Parveer Brar is a dedicated therapist committed to empowering individuals on their journey toward healing and self-discovery. With a diverse background as a therapist, group facilitator, youth and child care worker, life coach, and instructor, she brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to her practice. Parveer specializes in creating strong, supportive connections with her clients, fostering a safe space where true healing can unfold. Her mission is to guide individuals in uncovering their authentic selves and building the resilience needed to thrive.
Parveer Brar, Clinical Counsellor & Life Coach
What inspired you to establish Parveer Brar Counselling, and how has your journey been so far?
The vision of owning my own business has been a driving force in my life since childhood. Even before I could fully articulate the word "entrepreneur," I knew I wanted to build something of my own. While the specifics of what that business would be were unclear at the time, the aspiration was always there.
My journey into counselling evolved organically. I began my career as an Outreach Worker for a school district, later transitioning into the role of a Youth and Childcare Worker. These experiences revealed my passion for supporting others and provided a deep sense of fulfillment. Colleagues and mentors often recognized my ability to connect with and guide individuals, encouraging me to pursue counselling as a profession. This led me to complete my Masters in Counselling, where I deepened my commitment to the field.
Although I initially worked in a government-funded role after graduation, I quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit for the lifestyle and impact I envisioned. This realization prompted me to take the leap and establish Parveer Brar Counselling. Founding my own practice has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has given me the flexibility to set my own schedule, work remotely, and explore diverse opportunities for professional growth.
Beyond the professional benefits, Parveer Brar Counselling has allowed me to grow as a counsellor, a business owner, and an individual. It has also provided the balance I need to prioritize both my career and my family. As a mother of two, I value the ability to dedicate myself fully to my work while also being present for my children. This balance is something I deeply cherish and strive to maintain.
Overall, the journey has been one of continuous learning, growth, and fulfillment. I am grateful for the opportunity to build a practice that aligns with my values and allows me to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.
Can you elaborate on your therapeutic approach and how it benefits your clients?
At the heart of my practice is a person-centered approach, which emphasizes creating a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel empowered to share their stories and explore their emotions. I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is the foundation for meaningful change, and I prioritize building trust and rapport with each client. This allows them to feel supported and understood, which is essential for healing and growth.
In addition to this foundational approach, I integrate a variety of evidence-based modalities tailored to the unique needs of each client. These include but are not limited to, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, and play therapy. By drawing on these diverse methods, I can address a wide range of challenges and goals, ensuring that the therapeutic process is both effective and personalized.
Collaboration is a key aspect of my practice. I work closely with clients to co-create their treatment plans, ensuring their voices and preferences are central to the process. I also emphasize flexibility, reassuring clients that their goals and plans can evolve as they progress. This adaptability allows therapy to remain responsive to their changing needs and circumstances.
Ultimately, my goal is to empower clients by equipping them with the insights, skills, and confidence they need to navigate life’s challenges. By combining a person-centered foundation with tailored therapeutic techniques, I strive to create a supportive and transformative experience for each individual I work with.
What are the most common challenges your clients face, and how do you assist them in overcoming these obstacles?
Anxiety is one of the most common challenges my clients face. While it can present on its own, it often coexists with other life stressors or mental health concerns. What I’ve observed is that anxiety frequently acts as an underlying factor that amplifies other issues, making it essential to address early in the therapeutic process. My approach begins with helping clients reach a sense of stability, as it’s difficult to heal and grow from a place of chaos.
When working with clients, I emphasize that experiencing anxiety is a normal part of being human. I use psychoeducation to help them understand the physical and emotional sensations they’re experiencing. For example, I often introduce a scale from 0 to 10 to illustrate how anxiety fluctuates. Day-to-day anxieties, such as the stress of running late for work, typically fall between 0 and 5. In these situations, once the stressor is resolved, the autonomic nervous system regulates, and we return to a baseline state, usually around 0 or 1.
However, when stressors accumulate, anxiety can become more persistent, causing individuals to hover between 5 and 7 on the scale. At this level, the nervous system remains in a heightened state of fight-or-flight, making it difficult to return to baseline. When anxiety escalates to an 8 or higher, it can interfere with daily responsibilities, making it challenging to focus, function, or complete tasks.
In our sessions, I work with clients to identify where they fall on this scale, and we revisit it regularly to track their progress. My role is to help clients build a toolbox of healthy coping mechanisms tailored to their needs. Whether we’re working to reduce anxiety from a 10 to a 5 or from a 5 to a 0, the goal is to empower clients with practical strategies to manage their symptoms effectively.
Ultimately, our work is proactive. We focus on recognizing early signs, such as when anxiety reaches a 3, and taking steps to bring it back down before it escalates. This helps clients expand their "window of tolerance," enabling them to navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience and confidence.
Can you share how working with children differs from working with adults in therapy? How do you achieve success when working with this age group?
