COUNSELLING AND MEDIATION SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE IN PERSON OR AT MY OFFICE
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
ONLINE COUNSELLING & MEDIATION
Benefits of online counselling and mediation:
Ability to access services for those who are self-isolating or have concerns about potential exposure to COVID-19.
Available to individuals and families living in rural or remote areas where in person resources and services may be limited.
Accessible for individuals facing barriers to transportation or mobility.
Opportunity for individuals to attend counselling sessions during the work day.
Flexibility for couples or family members who live in separate households and are seeking joint counselling or mediation services.
FAMILY MEDIATION
Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process that provides parents the opportunity to develop mutually acceptable agreements in a safe environment. The role of the mediator is a neutral third party who remains unbiased about the issues discussed while fostering fairness during the mediation process. The mediator does not take sides nor provide legal advice to parties transitioning through the complexities of separation and divorce.
Kim recognizes parents are the experts of their own children and guides the mediation process to support parents in achieving parenting plans unique to their families’ needs and future goals.
See the link below for Stages of Mediation.
INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COUNSELLING
Counselling can support re-establishing family relationships to create clear boundaries for co-parenting and for parents to reassure their children that they are loved. During separation and divorce, children and youth also experience grief and loss which may elevate their insecurity while adjusting to two separate households. When parents disagree about their children’s feelings or needs, the child’s perspective may provide valuable insight into the development of co-parenting plans.
Kim provides a safe environment for children and youth to express their feelings and share their experiences. She gives children a voice for their concerns and interests to be considered by their parents when decisions are being made about them.
What Children Need
Unconditional love
Positive role models
Consistency
Stability
Structure
Security
Emotional support
REINTEGRATION THERAPY
Reintegration therapy is voluntary. The process focuses on healing the relationship between the child and separated parent. Reintegration therapy is not about changing the past or requiring agreement about prior situations and circumstances; rather it accepts there will be different versions of past events which resulted in distress for the child. The progression of reintegration is determined by the child’s readiness to engage and each parent’s willingness to work cooperatively with the therapist.
Reintegration therapy provides children and youth the opportunity to explore: 1) aspects of relationship worth preserving; 2) opportunity to work through feelings about perceived or real events; and 3) opportunity to develop realistic view of separated parent. The paramount goal is to do what is in the best interest of the child.
VOICE OF THE CHILD REPORTS
A Voice of the Child Report (VCR) is a non-evaluative report prepared after meeting with the children of parents who are attempting to resolve parenting issues arising from separation and divorce. A VCR is NOT an assessment. A VCR can be requested at any point in the process of dispute resolution services or litigation by parent/guardian, lawyer, or Judge.
The VCR may be the step you take before having an extensive custody and access assessment completed or a lengthy court battle. We have a duty to ensure that children’s voices are heard when important decisions are made about their lives. As a trained VCR practitioner with over 20 years’ experience working with children and youth, Kim understands the need to approach each child’s unique needs with great sensitivity and care.
The process:
The VCR practitioner conducts a one (1) hour intake session with each parent and determines where and when the meetings with child (ren) will take place.
With the consent of both parents, the child (ren) will be scheduled for a minimum of two meetings with the VCR practitioner. Siblings will be interviewed separately.
Each parent is responsible to bring their child (ren) to an equal number of face to face meetings unless circumstances limit direct contact and interviews are arranged via online or telephone.
The child’s views and preferences are formatted in a Voice of Child Report.
Kim Hunter is an accredited Family Mediator with the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (AccFM # 576-19) and is a registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (Registration # 829851, https://www.ocswssw.org/members/online-register/).
Kim has over twenty years’ experience supporting individuals and families in developing strategies to deal with complex life transitions. She specializes in supporting parents and caregivers in renegotiating their relationships to promote their children’s best interests and wellbeing during family separation. She has a keen interest in the complexities of the parent teen relationship and assisting families in identifying intersections between parental expectations and nurturing healthy independent teenagers.
Kim is a graduate from the University of Waterloo with B.A. in Psychology, a Professional Certificate in Family Mediation from York University, and an Early Childhood Education Diploma from Sir Sandford Fleming College. Kim is committed to continuous learning and professional development obtaining graduate courses in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and post degree credits in Social Work from University of Waterloo and Athabasca University.
CONTACT US
Free half hour consultation available.
Office hours:
Tuesday, Thursday and alternate Fridays,
9AM to 5PM, by appointment only
55 Brock Street, Peterborough, ON K9H 2P1.
705-933-4818