Family Counselling for Vancouver and Burnaby Residents*
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*Private and secure virtual sessions also available for out-of-area clients
We get that family can be complicated.
That the pressure and strain of life, emotions and expectations can feel difficult to navigate.
Our registered clinical counsellors are here to help you find healing and understanding and resolve conflicts with your family members through emotion focused family therapy (EFFT).
The goal?
To repair emotional bonds and re-establish more secure family patterns—so each and every family member feels safe, seen and understood.
- Communication
- Differences in values
- Divorce
- Family dynamics
- Grief and loss
- Life transitions
- Past trauma
- Reconciliation
- Responsibilities
- Separation
Areas our family counsellors can help address include:
Strengthen your bonds and create a healthier family dynamic
SPEAK TO A COUNSELLOR
Our counsellors are committed to providing non-biased care to help you and your family experience more fulfillment, happiness and harmony.
- Have better communication with your family members
- Move through life transitions like grief and loss or separation and divorce
- Heal past trauma
- Work through differences in opinion and values
- Resolve conflict
Family therapy can help you:
Let us help you come back together and enjoy life together again.
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Ashley Greensmyth, MCP
Laura Palermo, MCP, RCC
Renu Parmar, MC
Alyssa Gonzalez, MC
Our Clinical Counsellors
Meet
Meredith founded Parallel Wellness in 2012 as a solo counsellor and now runs a thriving practice dedicated to helping her neighbours live fulfilling and peaceful lives. She has a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and is currently a PhD candidate in Counselling Psychology.
Meredith specializes in eating disorder therapy and is the founder of the One Body to Love program for women who struggle with binge eating. She also serves clients in the following areas:
book with meredith
Meredith MacKenzie, MA
Registered Clinical Counsellor and Founder of Parallel Wellness
Anxiety
Couples Counselling
Disordered Eating
High achievement and perfectionism
Infertility
Relationships
Trauma
Women’s Mental Health
Meredith strongly believes in the healing power of the human-to-human connection and strives to help others explore themselves and live authentic lives. She brings radical acceptance to her practice to ensure her clients feel safe, seen and understood.
When she’s not serving clients, you might find Meredith hanging out at Starbucks, listening to the Crime Junkie podcast, or collecting Christmas ornaments.
A quote that inspires Meredith:
"Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." - Viktor Frankl
Alejandra has been with Parallel Wellness since 2018 and has over a decade of experience in the mental health field.
Alejandra has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from UBC. She is currently a PhD candidate in Counselling Psychology.
Alejandra works with young adults, adults and people who have recently moved to Canada. She can support clients in the following areas:
book with alejandra
Alejandra Botia, MA
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Anxiety
Body Image
Depression
Disordered Eating
Family Dynamics
Immigration
Life Transition
Transitioning to Adulthood
Alejandra believes in the power of being seen, heard and validated in a safe place. She aims to provide an environment that inspires her clients to get curious, find new ways of showing up in their lives and move towards hope, meaning and fulfillment.
When she is not serving clients, you might find Alejandra walking along the water, reading in a cozy coffee shop, or travelling.
A quote that inspires Alejandra:
"May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears" - Nelson Mandela
Trauma
Stress Management
Alleah has been with Parallel Wellness since 2023 and is currently completing her master’s of Counselling Psychology with an emphasis in art therapy.
Alleah works with adults and can support clients in the following areas:
book with alleah
Alleah Bowring
intern
Emotional Regulation
Grounding
Mindfulness
Relaxation
Self - Expression
Stress Management
Her goal is to help others be more present and practice healthy self-expression.
When she’s not serving clients, you might find Alleah at a local pottery class, rock climbing, or camping in the great outdoors.
Alyssa has been with Parallel Wellness since 2022. She has a master’s degree in Counselling from the City University of Seattle.
Alyssa enjoys working with teens 13+ years of age and adults.
She supports clients in the following areas:
book with alyssa
Alyssa Gonzalez, MC
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Anxiety and Mood Management
Childhood Healing
Family Relationships
Loss and Transition
Peer Relationship
Alyssa encourages her clients to come as they are. She enjoys helping others get to know their inner systems so they can have more self-compassion and self-awareness. After working with Alyssa, clients can expect to walk away with clarity, healing, and increased self-confidence.
When she’s not serving clients, you might find Alyssa curled up with a good book and a cup of peppermint tea.
A quote that inspires Alyssa:
“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.”
– Lewis Carroll
Alexandra has been with Parallel Wellness since 2023. She works with a diverse range of clients, from teens and university students to families, adults, and individuals going through big life transitions.
Alexandra has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from Simon Fraser University. She received her master’s degree in Counselling from City University of Seattle.
