Registered Clinical Social Worker

200-347 Leon Avenue
Kelowna, BC V1Y 8C7

Also serving the Penticton area

T: (250) 212-3220
E: sharlasc@telus.net

Fee: TBD

Experience and Qualifications

More than 35 years of experience in adult, child and family counselling.

B.A. Psychology, B.S.W. (Social Work)

M. Ed. Counselling with focus on child and family development/psychology/therapy

With more than three decades of working with children and families Sharla brings training in child development, psychology and mental health, as well as skills she has developed in establishing rapport with children and adolescents in order to bring forth their needs and views. These perspectives and input can result in parenting plans that will maximize their development, sense of self and security, connection, and family relationships. Sharla strives to bring the voice of the child(ren) to the process in a way that is least stressful and most supportive and respectful in accordance with their cognitive and emotional development.

One of her foremost guiding principles is to empower the child to have input into the decision-making without making them feel responsible for the outcome, or the effect on the adult parties involved. Our intent is to address the needs of the children as paramount, bringing motivation for collaborating to maximize co-parenting. Hearing the voice of the child in their own words often breaks through adversarial impasses and decreases the conflict levels so parents can work together in the best interests of the child.

Family Lawyer

205 – 1630 Pandosy Street
Kelowna, BC

T: (250) 861-5294
E: jeffrey@jpeterson.ca

Fee: $350 per child plus taxes

University of British Columbia
History Degree 1979 / Law Degree 1986

Jeffrey started doing Hear the Child Reports on an informal basis in the mid-1990s upon the request of either Judges or fellow counsel. This was followed up with participation in the Hear the Child Pilot Project in Kelowna as well as more formal training through continuing education and attendance of other seminars. He presented at the 45th annual conference of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts in Vancouver and at a Provincial Court Judges’ Conference on the importance of hearing the child.

Certified Counsellor

375-1855 Kirschner Rd (Stewart Centre)
Kelowna, BC V1Y 4N7

T: (250) 864-8664
E: maryellenmc@gmail.com
W: maryellenmcnaughton.com

Fees: TBD

Separation and Divorce can be a confusing and emotional time for children. It is a time of uncertainty when profound change can and often does result in their lives. Sometimes they feel caught in the middle and like they have no say in what is happening.  Although children do not decide what happens in these situations nor should they have that responsibility, one of the biggest gifts you can give them during this often, tumultuous time is to listen to them and really be willing to hear what they think and how they feel. This is not always easy when you may be dealing with confusion and emotional turmoil yourself.

Hear the Child is a process of focused listening done by a third party that can be helpful. Children having their thoughts and feelings not only heard but noted and passed on to their parents and sometimes an arbitrator or the court lets them know that their feelings and perspectives are valued and will at least be considered when decisions are made. I believe that hearing a child’s thoughts and feelings, in their own words can also provide clarity and perspective to those who are making the decisions.

I spend approximately an hour with your child and then meet with them a second time to make sure I got it right. I then report the outcome of my interview with a transcribed copy of my questions and their responses. It is a privilege for me to do this work and I am often amazed at the insight and wisdom that emerges from the mouths of children!

I have a Masters in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia and I am certified by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association CCPA.

I have been a counsellor since 1997.

Registered Clinical Counsellor

214 – 2900 Pandosy Street
Kelowna, BC V1Y 1V9

T: (250) 860-0197
F: (250) 860-0195

E: brenda@forstercounselling.ca
W: www.forstercounselling.ca

Fee: TBD
 
When you request Brenda to interview your child, this is what you can expect: Brenda takes care and attention to ensure that she understands the issues and concerns before meeting with the child.  Recognizing that, as parents, you feel there is a lot at stake, she crafts her questions with care to ensure that issues and concerns are explored from all perspectives. Because Brenda believes it is important for the children’s views to be relayed as accurately as possible, she reports the outcome of the interview by providing a transcribed copy of her questions and the child’s full response to each question.

Brenda has trained extensively with Joan Kelly, Ph. D., an internationally renowned divorce and child custody researcher, clinical psychologist, family mediator, parenting coordinator, child advocate, and author. Topics covered in workshops and trainings Brenda has completed with Joan Kelly include the child interview process, listening to children’s views in divorce processes, developing appropriate parenting plans, parental alienation and child alienation.

In addition, Brenda has training in Collaborative Family Law Practices and is well versed in family systems theories, child development, and the risks and buffers for children whose parents divorce.

Collaborative Lawyer and Mediator

210 – 347 Leon Avenue
Kelowna, BC V1Y 8C7

T: (250) 763-7333
T: (250) 769-7787
E: bev@bevchurchill.ca

Fee: TBD

Hear the Child. The lives of children are affected by decisions that are made for them and about them. Where they live; who they live with; how much time they spend with each parent and their ability to have contact with extended family members.

Do children actually make the decisions? This is a very common question and the answer is “No”. Children do not decide, but children can provide clarity and sometimes simplicity to complex adult disputes. Oftentimes, this is exactly what may be needed to do the following:

1. Reduce conflict between parents
2. Lead to better relationships between parents
3. Lead to better relationships between parent and child
4. Provide better information
5. Make better decisions for the child and the family

Children love, and should love, each parent. The parent child relationship is very special. A healthy parent child relationship is critical to the growth and development of a child. It deserves focus and attention. It is unique to each parent and child. Each child will have their own special views on that relationship. How do we get this information if we do not ask, and, equally important, if we do not listen?

Hear the Child Reports — the views of children should be considered when decisions are to be made about children and the rights and interests of children.

I am very proud to be on the Roster of the BC Hear the Child Society.

Registered Clinical Social Worker
209 – 220 Fourth Avenue
Kamloops, BC V2C 3N5

T: (250) 819-0268
F: (250) 374-1894

E: dragonflycounselling@gmail.com
W: www.dragonflycounseling.ca

Fee: $250 per hour

Carrie McNeely is a Registered Clinical Social Worker with 30 years of experience providing assessment and counselling services to families in crisis. Her studies specialized in the process of family reorganization brought about by separation, divorce, and remarriage. Her Master of Social Work thesis examined the effects of marital breakup on children and the factors that contribute to the development of resilience during the reorganization of their families. She has been in private practice for 10 years working as a therapist, a trained family mediator, and more recently, as an assessor for court ordered Views of the Child and Section 15 Custody and Access Reports. In addition, she participates in continuing education that has included strategies to use in high conflict mediation, current research on parental alienation, and expressive play therapy techniques for assessing young children.

On a personal note, Carrie is a child of divorce and the mother in a “yours, mine, and ours” blended family of seven children. She is not surprised by research that suggests that children fare better, through their parent’s separation, when they have an opportunity to express their preferences and contribute to the development of the parenting plan that ultimately is the structure for their lives. She is committed to ensuring that a child’s voice is heard through the use of their words and the things that are meaningful in their lives when preparing a report.

The preparation of a typical report includes a brief discussion with both parents prior to the interview, especially for children under 12; an interview lasting approximately an hour with each child individually; the writing of the report; a brief follow up session with the child or children to ensure that she has accurately communicated the child’s views; and an opportunity for the parents to meet with her to review the report prior to it being forwarded to their respective lawyers or court.