Our Service Philosophy

At Cowichan Valley Youth Services, it is our mission to provide youth and their parents and caregivers with opportunities to develop skills, strengthen bonds, and deepen community connections.

We are here to help you thrive in all aspects of life. 

We do this through providing a diverse range of free support services tailored to the unique needs of our clients. All of our services and programs are client-led and delivered through a trauma-informed framework.

​

What does it mean to be 'trauma-informed'? 

Trauma-informed practice involves understanding and recognizing the impact of trauma on individuals, groups, and communities and emphasizes the need to create a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment for our clients. Our skilled Youth and Family Counsellors work to ensure youth and caregivers feel safe, respected, and empowered throughout their support journey by fostering trust, collaboration, and open communication. 

​

What does it mean to be 'client-led'? 

A client-led approach emphasizes the importance of allowing our clients to take an active role in their therapeutic journey while the counsellor acts as a guide rather than an expert. Here we work to prioritize our client's goals, values, and pace, empowering them to make decisions, set the direction of their support sessions, and feel more in control of their healing process while the counsellor offers support, tools, and resources as needed.