Family Counselling Centres
5108C 47 St T9E 6Y9 Leduc, AB, Canada

Spring at our ranch has come early

Offering this introductory training in partnership with the Institute of Child Psychology & The Child-Centered Animal-Assisted Therapy Association REGISTER HERE https://ccaata.com/product/fundamentals-of-ccaat/

#repost from City of Leduc . . . #leduc #leducalberta #leduccounty #coldweather #winter #staywarm

Yesterday Watson celebrated his 5th Birthday with one of his favorite humans. Treats and cuddles all around! Watson is our animal assisted therapy/ animal assisted play therapy dog working with Jocelyn Nand. We love his gentle nature and his howls

Our co-therapists are THIS cute

Thank you to the Leduc & Wetaskiwin Chamber of Commerce for their support and for therapy animal snuggles <3

Did you know that we have a Gottman Method-trained couples therapist right in the community of Beaumont? Psychologist Chantel McEvoy is also a Perinatal Mental Health specialist and is experienced in helping those who have dealt with fertility struggles and pregnancy loss. To find out more about how Chantel can help support you or to book an appointment, click here:... https://familycounsellingcentres.com/beaumont-contact/ See more

Development unfolds differently in every child, and we cannot and should not expect every child to be on the same trajectory. Every child is unique in their gifts and and each child has purpose in this world. Our job is to help uncover these gifts, and to nurture it so they can make this world a better place

Our group starts in just a few weeks!

Be the calm you want to see in your child

A sneak peak of our brand new rural office located near Millet (cabin a work in progress;) This office will be servicing those who want to participate in our nature & animal-assisted therapy program, or anyone who wants to attend counselling in a more secluded setting:) https://familycounsellingcentres.com/leduc-contact/

The 2020 Flock Project Winner Launches this Fall The Flock Project is proud to help the winner of the 2nd flight, GLOW as they start their amazing project for young girls in Leduc. GIRLS LEADING OTHERS WISELY (GLOW)... The GLOW program was created to give every girl an opportunity to be strong, confident and physically fit. Our program inspires girls of all ethnic, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds to be prominent and influential leaders. We provide a safe place for girls to share their opinions and feelings, promote the benefits of daily physical exercise, and help them set and achieve personal goals. GLOW's Winter 2020 session is a FREE 4-week program Taking place Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm-7:30pm from Nov 18-Dec 9 (virtually) For girls grades 4-6. Spaces are limited. REGISTER THROUGH EVENTBRITE: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/glow-leduc-tickets-126506378985

Introducing the newest member of our team, Rachel Chapman. Rachel will be with us for her internship placement as she finishes up her Masters Degree in Psychology. We are THRILLED to have Rachel as part of our organization! Rachel is a well respected professional who grew up in Leduc, and knows our community very well. Rachel is not new to mental health; Rachel brings with her *13 years** of experience in the field- primarily with teens and their families. Rachel will be pr...oviding counselling to children, teens, and adults for a subsidized rate for those without insurance and who cannot afford a Registered Psychologist (sliding scale ranges from $20-$65/hr) To schedule an intake please go to https://familycounsellingcentres.com/leduc-contact/ and request Rachel directly. ***Please know if your child or family member has received services from Rachel in any other capacity in the past, they cannot see her at our clinic due to a conflict of interest

Well done Cara Auger !!!

Meet: Willow, Rocky, Chinook, and Sterling These boys will be working along side our 3 miniature horses for our equine therapy program

Our therapy herd is coming together

We are excited to announce a newly designed group for children struggling with anxiety (in collaboration with the Institute of Child Psychology)

We are SO excited to announce the GRAND OPENING of our the new location which will sustain our expanded animal-assisted therapy. This newly designed program will offers: A private, secluded rural office for clients (especially those who have worries about health issues) just outside of Millet, AB (2 km off highway 2A) Access to horses, miniature horses, pygmy goats, cats, dogs, and even chickens as part of their counselling (but entirely optional*). ... This amazing property is on 76 acres of forest and rolling hills, and the office is 300 sq ft heated cedar cabin <3 Direct billing and a sliding scale For inquiries please fill out an intake request at https://familycounsellingcentres.com/leduc-contact/ or email [email protected]

Mental Health Therapist Chantal Thorlakson and her therapy dog Beau offer reduced-rate sessions to teens and adults at our Edmonton and Beaumont offices. To find out more or to schedule a session with Chantal and Beau, click here: https://familycounsellingcentres.com/edmonton-contact/ https://familycounsellingcentres.com/beaumont-contact/

