Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools: Professional Learning Services

Child & Youth Assessment- GP & surrounding area.

Multidisciplinary assessment services include psychology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work, speech & language.

Looking for volunteer work over the summer? Grande Prairie Public Library is now looking for teen volunteers to help over the summer. Use the QR code or go to our website to fill out a form!

Meet the team! 🌹

Henri Chauvet our Director of Student Services:

“I grew up on a farm by Legal Alberta. I moved to Grande Prairie to start my career as a teacher. Married to teacher and we have 3 (now) adult children and love to play Disk Golf.

During my time with GPCSD, I have been teacher / principal for 20 years and in the last 5 years moved into central office as the Director of Student Services.”

Free mental health therapy services provided by a practicum student. Virtual or phone sessions.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/natalie-stevens-stony-plain-ab/1306444?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2dzLD0-bAaa3aRqe7WDDlhA_4OP5UVsXKyjAIDYFDrTPrZz40H-XGGRpU_aem_ATBCG2OVaOgE40wt7CSYj6Ilbfj-bAdbnvGCRMfCdehnxBR7neX3U0xJenXGbinoEHeaKhYNTTzy-nXED-zYG4Ps

Natalie Stevens, Pre-Licensed Professional, Stony Plain, AB, T7Z | Psychology Today Natalie Stevens, Pre-Licensed Professional, Stony Plain, AB, T7Z, (587) 741-1915, For as long as I can remember I have been passionate about connecting with and supporting people in any way that I can. When I started my journey as an undergraduate student, I became even more compelled to learn about...

A great resource in our community!

Students grade 10 - 12!

🌟 Exciting Opportunity for Rural Alberta Students! 🌟

Are you a student in grades 10-12 from rural Alberta with an interest in pursuing a career in healthcare? The ASCLEPIUS Medical Camp for Youth is offering a FREE summer camp from July 24-26, 2024, aimed at sparking your interest in the medical field.

Hosted by the Medical Students Association, this camp is designed to provide valuable insights and hands-on experiences. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to explore the world of healthcare!

Learn more and apply by the June 9, 2024 deadline at https://bit.ly/3xCLO7F.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to jumpstart your future in medicine!

Meet the team! 🌹

I’m Marion Foster, a Mental Health Therapist within the district.

I was born in Nova Scotia, and have lived in 3 countries, and 5 Canadian provinces. As a result, I went to many schools growing up. This has gifted me perspective and compassion for children starting at a new school, making new connections, grieving lost connections, and navigating cultural differences.

I provide counselling therapy services to St Gerard, St Clement, St Joseph, St Bosco, St Thomas More and St Patrick.

I have a Master of Clinical Social Work and love ongoing learning. I am a certified Clinical Trauma Specialist, and have completed training in various areas such as eating disorders, neurodiversity, mood and personality disorders, attachments and relationships.

My practice is deeply rooted in attachment, connection and acceptance.

I don’t believe that people need to be “fixed” and don’t believe that we need to make changes to make others more comfortable.

I embrace a neurodiverse affirming framework. Instead of fitting a child into a box, I ask what accommodations and strategies might be helpful? What insights do children have about their own needs?

Spending time with these young humans is a privilege that isn’t lost on me 🧡

Child & Youth Therapists, Grande Prairie & surrounding areas 🌺

Perspective taking can be difficult to do but is an essential part of building healthy relationships. Current research suggests that our neurodiverse friends can have a hard time with perspective taking, and need some nonjudgmental support in looking at how others may see something.

Free community mental health resource

✨ Building Better Boundaries
📅 Session 1: Wednesday March 6th
📅 Session 2: Wednesday March 13th
📅 Session 3: Wednesday March 20th
⏰ 2:00 - 3:00 PM
📍 Grande Prairie Public Library

Session 1: Introduction to Boundaries
Register Online: https://events.gppl.ca/index.php/event/building-better-boundaries-36426

Session 2: Understanding Boundaries
Register Online: https://events.gppl.ca/index.php/event/building-better-boundaries-36427

Session 3: Articulating My Boundaries to Others
Register Online: https://events.gppl.ca/index.php/event/building-better-boundaries-36428

Big feelings, rejection sensitivity and acting on impulse are important to understand when you or a loved one has ADHD.

