Pathways | Counselling Programs - For women, children and youth who have experienced or witnessed abuse

Counselling Programs - For women, children and youth who have experienced or witnessed abuse - Burnaby

Abuse / Neglect, Child Services, Family / Parenting, Healthcare Providers, Mental Health - Adult & Senior, Mental Health - Child & Youth, and Youth Services

Provided by Burnaby Family Life

Offers specialized therapy to women who have experienced abuse, as well as to children who have witnessed violence and to their parent(s)/caregiver(s).

Stopping The Violence Program (STV) – Individual Counselling: Free, ongoing. Individual counselling offered by qualified professionals. Available for women at the age of 19 years or older, who reside in Burnaby and have a history of sexual, physical and emotional abuse, and/or witnessed domestic violence in a lifetime. Service is open to New Westminster residents if there is a history of childhood sexual abuse. Sufficient safety and stabilization are required if in recovery from substance abuse. A telephone interview is conducted to determine eligibility. Counselling Services has a reserved emergency time for Burnaby women and female youth who have experienced recent abuse. The purpose is to provide immediate support, discuss possible options and provide referrals.

Stopping The Violence Program (STV) – Group Counselling (Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse (ASSA)): By donation. This is a 3-level group that starts in September. Participants are required to commit to all levels and must have a one-to-one therapist. A screening interview is required to determine eligibility, prior to the September start; please call ahead to get on the waitlist.

Discovery and Empowerment (Levels 1 & 2):By donation. Level 1 is an experiential group that addresses the impacts of childhood sexual abuse through a creative format. Re-discover yourself, gain skills to cope with the effects of trauma and explore new ways to be empowered. Level 2 is a continuation of empowerment through expressive art. Some of the topics covered: relationships, trust, competence, identity. Please call to get on the waitlist for screening interviews.

Mindfullness for Survivors: By donation. Mindfulness is the practice of moment to moment awareness. This skill-building group will assist survivors of sexual abuse to feel more grounded, peaceful and connected to their mental, physical and emotional experiences. In a safe and supportive environment with an addition of yoga exercises, you will learn a variety of relaxation, breathing, and meditation techniques to stay focused in the present moment where healing and change can occur.

Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Counselling and Empowerment for children (PEACE): Free, ongoing. PEACE program helps children between the ages of 3 to 12 years to understand the impact of abuse/violence and learn new ways of coping. In addition to the services directed towards children, counsellors also provide support and information to parents/caregivers. Formerly known as the Children Who Witness Abuse (CWWA) program.

Youth Exposed to Abuse: Free, ongoing. The Youth Exposed to Abuse program is a counselling program for teens who have been exposed to or witnessed abuse or violence. It is created in the format that best suits youth needs in the environment where they feel comfortable exploring the impact of trauma.

Keeping Cool (Group Counselling for Children): By donation. The theme of this group is to teach children a fun and creative way of expressing their feelings in a healthy manner with goals such as: to accept and express feelings in healthy ways; to develop a healthy expression of anger; to learn non-violent ways of resolving conflict; to promote self-esteem and to develop social skills. Activities offered in the group are through arts & crafts, educational information, group work, games, music, and play. Simultaneously the group is offered to the parents/caregivers with the topics covered in the children’s program to enable better parental/caregiver’s support, education to parents in the process of separation and divorce and its impact on children, education on the effects of abuse and violence and how to support children to express their emotions in a healthy way.

Open Art Studio (Group Program for Youth): The Hub Open Studio is a program created by Burnaby Family Life in partnership with the Burnaby Youth Hub. Hub Open Studio is a place where youth can explore creating art with a range of materials, in a non-judgmental and nurturing environment. It represents a space where art can be used as a vehicle for expressing emotions and creativity. It runs every Wednesday afternoon for 3 hours. All youth and service providers are welcome.

Creative and Strong I (C.S.I.): An art-based peer support group that focuses on relationship safety, self-esteem, boundaries, social media, assertiveness and where to seek support and resources for children and youth who witnessed or experienced violence and abuse.

Yoga group: Offers trauma-informed yoga group to children and youth in Burnaby who have experienced or witnessed domestic violence and abuse. Yoga-based exercises provide a sense of safety, enable mind-body connection, help with sleep deprivation and promote relaxation and a sense of power. Yoga group is offered in Pioneer Community Resource Centre.

Burnaby Schools: Offers psycho-educational workshops and prevention, as well as counselling groups like “Keeping Cool” and “Creative and Strong I”, to Burnaby elementary and secondary schools. They are also funded to facilitate Violence if Preventable program. If your school is interested in receiving these programs, contact 604-659-2217.

Hours: Visit website for current program details
Referral: Please call 604-659-2217 to be directed to a counsellor for an intake interview
Cost: Either free or by donation

604-659-2217

Public email: bfl_info@burnabyfamilylife.org

Website: https://www.burnabyfamilylife.org...

#102, 2101 Holdom Avenue, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5B 0A4

Service is available in English.

Cost: No cost

Referral options: