Adverse life experiences can be traumatic, but such experiences do not need to derail one's natural development, or place our community at risk. All mental health, addiction and criminal behavior issues have connections to trauma and at the BC Borstal we deliver a unique approach to root cause treatment: Prevention through education and training; Early Intervention when one faces abnormal challenges; and Aftercare for those who require skilled support to manage the impacts of these life experiences.
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Services Offered
Primary Services * Trauma Informed Approach and Trauma Specific Interventions Looks at the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery; recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system; responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices; and seeks to actively resist re-traumatization CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy): The belief that emotions, thoughts and behaviours all influence each other. CBT focuses on the link between these three principles and using action oriented strategies and tools to help a client to move forward
* Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Reduce long-lasting effects of distressing memories by developing more adaptive coping mechanisms whilst receiving one of several types of bilateral sensory input
* Attachment Based Therapy Evaluates early attachment styles and general family dysfunction and the consequential impact in adult life
* Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT focuses on cognitive distortions involving thoughts, behaviors and attitudes and provides client greater ability to regulate emotions
* Solution Focused Therapy Goal directed collaborative approach to therapeutic change that is conducted through direct observations and communication
* Mindfulness Cognitive Behavioural Therapy A combination of CBT (described under CBT) and Mindfulness (described under Mindfulness). MiCBT helps change the process of thinking, not just the content of our thoughts
* Sensorimotor Psychotherapy A form of nonverbal communication that focuses on dissociation, trauma, attachment theory and cognitive approachesAttachment Based Therapy An analysis and understanding of how dysfunctional attachments get represented in the human inner world and subsequently re-enacted in adult life. Therapy aims to decrease dysfunctional emotions caused by attachment disorders, such as jealousy, rage, rejection, loss, and commitment issues that are brought on by the lack of response from a parent or the loss of a loved one.
Complimentary Therapies * Mindfulness Paying attention to each event experienced in the present moment within our body and mind, with a non-judgemental, non-reactive and accepting attitude
* Motivational Interviewing Directive, client-centered counselling style for eliciting behavior change by helping clients to explore and resolve ambivalence. It is focused and goal-directed
* Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Acceptance and mindfulness strategies used collaboratively with commitment and behavior-change strategies to increase psychological flexibility
* Anti-Oppressive Practice (AOP) To acknowledge oppression in societies, economies, cultures, and groups, and to remove or negate the influence of that oppression
* Person Centered Therapy (PC) Provide clients with an opportunity to develop a sense of self where they can realize how their attitudes, feelings and behavior are being negatively affected
* Response Based Practice Looks at effective responses to violence and other forms of oppression and adversity, through direct service, e.g. counselling, education, research, supervision and advocacy
* Narrative Therapy A method of therapy that separates the person from the problem and encourages people to rely on their own skill sets to minimize the problems that exist in their everyday lives using forms of narrative to discover these skills
* Expressive Play Therapy Creating a safe and therapeutic space for children and adults who have experienced loss, trauma, abuse and/or neglect. Techniques used consist of creative imagery, art, sand play, and general play
* Conflict Resolution Therapy incorporates imagery and communication as the primary tools for exploration and conflict resolution. By identifying dysfunctional behaviors and origins of discord, resolutions can be found. Skills are developed that allow participants to unite when facing difficult situations
* Neuropsychology Assessing conditions that affect brain health, such as Alzheimer's and traumatic brain injury, and evaluating how neurological functioning can affect mental health
* Adlerian Psychology Places its emphasis on a person's ability to adapt to feelings of inadequacy and inferiority relative to others. He believed that a person will be more responsive and cooperative when he or she is encouraged and harbors feeling of adequacy and respect
* Anger Management Provides a clear and distinct set of guidelines for recovery. It gives the person seeking treatment a controlled platform for the release of his or her emotions while aiming to achieve positive and constructive responses, rather than negative and destructive ones.
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.