Child & Family Counselling

Children are referred to the Aulneau Renewal Centre by parents, teachers, social workers or health care providers. Usually the reason for seeking counselling falls into one or more of the following categories:

  • The child has experienced recent parental separation or divorce
  • The child exhibits anger or uncooperative behaviour at home, school or both
  • The child has been subjected to abuse or trauma and may be living in a foster home as a result
  • The child suffers from anxiety

In all of these cases the process of healing requires participation of parent or caregiver and sometimes school personnel. Therapy may involve play or drama therapy for the child or the whole family may participate in the session. At times the parent is seen individually to work on issues that impact his or her ability to parent. Additionally, support and direction to school or daycare personnel may be necessary. In this way, the Aulneau Renewal Centre responds to not only the individual child, but the family, school and environment surrounding the child.

Funding Resources:

Healthy Child Manitoba, the Missionary Oblate Sisters and counselling revenues.


Services Include:

  • Family or child assessment
  • Referral for further assessment if necessary
  • Family counselling. The entire family participates in building communication and understanding family dynamics and the roles they play
  • Play therapy or individual counselling. The child or adolescent processes trauma through expressive therapies such as sand tray, painting or working with clay.
  • Parental support. The parent is given guidance in addressing children’s needs and setting limits.
  • Parent/child dyad work. Behaviour and family situations are addressed. (Since many families who come to the Aulneau Renewal Centre consist of one child and one parent, this is a common approach).

An increasing number of children referred to the Aulneau Renewal Centre are living in foster homes. For these children, counselling may focus on past trauma and loss. In some cases we are asked to provide counselling to birth parents and their children even though the children are not living in the home. In cases where the goal is family reunification, the Aulneau Renewal Centre has played an important role in helping families develop new and healthy patterns for successful reunification.

In summary, all services in the family/child therapy program will identify problematic family patterns, explore the history of the problem areas, identify family strengths and challenges, and offer alternate ways of family functioning.

In the year 2007, a total of 2206.5 counselling hours were dedicated to children.


Highlights of the year include:

  • Group for parents: How to Talk So Kids Will Listen.