From her practicum placement to fully Registered Psychologist, Congratulations to Cierra Chmiliar in the Leduc office for her recent passing on the EPPP testing! . Cierra is one of our most versatile clinicians; working with children, teens, adults, and parents on a variety of issues, including (but not limited to): COVID stress, parenting, trauma, depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, et cetera. She uses play therapy, equine-assisted therapy, canine-assisted therapy, and EMDR (a trauma reprocessing technique) . Cierra will soon be offering direct billing services to MANY more insurance providers - submit an appointment request today at https://familycounsellingcentres.com/leduc-contact/

Were excited to introduce you to Beau and his therapy human Chantal . Mental Health Therapist Chantal Thorlakson offers affordable services to teens and adults at our Beaumont office and online, with the help of her therapy dog Beau. Keep scrolling to find out more about this nature loving therapist! . How long have you been with FCC? . I just completed my internship with FCC which began in September of 2019. Now I have been hired as a Mental Health Therapist while I co...mplete my Capstone Project and get credentials to become a Provisional Psychologist. . What is your favorite client moment? . I have many favorite moments with clients. I love what I do. I enjoy sharing space with clients through good times and the not so good times. What touches me deeply is when Beau and I can be there to assist someone who is recalling a traumatic experience. . Where is the best place you have vacationed? . My favorite activity, sport, hobby, and vacation is doing photography and backpacking. I love to hike deep into backcountry. Completed 800 Km of portions of the Great Divide Trail in the Canadian Rockies in 1992, and last year I did a solo backpack into Berg Lake, in Mt Robson Provincial Park. . Favorite way to end the week? . Favorite place to hang out at the end of the week is with family and friends around a fire in the backyard. When it is raining or Im lazy Netflix is a favorite. . Best thing about being an FCC team member? . Best thing about being at FCC is the people. The staff and therapists at FCC are kind, considerate, friendly, supportive and a lot of fun. Hanging out with a bunch of therapy dogs is also a blast. I had deep gratitude for Tammy being an excellent supervisor, and Jocelyn being a great boss and mentor, and Alex rescuing me with the computer from time to time. I have learned so much and my career as an Animal Assisted Psychotherapist is off to a great start. See more

We caught up with Beaumont couples therapist and resident tea enthusiast Chantel McEvoy to discuss some of her favourite people, places and things How long have you been with FCC? "Since July 2019."... What is your favourite client moment? "When you reach a big Aha! moment and I witness growth and connection. Those moments always blow me away and remind me why I love my job so much." Where is the best place youve vacationed? "Its a tie between coffee plantations in India, and Dingle, Ireland!" Favourite way to end the week? "Oooh, theres a few! A soccer game, a backyard fire, throwing a dinner party for loved ones, or a glass of wine and a good book! If its the Fall, you can bet Ill be elbow-deep in pumpkin carvings for Halloween." Best thing about being an FCC team member? "The community of amazing people! We have so many incredible clinicians always ready to help out, provide ideas, or to laugh with." #yeg #yegmentalhealth #openinbeaumont

Thank you to Virgin Radio for the shout out! #awomanadayyeg

Our Executive Director, Tammy Schamuhn, was interviewed for the completion of this story:

Optimist: Someone who figures that taking a step backward. after taking a step forward is not a disaster, its a cha-cha. - Robert Brault

STAY CONNECTED WHILE STAYING IN! All of our clinicians are proud to offer their services through virtual delivery methods to all Albertans adults, adolescents, children, families and couples. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a rise in negative mental health outcomes isolation, loneliness, financial stresses, family conflict, and anxiety. Many of our clients were already facing these challenges and are now struggling the likelihood that these concerns will last after the cur...rent physical situation has subsided. DISCOVER MORE ... ...about these services on our website: https://familycounsellingcentres.com/teleplay-therapy/ https://familycounsellingcentres.com/online-counselling/ REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT ... ...by completing the intake form found under the Contact Us by selecting your preferred office location!

Stay connected while staying in! The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a rise in negative mental health outcomes isolation, loneliness, financial stresses, family conflict, and anxiety. Many of our clients were already facing these challenges and are now struggling the likelihood that these concerns will last after the current physical situation has subsided. All of our clinicians are proud to offer their services through virtual delivery methods to all Albertans adults, adolesc...ents, children, families and couples. Visit our website for more information: www.familycounsellingcentres.com

Dariel has been working with individuals, children and families with a variety of educational and mental health needs for the last 10 years. Her work experience has allowed her opportunities in supporting people with diverse needs. Her work experience opportunities have included working in child protection, not for profit agencies, schools, clinics and hospitals. Dariel has had the opportunity to volunteer and work with the Zebra Child Protection Centre, gaining a wealth of e...xperience in child advocacy and court preparation and supporting children and families. Her Masters level practicum was completed with the Stollery Childrens hospital in Pediatric Oncology providing therapeutic supports and assisting with neuropsychological assessments. Following her graduation and practicum I helped to co-develop a program supported in the Not For Profit Sector assisting children and families with pediatric cancer with reintegrating into the community. We are privileged to have her as a part of our team!

