Meet Destinee Kreil RCC, Clinical Director & Counsellor
Specialist in Child Mental Health & Family Connection in Coquitlam
Welcome. I’m Destinee, a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and the founder of Strong River Counselling. My practice is built on a singular mission: to provide a soft landing for children and a clear roadmap for parents.
I specialize in treating mental health for children, offering a research-based yet deeply intuitive approach to healing. Whether your child is navigating school anxiety within SD43, struggling with a new ADHD or Autism diagnosis, or facing "big emotions" that feel overwhelming for the whole house, I am here to help you move from survival mode back into connection.
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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Pediatric Mental Health: Treating anxiety, depression, and mood dysregulation in children.
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EFFT for Parent Support: Empowering parents as active agents in their child’s healing and recovery.
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Neuro-Affirming Care: Specialized support for ADHD, Autism, and sensory processing needs.
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Attachment-Based Therapy: Strengthening the foundational bond between parent and child.
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.
On a Personal Level
Behind the practice, I am someone who deeply values the same things I help my clients cultivate: connection, resilience, and a bit of play.
When I’m not in the playroom at Strong River Counselling, you can often find me exploring the natural beauty of the Tri-Cities. Whether I’m walking the trails in Belcarra, enjoying the quiet of Westwood Plateau, or spending quality time with my own loved ones, I am constantly reminded of how important a sense of "home" and "belonging" is to our mental health.
My passion for treating mental health for children isn't just professional—it’s personal. I know firsthand that life can be messy and transitions can be hard. I bring that lived understanding into every session, ensuring that you and your child feel seen as people, not just a set of symptoms.
Start Your Family’s
Healing Journey
You don’t have to navigate your child’s mental health alone. Whether you want to visit our Coquitlam clinic at 3030 Lincoln Ave or connect via virtual coaching from anywhere in BC, I invite you to take the first step.
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
Expertise
In Children:
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Emotional Regulation
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Behavioural Challenges
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Worries and anxiety disorders
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Mood concerns and depression
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Socio-emotional and interpersonal challenges
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Abuse (neglect, sexual, physical and emotional)
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Grief and loss
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Trauma
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Suicidal ideation
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Self-harm
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Anger management
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Low self-esteem
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Life stressors
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Life transitions
In Parents and Families:
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Anxiety
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Emotional regulation
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Life transitions
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Separation and divorce
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Parental shame
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Parental burnout
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Boundary setting
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Relationship issues
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Family Conflict
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Communication breakdowns