Working with children in therapy requires a unique approach that differs significantly from working with adults. One of the key distinctions is the importance of collaboration—not just with the child, but with their parents, caregivers, and often their school community as well. In the first session, I typically meet with the child’s parents or caregivers to gather background information and understand the presenting concerns before involving the child. This helps me establish a foundation for our work together.
As therapy progresses, I maintain regular communication with caregivers to ensure they are informed about the tools and strategies introduced in sessions. This allows them to reinforce these practices at home, which is critical for the child’s progress. Given the dependent nature of children, the active participation of caregivers is often essential to achieving therapeutic goals. Depending on the issue, I may also collaborate with the child’s teacher or school counsellor, particularly if the challenges are impacting their academic or social life.
Building a strong therapeutic relationship with the child is the foundation of therapeutic success. Unlike adults, children may take longer to feel comfortable and open up about deeper issues. I prioritize creating a safe, engaging, and trusting environment before addressing the presenting problem. In many cases, I wait until the third or fourth session to delve into the core issues, unless the child brings them up earlier. I make sure to set this expectation with parents beforehand, so they understand that progress may take time and that building trust is a gradual process.
Once the child feels secure and connected, we begin to explore their emotions and experiences. Children often lack the vocabulary to articulate their feelings, so we start by building their emotional intelligence. This involves teaching them to identify and label emotions—moving beyond basic terms like "sad" or "happy" to more descriptive feelings like "frustrated," "confused," or "overwhelmed." As they become more adept at recognizing their emotions, we work on developing strategies to manage them effectively. This collaborative process involves creating a personalized toolkit of skills tailored to the child’s unique needs.
In sessions, I balance psychoeducation, presented in a way that is accessible and engaging for children, with play therapy. Play is a natural medium for children to express themselves, and it allows me to better understand their world. Through play, children can communicate in their own language, providing insights into their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This approach not only helps them feel heard and understood but also fosters a sense of safety and creativity.
Could you share a success story where your counselling services made a significant impact on a client’s life?
Every client who leaves my office with a greater sense of peace and stability represents a success story to me. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with individuals facing a wide range of challenges—from those struggling with suicidal thoughts and severe anxiety, to individuals experiencing psychosis, couples navigating relationship distress and even young children who lack the words to express their emotions. Regardless of the situation, the moment a client reaches a place of stability and clarity is always deeply rewarding.
One of the most meaningful measures of success for me is the feedback I receive from clients and their families. Hearing how counselling has made a positive, sometimes profound, difference in their lives fuels my passion for this work. It motivates me to continually grow as a counsellor and to bring my best self to every session.
A particularly impactful area of my practice has been working with motor vehicle accident (MVA) clients. In British Columbia, individuals involved in MVAs are eligible for counselling services to address trauma related to the accident. Many of these clients initially come in solely to process the trauma of the accident, often expressing that they wouldn’t have sought counselling under other circumstances. However, what frequently happens is that they end up engaging in much deeper work than they anticipated. Through our sessions, they not only heal from the trauma of the accident but also develop a newfound emotional intelligence and self-awareness. Many of these clients leave with a deeper respect for the therapeutic process and a greater understanding of how counselling can support personal growth. Witnessing this transformation—seeing clients move beyond their initial reluctance to embrace the benefits of therapy—is incredibly fulfilling and demonstrates the power of this work.
What advice would you give to individuals hesitant about seeking counselling services?
First and foremost, I want to acknowledge that feeling hesitant about seeking counselling is completely valid. Many people worry about being judged or misunderstood, and the stigma surrounding mental health can make it even harder to take that first step. If I could help someone feel more comfortable about reaching out, I would emphasize the following:
Confidentiality is a priority.
As counsellors, we have an ethical and legal obligation to maintain client confidentiality. The only exceptions to this rule are if a client poses a risk of harm to themselves or others, if a child is in danger, or if a court order is issued. Beyond these rare circumstances, no one will know you’re attending counselling unless you choose to share that information. Your privacy is respected and protected.
Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. I always remind my clients how brave and courageous they are for taking the step to address their challenges. It’s easy to turn to temporary coping mechanisms that offer short-term relief, but it takes real courage to confront the root of a problem and work through it in a healthy, constructive way. Acknowledging that something in your life needs attention is a powerful act of self-awareness and accountability.
Counselling is an investment in your growth.
You don’t need to wait until you’re in crisis to seek support. In fact, the best time to engage in counselling is often when things feel relatively stable. Without the weight of immediate chaos, you have the space to reflect, grow, and build resilience. Counselling can also help you unlock your potential, whether through personal development or life coaching, to achieve your goals and live a more fulfilling life.
Taking the first step can feel daunting, but it’s also one of the most empowering decisions you can make. Counselling is a safe, supportive space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgment. It’s an opportunity to prioritize your well-being and take control of your life’s direction.
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