People with ADHD feel emotions more intensely than do people without the condition. For many, difficulty with emotional regulation is one of the most challenging symptoms to manage.
👉 https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-emotional-regulation-video/

Marion Foster is nominated for a Passionate Heart Award for her impactful role as a dedicated Mental Health Therapist on the GPCSD Professional Learning Support Team. Her support extends to students through individual plans and training for the school community and parents. Marion's generosity goes beyond coordinating charity efforts, promoting programs, and addressing emergent situations with early arrivals and late departures. Marion's dedication creates a lasting impact on the lives of students and staff alike.

The Solstice Integrated Wellness Centre is a structured, immersive two-week program for youth presenting any variety of addiction or mental health concerns. This program focuses on major life areas, stages of change, and healthy coping skills in a residential environment.

Who is it for?

Youth up to the age of 18 managing any of the following:
grief/loss
substance use
anxiety
depression
self-harm
trauma
eating disorders
emotion regulation

For more information, visit us online at www.mpcssn.com

💜

MPCSSN services are accessible by referral only

Meet the team! 🌷

Melissa is from an amazing rural town in New Brunswick and is a graduate of the Dalhousie University School of Occupational Therapy, 1999.

Melissa has an area of expertise in self-regulation, eating and sleep, self-help skills and fine motor challenges.

She strives to ensure an inclusive and neurodiversity affirming safe space when working with children. Melissa brings a holistic, professional and unique perspective to therapy with a wealth of knowledge from many different domains.

She works closely with Physical Therapy, Speech and Language Pathology, Psychology, Behaviour Consultants, Doctors and Dieticians.

When Melissa is not working she can be found spending time with her husband and two children - usually at a hockey rink or basketball court.

Free daily text messages offering coping strategies and growth mindset affirmations

If you are feeling stressed, anxious or depressed, AHS has supports available including Text4Hope. Text4Hope is also available in multiple languages including Arabic, Chinese, French and Punjabi. Visit http://www.AHS.ca/Text4Hope for more information.

Meet the team! 🌷

Hello. My name is Morgan Wardill and I am in my second year of working for the Catholic District.

I have a BSW in Social Work from The University of Calgary and recently started by MSW through Walden University.

I have worked in the helping profession since 2008 and worked for Alberta Health Services for 11 years primarily in Addictions and Mental Health in different capacities.

I came to the school district because I needed a change and wanted to work with children and youth again.

I love music, lifting weights, skateboarding, riding my Harley and camping. I tend to be quite introverted away from work and spend much time with my two cats, my dog and my wife.

I am passionate about working with kids; providing them with support and education to deal with issues they are struggling with. I am an advocate at times and love learning from the kids I work with. I practice from a place of empowering change, not doing it for someone.

I have never met a “bad” child but I for sure have met some hurt ones with limited support and direction. I believe it takes a village to raise a child and I am grateful to be part of the Catholic School District village.

We had an early Christmas present for one of our students, Aurora! Thank you so much to our PT, Josh, with our PLS team for all the leg work helping to get this new wheelchair for Aurora! We have one very very happy student!!

Meet the team! 🌷

Hello, I am Kayla French, the Mental Health & Addictions Counsellor based out of St. Jean Paul II.

My role in the district is to address the education and prevention of addictions within our schools and community, counselling students who are affected by substance misuse or adverse behaviors that lead to reducing overall wellbeing.

I graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Social Work, and I have worked in student wellness for most of my career. My passion is working within a community of people who are striving for optimal wellness through connection and perseverance.

“If kids come to us from strong, healthy functioning families, it makes our job easier. If they do not come to us from strong, healthy, functioning families, it makes our job more important” – Barbara Coloroso

I am grateful to do the work often overlooked, to support student wellness in a whole-student approach.