Counselling in Downtown Vancouver
We opened our downtown Vancouver office to bring Lavender Counselling’s relational, person-centered approach right into the heart of the city, in a space that feels nothing like a clinic.
Book Free ConsultationServing the Lower Mainland since 2012
Our Vancouver Office
Our Vancouver office is located on the 5th floor of the historic building at 402 West Pender Street, a 1911 heritage landmark. The building itself has this quiet gravitas to it. Marble hallways, restored heritage detailing, the kind of place that feels solid and grounding. And then you step into our actual counselling room and it’s warm, bright, full of plants. The world outside can feel heavy and formal, but in here, you can settle in.
We chose this location because it’s accessible. You don’t need a car. Waterfront Station and Stadium-Chinatown Station are both a short walk away, and multiple bus routes run along West Pender and surrounding streets. If you’re coming from elsewhere in Vancouver or even the North Shore via SeaBus, getting here is straightforward.
You’ll find us on the edge of Victory Square, a short walk from Gastown and the downtown core.
Looking for our Langley offices? Visit our Langley location page.
Who We Work With in Vancouver
Our Vancouver office serves teens, adults, and elders. If you’re looking for support for yourself or an older child, this is the right location. If you’re in immediate crisis, please contact the Vancouver Crisis Centre or call 9-8-8.
A few things worth knowing upfront: we don’t currently offer couples counselling or child counselling (under age 11) at our Vancouver office. If you’re looking for those services, our Langley offices are where we offer them, and we’re happy to help connect you. We also offer virtual counselling across British Columbia if in-person at either location doesn’t work for you.
At our Vancouver office, we work with:
- Teens (ages 13–18)
- Adults (19+)
- Elders (65+)
Anxiety and Grief Support in Vancouver
Anxiety can show up as constant worry, a mind that won’t settle at night, or a tightness that doesn’t let go. Grief can follow a death, and it can also follow the end of a relationship, a move, a diagnosis, or a change in health. Both can make ordinary days feel heavier than they look from the outside.
Two counsellors see clients at our Vancouver office. Dom Pakenham works with anxiety and stress for teens and adults, and with grief and bereavement for adults and elders. Brittany Lasanen, MA, RCC, works with anxiety and grief for adults and elders. Sessions go at your pace, and there’s no pressure to talk about anything before you’re ready.
Brittany is a Registered Clinical Counsellor. Dom is a BACP-accredited counsellor and is completing his registration with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. Some extended health plans may not reimburse his sessions yet, so if you plan to claim through your benefits, please check with your provider first.
You can start with a free 20-minute conversation or book a first session directly, whichever feels right.
Not sure where to start?
Book a complimentary 20-minute conversation with one of our Vancouver counsellors. There is no pressure and no expectation, just a chance to see whether we are a good fit. Direct billing is available with many extended health plans.
Dom Pakenham
Teens 13+, adults and elders. In person at our Vancouver office, or online across BC.
Would you rather look at the full team first? See all our counsellors.
Specialties Available in Vancouver
Here’s what our Vancouver counsellors actually work with. This isn’t a list of everything we’ve ever heard of, it’s what we can genuinely support at this location, with clinicians who have real training and experience in these areas.
Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing
Trauma & Abuse
Identity & Relationships
Life Stages & Transitions
Body, Health & Behavioural Concerns
Work & Caregiving
Specialized Programs
FNHA: we are a registered FNHA provider.
For a full list of everything Lavender Counselling offers across all locations click here. Many of the specialties listed above also have their own dedicated pages with more detail on how we approach that particular area of work.
How We Work
If you’ve done any searching for counselling in Vancouver, you’ve probably noticed that a lot of practices lead with modalities, lists of acronyms and therapeutic techniques. We lead with the relationship.
Our approach is relational and person-centered. That means the connection between you and your counsellor isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s the foundation of the work. Research consistently supports this: the therapeutic relationship is the single strongest predictor of positive outcomes in counselling. Stronger than any specific technique.
So what does that look like in practice? It means your counsellor isn’t going to hand you worksheets and send you on your way. They’re going to get curious about you, your story, your patterns, what’s actually going on underneath the surface. Our team uses attachment-based, experiential, and body-centered approaches. We pay attention to what’s happening in your body, not just your thoughts. Because sometimes the most important information isn’t something you can put into words yet.
Our Vancouver Counselling Team
Our Vancouver team includes registered clinical counsellors who bring training and experience in evidence-based, relational modalities including:
Modalities
- Attachment-based and emotion-focused therapy
- Trauma-informed, body-centered approaches
- Experiential and somatic awareness practices
- Person-centered and humanistic frameworks
- AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy) and Focusing
Our Vancouver therapists work with
- Teens, adults, and elders
- A wide range of mental health, trauma, identity, and life transition concerns
- First responders, teachers, and caregivers
- FNHA clients and CVAP (Crime Victim Assistance Program) referrals
- Clients from diverse cultural backgrounds
In Vancouver you can meet with Dom Pakenham, BA, MA, AdvDip, who sees clients in person at our Vancouver office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and Brittany Lasanen, MA, RCC, who offers in-person sessions in both Vancouver and Langley. Online and phone sessions are also available across BC.
Find Your Vancouver Counsellor
The right fit between you and your counsellor matters more than anything else. Use our therapist selector tool to find a counsellor whose expertise, approach, and availability match what you’re looking for.
