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FAMILY SERVICE
THAMES
VALLEY
My name is
Jan Bracken and I am a counsellor with Family Service
Thames Valley. My position is funded through Middlesex County and was put into place to serve people,
particularly those who are parents and
who are experiencing financial struggles. The counselling service
is free of charge.
Individuals
receive help in counselling to deal with a wide range of challenges
such as transitions of losing a job, getting ready to go back to work or school, or
losing someone through separation or death. Others are dealing with ongoing challenges such as chronic
health problems, mental health issues, poor self-esteem, or relationship difficulties. I provide
assistance to couples to better understand and resolve conflict by improving communication, intimacy and
mutual sharing. Family counselling addresses the complexities and difficulties of family life through
the development of good communication and strengthening family relationships. Many families who are
experiencing changes following
separation and divorce receive help from the counselling
program. As a counsellor, I view those
who come for counselling as courageous because they are facing
their life challenges directly and are coming to receive support because they are going through a
difficult time. The relationship between a counsellor and a client is a partnership in which we are trying
to find out what internal strengths he/she can draw from and what other resources and support there
might be available.
The
counselling program helps people to address a range of concerns
including: stressful life situations and times of transition, change, and loss; difficulties
in personal and family relationships; emotional and psychological distress; and the impact of trauma or
abuse.
Individual counselling
assists people with stressful life situations, life transitions and
change, psychological distress, emotional pain and relationship
difficulties. Counselling helps people by
increasing their understanding of the situation they are facing,
providing a safe place to express and examine painful feelings, developing coping strategies, enhancing
self-esteem and strengthening
supportive relationships. Those who have experienced trauma and
abuse are helped in individual counselling.
Couple counselling
helps couples from all walks of life to better understand and
resolve conflict through enhancing communication, intimacy and mutual sharing.
Family counselling
addresses the complexities and difficulties of family life through
the development of effective communication and strengthening family
relationships.
At FSTV we
observe confidentiality regarding client information and respect
clients’ right to privacy. If you would like to know more about our services, I can be
reached at 433-0183, ext. 7228.
When
clients phone me about counselling, there seem to be some common
questions about the counselling process. I would like therefore to address some of
these questions, especially with regards to the first session.
During the
first session, two things need to happen. First of all, the
counsellor and the client need to get to know one another, so that their relationship can be a
positive one. In order for counselling to work, the client should get a sense that the counsellor
understands what he or she is saying and that the counsellor can be trusted with personal information.
Second, an intake needs to be done.
The counsellor and the client will go over some written
information about Family Service Thames Valley.
This is called "The Principles of Practice" and it answers any
questions the client might have about the agency and confidentiality.
After that,
the counsellor will ask what the presenting problem is. In other
words: what is the main reason the client decided to come in for counselling. This could
be the loss of a loved one. Through divorce or death, job loss, relationship issues, dealing
with illness, depression, parenting concerns, poor self-esteem or any other problem the client might
have. The next step is to link the presenting problem to goals that are specific and realistic. The
counsellor and the client will then start working together on determining what those goals would be.
In
subsequent sessions, the counsellor and the client will further
explore the presenting problem and start to implement changes that will help the clients reach
his or her goal(s). The counsellor will support and encourage the client throughout this process. In
summary, the first session will be used to build the relationship between the counsellor and the client as
well as to set goals. If you have any questions, please give me,
Jan Bracken, a call at 433-0183
ext. 7228.
Family Service
Thames Valley
125 Woodward Avenue, London, ON N6H 2H1
Phone: 519-433-0183
Fax: 519-433-4273
In Middlesex
County
395 Carrie St. Suite 330, Strathroy, ON N7G 3C9
Phone: 519-245-3935
This service is
available at the QUEST Centre
"BUILDING
A COMMUNITY ONE FAMILY AT A TIME"
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