Secwépemc Child and Family Services provides Indigenous child and youth mental health services that are sensitive to the unique needs of families, children, and youth. We take into account the community context, cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and traditions of those we work with.
Our approach is to combine Western therapeutic modalities with traditional healing practices. The Western therapeutic models we use respect the unique lives of our clients and may include trauma-informed/trauma-specific counselling, narrative therapy, EMDR, CBT, solution focused therapy alongside art and play therapy approaches—all of which are dependent upon the person we are working with. Traditional healing practices include smudging, drumming, prayer, language circles, healing circles, and cultural crafts.
We recognize each individual’s level of cultural integration varies and embrace them wherever they are at. We include elders and Secwépemc cultural workers in our practice to ensure it is well grounded in tradition. We facilitate the process of family finding and identify exploration and we feel it is important to build strong connections to community and culture.
There are many situations in which children, youth, and their families may find working with a counsellor beneficial. We can help to address mental health challenges, addictions, trauma, crisis-intervention services, behavioural challenges, and a wide range of other concerns that impact the lives of families.
Our Services Include:
- Individual counselling
- Group counselling
- Girls Groups/Boys Groups
- Specialized groups such as art therapy groups
- Family based therapy approaches
- Attending school appointments, ICM’s, Psychiatrist meetings, etc.
- Referrals to other agencies
- Assistance with obtaining assessments
- Collaborating with professionals involved in a child’s care such as doctors, teachers, schools, hospitals, and any other involved agencies
- Suicide Risk Assessments/Crisis intervention
- Mental Health Assessments
We work with the seven First Nations communities in and around Kamloops including Tk’emlups te Secwépemc, Simpcw, Bonaparte, Skeetchesen, Neskonlith, Whispering Pines/Clinton, and Adams Lake. We work with clients on and off reserve and tailor our services to meet the individual needs of clients and their families. We offer voluntary services in a variety of locations including schools, homes, and community settings depending on what best suits those needs.
How to Refer:
Clinical services are voluntary, accessible, and non-discriminatory. Services are available to children and youth under the age of nineteen, but we can accommodate youth over the age of nineteen in certain circumstances.
Children and youth can be referred by anyone involved in their care—including self-referral, referral by doctor/psychiatrist, parent/guardian, etc. Please feel free to call our wellness coordinator for any additional questions or information you may have.