FOR CHILDREN
Children face difficulties from time to time, just like adults do.
Reaching out for help is the first step on their journey to mental wellness. A qualified professional can be helpful to support your child to work through life’s challenges. Their professional counsellor will help you and your child recognize their challenges and identify solutions to help improve their quality of life.
Counselling
Our team of counsellors are here for you and your child. They can meet in person, over the phone, or virtually.
We have certified counsellors who can help with:
PARENTING AND FAMILY
Though it is joyful, it certainly is not easy at times to raise a family. Our trained counsellors understand the struggles families face and take the time to meet and listen to children and parents. Family therapy can include the child/ren, parent/s, or the whole family, depending on the needs of a family.
DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
Our trained counsellors can help your child gain awareness and understanding of anxiety and depression. Therapy sessions can also teach coping skills and techniques to manage symptoms that will help your child move forward and improve their well-being.
VIOLENCE
Is your child experiencing the negative effects from violence (current or past)? We can help both you and they recognize the impact violence has on their life while developing a plan for dealing with that impact.
STRESS
Stress is a normal part of life. At times, however, it can become overwhelming. Our counsellors will help your child learn coping strategies and ways to better manage and ward off stress so they are able to live a more balanced life.
GRIEF OR LOSS
The stages of grieving can be very painful and difficult. Our counsellors are trained to assist you and your child manage grief or loss.
SEXUAL VIOLENCE
We have a team of therapists who are specially trained to help people of all ages deal with the immediate effects and/or long-term effects of abuse. We are also home to Kit’s Place Child and Youth Advocacy Centre.
Assessments
If you are concerned that your child may be struggling with a learning or behavioural disorder, call Family Plus/Life Solutions today to find out how your child can be tested. Psychologist Dr. Eve Beals will meet with you and your child to determine what type of assessment is required.
PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENTS
If you are concerned that your child is struggling with their learning or behaviour, we can help.
Psychologist Dr. Eve Beals will meet with you and your child to discuss current behavioural and academic concerns and obtain a brief family history to help determine what type of assessment is required.
Typically, for school-aged children who are currently enrolled in school, one or more classroom teachers will be contacted with your permission to fill out academic performance and behaviour questionnaires, and school records will be reviewed.
Parents or caregivers will also be asked to complete similar questionnaires. A comprehensive learning assessment process typically involves 5-7 hours of face to face assessment time for your child as well as time to score the assessment measures and questionnaires and write a final report.
A feedback session will be scheduled to review the report, which will include any relevant diagnoses as well as recommendations for both home and school-based interventions. A copy of the report will be provided to you, with copies sent to school or medical professionals involved in your child’s care at no additional cost.
AUTISM DIAGNOSTIC INTERVIEWS
Dr. Eve Beals can administer the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) to screen for the possibility of autism spectrum disorder in older children (school-age, or young adults) who may have not received an appropriate developmental assessment prior to entering school and who present with features of autism spectrum disorder.
In this instance, referral from a paediatrician or child psychiatrist who suspects the presence of autism spectrum is generally preferred. This is a standardized, semi-structured clinical interview for caregivers of children and adults and takes between 2 and 3 hours for administration, after an initial one-hour meeting with both the caregiver and the child to obtain family history and gather observational data.
For children still enrolled in school, classroom teachers and caregivers will also be asked to complete a questionnaire regarding some of the behavioural observations frequently associated with an autism spectrum diagnosis.
A feedback session will be provided to review the results, and the report will typically take the form of a letter to the referring physician or psychiatrist discussing the evidence for or against diagnosis.
Programs
Our team of counsellors lead programs designed to support children in a group setting.
The following programs are currently available for children:
CHILDREN’S H.O.P.E.
The Children’s H.O.P.E. (Healing and Overcoming through Personal Empowerment) Group aims to instil hope in children that have experienced sexual violence. The group treatment setting allows children to recognize that they are not alone and that there is hope that they can move beyond the abuse. This program is delivered in partnership with the Department of Social Development.
YOUTH H.O.P.E.
The Youth H.O.P.E. (Healing and Overcoming through Personal Empowerment) Group aims to instil hope in teens who have experienced sexual violence. The group treatment setting allows teens to recognize that they are not alone and that there is hope they can move past abuse or exploitation. This program is delivered in partnership with the Department of Social Development.
If your child has been the victim of sexual violence, we encourage you to reach out to Kit’s Place - New Brunswick’s newest Child and Youth Advocacy Centre.