Counselling &

Career Education

Our school counsellors provide a variety of services to Claremont students and their families intended to facilitate the educational, personal, social, emotional, and career development of students in schools and in the community.

Our Counsellors

Social Emotional Wellbeing

SD63 Mental Wellness Hub

Academic Support

Claremont Career Centre - Room 217

Check out this month's SD63 Mental Wellbeing Snapshot!

Click Here: SD63 Wellbing Snapshot

Wellbeing.gov.bc.ca

The Wellbeing.gov.bc.ca, managed by the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions.

Everyone’s journey to wellbeing is different – whether you are on a personal journey or are supporting someone who is facing mental health or substance use challenges.

Wellbeing.gov.bc.ca was created because:

People from all over British Columbia should have the tools necessary to navigate accessing the services and resources they need. And sometimes you may not know where to start.
People need access to the right supports, at the right time, that meet them where they are at, easily and quickly.

This site is your trusted guide to finding the right information and services to meet your needs.

Click Here: Wellbeing.gov.bc.ca

Upcoming Opportunities

Check back frequently for information on upcoming community events for students and families.

FamilySmart: Parent Education Events Coming up Soon!

Hello Everyone,

Here are some events that might of interest to you:

(1) In Person - Connecting With Our Kids When Anxiety Leads to Social Isolation ** This is going to be a great opportunity for families to have their questions answered by the counsellors on hand

Host: Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre

Details: Parenting when our kid’s anxiety leads to social isolation is hard for everyone. A parent and counsellor talk about what anxiety and social isolation are, what it can look like and feel like for our kids and at home, strategies families can try, and how important it is to connect with our children before doing the hard work of trying new things.

Join us as we come together with other families to watch this video followed by a facilitated discussion

Date & Time: April 17th at 6:00 pm

Address: 2610 Rosebank Rd, Colwood, BC V9C 4J7

RSVP: Lisa.Tate@FamilySmart.ca

If you want to watch the video now here is the link:https://youtu.be/x5rvQPUbnSI?si=r0o-gXdeA9IcLsik

(2) Online - Understanding, Supporting and Connecting with Teens with Depression

Mood roller coasters are a part of normal development for our teens, but sometimes something more is going on with their mental health. How can we tell the difference? At what point should we intervene, and how can we go about it? If you as a caregiver and feel lost about how to best support your teen struggling with Depression, you are not alone.

Join Victoria Keddis, a parent with lived experience and Karen Peters, a mental health therapist who supports children, teens and families, for a discussion about understanding how depression shows up in teens and ways of journeying with them through it.

Dates: April 11, 23, 25

(3) Special 2- Hour Live Online Event - CONNECTING WITH KIDS: We know that having caring, connected conversations can significantly impact the mental health of children and youth. Join us to listen to Kim Barthel talk about having more self-compassion, self-awareness and knowledge about the art and science of relationships. Kim will introduce the basics of attunement, attachment theory, trauma-sensitive practice, sustainable self-care and above all the power of connection and inclusion.

Date & Time: Tuesday May 7th, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Our May 7th event link with Kim Barthel - https://familysmart.ca/event/connecting-with-kids/

Also a reminder that you can now book online for one on one appointments with me, Lisa Tate, for parent support and navigation. Here is a link to my calendar to book a time this week or next.

https://lisa-tate.youcanbook.me/

Thank you

Lisa

FamilySmart Monthly Event: December Parent Education Workshops

Hello Everyone,

December can be such a special and difficult time for the families we support, as they sometimes have to adjust their priorities, expectations and traditions. I know all of you understand this and are busy supporting these families. I am grateful to be a part of this supportive community.

FamilySmart's online parent education for December: ADHD - The Real Deal: Join us in watching a video by Dr. Duncan, who will dispel the many myths surrounding ADHD by presenting up to date scientific facts about cause, prevalence, diagnosis and treatment. He will explain how and why the ADHD brain works the way it does.

Speaker: Dr. Don Duncan, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Time and Dates:

Tuesday December 5th, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Wednesday December 6th, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Thursday December 7th, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Tuesday December 12th, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Thursday December 14th, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

RSVP: https://familysmart.ca/monthly-events/

Watch now: https://youtu.be/A9Vpmh7iHbc

Thank you and take care.

Lisa

Parent Peer Support Worker - Victoria, Sooke, Westshore

250-818-4810 | 1-855-887-8004

www.familysmart.ca

FamilySmart Monthly Event: November Parent Education Workshops

Hello Everyone,

There are 2 Parent Education topics highlighted for November.

