Helen Ritchie

Helen Ritchie, MEd, CCC

Canadian Certified Counsellor | Certified Synergetic Play Therapist Supervisor | Autplay® Therapy Provider | EMDR Therapist

Helen Ritchie provides compassionate counselling and therapy for children, teens, adults, and parents in Vancouver, offering a safe space for healing and growth.

Play Therapy for Children

Are you worried about your child’s behavior, mood, or ability to cope with change? Play therapy offers a supportive way for children to restore balance and well-being.

Benefits of Play Therapy

Parents often see reduced problematic behaviors, improved self-regulation, and increased self-esteem in their children. Through Synergetic Play Therapy, both you and your child will learn how the brain and nervous system work and develop strategies to manage emotions effectively.

Therapy for Parents, adults, teens and Families

Feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or depression? Counselling can help you navigate life’s challenges with greater peace and confidence. My compassionate approach helps clients gently explore their struggles, regulate their nervous systems, and regain a sense of control.

For adults and teens, I combine EMDR therapy for trauma with talk-based therapies and Sandplay therapy. I’m also completing Level 2 of Energy Flow Coaching, a holistic approach for addressing chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and more.

Having lived and worked in Canada, France, Japan, and the UK, I understand the challenges of adjusting to new environments and specialize in helping with cross-cultural and settlement issues. I am an anglophone able to provide services in French. 

Areas of expertise

With 20+ years of experience as a school counsellor, trauma therapist, and play therapist, I’ve supported clients with:

• Anxiety: Worry, stress, OCD, separation anxiety
• Behavioural Challenges: Aggression, withdrawal, impulsivity
• Trauma: Birth trauma, medical trauma, family violence, accidents
• Depression
• Grief and Loss
• Transitions: Moving, new schools
• Parenting Challenges
• Cross-Cultural Adjustments
• Identity and Friendship Issues

I also provide group therapy for children and youth focusing on anxiety, social skills, and emotional resilience.

Education and Training

I hold a Master’s in Counselling Psychology from UBC and am a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor. I’m certified as a Supervisor of Synergetic Play Therapy, a neuroscience-based approach integrating attachment and attunement principles.

My training includes Play Therapy, Sandplay Therapy, EMDR, Family Systems Theory, the Satir Model, Autplay® Therapy and CBT. As President of the BC Play Therapy Association, I’ve dedicated 18+ years to advancing play therapy in BC.

Contact

I am deeply grateful to my clients, who continue to teach me about resilience and healing.

For a free consultation, email me.