinical Counsellor)

Teens Only:
Alex Gheorge (Registered Social Worker)

For details regarding fees, length of treatment, and location, please visit our FAQ section.
Nova Mental Health