Counselling Children After Wildfires: A School-Based Approach

Authors

  • Blythe Shepard University of Lethbridge PhD in Educational Psychology (Counselling focus) Faculty of Education, Professor Home Phone: 403-524-3532
  • Judith Kulig Professor Faculty of Health Sciences University of Lethbridge
  • Anna Pujadas Botey Knowledge Transfer and Exchange Associate Population, Public and Aboriginal Health, Alberta Health Services Box ACB -2210 - 2nd ST S.W. Calgary, AB T2S 3C3

Keywords:

wildfires, children, coping, PTSD

Abstract

Population growth into wildland-urban interface areas and wildland fires continue to threaten people and property across Canada. This article focuses on the promotion of healing of children affected by wildfires based on results from our mixed methods study outlined in detail previously (Townshend et al., 2015). A brief review of the literature on children and their responses to natural disasters and to wildfires is followed by key findings from our research. School counselling strategies are outlined that can be implemented school wide (i.e., universal programs, support groups, or in the classroom) or through individual or group counselling.

Author Biographies

  • Blythe Shepard, University of Lethbridge PhD in Educational Psychology (Counselling focus) Faculty of Education, Professor Home Phone: 403-524-3532

    Blythe Shepard is a Professor in Counselling Psychology at the University of Lethbridge and Past-President of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (2015-2017). Areas of interest include: life-career development and counselling, clinical supervision, and child and adolescent mental health.

  • Judith Kulig, Professor Faculty of Health Sciences University of Lethbridge

    Judith Kulig is a Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge. She conducts a research program on rural health research that has included investigating resilience within communities that experience adversity including disasters.

  • Anna Pujadas Botey, Knowledge Transfer and Exchange Associate Population, Public and Aboriginal Health, Alberta Health Services Box ACB -2210 - 2nd ST S.W. Calgary, AB T2S 3C3

    Anna Pujadas Botey is a Research Scientist (Policy Research) with the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research.  Anna has an interdisciplinary background in environmental and health sciences with a focus on resiliency building, local decision-making, and social knowledge and practices affecting the wellbeing of Alberta children and families.

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Published

2017-02-03

Issue

Vol. 51 No. 1 (2017): Regular Issue

Section

Articles/ Articles

License

Copyright is retained by the Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

How to Cite

Counselling Children After Wildfires: A School-Based Approach. (2017). Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 51(1). https://dev.journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/rcc/article/view/61097