Dariel is not allowing her work to get TOO comfortable in her home.

Being surrounded by trees and mountains is my happy place and will always bring me peace. - Cassandra Granberg Gratitude Moment

"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory." - Dr. Seuss.

Cass is genuine in her approach and eager to help clients through their difficulties. Her goal is to help clients discover new perspectives, process aspects of their lives, and focus on personal strengths to work towards healing. She thoroughly enjoys working with both individuals {adolescents and adults} and couples. I am incredibly passionate about helping individuals with a variety of issues, however, my core interests lie in helping clients with anxiety, depression, rela...tionship issues, postpartum and infertility, eating disorders/body image, sexuality, identity development, grief, career struggles, and sports anxiety/performance. When helping couples, it is my goal to help them work towards having a happier relationship by managing conflict, increasing awareness of counterproductive relational patterns, and, increasing friendship, intimacy, trust, and respect between partners.

Joining us in the midst of COVID-19, she has yet to work out of the Leduc office location just yet! Cassandra is making it work at home and even has the opportunity for a quick stretch between sessions with her aerial yoga hammock handy... Welcome to the team Cass!

Succulents..... They so beautifully show us that we grow stronger far more interesting and resilient not in spite of challenges, but thanks to them.

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." - C.S. Lewis -Kim Sesink Favourite Quote

It is a privilege for me to be able to work with clients to achieve the goals that they have set for themselves. My desire is to provide a safe place where you can explore the issues that are creating difficulty in your life right now and to help you to find the solution that is right for you. - Kim Sesink

In that moment, you see hope return to a clients face. - Kim Sesnik Favourite Client Moment

We may not have the ocean, but at least we had some sunshine and warmth today in #yeg! Feliz Cinco de Mayo to all

Whenever I look at this photo, it makes me happy. For one, it combines two of my greatest passions: horses and the outdoors. I also distinctly remember the day it was taken: I was going to a horse show with my horse at the time, Dan {the giant orange horse in the photo}. I remember being really stressed out; I was running late, I was nervous about showing, and I was frantically trying to memorize my course {pattern of jumps that I had to jump} for that day. ... At the time of the photo, I was walking out into Dans field to fetch him. As I rushed closer to him, I noticed how beautiful and picturesque it was around me- the birds were chirping, the sun was shining, and Dan was grazing peacefully. At that moment, I stopped. I put aside my feelings of stress and nervousness, and luxuriated in the calmness and peacefulness of the field. In that moment, I had so much to be grateful for." -Cierra Chmiliar Gratitude Moment

As a therapist doing Animal-Assisted Therapy this can actually be a reality for me! - Cierra Chmiliar

Cierra is one of our most versatile clinicians; working with children, teens, adults, and parents on a variety of issues, including (but not limited to): COVID stress, parenting, trauma, depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, et cetera. She uses play therapy, equine-assisted therapy, canine-assisted therapy, and EMDR (a trauma reprocessing technique). Cierra is very passionate about all things horsey! She was involved in competitive show jumping for most of her life, and has been an avid horse (and dog) owner as well. You can imagine how thrilled she was when she figured out her passion for animals could be incorporated into her work and how fortunate we were to find her!

Like many of you, our team is struggling with quarantine, being stuck at home and adapting to new work environments! "Working online has been better than I expected, I am blown away by the creativity and willingness of children to create and interact on video. However, I too miss seeing and interacting with people, among MANY other things. I am fortunate I can still do my job via video- I even conduct play therapy sessions! For these sessions, I have set up in my spare bedro...om, and even have a selection of toys (but I am really really REALLY missing my office and all my materials {swipe to see the extensive office collection}. In my makeshift office, I have gotten to play with puppets; co-write and act out stories; talk about innermost thoughts and worries in a shared fort {YES! you can share a fort on video!}; and connect with children, teens, and adults .... while there is less fort-making and puppet play with the adults, but if you REALLY want to we can make it happen!" - Cierra Chmiliar

Have you achieved a BINGO this week? Theres still time! - Here are a few ideas to refill your cup and start your week recharged

"We spent an entire day visiting the set and the meals were pretty grand. At the end of the night we did a tour of the gathering place and took a mental snapshot of this place to keep with us when we returned home. Id encourage anyone travelling to a calm place to take a few minutes to take a mental snapshot of where they are. Reflect on the senses around you and the memory and place are accessible to you wherever you are. - Jocelyn Nand... Gratitude Moment See more