PREVENTION EDUCATION ADVOCACY COUNSELLING EMPOWERMENT
PEACE Program
Child and Youth Counselling Program
The islands wellness Society Child and Youth Counselling Program is designed to help children and youth, aged 3-18, who have been impacted by abuse and trauma within their homes, schools and communities. By working with children and youth, the PEACE program strives to assist in addressing the cycle of abuse by promoting healing and empowerment.
The Child and Youth Counselling Program considers the emotional, social, physical, behavioural, cultural and historical issues that surround each child and their family and engages in culturally sensitive and informed practice. The counsellor works in collaboration with clients in order to create a positive and healing therapeutic relationship.
Art, play, music and creative writing are some of the expressive therapeutic techniques that are used to work with children and youth. These modes have been proven to be effective due to the fact that they allow for expression and do not depend on verbal interaction. The PEACE counsellor considers the unique needs of each child and applies interventions and engagement accordingly.
Child and Youth Counselling Services support children and youth to :
Express and process feelings
Co-create safety plans
Identify support networks
Recognize their strengths and increase their self-confidence
Parent Support:
The child and youth counsellor can offer support to parents through consultation, referral, and family sessions. Written and online resources are also available to parents by request.
Child and Youth Counselling Services are:
Free
Confidential
Individual or group based
Available at the IWS office in Daajing Giids and/or in the schools
Program Coordinator
Kimberley Larocque, MACP
I have a background in child and youth development with an undergrad in Child and Youth Care through the University of Victoria. I have enjoyed working as a child development consultant to families on Haida Gwaii for the past 30 years. I continue to hold this role part time, working with families of children from birth to 18 years old.
I completed my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University in April of 2024. In May 2024, I was delighted to accept the position as the Child and Youth Counsellor for the Islands Wellness Society. I can support children aged 3 to 18 years old and provide necessary support to parents and guardians.
I work from a trauma-informed, person-centered approach and believe that the therapeutic relationship is central to the counselling process. I focus on people’s strengths, resources, and existing solutions and I work to weave the thread of hope into each session. I strive to provide a safe space for children and young people to process experiences, explore solutions and be able to move forward on a path that is authentic to them. Elements of narrative therapy, solutions focused therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are utilized when appropriate. I like to incorporate play, art and movement into sessions.
Exploring the beaches and forests with my dogs, creating pen and ink art, writing poetry and tending to my garden are the activities that bring me joy!
My workdays are Mondays and Thursdays from 8 am until 4 pm.
