Client Information Forms
All clients must fill out the appropriate forms prior to their first session. Everyone must complete a registration form, an Informed/Parental Consent form for counselling, or an Agreement To Mediate form.
Go to caroldaw.noustalk.com to complete Intake/Registration and Informed Consent forms,
except if you are coming for mediation. For mediation please complete both the Intake and the Agreement to Mediate forms and scan and send them as an attachment to me at cdaw@bowvalleycounselling.ca
Forms
Agreement to Participate in Closed Mediation
Mediation
For more information about Family Mediation, please visit:
Alberta Family Mediation Society
Trauma
Getting Past Your Past -Take Control of Your Life with Self-help Techniques from EMDR Therapy by Francine Shapiro, PHD. (2012)
EMDR The Breakthrough “Eye Movement” Therapy for Overcoming Anxiety, Stress & Trauma (1997) by Francine Shapiro and Margot Forrest
The Body Keeps Score, Brain, Mind & Body in the Healing of Trauma (2014) by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
Carol has put together the following resource list as an attempt to be helpful to those who do not decide to get counselling or mediation, or for those who might check out these suggestions in addition to counselling or mediation. This is nowhere near a comprehensive list of what is available out there.
The inclusion of any information or services in this resource list does not constitute an endorsement by Bow Valley Counselling and Mediation. Each resource has been checked out. It is listed here if I feel that it has potentially helpful information. There are many more resources that could also be helpful. The contents do not constitute or replace legal or other professional advice. All users are encouraged to seek appropriate professional advice, as needed. Hopefully, some of these resources will help you to decide upon, (along with other information), what you may need. (Please ensure that you are using “Alberta appropriate” information when dealing with the specifics of a divorce).
Parenting and Divorce
- The Federal Child Support Guidelines: Step-by-Step https://Laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-97-175/page-4.html
- Family Law Information Centre has a wealth of free information on family law matters, including: child and spousal support, grandparents’ rights, and court procedures, to name a few
- Parenting After Separation Go to this site for important information on all the free services available to help you through your divorce or separation, including mediation services, resolving parenting disputes, and getting child support as well as the Parenting After Separation Course (highly recommended)
- Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines Http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fl-df/spousal-epoux/ssag-lafpae.html
- The Smart Divorce This is a Toronto company, however their website has some useful information on what to look for in a family lawyer called “Finding a Family Lawyer”
- Sample Consent Form for Travelling with Children is on the Smart Divorce website
- C. Council for Families This web site has a wealth of information, and resources, such as: Online Parenting courses, and books for kids and adults on Divorce
- The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts has information on families and the function of families
- Families Canada (formerly The Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs has an online, free parenting class, and lots of information on kids, kids’ counselling, and recommends 180 books for kids on Dealing with a multitude of challenges at: apa.org, and search for “Magination”
- collaborativelaw.ca This site on collaborative practice explains that in collaborative law the parties agree not to go to court to settle their conflict (highly recommended, where possible). Lots of good information on this site
- oclf.ca Very helpful information about how to choose between collaborative divorce, mediation or litigation. What suits your circumstances?
- afccontario.ca This website has a wealth of information, including a very recent (summer 2021) and thorough Parenting Plan template. Check it out!
- ca/family-law-assistance.aspx Here you will find help with family law issues including how to respond to a Divorce application, get assistance with family court, or get a court counsellor to help you.
