Counselling Services

Dayna McCracken Counselling offers both in-person and virtual Counselling services.

The office is located in Port Coquitlam, BC - close to Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore, Belcarra, New Westminster, Burnaby, Surrey, Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge.

Counselling for adults & couples

Are you struggling with something within yourself or your life and wonder if counselling may be able to help? Or are you simply hoping counselling might help you to gain insight into or improve some aspect of yourself , your life or your relationship? Dayna is here to help!

Dayna has extensive professional experience in providing counselling to adults and couples. She specializes in issues related to stress, anxiety and depression, and provides counselling across many areas of practice, including:

Her approach to working with clients is caring and warm. She aims to ensure you feel heard and supported. Of equal importance to Dayna is to work with you towards YOUR personal goals and towards changes that you would like to see in your life. It is paramount in her practice that you always feel safe and comfortable during your counselling experience, and that you leave feeling empowered, peaceful and with more clarity of mind.

50 mins |  See Rates & Hours   

Counselling for children & teens of all ages

As the saying goes, kids don’t come with an instruction manual.  It can be devastating as a parent to see your child or teen struggling and not know what to do or how to help them. There are times for many of us in life when we see our child or teen struggling emotionally, and as parents or caregivers, feel like we aren’t sure how to help. Counselling can be beneficial if your child or teen is struggling with or experiencing any of the following:

• Low or depressed mood

• Anxiety &/or stress

• Behavioural Issues

• Abuse

• Anger or aggression

• Low self-esteem

• Conflict with parents and/or family

• Conflict or issues with friends/peers

• Bullying

• Family separation/divorce

• Selective Mutism

Dayna has extensive experience providing counselling to children and teens as a result of years working as a counsellor in a variety of settings, including adolescent mental health treatment centres and provincially-funded mental health programs specific to children & youth services.

It is important to ensure the counsellor you choose for your child or teen has the appropriate expertise, approach and experience. Dayna’s approach is informed by developmental science, neurobiology, and a deep understanding of attachment and childhood development. Click here to learn more about Dayna’s specific training and expertise in providing counselling to children and teens.

50 mins | See Rates & Hours 

Family Counselling & Parenting Support

Families are complicated. You love each other, and yet sometimes the difficulties or challenges you face within your family can leave you feeling helpless and unsure of what to do or how to make things better.

Is your family struggling to get along or find common ground, causing lots of conflict?

Or is it that you are thinking your child or teen could benefit from doing counselling together as a family unit?

Or are you struggling as a parent and feel you need some guidance in parenting a child or teen with challenging behaviours?

Family counselling can help with issues like:

• Conflict amongst family members, struggling to get along

• Experiencing changes in life or circumstances

• Grief & loss

• Marriage issues

• Divorce or separation

• Challenges with blending your families

• Co-parenting

• Issues with communication

• Troubles understanding each other

• Issues with work/life balance

• Power struggles amongst family member(s)

• Traumatic experiences

• Disagreements over major life issues

Dayna has substantial professional experience in providing support to parents and families. She’s trained and skilled in the implementation of a wide number of child- and family-focused therapeutic modalities. She has worked as a child and family therapist in a variety of settings including non-profit agencies and provincially-run mental health services and treatment centres.

Additionally, Dayna is considered a specialist in the field of Early Childhood Mental Health (children under 6 years). The reason there is a specialized field of practice for this age group is that the approach and treatment recommendations are significantly different, at times opposite, to how a counsellor would typically work with an older child or teen. The approach must be based on a solid understanding of neurodevelopmental considerations of young children and a deep understanding of early childhood child development.

Dayna also regularly provides workshops and training to parents and caregivers, Early Childhood Educators (ECEs), daycare/preschool staff, classroom teachers, Education Assistants (SEAs/EAs) and others on the topics of understanding, responding to and supporting children and youth’s mental health and behaviour.

You can rest assured that Dayna’s approach is free of judgement. She always wants her clients to feel safe and comfortable during their counselling experience. Dayna aims to ensure you leave sessions feeling more empowered and confident in who you are as a person - both individually and within your family. Ultimately, her goal is to help you and your family thrive!

50 mins |  See Rates & Hours