It can be hard to wrap our minds around this new digital world in which children are developing and learning. iPads, iPhones, smart TV’s and social networks were not the childhood pastimes of today’s parents. It’s not surprising that issues related to the use of these devices and social media have accelerated for young parents […]
Family counsellor Linda Wolfenden (a resident specialist in working with families impacted by addiction) reflects on the impacts of addiction and the vital role played by supportive, informed family members on those suffering from drug or alcohol dependency. Settling in for the interview at her North Vancouver office, family counsellor Linda Wolfenden pushes back her […]
Plenty of promising research studies support the achievement of a solid therapeutic alliance between clients and counsellors using online therapy formats. But, there are some important factors impacting this alliance that include how much experience your counsellor has logged in the world of cyber therapy. Your counsellor’s training in therapy models and ethics are a […]
This week, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is widely promoting Mental Health Awareness and we’re pleased to offer our clients a way to maintain their counselling services while adhering to rules for physical distance. But, as quick and easy as this change may seem on the surface, online counselling is still a new frontier. […]
How Hollyburn’s counsellors have answered the call to continue services for clients through the pandemic crisis. It’s been a busy couple of months at Hollyburn Family Support Services. As the curtain fell on so many face-to-face services across the agency, our counsellors responded to the COVID-19 crisis by signing up for online counselling trainings. This […]
At the moment, you and your teen(s) are living with uncertainty. School has ended early, jobs are being lost or changed in record numbers, and your family can no longer access many of your usual supports. It’s hard enough for parents and caregivers to balance limit setting while trying to promote some independence in their […]
It would be impossible not to know what is going on in the world right now, at any age. Many adults are glued to their news feeds as information is constantly changing, everyday gatherings are being cancelled or postponed, community spaces are closed, and some grocery stores look like something out of a bad zombie […]
With the rising cost of living in Vancouver, it’s more difficult for young adults to move out of their family homes. But as roles in the family home shift from parent to roommate, relationships are often strained as both parties struggle to navigate new boundaries and revise old expectations. When parenting books and experts offer […]
January 13, 2020 An open letter of support, information, and sincere condolence to members of the North Shore Persian community, and their supporters From: Hollyburn Family Services and West Coast Family Centres Our collective thoughts and sincere condolences are with the families and friends effected by the tragic plane crash in Tehran, Iran. As providers […]
Our previous post discussed the critical difference between influence and control as parents seek to gain cooperation from their children. We can extend this to families adjusting to separation and divorce who face the question of how to parent cooperatively with an ex-spouse or partner.