(1) FamilySmart offers 5 dates this month to join other parents to watch and discuss our topic:

Emotion Regulation

Details: Join us in watching a video conversation with Nicole Allen, Clinical Counsellor at Fraser Health’s START Program. Nicole offers support to parents and caregivers with information and strategies to cope with emotion dysregulation and the challenges which many young people begin to experience as they enter and move through the adolescent years. We will be exploring the critical role which parents and caregivers play in creating the environment for positive change for their young people especially when things can be the most challenging.

This video presentation will be followed by a facilitated discussion by a FamilySmart Parent Peer

Support Worker.

Dates & Times:

Wednesday Nov. 8, 6:00 pm

Tuesday Nov. 14, 6:30 pm

Thursday Nov. 16, 12:00 pm

Tuesday Nov. 21, 6:00 pm

Thursday Nov. 23, 6:30 pm

To Register: https://familysmart.ca/monthly-events/

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(2) Foundry Victoria is hosting an in-person Parent workshop November 15th at 6:00 pm

Topic: The gift of Neurodiversity*: A strengths-based introduction for parents of newly diagnosed children & youth *(someone whose brain processes information in a way that is not typical of most individuals.)

Speaker: Mary Klovance is a dedicated advocate and educator in the field of neurodiversity and the owner of The Neurodiversity Family Centre. With a background in school counselling and private practice and a passion for supporting families, she has devoted her career to helping parents navigate the often challenging journey of raising children and youth with neurodivergencies.

Mary's Neurodiversity Affirming Workshop is a unique and invaluable resource for parents of children and youth who have recently received a neurodivergence diagnosis. This workshop is designed to empower parents with knowledge, understanding, and practical tools to embrace neurodiversity and create a supportive and nurturing environment for their children.

Key Workshop Details:

(1) Neurodiversity Affirmation

(2) Strengths-Based Parenting

(3) Parental Self-Care

(4) Managing Expectations

(5) Parenting Tips and Strategies

Followed by time for Questions.

Time & Date: Wednesday November 15th at 6:00 pm ( In-Person )

Location: Foundry Victoria 546 Yates St., Victoria

Cost: Free

Please RSVP: Lisa.Tate@FamilySmart.ca

Thank you

Lisa

Beyond Behaviours: When Is It More? What It Looks Like at Ages 4 to 8:

It can be tricky to tell if our kids’ development is on track, if they are going through a phase, or struggling with something more? You are not alone.

Come together with other families to watch this 25 minute video presentation featuring speaker Victoria Keddis, a parent with lived experience, and Karen Peters, a mental health therapist who supports children, teens and families, for a discussion about understanding challenging behaviours in the younger years.

This video presentation will be followed by a facilitated discussion by a FamilySmart Parent Peer Support Worker. 6:30pm to 8:00pm Pacific Daylight Time (British Columbia).

These events are funded for parents and caregivers living in the province of British Columbia and for CASA families in Alberta. If you are from another province or territory, or live outside of Canada, we welcome you to visit our video library at www.familysmart.ca/videos and use our resources. Thank you.

FamilySmart has one last parent education topic until the fall!

Beyond Behaviours: When Is It More? What It Looks Like at Ages 4 to 8:

Why can it feel so tricky to tell if our kids are on track, going through a phase, as opposed to struggling with something more, or beyond behaviours? In this video conversation, a parent and counsellor talk about the developmental stages of 4 to 8 year old children.

Speaker: Karen Peters, a mental health therapist who supports children, teens and families

Watch Now: https://youtu.be/pilkjOVOVaM

Join one of our online events for viewing the video followed by a discussion with other parents.

Dates and Times:

June 1 - 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

June 7 - 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

June13 - 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

June 19 - 9:30 am - 11:00 am

June 21 - 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Cost: Free of Charge

Registration: www.familysmart.ca/events

Thank you

Lisa

A message from Lisa Tate, Family Peer Support Worker, Family Start:

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are doing well and ready for spring!

I wanted to share with you a fantastic opportunity to register for an upcoming event by a professional whose work was an important turning point for our family!

Details:

Dr. Ross Greene will speak about how Collaborative and Proactive Solutions can help us show our kids we care about them. Solving problems together creates connection and allows our children to be a part of finding solutions to what is causing their concerning behaviour. Dr. Greene’s work reminds us that things go better for everyone, when we solve problems together and that kids do well if they can.

DATE: Thursday, May 4, 2023 TIME: 6:00pm - 8:00pm (PST)

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: familysmart.ca/events

This event is part of FamilySmart’s National Child & Youth Mental Health Day celebrations, for more info and resources go to: may7icare.ca

Thank you🌺

Lisa

Parent Education Goups & ADHD Resources

Lisa Tate

Parent Peer Support Worker - Victoria, Sooke, Westshore

250-818-4810 | 1-855-887-8004

www.familysmart.ca

A message from Lisa Tate, Family Peer Support Worker, Family Start:

Hello Everyone,

Every month FamilySmart hosts events for families along with our regular support and mental health system navigation. If you would like to set up a chat please reply to this email.

