Course Selection Guide  

Use this checklist to determine which of our current offerings will suit your stepfamily's needs and circumstances best.

Building Stepfamilies That Work

• A course for couples living in a stepfamily, or contemplating starting a stepfamily,

• who are comfortable with learning and working in a small group setting.

• Requires a commitment: to attend regular weekly classes, complete all exercises assigned, and participate during in-class exercises and discussions.

This is our most widely subscribed service option. The problems and issues addressed include: 

• Discipline problems

• The prior spouse

• Money & finances

• Couple strength

• Communication

• Stepfamily dynamics

• Grief and loss

• Stages of stepfamilies

• Human development

• Rules, roles, routines

• Problem solving

• Co-parenting  

• Visitation

• and more

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The Stepfamily Intensive

The Stepfamily Intensive is essentially the Building Stepfamilies That Work course tailored to the needs of a single couple. The Stepfamily Intensive should be considered if:

• either or both members of the couple are uneasy working in a group setting

• work and/or other schedules are incompatible with attending the regular, weekly Building Stepfamilies That Work classes, and/or

• other members of the stepfamily, or extended family, would like to, or need to attend.

The Stepfamily Plus

The Stepfamily Plus is essentially the Stepfamily Intensive course adapted to a situation where one or more important physical health, mental health or other significant issues require extensive multi-discipline collaboration, consultation and/or input.

Consider the Stepfamily Plus when:

• important complicating physical health, mental health or other issues are present, and

• extensive multi-discipline consultation/participation is required.

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When HE Has Kids…and You Don’t

• A course specifically designed for women who have never had a biological child of their own, 

• who are currently living in, or contemplating entering into a stepfamily union.

The women living in this form of a stepfamily are generally seen as having the most challenging of all stepfamily roles because they must confront the difficulties that characterize stepfamily life at the same time they are being confronted with “instant motherhood”. Not surprisingly, this form of a stepfamily has a very high risk of breaking down.

The distinguishing features of this course are:  

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Individual, Couple and Stepfamily Counselling

An option that is tailored to the particular needs and concerns of the individual, couple, stepfamily and/or the extended stepfamily.

Consider this option:

• if you or your partner are unable or unwilling to attend Building Stepfamilies That Work or the Stepfamily Intensive,

• you are heading a “single parent” stepfamily, or

• for a consultation regarding a specific stepfamily problem or concern.

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Teleconference and Videoconference Sessions

• These are highly individualized options to consider when significant distances separate the involved parties.

• Teleconferences, that only require access to a telephone, are usually arranged after regular business hours. Special provisions are required when more than four individuals (including the counselor) will be involved.

Note: Videoconferences require: 1) Access to a computer equipped with a microphone and a web cam, 2) compatible videoconference software, and 3) a high speed Internet connection. At present we are able to videoconference with a total of four individuals (including the counselor) simultaneously.

Building Successful Stepfamily Workshops

• These half-day workshops provide intensive group learning experiences that focus upon selected topics of important concern for stepfamilies. Through structured exercises and discussions, participants achieve an in-depth understanding of the topic under consideration, and work together to develop an array of practical strategies to address problems that are likely to emerge.

Click here for a printer friendly version (a trifold brochure) of this guide.

Some or all of your course fees may be covered by your Employee Assistance Program (EAP or EFAP) with your employer, or by your extended health care coverage.

A medical referral is not required.