Integrated Early Childhood Mental Health Services (Abbotsford residents only)

We provide a variety of specialized mental health services for infants and children under six who exhibit symptoms of or have been diagnosed with mental health issues. These could include anxiety, depression, excessive tantrums, and post traumatic stress.

Our goal is the early identification of problems and treatment as well as promoting the healthy emotional development of children.

Services

Our services are accessible, collaborative, inclusive, and child and family-centred. They are funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development and are provided in partnership with the FVCDC and the Abbotsford School District.

Programs are configured to meet the individual needs of the child and families. The services are voluntary and provided free of charge. As with all of our services parent participation is crucial to the growth and development of their child and a requirement of our mental health services.

Treatment options include:

• Psychological assessment
• Individual therapy, including play therapy and filial therapy
• Child – parent relationship training
• Collaborative problem solving
• Parenting Wisely

We also offer a variety of programs.

• From Caterpillars to Butterflies. A six-session attachment-based program that supports children in the development of social skills and improving self-esteem. It also addresses topics for parents.
• Therapeutic Kindergarten Readiness Program (TKRP). An intensive specialized program within a therapeutic environment for children who have significant social and emotional challenges. The program increases adaptive social / emotional skills for children entering kindergarten
• Watch, Wait, and Wonder. A parent-child program that focuses on the attachment relationship and parent insight as a means of reducing mental health symptoms.

Child psychologists, clinical child therapists, and family support workers are among the professionals who deliver the services and programs.

Referrals

Referrals of children who reside in Abbotsford may be made by parents, paediatricians, family doctors, childcare centres, and preschools, as well as community and FVCDC professionals.

Find Out More

For more information, please contact Wendy Bruzzese by telephone at 604.852.2686 ext. 230, or by email at wbruzzese@fvcdc.org