Hi, I’m Bahar!

I’m a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA), practicum child and youth counsellor, and neurodiversity-affirming practitioner based in Vancouver, BC. With over 10 years of experience, I support children, youth, and their families through compassionate, evidence-based, and person-centred care across home, school, and community settings.

My work is grounded in a blend of behavioural science, developmental understanding, relational practice, and counselling foundations. I’m currently completing my second Master of Education in School Counselling, which strengthens the mental health, trauma-informed, and identity-focused lens that guides my practice.

I’m also neurodivergent and Iranian-Canadian, and those parts of my identity shape how I understand people, neurodiversity, culture, and the importance of belonging. These lived experiences guide my commitment to authenticity, inclusion, and creating spaces where individuals feel safe being who they are.

Over the past decade, I’ve supported learners ranging from 18 months into their twenties, with experience in autism and a wide range of neurodiversities such as ADHD/ADD, anxiety, and dyslexia. My work focuses on emotional regulation, inclusive education, and collaborative school-based support. My approach centres natural-environment teaching, learning through play, connection over compliance, skill-building over “fixing,” and empowerment over perfection. I don’t believe in changing who someone is — I believe in creating environments where their strengths are recognized, supported, and allowed to shine.

Collaboration is central to my practice. I work closely with families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams to design individualized strategies that are practical, respectful, identity-affirming, and aligned with each person’s goals and communication style. Advocacy and accessibility matter deeply to me, and I want every client and family I work with to feel understood, valued, and supported.

At Lumina, my hope is that our work together helps clients and families feel grounded, understood, and equipped with strategies that genuinely fit their strengths, their values, and their real world — while feeling connected, empowered, and never alone in the process.