Our Services
Our team of registered social workers offers a wide range of support, resources, and education in the areas of high-conflict separation, co-parent conflict, parenting coordination, parent/step-parent coaching, one-at-a-time coaching, child welfare advocacy, and therapy.
Child Welfare Advocacy
When families become involved with Child and Family Services (CFS), Delegated First Nation Agencies (DFNA), or Indigenous Governing Bodies (IGB) in Alberta, it can be an overwhelming experience filled with questions, decisions, and emotions. Advocacy plays a vital role in this process, ensuring that the voices of children, parents, and caregivers are heard and respected.
What is Advocacy?
Advocacy is the act of supporting or arguing in favour of a cause or individual. When it comes to Child Welfare, advocacy means standing up for the rights and best interests of the children and families involved. It means ensuring everyone has access to the resources, information, and fair treatment needed to navigate the system effectively.
Please see our FAQ section for more information.
Parenting Coordination
(PC)
Our PC process is focused on mediation with the ability to arbitrate.
Our goal is to educate parents about child development and what is in the best interest of children to maximize the effectiveness of two coparents who love their children and want them to thrive. We also encourage coparents to make decisions for their children, fostering a positive mediation space.
Unfortunately, there cannot always be agreement due to differing opinions. For that reason, arbitration is available as a fallback.
Being in the PC process means that coparents can avoid the litigation process and the stress, wasted time, and extra expense that comes with that experience.
As mental health practitioners, our services are covered by most employee benefits, which helps to offset costs further
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)
This type of therapy focuses on mental health and emotional growth and is guided by a Registered Social Worker. It is particularly helpful for emotional regulation, non-verbal communication, trust, and boundaries.
Activities might include grooming, feeding, or leading the horse—no riding is required.
EAP has been successful in the past with clients who have not responded well to therapy, as building trust with the horse aids in building trust with the therapist as well. We have found this to be particularly helpful with teenagers exhibiting oppositional behaviour, even when they have been determined to never speak to another therapist again!
Melani’s ranch is home to three rescue horses, Grid, Boo & Sully, along with four rescue dogs and a barn cat. There is a home office where clients can have a snack, use the washroom, and warm up by the wood fireplace in the colder months. The ranch is accessible from Okotoks and other Foothills communities.
New Ways Counselling
New Ways for Families® Counselling Program is for coparents in high-conflict circumstances, many of which have ongoing family law involvement.
The structured parenting skills method teaches and reinforces conflict resolution skills for relationships, with proof of successful program completion provided.
The focus is on learning 4 Big Skills for relationships and conflict that will allow you to manage emotions, think flexibly, behave moderately and check yourself.
You will learn to:
apply your new skills in co-parenting interaction, then teach them to your children
reduce conflict
reduce/avoid alienation (resistance/refusal)
reduce violence and harm to children
Coaching
We offer Parent, Co-Parent, Stepparent, and One-at-a-Time Coaching services. Meet regularly with a Registered Social Worker to gain support and clarity in the issues impacting your everyday life.
Parent Coaching is for parents who need support in raising their children. Sessions can include intact parents or one parent.
Coparent coaching is for parents involved in conflict with their co-parents when both parties are uninterested in Parenting Coordination. These can be individual or as coparents.
Stepparent Coaching is for stepparents who are seeking support in navigating their tough role. Sessions are for the stepparent but may include the parent at the stepparent’s request.
As we are Registered Social Workers, clients who have benefits can often submit their invoices for partial or full reimbursement.
Individual & Couples Counselling
Counselling services are available for both individuals and couples seeking support with anxiety, depression, feeling overwhelmed, or navigating challenging life transitions. We use a Gottman-informed approach in our couples work, helping partners strengthen connection, improve communication, and manage conflict more effectively.
Our focus is on helping clients build practical skills and develop strategies to better cope with stress, interpersonal challenges, and everyday demands. In counselling, clients learn to communicate more effectively, become active listeners, and apply these skills across different areas of life—at home, school, work, and in other environments.
Clients are also supported in identifying personal boundaries and learning how to express them clearly and confidently. By exploring triggers, behaviour patterns, and habits, clients can gain greater self-awareness, feel more in control, and foster meaningful personal growth.
We provide a safe, non-judgmental space where individuals and couples can access both crisis support and ongoing guidance. Through this process, clients can move toward a calmer, more balanced, and fulfilling way of living.
As Registered Social Workers, many clients with extended health benefits are eligible to submit their invoices for partial or full reimbursement.
CFS Litigation Support
Litigation Support is designed to assist both clients and lawyers during Child and Family Services (CFS) involvement.
Lawyers benefit from time-saving reports highlighting key concerns and receive guidance from a former CFS team leader familiar with relevant legislation and policies such as DECA, PSECA, FSCD, and PAVA, helping them stay prepared and meet deadlines.
Clients understand their rights and responsibilities more clearly, experience significant cost savings, and feel supported during a stressful time.
They can review disclosure documents, receive help preparing for meetings, learn how to engage with the case team and safety network, and get support with written communication, including editing and wording emails.
