Strengthening Families Program:
Prenatal Couples and Families with Children 0 to 5 years old

The Strengthening Families Program is an infant/child focused family therapy for families who are having a difficult pregnancy or who had a difficult pregnancy or birth experience or difficulties in the early years with children 0-5 years. These difficulties could be Mom experiencing depression or anxiety in pregnancy or postpartum, a difficult birth, prematurity, adoption or illness in Mom, Dad or baby. Other types of issues may be a death within the close family, or other very significant stressors that impact on either of the parents or the baby or child, such as separation or divorce. The work will be centered around supporting the infant or child and the parents to come back into harmony and close healthy connection. Babies and children will be supported to work through and release very early traumatic experiences with the support of their family.

Any family with children age 5 and under can refer themselves by calling Myrna at 250-352-1655 or emailing Myrna at myrna [at] myrnamartin.net, or be referred by a family physician, public health nurse or other caregiver after agreement by the family member. The Family Room is located in Nelson.

Strengthening Families Program:
Families with Children 6 to 12 years old

The Strengthening Families Program is a child focused family therapy for families with an older child who had a difficult pregnancy or birth experience or difficulties in the early years. These difficulties could be Mom experiencing depression or anxiety in pregnancy or postpartum, a difficult birth, prematurity, adoption or illness in Mom, Dad or baby. Other types of issues may be a death within the close family, divorce or separation, or other very significant stressors that impact on either of the parents or the baby or child. The child may be currently showing angry, withdrawn, defiant or other behavioral/school/peer group difficulties or there may be difficulties in the relationship with parents. The work will be centered around supporting the child and the parents to come back into harmony and close healthy connection and the child to come back into a healthy relationship with himself and other children. Children will be assisted to work through traumatic experiences with the support of their family.

Occasionally, with older children it may be appropriate for the child to be seen without parents in a play therapy setting for some of the session.

Any family with children age 6-12 can refer themselves by Contacting Myrna at 250-352-1655 or emailing myrna [at] myrnamartin.net.

Adoption support

Adoption, at any age from newborn to teens, involves attachment issues.  Myrna provides pre adoption counseling and post adoption support to families working through the attachment issues present. These issues will be major if the child being adopted is from an international setting or if the child has been in several homes or in foster care.  Even newborns adopted directly from their birth location are making an inherent shift from attaching to their biological mother to their adopting family and can benefit from some short term support in developing a secure attachment. Please email Myrna at myrna [at] myrnamartin.net or call her at 250-352-1655 for more information or to set up an appointment.

Phone consultations

Myrna does phone consultations with parents from around the world (who are English speakers).  Often, these are with people she has met with face to face in a Process Workshop or Seminar.  Even if Myrna has not met parents face to face  effective counselling  and support is still possible.  Please email her at myrna [at] myrnamartin.net if you would like to get more information or to set up an appointment.