LYFS

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About Us

Learn more about our team and mission

“Families who connect with our services find LYFS to be a space where they feel safe, respected, and ultimately equipped.”

The Vision

Who We Are

We are a locally funded, early prevention counselling program dedicated to supporting children, youth, and their families in the Langley area. We recognize the unique challenges facing children and youth at this time, and that these challenges can, at times, feel overwhelming. As Registered Clinical Counsellors, our intention is to come alongside and collaboratively work with families to skillfully address these issues.

Our Team

Since 1977

Our History

In 1977, a forward-thinking and creative collaboration between two social workers, Jim Smith and Fred West, and the Langley RCMP resulted in the establishment of Langley Youth and Family Services.

Through the continued support of both Langley City and Township councils, the original vision has been preserved and expanded to now include five full-time Registered Clinical Counsellors, who work with the RCMP and our community partners in supporting the children and youth of Langley.

Learn more about our services

Head to our services page to see how LYFS can help you

Our services

Get To Know

Our Team

Learn more about the team members at Langley Youth and Family!

Dave Lige

Dave holds a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and a Bachelor of Human Kinetics from the University of British Columbia. 

Dave Lige

Meet Dave

Awareness is a big piece of the puzzle!   Understanding how our behavior is influenced by our environment, experiences, beliefs, emotions and values will help children, youth and families navigate through challenges on a daily basis. Awareness and mindfulness are big steps towards healing and fulfillment. I have discovered throughout my career that people typically want change, but often just need a little support with getting started. My work with children, youth and families will support health, functionality and greater life satisfaction. 

Background

Along with raising a family and working for close to 20 years in the areas of counselling psychology, group facilitation, personal training and leadership development, I have developed an approach that is relatable, empowering and normalizes the counselling experience for clients.

Training

Dave holds a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and a Bachelor of Human Kinetics from the University of British Columbia. Specializing in CBT, Solutions Focussed Therapy, and a Growth directed approach, Dave works with clients through a values and strengths-based method that supports healthy functioning and well-being. 

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Mark Walters

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, and a clinical supervisor in the Master’s of Marriage and Family Therapy program at Trinity Western University.

Mark Walters

Education and Associations

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, and a clinical supervisor in the Master’s of Marriage and Family Therapy program at Trinity Western University. I am also a graduate of this program, holding an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy. Believing that growth and learning are never finished as human beings, I am committed to regular continuing education in order to best support both my clients and my supervises.

Experience

I am the most recent addition to Langley Youth and Family Services and am grateful to be a part of the team here. I have had the privilege of working with families and individuals as a therapist, or intern, for the past 5 years.  

Areas of Focus

Attachment, parent-child relationships, aggression and anger, anxiety, impulse control, oppositional behavior.

Approach

My approach to counselling and supervision are grounded in attachment theory, family systems theory, and neuroscience. These theories hold in common the belief that, for better or worse, the human person develops in the context of significant relationships. These relationships leave a lasting imprint on how we react to others and how we make sense of ourselves. Though many of us can, at times, feel stuck in patterns that seem to repeat themselves, the good news is that, even as adults, we can learn and choose new ways of interacting.

Part of the honor of being a counsellor is getting to support and witness clients’ choices and risks that lead to real change. I am also aware that, as e. e. Cummings put it, "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." For this reason, I am committed to creating a space where clients feel safe, seen, and accepted. I work with clients to help them make sense of their stories in a way that allows them to make meaningful change. My goal is that they become unstuck, and more readily able to connect in authentic ways.

Something Else

My wife and I have recently taken up free range chicken farming and have become very fond of our little hens (and their eggs!). I am also an aspiring fiddler.

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Elnaz Bondar

My name is Elnaz Bondar and I have Master degree in Counselling Psychology from Trinity Western University.

Elnaz Bondar

Education and Associations

My name is Elnaz Bondar and I have Master degree in Counselling Psychology from Trinity Western University. I have worked as a therapist for several years.

Experience

As part of my training, I have worked with individuals who were in crisis or were suicidal. I also worked with individuals suffering from variety of issues, such as anxiety, addiction, depression, mental disorder (borderline personality disorder, dissociative disorder, and etc.), ADHD, and autism. I would say that a lot of the clients that I see are coming from ADHD background or have difficulty living with and ADHD personality and I believe it is through self-awareness, increasing insights, and our understanding of our behaviour and others, and in general, better understanding of the world that we would come into peaceful mutual living with one another. In addition, I have dedicated part of my training to work with children going through different problems (such as behavioral problems, autism, temper tantrum, depression, anxiety, relationship problems and etc.) at both individual and group level.

Approach

I am a Gestalt oriented therapist which means I focus on the individual as a whole and help them to achieve their wholeness while I am considering all the aspects of their lives. However, I believe each one of us is unique in our own way and a single approach could not be used on everyone. Therefore, depending on my clients' needs, I occasionally draw from other counselling modalities such as CBT, DBT, psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, emotion focused therapy, narrative therapy, and mindfulness-based therapies. I help individuals to find answers to their problems by considering all aspects of their lives, finding the roots of their problems, working toward their whole self, and embracing change where its needed. It is my promise that you experience a safe and confidential journey with me while I am providing you with empathy and understanding. I look forward to joining you in your journey of life and to helping you achieve your goal while you may bring a long-lasting change into your life. 

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Dorothy

I have a Masters of Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. My background has been an education assistant working in the school system supporting neurodivergent students and children who struggles with emotional self-regulation.

Dorothy

I have a Masters of Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. My background has been an education assistant working in the school system supporting neurodivergent students and children who struggles with emotional self-regulation.

My goal is to empower clients to access and draw from their own strengths, wisdom, and healing abilities. It is my belief that when struggles are met with a sense of safety, trust and support, transformation becomes possible. I offer emotional support for clients by providing a place where they are accepted as they are. My work is informed by neuroscientific research on the wisdom of human body, attachment theory, family systems therapy, mindfulness, and yoga. I have training in Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy and Neuroscience and Satir in the Sand Tray (NSST). The therapeutic modalities I use are art, sand, play, and talk.

            I am humble and honoured to be invited by clients to walk with them in their life journey. I recognize that everyone is unique in their backgrounds. I strive to be trauma-sensitive and culturally responsive in my practice. I welcome children, youth, and adults.

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Jina

Jina is a registered clinical counsellor that graduated with a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (Trinity Western University) after completing a Bachelor’s degree in General Studies with a minor in Education (Simon Fraser University).

Jina

Jina is a registered clinical counsellor that graduated with a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (Trinity Western University) after completing a Bachelor's degree in General Studies with a minor in Education (Simon Fraser University).

I work from a client-centred perspective informed by family systems theory, the Satir model, Emotion-focused family therapy, and mindful self-compassion. I meet and work with children from a non-directive play therapy approach.

I see therapy as a way for us to better understand ourselves and those around us. When we explore and notice what is happening below the surface, we are more equipped for what shows up above the surface.

I believe in the possibility of change and healing through connection. If you are struggling, feeling stuck, lost, or helpless, let's find a path through the darkness together. 

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"We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that deep inside us something is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust"

- ee cummings

Services

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Services

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