Welcome back to a new school year.  As the year starts we wanted to remind the community of the free counselling supports available through North Kootenay Lake Community Services.

Family Support Counselling

Laura Douglas has been offering services to parents on the East Shore as a Family Support Counsellor since 2007 and is available for sessions this fall. Parenting can be a challenging job at the best of times and even more stressful when we experience such things as: COVID, family separation, conflict with teens or supporting a child who is struggling with friends or school.  We can provide support to parents on a wide variety of topics including: parenting after separation, parent/teen mediation, improving communication with your children or co-parent/partner, loss or grief within the family, parenting styles and stages of child development and more.  If you’d ​like more information or to ask about an appointment ​please call the office @ 250-353-7691 ​and ask for the intake worker.

Child and Youth Counselling

We are also delighted to welcome to our agency, Charmaine Husum.  She graduated from the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute in Nelson, BC and after some time away, working in private practice, has returned to the Kootenays.  She can offer support for children and youth aged 3 – 18 years old who are ​experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety or depression or youth experiencing intense family dynamics or conflict. She has expertise using a variety of professional approaches including: Art Therapy, Play Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Integrative Body Psychotherapy, Mindfulness and Counselling. She is a Certified Professional Art Therapist (CATA), Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (ACCT) and Certified Therapist (ACTA).  If your child or teen is needing extra support, please contact our office at 250-353-7691 ​and ask for the intake worker. Referrals can also be facilitated through the school.