Prince George

• On your first visit to Foundry Prince George, we will support you to complete our onboarding paperwork, so that we can create a chart for you.
• You’ll let us know what’s bringing you through the door, your preferred name and pronouns, how you’d like us to communicate with you, and who you give us permission to communicate with.
• We’ll walk you through our limits to confidentiality, our services on offer, and answer any questions you have.
• You’ll complete a Health and Demographic Survey on one of our iPads. It will take 20-30 minutes, and will give us a better picture of who you are, your resources, experiences, and needs. This will be the only time you complete a survey of this length, and it will allow us to ensure you don’t have to tell your story over and over. Some of the questions will be personal, and you are able to skip past any ones you aren’t comfortable with or aren’t ready to answer. If the survey as a whole is too much to tackle, that’s OK; not completing it won’t prevent you from being able to access services.

• We believe you already have the skills and ability to create change in your life but you may need help identifying and developing those skills.
• We focus on what works for you and how it can help you in the future instead of examining your past experiences.
• Counselling is offered in a single instance, solution focused way.
• We encourage you to see our team of counsellors as available to you. Each of them have skills and strengths that can support you in unique ways. Each are committed to the belief that you are the expert in yourself.

We respond directly to what you want to work on by focusing on what’s important to you, what you want at the end of the session and creating do-able goals with you.

At Foundry PG, our Counsellors all offer Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). Individually, they may also use other therapeutic modalities, like Dialectic Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Narrative Therapy.

• To be asked to give us a heads up on what you want to talk about today, by completing a brief walk-in survey (2-5 minutes long) on one of our iPads when you first arrive.
• For the counsellor to review confidentiality with you, explain the process to you, and help you clarify your needs, and the strengths and skills that you have to meet them.
• For the counsellor to possibly take a quick break with their team, to brainstorm some ideas you could try to to use as you strive towards your goal.

For the session to end after you are offered the ideas/suggestions the team came up with,  along with any you came up with too.

When can you come for counselling at Foundry?

• After your first visit at Foundry where we learn a bit more about what you need, if you decide our counselling model would be helpful to you, you can come to Foundry and request counselling Monday to Friday from 12:00PM-5:00PM *closed on Stat holidays, and during the week between Christmas and New Years Day.

• Primary care with physicians is offered on a walk-in, first-come first-serve bases and due to high demand can fill up very quickly. If you’d like to connect to a physician, please call or attend Foundry Prince George promptly at 11:00AM.
• A physician is here Monday, Tuesday & Thursday from 2:30PM-5:00PM   
• A Registered Nurse with certified practice is on daily from 11:00AM-5:00PM. Nurses can help with a number of things so feel free to visit during this time.  If the nurse can’t do everything you need, your information will be gathered and passed on to the doctor.
• You may not be aware, but as a Registered Nurse with certified practice can help with:
  – Birth control information and distribution;
  – Safe Sex Practices: Information and free safe sex tools;
  – Sexually Transmitted Infection testing and treatment;
  – Pregnancy testing and counselling on options for you if your test is positive;
  – Flu Shots and other Immunizations;
  – Overdose Prevention Kits (Naloxone): She can teach you how to use it and send you home with one;
  – Dressing changes and wound care;
  – Harm reduction strategies and support

Gender Affirming Care

• Gender affirming care is the delivery of equitable and accessible wholistic healthcare supporting trans people.

• Our walk-in counselling is available Monday to Friday, 12:00PM-5:00PM
• The first time you meet with a Foundry Counsellor, they will explore what is challenging you, why you came in and what you need in order to get a clear understanding of how best to support you.  Remember that the more honest you are with us about what is happening and what you are thinking, the more we can help!
• We want you to decide on your plan, we are here to simply provide you with options. Your plan may include checking out some great and reliable stuff online, returning for more counselling, or accessing more of our services at Foundry and/or connecting you with some of the other great services available to you in Prince George.
• Our Nurse can support you with harm reduction strategies, Opioid Agonist Therapy, or referrals to other services in and out of our region.
• Our Peer Supporters can provide you with non-judgmental social support, from a place of lived experience or understanding. They can help you seek out healthy activities and opportunities, provide compassionate listening, and help you meet other social determinants of health.

• We agree with Family Smart (www.familysmart.ca); whether you’re a natural support or an assigned caregiver, young people do better when the adults who care about them are supported.
• Parent Peer Supporters with lived experience loving, caring for, and supporting a young person on their journey as they improved their mental health are available at Foundry on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays. Call Foundry to get connected to our of our Parent Peer Supporters.
• Family Involvement Support can help you navigate complex systems, help you grow your skills as your young persons’ emotion coach, offer compassionate listening, or help you understand the transformative power of attachment. Call Foundry to connect with our Family Involvement Worker.
• Groups such as SMART Recovery Friends & Family, EFFT Caregiver Workshops, An Introduction to Emotion Coaching, and Circle of Security regularly offered by the Foundry Family and Caregiver Support Team.

Come in and see us about your needs. If we don’t have it yet, we will help discover options with you.

Do you want to learn how to gamify your life? Join us for our gaming group, which aims to use structures of role-playing gaming to develop healthy routines in an empowering and self-exploratory framework. Use the power of gaming archetypes to support your journey in health and wellness, and to address anxiety, depression, motivation, and coping skills.

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When: Saturdays beginning September 28th • 4:00p.m.-6:00p.m.

Ages: 12-15 years & 16-24 years

To register or get more info contact: andrew.johnson@bc.ymca.ca | 236-423-1571

For those 12+ years old who identify as trans, looking for a supportive space to connect with others. Join Foundry Prince George and Accessible Counselling Services for safe, supported, drop-in social connections. 

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Drop-In Social Saturdays (Free of cost)

When:  October 12th & 26th, 2024 • 1:00p.m.-3:00p.m. 

