Meet Destinee Kreil, RCC: Specialist in Child Mental Health & Family Connection
Providing a soft landing for children and a clinical roadmap for parents in Coquitlam and across British Columbia.
Welcome! I’m Destinee, a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and the founder of Strong River Counselling. My practice is built on a simple, heartfelt mission: to provide a soft landing for children and a clear, compassionate roadmap for the parents who love them.
I know that by the time many families reach out to me, they are exhausted. You might feel like you’re constantly bracing for the next meltdown, or perhaps you’re carrying the quiet weight of worry as you watch your child struggle to find their footing. Whether it’s the heartache of school refusal within SD43, the complex layers of a new ADHD or Autism diagnosis, or 'big emotions' that leave everyone in the house feeling depleted, I want you to know you don’t have to carry this alone.
I believe that beneath every difficult behaviour is a child asking to be understood, and a parent doing their very best to answer. My goal is to help you move out of that 'survival mode'—where you’re just trying to get through the day—and back into a place of genuine rhythm and connection. Together, we’ll look past the symptoms to see the person your child truly is, creating a path to healing that feels steady, safe, and uniquely yours.
My Approach: Play Therapy & EFFT
Children don’t always have the words to describe their internal world—so I meet them where they are. By utilizing Expressive Play Therapy, I treat childhood mental health concerns through the natural language of play.
For parents and families, I utilize Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). This powerful, neuro-affirming framework empowers you as the "emotion coach" for your child. Together, we work to reduce family conflict, heal relationship ruptures, and build a toolkit that works for your child’s unique brain.
Clinical Focus Areas:
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Child Mental Health: Treating anxiety, depression, and emotion dysregulation in children.
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EFFT for Parent Support: Empowering parents as active agents in their child’s healing.
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Neuro-Affirming Care: Specialized support for ADHD and sensory processing needs.
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Attachment-Based Therapy: Strengthening the foundational bond between families
Serving the Tri-Cities & All of British Columbia
I believe that high-quality clinical support should be accessible, no matter where you live. I provide a "hybrid" model of care to meet the modern needs of BC families:
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In-Person Child & Play Therapy: Located in the heart of Coquitlam (near Coquitlam Centre), serving families from Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, and Burke Mountain.
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In-Person & Virtual Parent Support: Available province-wide across British Columbia. I provide secure, convenient virtual appointments for parents and families from Vancouver to Prince George who are seeking expert clinical coaching from home.
Beyond the Playroom
My passion for counselling children and supporting parents isn't just professional—it’s deeply personal. I know firsthand that life can be beautifully messy and that transitions are often hard. As a parent myself, navigating the unique rhythms of my own young children, I live the daily joys and the very real 'heavy' moments of family life alongside you. I truly believe that at our core, we all share a fundamental need to belong and to be seen for exactly who we are.
When I’m not in the playroom at Strong River, my life is full of the same things that likely fill yours. I’m usually found spending quality time with my family, whether we are out camping in our beautiful BC wilderness or simply navigating the wonderful chaos of parenting here in Coquitlam. To recharge, I love the rhythm of cooking a good meal, getting lost in a great fiction book, or taking time to clear my head on the Coquitlam Crunch.
I bring this grounded, lived experience into every session. Whether your child is just starting their school journey or navigating the complex pre-teen years, I understand that you are people first, not a set of symptoms or a diagnosis. I’m here to honour your family’s unique story and walk alongside you as you find your way back to a sense of calm and connection.
Let’s Find Your Family’s Way Back to the Calm
I know that reaching out for support is often the hardest part of the journey. If you’re feeling hesitant or unsure where to start, I invite you to take a breath and know that you don’t have to figure it all out today. Whether your family is navigating the daily complexities of ADHD, the weight of school anxiety, or a season of heavy grief, I am here to help you find a steady path forward.
Support for your child and a clinical roadmap for you is just a few minutes from Coquitlam Centre. Let’s start with a gentle, no-pressure conversation to see how we can help your family find its flow again.
Professional Credentials
Registered Clinical Counsellor #13967
A Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) is a trained mental health professional accredited by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. This accreditation indicates that I have received the necessary education, clinical trainings, and professional references to allow me to provide therapeutic services while adhering to stringent ethical standards.
Certified Expressive Play Therapist
Expressive play therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses play to help children express their thoughts and emotions. Through toys, art, and activities, children can communicate their feelings and experiences, allowing them to process trauma and develop coping skills in a safe environment.
Certified Advanced Emotion-Focused Family Therapist
Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) is a therapeutic approach that aims to resolve mental health symptoms by addressing your child’s and your own emotions and needs. This therapy empowers families to navigate challenges together, promoting healing and emotional well-being.
Specialized Trainings
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Certificate in Expressive Play Therapy
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Advanced Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)
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Interpersonal Therapy for Depressed Adolescence (IPT-A)
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Circle of Security
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Parent-Child Interaction Therapy For Traumatized Children (PCIT)
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San'yas Anti-Racism Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Program
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Motivational Interviewing Level 1 and 2
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RRSR: Recogizing and Responding to Suicide Risk
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Healing Through Helping Trauma Training
Clinical Support in Coquitlam with Destinee Kreil, RCC
What are your professional credentials and clinical specialisations?
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #13967) with a Master of Counselling Psychology from Adler University. My practice is built on over a decade of experience and specialised advanced training in Expressive Play Therapy (Marie-José Dhaese model) and Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). These credentials ensure that your family receives evidence-based, neuro-affirming care that meets the highest clinical standards in British Columbia.
Why should I choose an RCC for my child’s therapy in Coquitlam?
Choosing a Registered Clinical Counsellor ensures you are working with a professional held to stringent ethical and clinical standards by the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. For families in the Tri-Cities, this also means my services are typically covered by most extended health insurance plans in BC. We provide a sensory-friendly, calm sanctuary on Lincoln Ave, just minutes from Coquitlam Centre.
Can you help our family navigate school refusal within the SD43 school district?
Yes. I have extensive experience helping Coquitlam families navigate the complexities of SD43 school anxiety and refusal. I provide the clinical language and attachment-based strategies needed to advocate for your child during IEP meetings or when developing school-based support plans. We focus on building "attachment bridges" to make the transition from home to the classroom feel secure.
Do you offer support for parents who are feeling depleted or overwhelmed?
Absolutely. I believe that you are the primary agent of healing for your child. Through Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), I provide parent coaching that helps you decode big emotions and manage meltdowns with confidence. This support is available in person at our Coquitlam clinic or through Virtual Parent Support available to families across all of British Columbia.
How do I know if your approach is the right fit for my child?
Therapy is a journey built on trust and connection. I work with children under the age of 13, utilising play—their natural language—to process anxieties and heavy feelings. To ensure we are the right match, I offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation. This allows us to discuss your family’s unique story and see how my "Strong River" approach can help you find your way back to the calm.