Darlene Denis-Friske,
BA[Psych], CYW, CYC(Cert.)

Child and Youth Counsellor, fully certified by the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Counsellors

Faculty, Neufeld Institute

 

The practice of Child and Youth Counselling is:

 

The assessment of maladaptive behavior patterns and social-emotional functioning in children, adolescents, and young adults and the prevention and treatment of conditions in the individual, family, and community, in order to develop, maintain, and promote emotional, social, behavioral, and interpersonal well-being within the context of daily living.

 

The Ontario Association of Child and Youth Counsellors, 2004

Darlene Denis-Friske...
...is a Child & Youth Counsellor certified by the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Counsellors. Darlene has completed an honours degree in psychology, focused in the area of personality development (Carleton University), and has completed three years of study and supervision in child & youth work (Cambrian College).  Currently, Darlene is in process of her Masters of Science in Counselling with specialization in mental health counselling.

Darlene has been refining her approach within an attachment-based developmental paradigm since 2004. She has completed a two-year internship [2009] with highly regarded child development expert, seasoned therapist, seminal theorist and bestselling Canadian author, Dr. Gordon Neufeld. Darlene has accepted an appointment as Faculty with the Neufeld Institute, and continues to pursue ongoing study with Dr. Neufeld.

Darlene has worked with children, youth and adults in a variety of challenging settings since 1988, including the Sudbury Algoma Psychiatric Hospital (Child & Adolescent Crisis / Intervention Assessment Unit), and two Renfrew County District School Boards (elementary, secondary and continuing education facilities).

Darlene has been involved in private practice work since 2004, and has taken an active role in facilitating community talks, parenting education, and professional development geared towards understanding the emotional, developmental and attachment needs of children.  

Darlene’s work has been honoured with nominations for two provincial awards; Professional Support Person of the Year: Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario (presented in 2003), and the Krista Sepp Memorial Award for Mentoring (2004). She has been invited to present her work in two provincial forums: The Ontario Principals’ Council (2005) and the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Counsellors (2007).  Darlene has also represented Neufeld's work in a national forum (Family Resource Programs of Canada, 2007), and has organized three major Ottawa conferences for parents, teachers and mental health professionals (2009-2010-2011), bringing Dr. Neufeld to Ottawa.

Lastly, Darlene has co-founded and continues to facilitate an Ottawa Neufeld Community forum for helping professionals and educators who study and work within an attachment-based developmental approach.

Kids Help Phone:
1-800-668-6868
kidshelpphone.ca

Renfrew County Mental Health Crisis Line:
1-866-996-0991

Women's Shelter & Support Services 24 hour Crisis Line:
1-800-267-4930
 

Copyright 2010 Arnprior Child and Youth Counselling Centre.  All rights reserved.