Where: Foundry Prince George • 1148 7th Avenue

Drop-In• Snacks and activities provided

For more information, please contact accessiblecounsellingservices@gmail.com 

Supported by the BC Bereavement Helpline, Foundry, & the Crisis Centre for Northern BC for those who have lost loved ones to homicide, suicide, or substance use. This is a registered, closed group that runs in 8-week cycles.

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Next Cycle: Wednesdays • 5:30pm to 7:30pm | October 16th to December 04th, 2024

Where: Foundry Prince George • 1148 7th Avenue

Registration: Contact pgbereavement@gmail.com

Offered in partnership with Intersect Youth and Family Services.

This program is designed to enhance attachment security between an adult-emotional resource and a child/ youth. Secure young people exhibit increased empathy, greater self-esteem, an increased capacity to handle emotions more effectively, and have better relationships later in life. Join us to explore how to:

• Assist your child/youth in managing their emotions and behaviour by reflecting on their attachment needs in order to promote secure attachment
• Pick up on your child/youth’s cues and signals
• Better understand why your child/youth behaves the way they do
• Encourage the development of confidence and self-esteem in your young person
• Learn how their behaviour is a form of communicating their needs to you

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When: Thursdays • new start date & time • 5:00pm to 6:30pm | October 24th to December 05th, 2024 (excluding October 31st)

Where: Foundry Prince George • 1148 7th Avenue

Register: Contact 236-423-1571 or email vanessa.carpenter@bc.ymca.ca

 Drop-in on this art-based group for young people dealing with addictions or compulsive behaviours. No artistic skill is needed! Anyone with a desire to explore recovery and express themselves through creativity and art is welcome.

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When:  2nd & 4th Wednesdays of each month • 3:30p.m.-4:30p.m.

Where: Foundry Prince George • 1148 7th Avenue • Drop-In

For more information, please contact foundry@bc.ymca.ca  | 236-423-1571

Peer support offering empathy, encouragement, and direction following the suicide of a loved one.
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When: The third Monday of each month

Contact Sandy at pgheartbeat@gmail.com for more information.

For youth 16–24 years who are struggling to manage strong emotions, impulsivity, or unstable relationships, and looking to grow distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and more. This is a closed group that runs in 12-week cycles.
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Next Cycle: Mondays • 4:00p.m.–5:30p.m. | Beginning September 16th, 2024

Where: Foundry Prince George • 1148 7th Avenue

Registration: Contact foundry@bc.ymca.ca | 236-423-1571

In this drop-in group, you will focus on building skills and gaining tools for maintaining motivation, managing urges, coping with thoughts and feelings, and living a balanced lifestyle. 

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Not currently being offered. Check out our 8-Step Recovery Group & the Art of Coping (beginning January 2024) as effective alternatives.

Looking for a SMART Recovery group in Prince George? Head to the link here:

https://meetings.smartrecovery.org/meetings/?coordinates=50&location=Prince+George%2C+BC%2C+Canada

Join us as we explore recovery through the lens of meditation and the Buddhist teachings, utilizing the book 8-Step Recovery. This group is for anyone with addictions or maladaptive coping strategies related to drugs, alcohol, food, sex or binge behaviour. It is an option for anyone who does not see themselves as having additions but have habits that are harmful in their lives.

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When: 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month • 4:00p.m.-5:00p.m. 

Drop-in • For more information, please contact foundry@bc.ymca.ca | 236-423-1571

Caring for someone with an addiction can be hard. Find support and practical tools for yourself at SMART Family and Friends.

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When: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month • 5:00p.m.–6:30p.m

Beginning again September 24th, 2024

Where: Prince George Public Library

Contact Foundry PG for more information.

Drop-ins welcome.

Workshops for those supporting a child or youth who has been a patient in a psychiatric unit or had an ER visit due to their mental health.

Help for the Hard Times workshops are hosted online and facilitated by parents with lived experience.

Topics

• Session 1: How to support a safety plan at home (Part 1)
• Session 2: How to support a safety plan at home (Part 2)
• Session 3: How to take care of yourself and family after a crisis
• Session 4: How to find the resources you need

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Contact familysmart.ca for more information.

Click here to register.

 Supporting a loved one that is struggling can be very challenging. Foundry believes that Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) supports caregivers with skills and tools that promote better wellness outcomes for all. Join us for two full-day sessions to learn the skills to become your loved one’s recovery coach. 

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When: November 19th & 20th, 2024 • 9:00a.m.–3:00p.m

Register and info: Email kristie.north@bc.ymca.ca or call Foundry at (236) 423-1571 

Join us for our free, drop-in monthly Cultural Circle. Craft supplies and snacks included.

When: One Wednesday per month • 2:00p.m.–5:00p.m

            October 30th, 2024 • Dream Catchers

            November 27th, 2024 • Medicine Bags (medicine included)

            December 18th, 2024 • Beaded Eagle feathers

Contact foundry@bc.ymca or 234-423-1571 for more information.

Want to join a free and supportive group to learn swimming skills, have fun, and challenge yourself? Ever wanted to learn to improve your swim skills under the guidance of a skilled coach? How you considered how swimming can be a great way to support you substance use management or mental wellness?

Come join Peer Supporter Jas and Foundry Central team member Cassia in the Foundry Otters Swim Club. Caregivers and support workers welcome as well.

When:

Monthly Swim- October 28th, 4:00p.m.-6:00p.m. @ the Canfor Pool

Beginning in January 2025: 8-Week programs focusing on recovery and physical wellness.

Contact jaspreet.singh@bc.ymca.ca for registration and more information or use the QR code below.

Follow us at #foundryottersswimclub and at Foundry Prince George’s regular Facebook and Instagram pages.

Stay tuned!