Recommended Resources
Books
Hold On to Your Child
By Gordon Neufeld
The Whole Brain Child
By Dr. Dan Siegel
Videos
Emotion Coaching With Children
By John Gottman
Understanding my Child’s Moods & Behaviour's Course: $99
This online course is excellent and very practical, lots of tools and print outs
Websites for Free Parent Resources and Psychoeducation
Liana Lowenstein, Child Therapist
Anxiety BC
Canadian ADHD Alliance
Community Programs
YMCA Free Mental Health Wellness Programs – Across BC: Y Mind Teen (13-18)
Please contact at fhough@vancouverislandy.ca and I will connect you with the facilitators of the group that best fits the teen.
The Foundry
Virtual Services Foundry Virtual provides free, online counselling, peer support and group offerings for BC youth ages 12-24 and their caregivers. No referral is required. Any young person in the province can arrange for a same day counselling or peer support appointment—something we want youth across the province to know about, especially in these times of deep uncertainty and stress. Learn more: foundrybc.ca/virtual
Wellness Together Canada – Across Canada
WTC is a partnership among Stepped Care Solutions, Kids Help Phone, & Homewood Health. It is a “one-stop shop” portal/website offering a wide range of e-mental health services and supports at no cost to Canadians. WTC is funded by Health Canada and was created as a response to the mental health needs of Canadians in the wake of COVID-19. Wellness Together Canada website: wellnesstogether.ca
Living and Learning Through Loss – Online Support Programs
Thanks to the ongoing support of funders and donors, youth between the ages of 13-24 are eligible to receive short-term counselling services, participate in peer group programs and take part in our Good Grief workshops at no cost.
Referrals can come from parents, teachers, school counsellors or social workers. We ensure barrier free access to these support services and programs focused on the grief and loss experience. Older youth can self-refer.
Here is a list of the services and programs:
Short-Term Grief Counselling
Short-term grief counselling support is provided by registered clinical counsellors and available to eligible youth. For information on eligibility criteria, and to access a referral form, click here to download our referral intake form
Learning Through Loss Group Program (LLGP)
This specialized small group eight-week program is facilitated by a registered clinical counsellor and co-facilitator for youth who are struggling with grief and loss. These groups provide a safe place to connect with peers, gain invaluable support, and most importantly, find strength and hope in their own resilience and capacity to survive, adapt, and grow through loss. To refer a youth, click here to download our referral intake form.
Good Grief Workshops (GGWs)
These interactive one-hour workshops support school districts to provide grief education. Through discussions, experiential activities, personal reflection, and an educational video, youth are encouraged to explore what grief is and the different types of losses that they may experience. During COVID-19, these interactive workshops are being offered via ZOOM. To request a GGW, please send an email to info@learningthroughloss.org
Community Education Workshops (CEWs)
CEWs are Good Grief Workshops for adults. Ideal for parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, neighbours, and teachers, CEWs are for those who want to learn about grief and loss in youth and how to support those who are grieving. These workshops are an hour in length including Q & A at the end. Available via registration on ZOOM, if you are interested in attending, please check our website for upcoming dates beginning September at: www.learningthroughloss.org
Free Art Therapy Clinics
The Vancouver Art Therapy Institute
The Vancouver Art Therapy Institute offers a Free Art Therapy Clinic run by art therapy students. Clients can self-refer to meet with a student art therapist in-person in our studio/office on Granville Island (for this there is a $10 art material fee). All VATI clinic students are supervised by Registered Art Therapists, who are also Registered Clinical Counsellors. To book an appointment, interested clients can email: info@vati.bc.ca
For more information: www.vati.bc.ca/clinic-supervision
LGBTQ2IA & Youth Groups
Our Landing Place
For LGBTQ2IA+ youth between the ages of 16-18 looking for a sense of community and emotional support. Learn more and register: www.ourlandingplace.com/workshops