Calgary Counselling Centre has been a leader in the field of counselling and domestic abuse no exception. In 1981, we were the first organization to offer group counselling for domestic abuse. By offering both individual and group treatment we have brought the highest results for our clients.

With the intention of ending the cycle of abuse before it begins, Calgary Counselling Centre's Wilson Centre for Domestic Abuse Studies continues to be a leader in domestic abuse programming, research and community involvement, helping all affected by domestic abuse.

Our domestic abuse treatment programs provide the highest level of treatment to women, men and children who abuse or have been abused. Through individual counselling, group programs, and our database of research and community partnerships we are able to maintain our commitment to ending the cycle of abuse.

In 2012, we began the third and final year of our Strengthening Families pilot project. In the project we offer counselling to couples who are impacted by both substance abuse and domestic abuse. The Strengthening Families project is funded by Safe Communities.

The focus of our community outreach in domestic abuse is treatment, training and advocacy. Through these areas we are able to look more closely at programs and resources in the community for domestic abuse. We understand how to better train practitioners as well as identify gaps in resourcing and discover new opportunities. We see the importance for everyone who experiences domestic abuse to have a voice, and that is the reason we have strong community outreach for both male and female victims.

We began offering help for eating disorders in 1995 and continue to provide counselling to clients, both male and female, with eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, binge eating, and preoccupation with weight.

Besides counselling for individuals with eating disorders, Calgary Counselling Centre knows the importance of involving the support of family and friends in the well-being of our clients. To that end, Calgary Counselling Centre also offers workshops for family and friends who want to understand eating disorders and gain the tools to be able to offer support.

This past year W. Brett Wilson (champion of the Wilson Centre for Domestic Abuse Studies) dedicated his yearly widely publicized garden party to eating disorders. The event was titled "Eating Disorders – The Slowest Form of Suicide", and Calgary Counselling Centre was one of three charities selected to receive funds. From the event the Centre received $119,631 that went directly to our eating disorders groups. In addition to the funds, the event helped raise awareness of this important issue in our community.

An interview with Dr. Robbie Babins-Wagner at the garden party.

The quality of your relationship is determined by the quality of your friendship. At Calgary Counselling Centre we want to help you have deep, meaningful and healthy relationships.

For 50 years we have been providing couples counselling. This is one of the top reasons clients come to us at the Centre. We work with couples who experience a range of issues including: stress, depression, grief, sexuality issues, self-esteem and separation or divorce. We work with couples both individually and together to help move through relationship struggles. Our work in this area is imperative as strong healthy relationships means a supportive and healthy family.

For 50 years we have also provided marriage preparation workshops which help couples at any stage in their relationship (recently engaged, married, moving in together, or couples who have been married or living together for a long time) create and maintain a healthy and supportive relationship. Our Marriage Preparation Workshop provides couples with insights and skills that help any couple start strong and build a great marriage.

Our workshop engages couples in important conversations about expectations, communication skills, conflict resolution, and more. Through our Marriage Preparation Workshop couples will leave well-equipped to deepen their relationship and be prepared to face challenges in the future, together.

Through pre- and post-workshop surveys we are able to help couples in Marriage Preparation identify specific areas that require work. Our in-depth questionnaires allow couples to identify strengths and potential challenges they may face, thus giving them added insight into areas that require their attention.

Calgary Counselling Centre is proud to offer counselling to children and youth. In our children and youth programs we work with both the child and the parent through any problems they may be facing. From temper tantrums, divorce, bullying, behaviour issues, difficulty socializing or getting along with parents, teachers or with friends to depression and anxiety we are here to help. Our unique difference in our children and youth area is that we work with both the child and the parents or caregiver to provide significant, positive results in individual and group counselling.

Like their parents, children experience a full range of emotions. Unlike their parents, children will often use their behaviours to communicate and express their feelings. Calgary Counselling Centre's family counsellors and play therapists are adept at working with children to provide them a safe space where they can speak up and voice their feelings.

Separation and divorce affect over 2.1 million Canadian children annually. Since 1984, Calgary Counselling Centre has offered our Children of Divorce group to parents and children to help them adjust to the separation process that can affect so many in our community. In this group, we provide strategies to parents and children to help reduce the impact of divorce on their families, while we guide them through the healing process.

Bullying has become an increasing problem among children in schools and in our community. Calgary Counselling Centre seeks to address this issue through our Responsible Choices for Children group for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The group is tailored to address a range of concerns; from those experiencing bullying to aggressive behaviour, trouble paying attention, and difficulty socializing. The group provides children and parents the opportunity to learn how to identify their feelings and communicate them in a positive way.

When working with children, regular counselling through conversation and play therapy produces the best results. A child can feel more at ease and able to express their feelings and understand concepts through play therapy. In 2010, through the generous donation made by the Burns Memorial Fund, Calgary Counselling Centre was able to expand our play therapy services and therefore improve self-esteem, self-awareness, and child-parent relations.