Counselling Connections

What you are to be, you are now becoming. ~Carl Rogers

Child and Youth Mental Health Day – May 7th

Check out these live events hosted by Family Smart on Child and Youth Mental Health Day.

Join us on May 7th for live events throughout the day! Happening virtually.

FamilySmart is excited to be presenting four interactive sessions for children, youth and families on May 7th throughout the day.
Join us live on Facebook, Youtube by clicking the links below.

Everyone is welcome.
All times are Pacific Standard Time (PST) 

YOGA for children and youth (parents are invited too!)

Join us online at 10 am – 10:30 am – Support for Anxious Feelings

         2pm  – 2:30pm – Support for Depression

Facilitator: Nicole Marcia, MA, C-IAYT, YACEP, TCTSY-F

Founder & Director of Fine Balance Yoga, since 2004 Nicole’s taught therapeutic yoga classes and offered individual sessions to trauma survivors struggling with addiction, depression and anxiety, teaching them healthy self-regulation strategies to empower them to live connected and embodied lives. She also trains Yoga and health care professionals in the trauma-informed yoga theory and techniques required to support trauma survivors in their healing, long-term stability and recovery.

https://www.finebalanceyoga.ca/

Learn to Draw Lulu – Cartooning class  for children, youth and families

Join us online at:11:30am – 12:10pm.

Graeme Partridge-David, Parent in Residence, Illustrator and creator of FamilySmart’s mascot, teaches us how to draw Lulu. Learn from Graeme how to begin the illustration process so that you can create your very own character.

Kids this class is for you! All you will need is a pencil and paper.

Join us on Facebook
Join us on YouTube

A conversation for families led by Liz Kay 

How to manage your mental health in tight quarters.

Join us online at 1 pm – 1:45 pm

Join us for a discussion on how to manage stress and anxiety while many of us are living in closer proximity to each other (or perhaps the opposite is true for you!).  We will be exploring managing personal anxiety, caring for others’ anxiety, creating balance, meaning and connection during stressful times.

Liz Kay, MSW, RSW, RCC has been involved in the counselling field since 2008. She has extensive experience working with both youth and adults who struggle with substance use and other mental health concerns. As the former clinic head of the Provincial Youth Concurrent Disorders Program, she was supporting assessments, providing treatment and educating students and mental health professionals around the Province. Her clinical skills have been informed by her work in a variety of settings including residential treatment, outreach, non-profit agencies and provincial health. Liz continues to support youth and families impacted by substance use and mental health concerns through her private practice at Three Story Clinic and through her work at Heartwood concurrent disorders treatment program.

Join us on Facebook
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When the world is changing around you…

Things are tough right now. When life gets complicated, it’s important to focus some time and energy on your emotions and on helping those around you. Here are a few suggestions to help right now.

1. Make a list of all the good things in your life. You might be stuck at home, but at least you have books to read. Your brother/sister might be driving you crazy, but at least you aren’t all alone.  Things like that.

2. Each day write down something nice that somebody did for you, and something nice you did for someone else. It can be as simple as holding a door or offering to help with the dishes

3. Write letters to friends. You can either mail them if you have stamps and envelopes, or you can get an adult to send them as an email.

4. Get out of the house. It might be hard where you live, but you can still go out for walks. If you have a skipping rope, go jump. Anything to get fresh air and exercise for your lungs will help your mood.

The important thing to remember is that no one is alone right now. We are part of a big society, and we are all doing our best to look out for one another.