(1) Monthly "In The Know" - We watch a video together and share experiences and strategies that may be helpful to your family.

March "In The Know" - A Conversation for Families About Digital Wellbeing & Mental Health - As parents It's not easy to know how much time on technology is too much and how to set boundaries that don't create conflict.

Join us for a conversation with a digital wellbeing expert to learn some practical solutions to our everyday concerns and challenges around our kids' use of screens and their mental health.

Come together with other families to watch this 30 minute video presentation followed by a facilitated discussion by a FamilySmart Parent Peer Support Worker.

Date(s):

Monday March 6, 2023 630-8pm

Thursday March 16, 2023 930-11am

Wednesday March 22, 2023 12-130pm

Tuesday March 28, 2023 630-8pm

Thursday March 30, 2023 5-630pm

Cost: Free of Charge

Registration required: www.familysmart.ca/events

(2) Help For the Hard Times Workshop - for parents and caregivers whose children have been at the ER or have had a hospital stay for mental health or substance use issues.

Details for 1-hour Workshops:

Session 1: How to support a safety plan at home (Part 1)

Session 2: How to support a safety plan at home (Part 2)

Session 3: How to take care of yourself and your family after a crisis

Session 4: How to find the resources you need

Cost: Free of Charge

Dates & Times: March 6, 8, 13, 15, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

For more information and registration please visit:www.familysmart.ca/workshops

Thank you

Lisa

Parent Education Goups & ADHD Resources

Lisa Tate

Parent Peer Support Worker - Victoria, Sooke, Westshore

250-818-4810 | 1-855-887-8004

www.familysmart.ca

A message from Lisa Tate, Family Peer Support Worker, Family Start:

Happy New Year!

I hope you and your family members are well. Here are 4 things that might be of interest to you and if there are resources you would like me to look into or you have discovered some you would like to share, just let me know.

(1) FamilySmart'sTopic in our January Education and Parent Connection Groups will be Self Harm: There is Always Help, There is Always Hope

Hear Kim Leifso a clinical counsellor and Ciara, a young person with lived experience; talk about what they know and have experienced with self-harm. Come together with other families to watch this 30 minute video presentation followed by a facilitated discussion by a FamilySmart Parent Peer Support Worker.

"We understand that this topic can be hard and you are welcome to attend in a way that feels comfortable to you. You are welcome to attend with your camera on or off, and you are welcome to join anonymously or by changing your name".

Dates:

Monday January 9, 2023 12-130pm

Thursday January 12, 2023 5-630pm

Tuesday January 17, 2023 630-8pm

Monday January 23, 2023 630-8pm

Wednesday January 25, 2023 930-11am

Cost: Free

Registration required: www.familysmart.ca/events

(2) The Boys and Girls Club (BGC) is offering a series of online programs helping parents of teens, pre-teens, and children gain confidence, discover practical tips and resources, and find support from other parents.

Parents Together Tuesdays-Ongoing- For Parents with Kids age 13-25 - 12-1:30pm or 6:30-8pm
Parents in the Know Wednesdays For Parents with Kids age 13-18 - 6:30-8PM - 10-12 weeks
Parenting Without Power Struggles Thursdays For Parents with Kids age 9-12 - 6:30-8PM -10-12 weeks

Cost: Free

Information & Register: referrals@bgcsvi.org

(3) "New Digital Therapeutics for ADHD in Children." Video Replay: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/neurotechnology-options-adhd-treatment-children/

Dozens of new tools — variously referred to as digital therapeutics, neurotechnologies, and digital medicine — are now being developed and marketed. But what do we know about how they work, who they help, and whether they are effective?

(4) Brain Training for ADHD: What Is It? Does It Work? Additude Magazine https://bit.ly/3vE9dmQ

Everyone who works for FamilySmart, has lived experience with their own children and we can offer support, help you navigate the Mental Health & School Systems and recommend resources in the community.

If you would like to have a chat about your child, just email me back and we can set up a time to talk.

Thank you & take care,

Lisa

The Neurodiversity Family Centre

We are a Neurodiversity (ND) affirming centre where we don't see ND as the problem but instead a roadmap for support. We focus on a family centered approach where the health and wellness of the whole family is the goal whether the primary client is the youth or caregiver(s). Although each practitioner uses their own unique set of skills and therapy styles, as a centre, we focus on the use of the collaborative problem solving approach by Dr. Ross Greene with our clients.

Upcoming Workshops provided by

The Neurodiversity Family Centre

Webinar - Parenting Neurodivergent Youth:

Emotional and Self-Regulation Strategies

Presented by Mary Klovance

September 28, 2022, 07:00 PM-8:30 PM

$50 per family