Adult counselling at SACE focuses on developing emotional regulation and providing people with tools to support them with their healing. For some, counselling can be a valuable part of their process. Adults of all genders may attend up to:
Questions asked during the Intake and Counselling processes are used to assess:
SACE services are approached from a place of nonjudgement. Counselling can be destabilizing and due to the specialized, short-term nature of SACE counselling services it is not possible to address core impacts of sexual violence until a level of stability is attended to. It is important that before and during counselling, clients struggling with their mental health, disordered eating, addictions, housing or family instability, or active suicidality have additional supports in place.
Adults who have used sexually abusive behaviours are not able to access our services. This is for the safety and emotional wellbeing of our clients who attend the centre, and due to this pattern of behaviours requiring specialized supports that we do not offer. For information about services please contact 211, Alberta’s information and referral service.
Our model for counselling helps clients to cope with the impacts of sexual violence, from feelings of anger, grief, and anxiety, to re-engaging with sexuality, relationships, and trust.
Whether you are 18 or 90, experienced sexual violence recently or long ago, SACE services are available to you.
Clients of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, and ages are treated with respect and dignity in a nonjudgmental and supportive environment.
Our trauma-centred, specialized adult counselling services are provided by professionals who have completed, or have nearly completed, a Master’s-level Counselling program, and the department operates under the parameters of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) and the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP).
At SACE we believe that healing is possible. Individual paths to healing vary greatly, with different stages along the way. During counselling, you are in charge of what you choose to incorporate into your own healing process. Your counsellor will work with you to determine what works best for you. There is no perfect or ideal way for someone to heal. Our counsellors understand that this process isn’t linear, and will support you where you are at.
SACE offers:
up to 15 weekly, one-hour sessions of counselling at no fee.
Counselling services are only available to individuals presently located within the province of Alberta. Online counselling clients will be asked to confirm their location at the start of each counselling session.
Prior to counselling, individuals on the waitlist have the option of attending Skills for Change.
Therapeutic approaches include:
In the first session, your counsellor will:
Because SACE counselling prioritizes emotional safety, an important first step for the counselling process is gaining a sense of the individual’s goals for counselling. During this discussion, the first session, and the entirety of your counselling experience you are in control of what you speak about.
To prepare for counselling, SACE has created an adult counselling resource package that includes more information about what counselling is like, how trauma impacts the brain, and how to support your own healing.
Counselling at SACE is conducted in a confidential manner. Information related to adult counselling is only released to other professionals with a client’s written permission, with the exception of other counsellors at SACE, and the counsellor’s supervisor. No information, either written or verbal, gained during the counselling process will be used for the purposes of resolving child custody and access disputes. Client files are retained based on current College of Alberta Psychologists guidelines.
SACE adheres to the Standards of Practice and Practice Guidelines set out by the College of Alberta Psychologists, as well as the Canadian Psychological Association Code of Ethics. Depending on designation, counsellors at SACE may also adhere to additional codes of ethics including those provided by the Alberta College of Social Workers and/or the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
Anything you say in a counselling or group session will be considered confidential with the exception of:
When you start counselling at SACE, your counsellor will obtain your informed consent for counselling services and will further explain these limits to confidentiality.
