Anxiety doesn’t have to drive the bus
Take the wheel back, one small step at a time.
Feeling overwhelmed by anxiety? You’re not alone.
It’s normal to feel anxious - it’s our brain trying to protect us. But sometimes the alarm becomes too strong, and we start holding ourselves back.
Hi, I’m Alexina!
📍 I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor in North Vancouver.
🗣️ I work with anxiety, perfectionism, and negative self-talk in kids, teens, and young adults (ages 10–25).
☕️ My approach is warm, collaborative, and humorous.
🧠 I primarily use Cogntive Behaviour Therapy.
When anxiety is “driving the bus,” it means your fears and what-ifs are in the driver’s seat, deciding where you go and what you avoid. Instead of choosing based on your values or what you actually want, you end up steering around discomfort like potholes - avoiding risks, overthinking decisions, and shrinking your life to feel safe. You’re still on the bus, but anxiety is calling the shots.
Signs that anxiety is driving the bus:
You put intense pressure on yourself to get things just right, procrastinating when the pressure is too high.
Your mind jumps to worst-case scenarios, what-ifs, or what others might think about you.
You get good grades or do well at work, but never feel proud, just relieved.
You steer clear of situations that feel uncertain, even when a part of you really wants to show up.
Your self-talk is harsh, and it’s starting to wear you down.
You feel lime anxiety has been holding you back from living your life your way.
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.
HOW THERAPY CAN HELP:
Therapy can help you learn to shift that harsh inner voice into a gentler, more supportive one.
Together, we’ll work on:
Approaching anxiety and unwanted thoughts with curiosity and compassion.
Strategies to get started when motivation has left the chat.
Building self-compassion and self-confidence
Softening your inner critic.
Setting boundaries that feel doable.
Changing unhelpful thinking patterns.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Step-by-step, supportive therapy. No pressure to “have it all together.”
Our work starts with getting to know your story, your strengths, and what’s been getting in the way. You don’t have to come prepared with anything.
During sessions, you can expect:
A warm, non-judgmental space.
Clear explanations of what we’re doing and why.
A balance of practical tools and a deeper understanding of yourself and your emotional responses.
Someone who listens, cares, and truly gets anxiety in youth and early adulthood.
Therapy isn’t about fixing - it’s about helping you feel more in control of your life, and more capable of handling big emotions and hard situations.
ABOUT ALEXINA
I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master of Counselling Psychology, where I specialized in school and youth populations. I completed my clinical practicum at Foundry North Shore, where I supported youth ages 12–25 with concerns such as perfectionism, excessive worries, suicidal ideation, and relationship challenges. I am trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. I have nearly 10 years of experience tutoring high school math privately.
I find great fulfillment in supporting and working with children and young people.
When I’m not working, you can find me running on the North Shore, or watching teen and young adult shows on Netflix (staying up to date on relevant pop culture is a MUST - for the record, I am team Conrad 100%).
“Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear; the brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all.”
GET STARTED
Taking the first step can feel intimidating—that’s completely normal.
I offer a free 15-minute consult so you can ask questions, get a feel for working together, and see if this is the right fit.
How to book:
Online using the booking link below.
Email: alexina@bravemindtherapy.ca.
Text: 778-952-4789.
Payment:
The rate for a 50-minute session is $160.
I accept payment: online via credit card, or by e-transfer.
I can direct bill to some extended benefits.
I accept SAJE or ICBC funding.
Let’s make things feel a little lighter.
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Not at all. Many young people come in simply feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure.
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You don’t need to come in with a plan - I’ll help guide the conversation.
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Yes, when appropriate and with the client’s consent.
STILL NOT SURE?
It’s completely normal to feel unsure about starting therapy. Most people don’t know right away if the time is just right. You might be curious, hesitant, or wondering if therapy will really help—and that’s okay.
You don’t have to decide today. Save this page to come back to when it feels right, and take the time you need to feel comfortable.
If I’m not the right fit for you, that’s okay too. I can help point you toward someone who might be a better match. The important part is taking steps toward support when you’re ready—even if it’s just a small step.
Stay connected.
If you’re not sure therapy is the right step yet, you can still stay connected. Join my monthly mailing list to get helpful updates, new blog posts, tips for managing anxiety and perfectionism, and gentle reminders that support is available.
It’s a low-pressure way to keep learning, reflecting, and taking small steps toward feeling more in control—right at your own pace.
What does therapy with me look like?
Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve never tried it before. Here’s what you can expect when we work together:
Sessions 1-3: Getting to know your story.
We start by exploring what’s been going on for you - your worries, strengths, and what matters most in your life. You decide how much to share and how quickly we move. There’s no pressure to “have it all together.”
Sessions 4-8: Practical tools and strategies.
Therapy isn’t just talking. We’ll practice evidence-based techniques you can use in real life to manage anxiety, perfectionism, and self-doubt.
Sessions 9-10: Revaluation of goals and progress check-in.
After a few weeks of learning and practicing strategies, we will do a quick check-in at the start of the session to make sure we’re heading in a direction that feels helpful to you.
If needed, we can pivot and change our goals to meet your needs as you grow.
Most folks start to feel better after 3-5 sessions. A full course of therapy can take as few as 8 sessions, with an average course of therapy ranging from about 12-20 sessions. The process is structured, but it’s not linear. If we need to return to getting to know your story, we will. We re-evaluate our goals and check-in on progress every 4 or so sessions to make sure you’re working on what matters most to you.
Therapy is about helping you feel more confident, calmer, and in control - not about fixing.