SVYC Family Services Program provides an array of counselling services to youth and families throughout the city of Vancouver. All counsellors in this program are Masters level graduates offering a comprehensive model program which includes the following components:

1. Mediation Services are designed for families that can benefit from a short term (8-10 sessions) mediation approach that is solution focused around a specific problem area in the family. Most often this service is used for parent teen conflict.
   
2. Family Counselling is designed for families that are experiencing challenges to the functioning of the family. A variety of approaches, in many languages are available to meet the needs of these families. Services in this component are generally limited to three months with the option to extend if necessary.
   
3. Intensive Therapeutic Interventions are designed for families meeting specific referral criteria and are able to have therapeutic service delivered to them in their homes for a specified number of hours each week. This program is offered for approximately one month for each family.
   
4. Family Development is designed for families that can benefit from a longer term approach (6 months or longer). Families referred to this component may have some level of disability or cognitive impairment that prevents therapeutic movement in a timely manner.
   
5. Groups are designed to meet a variety of needs including but not limited to:

If there is a group topic of interest, SVYC will be happy to create and implement a group that meets the needs of the Vancouver Community. Groups may be offered in languages other than English, and it is encouraged that you contact us to find out if we offer services in your language. Additionally, groups take several different forms including:

• Closed – group enrolment is limited and for a specific topic

• Open – group enrolment is not limited and an array of topics are included

• Leveled – group enrolment is limited and the group collaboratively works through various stages of information and process.

• Youth – SVYC offers a wide range of different types of groups for youth. Youth in families who are attending a component of the Family Services Program are welcome to attend these groups as well.

There is a continuous process for groups and although a group may not be offered regularly on a specific topic, that group may be offered later in the year once enough interest is generated. There are no fees for attending a SVYC group.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

1. WHERE ARE SERVICES OFFERED?

Family Services offers clients living in the Vancouver area counselling in their homes or in office. The majority of service, when appropriate will happen in the client’s home. The program has offices in a variety of locations to facilitate access.

2. HOW DO I ACCESS SERVICES?

Referrals to SVYC Family Services Team originate from MCFD Social Workers. If a family member needs support, they can contact their MCFD Intake Office to request services. 

*** MCFD referral is not required for participation in Parent Support Groups. Self and community referrals are accepted.

3. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR A REFERRAL?

MCFD Social workers referring to the SVYC Family Services Team will be contacted within a 24 hour time frame. At that time a strategy will be put in place to serve the family in as timely a fashion as possible.

4. WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND OF THE COUNSELLORS?

All of the SVYC Family Services Team counsellors have Masters Degrees and have specialized training in family counselling and working with youth. *** Services can be offered in different languages, please contact us to see if we can serve your family in the language you need.