- oafm.on.ca Explains the goals and advisability of going with mediation first, where appropriate
- Maintenance Enforcement Program ca/maintenance-enforcement-in-alberta. Ensures/enforces collection of child support or spousal support that has been court-ordered
- Vanier Institute of the Family (vanierinstitute.ca) has facts and stats on Divorce and Separation in Canada, information on the changes to the Divorce Act; There is a judge’s paper on “Representing Yourself in Court”
- gc.ca/eng has information about changes to the Divorce Act
Health and Wellness
Meditation/Mindfulness Books and Tapes
- Peace is in Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life, by T.N. Hahn, (also on tape)
- Mindfulness in Plain English, by Venerable Henepola Gunaratana
- Discover Meditation: A First Stop Handbook To Better Health, by D. Hall
- The Healing Power of Mind: Simple Meditation Exercises for Health, Well-Being and Enlightenment, by T. Thondup
- Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life; by Jon Kabat- Zinn, (Calgary library call #158.12 KAB)
- Coming to Our Senses: Healing Ourselves and the World Through Mindfulness, by Jon- Kabat- Zinn, (Library call # 155.9042 KAB)
Go to www.mindfulnesscds.com for Jon Kabat-Zinn’s CD’s, and also to access videos of Jon presenting on Mindfulness (highly recommended)
- Practicing the Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle,(Calgary library call # 291.44 TOL)
You Tube
- Metta Loving Kindness Meditation, 9:12 minutes
- Guided Meditation: Embodied Metta, with Tara Brach, 22:05 minutes
- The Healing Power of Mindfulness, Jon Kabat Zinn, 1:52:32
- 9 Attitudes, Jon Kabat Zinn, 26:27
- Mindfulness, An Introduction, with Jon Kabat-Zinn, 1:34:03
- 10 Minute Guided Mindfulness Meditation, Jon Kabat Zinn, 10:02
- Daily Calm/10 minute Mindfulness Meditations: Be Present, or Letting Go
- Guided Meditation for Stress Relief, 11:35
- Release Anxiety, Stress and Over-thinking, Guided Meditation, 10:30
- How to Stop Over-Thinking, Sadhguru, 10:16
BOOKS Books in bold print are highly recommended
Mind/Body Healing
- Full Catastrophe Living:Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain and Illness, by Jon Kabat- Zinn (Calgary library call # 158.12 KAB)
- Mind-Body Workbook for PTSD, by Stanley Block, MD and Carolyn B. Block
- Trauma and Recovery, by Judith Herman, M.D.
- Timeless Healing, by H. Benson
- Minding the Body, Mending the Mind, by J. Borysenko
- Feeling Good, The New Mood Therapy, by D. Burns – recommended for those who struggle with depression
- Quantum Healing, by D. Chopra
- Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom, by C. Northrup
Visualization/Imagery
- Rituals of Healing: Using Imagery for Health and Wellness, by J. Achterberg and L. Kolkmeier
- A picture of Health: How to Use Guided Imagery for Self-Healing and Personal Growth, by H. Graham
- The Healing Mind, by R. Ornstein and D. Sobel
Other Books
- The Gift of Imperfection, by Brene Brown
- Rising Strong, by Brene Brown,
- The Power of Vulnerability, with Brene Brown, TED talk, online
- Stress Management, A Comprehensive Guide to Wellness, Ballantyne, 1984, by EA Charlesworth and RG Nathan A stress management course in itself: progressive relaxation, autogenic training, imagery, reprogramming, assertiveness, time management, exercise, nutrition, weight management, and more
- Codependent No More, by Melody Beattie, a classic, very helpful book
- The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook, by Davis, M., Eshelman, E., and MackKay, M., Oakland, Ca: New Harbinger Publications, 1991, A comprehensive overview of the techniques, more than you’ll ever need, but a great toolbox to have around.
- The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook, by Edmund Bourne, PH.D
- Don’t Let Your Emotions Run Your Life, by Scott E. Spradlin,
- Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor E. Frankl, Highly recommended
- The Power of Positive Thinking, by Norman Vincent Peale
- What to Say When You Talk to Yourself, by Shad Helmsterrer, Pocket Books, 1986 Re-programming your thoughts about yourself, others and your environment
- You Don’t have To Come Home from Work Exhausted, by A. Cooper, New York, Bantam Books, 1992, A practical book with easy ways to break down the work day to enjoy more energy and balance.
- Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In, by R. Fisher and W. Ury, New York, Penguin Books, 1991, Useful for ways to deal with conflict and confrontation
- How to Become Stress Resistant, by R. Flannery, Boston:Continuum Press, 1992, A Harvard researcher on Post Traumatic Stress, Flannery has an excellent overview on stress-resistant people, and how to become one.
- The Grief Recovery Handbook by John James and Russel Friedman
- Rebuilding, When Your Relationship Ends, by Dr. Bruce Fisher
- Weisinger’s Anger Workout Book, by Dr. Weisinger
Relationships
- The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, by John Gottman and Nan Silver
- The Relationship Cure, by John Gottman and Joan DeClaire
- Hold Me Tight, Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, by Sue Johnson
- Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy, by Susan Johnson
You might want to check out:
There is a multitude of wonderful books out there! Plus lots on youtube and TED talks, websites, podcasts, and programs!
I hope you enjoy discovering what is most helpful and interesting to YOU!!