Child and Youth Mental Health Counselling
PCN Clinical Counsellors offer a variety of services to youth ages 10-24 years old with mild to moderate mental health needs.
Child and Youth Mental Health Counselling is a short-term service focusing on coping skills, system navigation, and resource linking. Eligible patients can receive up to 10 individual sessions.
When appropriate, parents and caregivers can join sessions — with consideration given to child or youth’s age, comfort level, and preference.
Eligibility
- Patient is attached to a Burnaby Family Physician or Nurse Practitioner
- Patient is 10 – 24 years old
- Patient is not already receiving mental health services
- Patient cannot access private services
Please speak with your Burnaby-based Primary Care Provider to see if you are eligible for this service.
Meet Our Counsellors
Annaruth Britton, BSc, MSW, RSW,
pending RCC
PCN Clinical Counsellor
Primary Neighbourhood: Hastings-Brentwood
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Qualifications: Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Masters and Diploma in Social Work, Counselling Certificate, Indigenous Focused Orientated Therapy Certificate, WRAP
Experience: UK Front Line Child Protection Social Worker, Residential Social Worker, APU Social Worker, Creekside Youth Clinical Counsellor, Youth Concurrent Disorders Youth Clinical Counsellor.
Fun Fact: Robbie Williams and Annaruth would go clubbing together.
Melissa Endean, BA
PCN Clinical Counsellor
Primary Neighbourhood: Edmonds
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Qualifications: BA Psychology, Masters of Counselling Psychology (in progress), General Psychiatric Management Certificate, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Certificate, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Certificate, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Certificate
Experience: Melissa started her career in 2009 working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, and received certificates in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and Verbal Behavioral Therapy (VBT). She worked for several years for the Burnaby School District and later the Sooke and Victoria School Districts as an ABA Educational Assistant. In 2018, Melissa began working for Island Health as a Child and Youth Crisis Counsellor, working in inpatient mental health with children, youth and families. She recently moved back to the Lower Mainland from Victoria and started working as a Child and Youth Counsellor with the Burnaby PCN in 2023. She is currently completing a Masters in Counselling Psychology through Athabasca University, with a focus on treating children and youth diagnosed with ADHD.
Fun Fact: In addition to her career as a Child and Youth Counsellor, Melissa is also a professional musician, and last year was nominated for a British Columbia Country Music Award.
Joon Hwang, MSW, RSW
PCN Clinical Counsellor
Primary Neighbourhood: Metrotown
Other Language: Korean
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Qualifications: Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work (specialization in Mental Health and Health), Registered Social Worker
Experience: Joon has experience supporting youth and adults with various mental health and/or substance use issues including psychosis, adjustment challenges and employment barriers. He has also assisted individuals in hospital and rehabilitation units with health and mental health concerns. Joon’s work is informed by person-centred, strengths-based, trauma-informed, and collaborative approaches. He uses various modalities including CBT, DBT, solution-focused brief therapy, ACT and recovery-oriented practice.
Fun Fact: Joon loves sports, especially basketball. He likes coffee and nature.
Please note that clinicians may move around based on the volume and needs of patients.