COUNSELLING AND MEDIATION SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE IN PERSON OR ONLINE
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
CHILD, YOUTH 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 how they can best support their child's unique needs.
Children and youth are provided a safe environment to express their feelings and share their experiences as they attempt to navigate the process of transitioning from childhood to adulthood.
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Children Need Parents to Provide:
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Unconditional love
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Positive role modeling
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Consistency
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Stability
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Structure
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Security
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Emotional support
NEW WAYS FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM
The purpose of the New Ways for Families Program is to provide a skills" based method for parents navigating divorce or separation who could benefit from learning new communication, emotion management and problem solving skills. The primary goal is to teach parents the skills necessary to effectively resolve co-parenting disagreements while remaining calm and protecting their child from the conflict. The course may be voluntary, recommended or mandated by courts or other professionals.
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 25 years of experience working with children and youth, Kim understands the need to approach each child’s unique needs with great sensitivity and care.
Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process that provides parents the opportunity to develop mutually acceptable parenting agreements in a safe environment. The role of the mediator is a neutral third party who remains unbiased about the family's 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; rather the mediator provides legal and community referrals as needed for the parties.
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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.
FAMILY MEDIATION
ABOUT KIM HUNTER
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/). She is a trained Voice of the Child Professional and New Ways for Families Counsellor.
Kim has over 25 years of 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 adolescent relationship. She supports families in identifying intersections between parental expectations and children navigating adolescence.
She is a graduate from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Arts degree 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 the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and post degree credits from the Bachelor of Social Work program from the University of Waterloo and Athabasca University.
CONTACT KIM HUNTER
Free half hour phone consultation available.
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Office hours:
By appointment only