Autism Counselling in Victoria BC

At Harbour Family Counselling, we understand that autism (ASD) is not a single experience but a spectrum of unique perspectives, strengths, and challenges.

Whether you’re an adult navigating life on the spectrum, a parent supporting a child with autism, or a family learning to thrive together, our counsellors offer a calm, compassionate space for growth and understanding.

Our approach is neurodiversity-affirming, meaning we celebrate difference rather than seeing it as something to fix. Together, we work toward comfort, connection, and confidence in yourself, your relationships, and your daily life.

Understanding Autism: A Spectrum of Experiences

Autism is a diverse and deeply individual experience. Every person’s needs, preferences, and ways of communicating are unique.

Counselling can help you or your loved one:

• Build self-awareness and self-acceptance

• Navigate sensory sensitivities or emotional overwhelm

• Strengthen communication and relationships

• Explore identity and purpose in a supportive environment

We offer guidance rooted in empathy, patience, and evidence-based practice, supporting each person as they are.

Support for Adults with Autism

Many adults on the spectrum come to counselling seeking understanding, self-acceptance, and tools for daily living.

We help clients explore:

• Life transitions and career challenges

• Relationship and social dynamics

• Emotional regulation and sensory balance

• Self-advocacy and boundary setting

Sessions are tailored to your pace and comfort level. Our goal is to create a space where you can safely explore, express, and grow on your own terms.

Counselling for Parents of Children with Autism

Parenting a child with autism can be rewarding, complex, and sometimes overwhelming.

Counselling offers a space to pause, reflect, and build tools for connection and resilience. We can help you:

• Understand your child’s communication and sensory needs

• Strengthen relationships within the family

• Support your child’s emotional and social development

• Navigate school, community, and healthcare systems

Our counsellors offer both emotional support and practical guidance, helping you feel more confident and connected in your parenting journey.

Helping Families and Siblings Thrive Together

Autism touches everyone in a family. We support parents, siblings, and extended family in learning to understand and relate in new ways.

Family sessions can help:

• Improve communication and empathy

• Reduce conflict and tension

• Create routines that work for everyone

• Build shared understanding and joy

Families grow stronger when they feel heard and supported, and that’s what we aim to provide.

Our Approach: Compassionate, Neurodiversity-Affirming Care

At Harbour, we honour neurodiversity, recognizing that each person’s brain works in its own meaningful way.

Our counselling is:

• Strengths-based, building on what already works well

• Collaborative, where you guide the pace and direction

• Sensory-aware, creating a calm and supportive environment

• Evidence-informed, drawing on approaches such as CBT, emotion-focused, and mindfulness-based therapy

We believe that understanding and acceptance are the foundation of healing and growth.

Funding and Payment Options

We believe that quality counselling should be accessible.

Harbour Family Counselling is pleased to offer direct billing through British Columbia’s Autism Funding Unit (AFU).

This means that if you have approved AFU funding, we can bill sessions directly, saving you the need to pay out of pocket and submit receipts. Our team can also help you navigate the AFU process and complete any required paperwork.

Other payment options include:

• Private payment

• Extended health insurance coverage

• Flexible arrangements for ongoing care

If you’re unsure where to start, view our Rates and Payment page. We’re happy to guide you through your options.

Meet Our Counsellors

Our team includes counsellors experienced in supporting neurodiverse individuals, families, and caregivers. Each brings a warm, empathetic approach and a deep respect for every client’s unique experience.

Darcy Harbour, RCC, is the Director of Harbour Family Counselling and specializes in working with autistic adults, children and youth, offering a calm, practical, and strengths-based style of counselling. She can guide you to a counsellor who best matches your needs.

Our team shares one goal: to create a safe, inclusive space where neurodiverse individuals and families can thrive.

What to Expect in Counselling

We want you to feel comfortable from the first session.

Our counselling spaces are calm and sensory-friendly, with clear communication and flexible pacing to meet your needs.

Together, we’ll set goals that reflect what matters most to you, whether that’s reducing stress, improving relationships, or finding greater ease in daily life.

You’ll always be met with respect, patience, and care.

What Family Counselling Is

Family counselling brings parents, children, and sometimes extended family members into the same conversation. With the support of a trained counsellor, families explore patterns of communication, work through conflict, and learn practical ways to support one another.

Sessions may include the whole family or smaller groupings, depending on your goals. By creating a safe, neutral space, family counselling helps everyone share their perspectives, build empathy, and develop strategies for managing challenges together.

Whether your family is adjusting to a new diagnosis, navigating school-related stress, or simply hoping to strengthen understanding, this collaborative process helps each person feel heard and supported.

Our Team Approach

At Harbour Family Counselling, we offer a unique, team-based approach designed to meet the needs of both parents and children. Some families benefit from working with a single counsellor, while others find greater success with a coordinated team model.

In this model, parents work with a counsellor who focuses on parent support, while children or teens work with a counsellor experienced in helping young people grow and thrive. Our counsellors collaborate closely behind the scenes, sharing insights and strategies so that every family member receives specialized care while you all move toward shared goals.

This approach helps families experience consistent, well-rounded support while ensuring that each person’s individual needs are understood and addressed.

A Unique Approach to Family Support

Every family is different, and every story is unique. At Harbour, we take time to understand what matters most to you. We listen carefully, adapt to your family’s pace, and create sessions that encourage real progress.

For families with neurodiverse children or adults, we pay special attention to sensory needs, communication preferences, and emotional safety. Our extended family sessions allow space for everyone’s voice to be heard, making room for meaningful conversations that lead to connection and change.

When you choose Harbour, you’re choosing a place where healing conversations can happen, where long-standing challenges can start to ease, and where hope and understanding can grow within your family..

Book a Session

If you or someone you love could benefit from autism counselling in Victoria, we’re here to help. You don’t have to face these challenges alone. Support, understanding, and connection are possible.

Book a session today or contact us to learn more about how our counsellors can support you and your family.