Family Counselling in Victoria BC

What is Family Counselling?

Family counselling is a form of therapy that brings parents, children, and other relatives into the same conversation. Guided by a trained counsellor, family members explore patterns of communication, address conflicts, and learn practical skills to support one another.

Sessions may involve the whole family or smaller groupings, whatever best serves the goals at hand. By creating a safe, neutral space, family counselling helps everyone share their perspectives, build empathy, and develop strategies for handling challenges together. Whether you’re facing a major life transition, struggling with day-to-day tension, or simply want to strengthen your family bonds, this collaborative approach equips each person with tools to foster healthier, more supportive relationships.

Navigating Complex Family Dynamics

Every family is unique, and relationships can become complicated as life changes. At Harbour Family Counselling, we help you work through challenging situations with care, compassion, and practical strategies. Our counsellors support families dealing with a wide range of dynamics, including:

• Adult siblings who want to reconnect and rebuild their relationship.

• Parents navigating separation or divorce while protecting their children’s well-being.

• Grandparents seeking healthy ways to integrate into the family and support their loved ones.

• Blended families adjusting to new roles, step-siblings, and shared parenting.

• Parent-teen conflict around independence, boundaries, and communication.

• Families coping with grief or loss, finding ways to heal and support each other.

• Cultural or generational differences that create misunderstanding or distance.

No matter what your family is facing, we provide a safe, non-judgmental space where each voice is heard and respected. Together, we’ll work toward deeper understanding, stronger relationships, and a healthier family dynamic.

Taking the Time Your Family Needs

When your family comes together in a counselling session, whether it is just you and your child or your entire family, it can take time for everyone to share their perspective and for the deeper issues to surface. In a standard one-hour session, the time often passes quickly and it can feel like there is not enough space for everyone to truly be heard or for meaningful progress to be made.

That is why we offer extended two-hour family sessions. These longer sessions give your family the opportunity to slow down, have thoughtful conversations, and explore complex challenges without feeling rushed. With more time, you can leave the session feeling like real progress has been made and that everyone’s voice was valued.

If you would like to learn more, book a consultation call with Darcy Harbour, who can guide you through how a longer session works and help you decide if it is the right fit for your family.

Our Team Approach to Family Counselling

At Harbour Family Counselling, we offer you a unique, collaborative, team-based approach to support your family. Some families thrive working with a single counsellor, while others benefit from a coordinated team model. With this approach, you as a parent work with a counsellor who specializes in parent support, while your children or teens work with a counsellor who has advanced training and experience in helping young people grow and thrive. Our team works closely together behind the scenes, sharing insights and strategies so every family member receives specialized care while you all move toward stronger connections and shared goals.

If you’re interested in learning more about building a team around your family’s needs, we recommend starting with a consultation call with Darcy Harbour, who leads our family counselling program.