Why Choose Lavender Counselling in Vancouver?
Relational, Person-Centered Approach
We don’t treat diagnoses, we work with people. Your counsellor will take the time to understand your full picture, not just the symptoms that brought you in.
Body-Based, Experiential Work
Our counsellors may draw on somatic and body-centered practices that go beyond talk. If thinking your way through things hasn’t worked so far, there’s a reason for that.
A Free Consultation to Start
We offer a complimentary 20-minute conversation so you can get a feel for your potential counsellor before committing. And if the first match isn’t right, we’ll help you find another, no pressure, no settling.
Counsellors Who Stay
We have some of the highest clinician retention rates in the field. Stability matters in this work.
No Artificial Timelines
Some insurance-driven models push for resolution by a fixed number of sessions. We don’t operate that way. Your work takes as long as it takes, and we trust you to know when you’re ready.
Flexible Access
In-person sessions at our Vancouver office, or virtual sessions from anywhere in BC. Whatever works for your life.
Insurance Coverage
Registered clinical counsellors are covered by most extended health plans. We also work with CVAP, FNHA, and other assistance programs.
Deep Community Roots
Lavender Counselling has been serving the Lower Mainland since 2012. Our Vancouver office is an extension of that same commitment to quality, not a franchise outpost.
What to Expect
Your First Session
If this is your first time in counselling, or your first time at Lavender, the intake session is really about getting oriented. Your counsellor will want to hear what brought you in, get a sense of your history, and start understanding what matters to you. There’s no pressure to dive into the deep end.
Some people come in knowing exactly what they want to work on; others just know something needs to change. Both are fine.
How the Work Unfolds
After the first session or two, you and your counsellor will start finding a rhythm. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Some weeks you might do more exploratory, emotional work. Other weeks might feel more practical. Your counsellor will check in with you regularly about how things are going, and if something isn’t working, that’s important information, not a failure.
Confidentiality
What you share in session stays in session. There are a very small number of legally required exceptions (like imminent risk of harm), and your counsellor will explain those clearly at the start. But in general, this is your space to be honest without worrying about who else might hear it.
Session Frequency
Most clients start with weekly sessions. Over time, some people move to biweekly or monthly as things stabilize. There’s no set schedule, it depends on what you need and what makes sense for the work you’re doing.
Getting to Our Vancouver Office
By SkyTrain
Waterfront Station (Canada Line, Expo Line) and Stadium-Chinatown Station are both within a 5-10 minute walk. If you’re coming from the North Shore, the SeaBus connects directly to Waterfront Station.
By Bus
Multiple TransLink routes serve the area along West Pender and surrounding streets, including routes 16, 19, 22, and the R5 RapidBus.
By Car
Street parking and nearby parkades are available in the area. Downtown Vancouver parking rates apply, many clients find transit easier.
Building Access
Enter the building at 402 West Pender Street and take the elevator to the 5th floor. Our office is Room 506.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to book at your Vancouver office?
No referral needed. You can book directly through our website or call us. We start with a free 20-minute consultation so you can connect with a counsellor before committing to a session.
What’s the difference between your Vancouver and Langley offices?
Our Vancouver office serves teens (13+), adults, and elders. If you’re looking for child counselling (under 11), couples counselling, or family therapy, those services are available at our Langley offices. The approach and quality of care is the same across all locations.
Can I switch between in-person and virtual sessions?
Yes. Many clients do a mix depending on their schedule. Your counsellor can accommodate both in-person sessions at the Vancouver office and virtual sessions.
How much does a session cost?
Session rates vary by counsellor. Our Vancouver counsellors’ rates range from $100 to $170 per session. Most extended health plans cover registered clinical counsellors (RCCs), and we can provide receipts for direct billing or reimbursement.
What if my counsellor isn’t the right fit?
This happens, and it’s not a problem. The therapeutic relationship is central to our work, so if it doesn’t feel right, tell us. We’ll help you connect with someone else on our team, whether at our Vancouver or Langley office.
I work downtown. Can I do sessions during lunch or after work?
Our Vancouver counsellors have varying availability throughout the week. When you use our therapist selector tool or speak with us during your free consultation, we can help match you with availability that works for your schedule.
Is the building accessible?
The building has elevator access to the 5th floor where our office is located. If you have specific accessibility needs, please let us know when booking and we’ll make sure we can accommodate you.
What insurance or assistance programs do you accept?
Brittany is a registered clinical counsellor, covered by most extended health benefit plans. Dom is completing his BC registration, so please check your plan before claiming his sessions. We also work with CVAP (Crime Victim Assistance Program), FNHA (First Nations Health Authority), and other assistance programs. Check with your insurance provider to confirm your coverage.
Other Vancouver Mental Health Resources
Counselling isn’t always the right first step, and we’d rather you find the right support than wait for one we offer. Some Vancouver-specific resources worth knowing:
HealthLink BC 8-1-1
provincial health information service
Crisis Centre BC
24/7 crisis support line for BC
Vancouver Coastal Health Mental Health Services
public mental health intake for Vancouver and surrounding areas
Canadian Mental Health Association BC
peer support, advocacy, and program referrals
Foundry BC
youth and young adult mental health services (under 25)
Ready to Begin?
Starting counselling takes a certain amount of courage, especially if you’ve been putting it off or if past experiences haven’t felt right. We get it. That’s why the first step is just a conversation.
Book Your Free Consultation