APRIL 2015


Kids By Carol Malin Hope transforms. It is the spark to carry on during difficult times. We’ve


all been there—we’ve faced days when it felt like the weight of the world was on our shoulders. Usually we’re able to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, make an adjustment or two, and move for- ward. For some children dark days happen more frequently. Picking


up and dusting off isn’t so simple. When that’s the case families need someone to turn to.


Hope Found The child and family counseling program at the Institute


for Children’s Aid in Temecula can help. “Our goal is to help families get past difficult situations


and move forward to become a healthy functioning family,” says Katia Mompremier, ICA Director of Counseling Serv- ices.


Sometimes families simply hit a rough spot with


their children. While others are dealing with more diffi- cult situations with children who come from foster care, institutional care, adoption, and trauma conditions. ICA is able to assess children and help achieve results by use of a developed comprehen- sive system. The healing process can be a long journey but there is hope. The ICA Counseling Services Center is supervised by Clinical Director,


Ruth Villaranda, LMFT, who directs a team of licensed Clinical Social Work- ers, a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Registered Marriage and Family Therapist, an Associate Clinical Social Worker and Professional Counselor, and Registered Interns.


Growth and Change To stimulate emotional development ICA programs incorporate a num-


ber of activities that children enjoy. Strategies are taught that help to nurture significant changes and growth. Certain programs help children who have cognitive behavior problems, bullying and anger management issues, suffer from depression, or exhibit other problems. There are a variety of unique groups for pre-teens and teens using strength based therapeutic techniques.


Expressive Art – Helps children to communicate thoughts, ideas and feel- ings on canvas


Photography – Through photography children learn life skills, make choices and see results


Poetry/spoken word/journaling – Children explore creative forms of ver- bal and non-verbal expression


Theater/books –Children learn to listen, understand non-verbal clues, write and speak confidently


Therapeutic drumming/music –Drumming and music allows children to express their emotions “These sessions integrate a therapeutic approach to creatively engage


children in their particular areas of strength,” explains Mompremier. “At first glance it may seem that these are fun-based games, but actually they are specifically designed activities that help children in the most positive way. They have been developed using evidenced based methods, and often im- plement core standards when it comes to meeting State guidelines.” Most group programs are 8 sessions long. Fees are assessed on a slid- ing scale. There are scholarships and special sponsorships available.


A Better Future ICA Counseling Services can teach you and your family how to become


more effective communicators, so you can achieve positive results at home. ICA hosts adult therapy sessions and support groups for adoptive parents, foster parents, and parents of special needs children. IEP consulting is available for special needs children to help parents work with educators to acquire all the support their student needs to be successful in school. For those who are seeking to adopt, or choose to become foster parents, ICA can provide the re- quired psychological assessment and written re- ports. Post adoption services are also available to provide you with the tools for success, such as men- tors, tutors, coaches, testing and assessments, or be-


havioral modification, and outside referrals. ICA offers special services for returning military, mis- sionaries, pastors, and ex-patriots. Because they under- stand that you have gone above and beyond in serving


others, ICA wants to do the same for you. ICA Counseling Services is an Institute for Children’s Aid program, a tier of International Christian Adoptions. ICA has been serving families and children in California since


1990. Institute for Children’s Aid Counseling Services 41745 Rider Way, Ste. 2, Temecula, CA 92590


www.ICAcounseling.org (951) 695-3336 info@4aChild.org


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Hope, Growth and Change for a Child’s Future: ICA Counseling Services


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