Counselling is available for you and your children, as well as for you and your extended family. Here are a few things you may need to know before you book an appointment:

Children: The family is a holistic unit, and the child is part of that unit. Therefore, it is hoped that both parents will attend the first session with the child. During the session, the child may be asked to wait or play while the therapist speaks with the parent or have the parent(s) wait while the therapist works with the child. After the session, the therapist will lay out a plan for treatment in cooperation with the parents.

Play therapy and other specialized forms of therapy are available for all children, particularly those with special needs: ASD, ADHD, adoption pre and post-care, and high-risk children. As part of the treatment, parents will be involved, informed and drawn into the counselling when needed.

Families in conflict: If you bring your family for counselling, you must realize that each person will be treated respectfully and allowed a voice. The goal in counselling is not to reinforce a parent’s power, strong-arm a child into obedience or shame them for behaviours, but rather to create connection and help foster cooperation in a context of love.

Appointment times will be about one hour. It is possible, although not usual, that counselling will occur out of the office or during a home visit if the clinician believes it would be helpful.

Before the appointment involving your children: Please be sure to inform them that you are bringing them and help them understand the nature of counselling. DO NOT imply they are bad or broken and need to be fixed, or they are sick and need to be treated. Counselling as an opportunity for mom/dad and kids to seek help to work through some things and become a better family.