Every child and family has its own unique strengths and needs. I offer counselling services based on what the individual and family are looking for. There is so much more to parenting than just having a child. In our busy lives, we are all pressured for time and are not always able to offer our children everything that they need. When you are feeling the pangs that things are not going according to your plan, counselling can help.

Individual Counselling:

Parenting brings up many issues for parents and children. Working with young children can be very exhausting physically and emotionally. Sometimes having a supportive ear can help relieve some stress. Counselling for other unresolved issues can free you up to be the parent you strive to be. Parents are most effective and able to give their children what they need when they themselves feel “fuelled up”.

Individual / Couple Counselling:

Our children evoke in us many feelings and emotions that we were not prepared for and have trouble dealing with. No matter how perfect our children can be there are times when they can evoke anger or sadness in us that we may have trouble expressing appropriately. Counselling to identify the source of the feelings and support in dealing with the underlying reasons can make the management of these normal emotions easier.

Couple Counselling:

Very often when children act out at home, they are releasing the stress they feel in their family. The real issue can be the trouble or unhappiness between parents that is affecting the child’s behaviour and emotions. Other times it takes some readjustment for a couple to move from "couplehood" to parenthood. Many roles and responsibilities need to be renegotiated. Values have to be defined into parenting practices and parents have to get together on discipline to present a united front to their children in order to create a predictable and stable home. Working with both partners can keep the responsibilities of parenting squarely on both sets of shoulders. Therapy offers an ideal time and place for parents to get together and have meaningful conversations about the family.

Family Counselling:

All members affect and are affected by the families in which they live. Sometimes it is most advantageous and necessary to include all members of a family in counselling in order to change undesirable situations. In these cases everyone’s thoughts and needs are sought and respected, and each person plays a significant role in the solution.

Consultation:

There are times when we just need to hear that everything is okay and that “Sally’s quirky behaviour” is perfectly normal for her age. I can offer a one or two session assessment to get the information and reassure you that things are going well, or suggest further assessment if necessary. I have access to many professionals in different fields including: child development, daycare consultation, speech and language, child psychology and psychiatry.

Group Counselling:

Sometimes we just need specific information that relates to the parenting challenges we are facing right now. Building Blocks for Parenting Young Children is specifically designed to offer the hands on child management strategies that work best for younger children. Also parents often find immense reassurance in hearing from other parents who are experiencing the same trials and tribulations with their children.

Here are some of the things you will learn in the group:

• Specific strategies that are effective with young children
  
• What to expect at each age and stage of development
  
• How to encourage positive behaviour
  
• How to set limits that don’t limit
  
• How to deal with unwanted behaviour without losing your cool

Videotaped Vignettes-Topics covered:

What other parents have said about participating in this group:

“I feel more confident now in my parenting abilities”

“It was so good to hear I’m not the only one experiencing these kinds of challenges”

“Sheri was very knowledgeable and supportive”

“I met other parents to share ideas with, both inside and outside the group”

Contact me for specific information on group programs offered or to book a group session.