Find Support

We have several different ways to support and help you find meaningful connections in your North Shore community.

Counselling

We can help you when life gets hard or you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, bullying, disordered eating, sexual abuse, relationship violence, coming out, gender identity, and more. Our counsellors have the training and experience to ensure you feel safe, comfortable, and supported.

If your parents can’t afford the counselling fees or you don’t want to tell them about your sessions, we can help. Our intake counsellor can tell you more about the ways we can support you.

Get Started

We also provide:

• Free transportation, as needed, to and from our office
• Free drinks and snacks during your counselling sessions

We know you’re busy with school, work, and life in general, so our office is open:

• Weeknights until 8:00 pm
• Saturdays from 9:00am – 4:00pm

Embody Eating Disorders Prevention and Awareness Program

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, or disordered eating of any kind, Embody has education, resources, and inspiration that can help. We also encourage you to check out Love Our Bodies, Love Ourselves movement. Join the conversation on Facebook , Twitter or Instagram and connect with other B.C. youth who are talking about what it means to have a healthy body image.  Learn More

The Grad Shop

Every year, students in our community miss their graduation celebrations because they can’t access formal wear. The Grad Shop is here to celebrate the accomplishments of all graduates with an uplifting and nurturing experience. Together, we work to ensure youth feel supported, included, valued, and ready to make the next step in their lives.  If you are a Grade 12 student living on or attending school on the North Shore, please talk with your school counsellor who will provide the details on booking with our Grad Shop. During your visit, we will guide you through a wide range of clothing, shoes, accessories and more to help you put together a complete grad-day outfit. This is free of charge and confidential.  Click here to learn more.

PROUD2BE

We created our PROUD2BE programs, because we know that those of us who identify as LGBTQ2S+ need a safe place to talk about how that feels – and how hard it can be sometimes. We also offer help to parents and family members if they’re having a hard time, too.

PROUD2BE drop-in groups for parents & family

Join other parents of gender-diverse youth for safe, judgment-free discussions co-facilitated by two experienced counsellors. This free, weekly drop-in group is a welcoming place for you to connect, ask questions, and learn more about how to support your trans, non-binary, gender-diverse and/or gender-questioning child or teen.  We meet via Zoom on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-8:00pm.  To learn more click here, and to receive the virtual meeting link, please email proud2be@familyservices.bc.ca.  We look forward to you joining us. 

PROUD2BE Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Conference 

Each fall we typically host the annual PROUD2BE conference, presented in partnership with West Vancouver Youth Services. This province-wide event brings together youth, parents, and service providers for activities, panel discussions, workshops, entertainment, and clinical services. It’s a thoughtful weekend designed to support and connect our diverse LGBTQ2S+, gender-diverse and allied communities, and is open to children, youth, families and professionals. 

PROUD2BE Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Events 

Our PROUD2BE Events feature speakers with lived experience, professional panel discussions, workshops and support for gender-diverse, gender-questioning, and LGBTQ2S+ children, youth, their families and professionals.  It’s a community where you can learn, ask questions, get support and connect with LGBTQ2S+ folks, families and allied communities.

For more information email our team at proud2be@familyservices.bc.ca

YouthLAB

The Youth Leadership Advisory Board (YouthLAB) was a Family Services of the North Shore initiative created to address mental health challenges that young people face, from a youth-led perspective. YouthLAB was made up of a small group of North Shore High School students (grades 10-12) who met throughout the year to learn, discuss and create outreach projects to address mental health topics affecting youth. These topics include anxiety, depression, trauma, gender and sexuality, healthy relationships, and social justice issues.

View YouthLAB Initiatives and Resources below:

• Art book – a creative illustration addressing mental health issues facing young people.  Click here to view and download this book. 
• Video – shared across peer groups in schools across the North Shore, click here to view.
• Website – ‘Youth for You’ website offers reflections and perspectives on wellness, mental health, and social justice.  View youth4you.space.