This is a new group program which is intended to help adolescents learn skills to cope with depression. The need for such a group is indicated by research demonstrating that depression is a significant problem affecting increasing numbers of adolescents. Associated with an increase in adolescent depression rates are increases in the number of teenage suicides as well as drug and alcohol abuse.

Just as with adults suffering from depression, research has found that certain adolescent clients can make better progress in managing depression with group counselling because of the unique benefits which this form of counselling provides.

As with the Children of Divorce program, the Managing Depression for Adolescents group requires parental participation to help parents reinforce the changes their teens are making in coping with depression. Adolescents and their parents will attend separate groups on the same evening each week.

The adolescent group will help teens to learn effective ways of coping with depression. Topics and techniques which will be covered include: relaxation exercises, social skills, communication, pleasant activities and actions, changing negative thinking, and problem-solving. Instructional methods will include discussions, role-playing exercises and homework assignments

The parents group will help parents to understand their adolescent children's depression. It will also facilitate parents' providing support for the strategies their children will learn in coping with depression. This group is also designed to help reduce the level of conflict between parents and teenagers by teaching effective communication and problem-solving skills. Later group sessions involve the joint participation of the adolescents and their parents to achieve these goals.

All clients must participate in individual counselling prior to beginning the group program. Acceptance in the group is not automatic and is at the discretion of the counsellor.

Please fill out our online Intake form or call 403.691.5991 to request an initial evaluation session.
Programs are offered on a regular basis throughout the year.

Fees for the Centre's programs (with the exception of the Marriage Preparation Program) are based on a sliding fee scale, according to the client's total gross family income. Your fee will be established during the initial telephone call with our Intake Office. However, fees can be discussed with your counsellor during the first session. The fee does not include the cost of a treatment manual, which can be purchased through the Centre at a cost of approximately $32.00.

Fees are payable each session by cash, Visa, Mastercard, or Interac.

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