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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. 8212.
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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