Alexandra can support clients in the following areas:
book with alexandra
Alexandra Pesa
Junior Therapist
ADHD
Anxiety
Depression
Emotional Regulation
Grief and Loss
Identify Exploration
Life Transitions
People Pleasing
Alexandra’s goal is to offer a safe, non-judgmental space where individuals can explore their inner worlds, discover the connections between the mind, body, and soul, and find their unique path toward growth and fulfillment.
As a young therapist, she brings a fresh outlook and an inherent understanding of the contemporary challenges younger generations encounter in today’s fast-paced world.
When Alexandra is not serving clients, you might find her jamming to Taylor Swift, trying a new local restaurant, or at the gym.
A quote that inspires Alexandra:
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.
Self-esteem and body issues
Stress Management
Relationship issues including breakups, infidelity, and family dynamics
Ashley has been with Parallel Wellness since 2018 and works mainly with millennials, helping them undo inter-generational trauma.
She supports clients in the following areas:
book with ashley
Ashley Greensmyth, MCP
Registered Clinical Counsellor, EMDR Therapist
Anxiety and Mood Management
Couples Therapy
Relationship Issues
Self-Worth
Stress management and burnout prevention
Ashley’s goal is to help you feel a sense of belonging and worthiness, clarify your priorities, and experience stable and fulfilling relationships. She helps her clients develop more self-awareness, emotional intelligence and maturity, relationship skills, and relaxation.
Ashley received her Masters in Counselling Psychology and is certified in EMDR Basic Training, Lifespan Integration 1, Gottman Level 1, Gottman Seven Principles for Couples Leader (AA & BA with Major in Psychology).
When she’s not serving clients, you can find Ashley cuddling her cats, reading her Kindle, and spending time with her loved ones.
A quote that inspires Ashley:
“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be, and embracing who we are.” - Brené Brown
Laura has been with Parallel Wellness since 2020. In her practice, she works with children, adults, couples, families, groups, and agencies.
Laura received her bachelor’s in Psychology from SFU and her master’s of Counselling Psychology from Adler University.
Laura can support clients with:
book with laura
Laura Palermo, MCP, RCC
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Anxiety
Career development
Child therapy
Couples and relationship counselling
Depression
Early childhood mental health
Emotional dysregulation
Parenting education
Laura prides herself on creating a safe space that is genuine, kind, and non-judgmental. She works with her clients to experience movement towards their personal goals and general wellness.
When Laura is not working with clients, you might find her reading her favourite book, doing a puzzle or painting, or taking a long walk outside.
A quote that inspires Laura:
“Worthy now. Not if. Not when. We are worthy of love and belonging now. Right this minute. As is.” -Brené Brown
Personal development
Selective mutism
Self-esteem
Sexual abuse or assault
Stress management
Trauma
Renu has been with Parallel Wellness since 2021. She is passionate about guiding her clients through relationship issues, whether they are with others, the world, or with life’s purpose.
Her training includes somatic therapy, which considers both the mind and body when working through trauma and unconscious wound. Renu also focuses on attachment and Jungian approaches. She holds three degrees in English, Education, and Counselling.
Renu supports clients with:
book with renu
Renu Parmar, MC
Psychotherapist/Registered Clinical Counsellor/
somatic therapist
Anxiety
Addiction
Creative Blocks
Feelings of loneliness/ emptiness
Feeling trapped in patterns or feeling stuck
Identity issues
Low self-esteem and self-criticism
Relationship issues/patterns (attachment issues)
She also strives to help her clients achieve feelings of peace and wholeness and experience fulfilling relationships.
Renu is also a meditation teacher, spiritual counsellor, and Reiki Master.
When she is not serving clients, you might find Renu meditating, writing, or enjoying a good book.
A quote that inspires Renu:
Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” – Carl Jung
Searching for meaning and spiritual questioning
Traumatic experiences (PTSD and complex trauma)
Family counselling sessions are billed in one individual’s name. You can ask your counsellor to put the invoice in the name of whichever family member has insurance coverage.
What happens if some family members don’t have insurance coverage?
This can be a frustrating and difficult part of counselling when family issues are a concern. Ultimately, we cannot make anyone come to counselling if they don’t want to. Instead, you may choose to enter individual counselling to discuss interpersonal dynamics in your life and develop strategies for interacting with your family members. Typically, when one piece of the puzzle starts shifting, it causes shifts within the whole picture.
What if I have family members that don’t want to attend?
Family members are always welcome in individual sessions if, you as the client, wish for them to be there. Otherwise, family counselling specifically where you and your family member are both considered the client is the best approach. You can discuss these options with your counsellor to decide how you want to structure your sessions.
I’m already in individual therapy. Can I just bring my family member with me?
Frequently Asked Questions
