Sarah Smith

Counsel women aged 16+ (Individual and group settings; virtual and in person) who have been impacted by various types of abuse through short term counselling practices to implement goals towards healing by increasing safety, decreasing mental and emotional impacts of abuse, guiding safe decision making practices in relationship navigation and individual needs, supporting and collaborating with social/community support programs; created and co facilitated group program curriculum for "Walking With Womyn"; case management.

Supportive Mothering is a group that is designed for mothers: who have experienced women abuse in their intimate relationships, perhaps have used substance(s) to cope with the violence or have a history of usage/violence in their childhood. This program recognizes that all of these conditions attribute to mothering which needs additional education, safety planning, and support to assist mothers to be available/present in their children's lives in a meaningful and safe manner.

This program is delivered by Women's advocates who understand the experience of abused women, who have a feminist analysis within an anti oppression/anti racist framework using a Trauma Informed Lens.

Offered crisis counselling in person and over the crisis line; completing assessments for appropriate shelter admission for women and children; supported their needs throughout stay in Residential program, including parenting support, legal advocacy, safety planning, RGI Housing applications, mental health and addictions programming (implementing Harm Reduction practices); engaged in education regarding the impacts of abuse and trauma; networked positive/safe relationships with police and other front line workers; case management.

Offered crisis intervention, counselling, support and advocacy services in a Residential Shelter setting to women and their children that have been affected by abuse.

Provide support, information, resources/referrals to Residential and Community clients to assist them in assessing their options and take safe action.

Act as an advocate for assaulted/abused women living with addictions.

Network and co operate with referral services and other social services to widen support for client.

Maintain accurate records, attend case management and update case managers.

Adhere to guidelines set out in the Haldimand and Norfolk CAS/VAW Protocol

Assist in training new Residential Counsellors in the areas of Harm Reduction Practices.

Facilitate 21 day Treatment Program to clients moving into an abstinence based Recovery.

Provide counselling and education models in a group and/or individual setting.

Develop and implement an individualized treatment plan with the client.

Provide leadership and support to Family members of clients in Treatment program.

Facilitate Family Program once a week to support and increase safety for Family members of people living with addictions.

Educate and motivate clients to identify their own short/long term goals; evaluate their goals; and monitor progress.

Maintain and provide clear/accurate clinical notes with regards to intra-agency communication, clients files, and correspondence with clients and/or professional within the community.

Provide a safe and monitored environment for men/women to physically withdraw from alcohol/drugs in an abstinent bases environment.

Build rapport with clients and offer direction in regards to medical interventions if necessary.

Provide motivational and brief solution focused counselling.

Provide an empathetic, non judgmental, and non biased space for the client to pursue goals of abstinence.

Prepare and provide written Discharge reports for clients.

Provide 24/7 hour crisis support on the phone.