If worries or low mood has you feeling stuck, you are not alone and you have come to the right place. I’m Alexina, a Registered Clinical Counsellor in North Vancouver. Using (primarily) CBT, I support teens and young adults with anxiety and depression to build coping skills, deepen self-understanding, and explore difficult emotions in a safe space.

Background

My approach is collaborative, culturally informed, and person-centered. I aim to create a strong therapeutic relationship grounded in trust, safety, and authenticity - because real change starts with feeling truly seen and supported. Using a (primarily) Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy approach, I support people by exploring unhelpful patterns of thinking and making small changes in their lives, moving them closer to their preferred future. I have a Master's in Counselling Psychology with specialization in school-aged and youth populations.

Your therapeutic experience with me

Every client is unique, and my approach is tailored to each individual. I strive to provide: structure, compassion, validation, gentle challenge, warmth, humour, and coping skills. I turn these dials either up or down depending on what works best for the person in front of me. Do you love humour and being challenged, but dislike structure and coping skills? I got you. Or maybe you prefer a warm, compassionate, and validating space - I'm here for it.

Areas of expertise

These represent my core areas of expertise, backed by specialized training and extensive clinical experience.

Anxiety

Depression

ADHD

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

Neurodiversity (autism, ADHD) And Caregiver Support

Identity Exploration

Therapeutic approaches

These are my primary therapeutic approaches, backed by specialized training and extensive clinical experience.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

I support people to identify and challenge unhelpful patterns of thinking that are causing them distress and getting in their way.

Neurodiversity-affirming Therapy

I support individuals through a neuro-affirming lens. My approach is strengths-based, collaborative, empowering, and accepting.

Client-centered / Rogerian Therapy

Humanity always comes first. We are two people sharing a space for 50 minutes. I strive to create a space where clients feel safe to be themselves and explore their inner world.

Client communities & cultural expertise

These are the client communities and cultural backgrounds I have specialized experience supporting.

Client populations I serve

Teenagers

Young Adults

Professional credentials

British Columbia regulatory jurisdiction flag

Registered Clinical Counsellor
- No.24437

BC Association of Clinical Counsellors

Educational background

Master of Counselling Psychology

Adler University, Canada

Specialized training

Basics of CBT - Essentials I

Beck Institute

CBT in Practice: Essentials II

Beck Institute

Indigenous Cultural Safety Training

San'yas/PHSA

Practice locations & services

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FAQ

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellation policy: Your session time is reserved just for you. A late cancellation or missed visit leaves an empty session in the therapists’ day that could have been filled by another client. Clients who provide less than 24 hours’ notice for a cancellation will be charged 50% of the session fee. Clients who miss their appointment (after 15 minutes has passed it is considered a missed session), will be charged the full fee.

Do you offer a sliding scale?

No. At this time I am unable to offer a sliding scale. It can be tricky to find someone who offers a sliding scale. I would suggest looking at larger practices that may have students offering low-fee sessions, or have a greater capacity to offer a sliding scale in general. Your local GP office may also know.

What happens in a 15-minute consultation?

During this time, I will ask you to briefly explain what has led you to seek counselling. I may also ask a few other questions to determine if my skills are the right fit. I’ll provide you with important information about my practice to help you decide if I am the right fit for YOU. You will also have an opportunity to ask me some questions. I will let you know if I think my skills are the right fit for you.

What does an initial session look like?

Before I meet with a new client, I will send out a new client intake which takes about 10-20 minutes to complete. I’ll go over informed consent with you, and ask any questions I may have about the information in your intake. You’ll also have an opportunity to clarify anything from your intake and ask me any questions you might have. When we get into the “therapy” part of the session, I will mostly listen and ask clarifying questions during this session as I get to know you.

I heard CBT counsellors make you do homework…

We call this an “action plan”! To get the most out of your investment in therapy, CBT counsellors will often work collaboratively with you to create an action plan at the end of each session. We then start each session by reviewing the previous action plan. Action plans are mini goals that help you get closer to your preferred future. When action plans don’t work, we review them together, determine what went wrong, and come up with proactive strategies to overcome those challenges next time.

Are your emails/texts secure?

We use Hushmail to encrypt all emails that we send to you. Anything sent to you (via text or email) through our practice management system, Jane App, such as appointment reminders, is not encrypted.

Do you accept SAJE funding?

YES!

Alexina Picard