Ktunaxa Kinbasket Child and Family Service Society (KKCFSS) youth and family counselling services are designed for all stages of life, with a focus on children & youth aged 0-19, youth transitioning to adulthood 19-27 and their caregivers and families, and are delivered in the most holistic manner possible. The session format is designed to fit the client’s needs and can include: one-to-one counselling; integrated counselling with families, extended families and communities; or group-based sessions.
Counselling services are focused on achieving mental wellness, fostering an understanding of self-worth and connecting with supportive others. All services are informed by indigenous models of attachment and trauma-informed practice.
The counselling team offers:
- Equine facilitated wellness programming: The equine program focus is on the attunement/connection process with self and environment, mindfulness, boundaries, pressure, movement/activity, thoughtfulness, listening, some riding, vulnerability, fun, awareness, going slow and teaching people how to move slower, how to move relationally in our often unrelational society.
- Wellness outreach counselling: Working in conjunction with clinical supervision, WOC goals are focused on creating or maintaining safety and stability, connecting to internal and external resources, while using solution-focused, motivational, and strengths-based practices.
- Clinical counselling: Therapeutic services to address mental health concerns that may or may not reach diagnostic criteria. Services can include, but are not limited to, trauma reprocessing through narrative, somatic or EMDR practices, therapeutic support for those supporting individuals with mental wellness concerns, and therapeutic support for caregivers managing intergenerational trauma.
Counselling services are offered in conjunction with the client’s right to self-determination and with respect to cultural values. The counselling team is based out of the Chief Joseph Center, in Cranbrook, the Lower Kootenay Child & Family office in Creston, and the ʔakisq̓nuk Child & Family office in Windermere. Counselling can be provided in alternative locations dependent on the individual’s needs, including in school, at home, in the community or in nature.
To access counselling in ʔaq̓am, Cranbrook, Kimberley, and area:
Walk-in intakes are available Fridays from 10am – 2pm at Chief Joseph Center (no appointment necessary). Alternative arrangements are available should the walk-in time present significant barriers, please call (250) 489-4563 ext. 4021.
To access counselling in ʔakisq̓nuk, Shuswap, Invermere, and area:
Appointments are available, call (250) 409-5104.
To access counselling in Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it, Grasmere and area:
Appointments are available, call (250) 489-4563 ext. 4021.
To access counselling in Yaqan Nuʔkiy, Creston and area:
Appointments are available, call (250) 431-8911 or (250) 428-7414 ext. 3314.