For your family
Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. It affects how we think, feel, and act and impacts how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
Our unique approach supports families dealing with the psychological injuries associated with secondary effects of trauma.
Interested in working with Helena or Jerris? Please contact us using the form below.
Jerris Popik MSW, RSW
Jerris is a Registered Social Worker; the Clinical Advisor for Wounded Warriors Canada; and the Co-Creator and Program Director of the successful national Warrior Kids Programs that in the past three years has provided support to over 500 children and youth in Canada from first responder and military families affected by parental operational stress injuries.
She is the co-author of Larry’s Big Adventure: Understanding Operational Stress Injuries in First Responders (2019); Trauma, Connection and Courageous Parenting Guide (2022); and Reimagined Connection: New Possibilities for Virtual Mental Health Support for Children and Youth of Public Safety Personnel Impacted by Operational Stress Injuries (2020).
Jerris specializes in child, youth, and family counselling.
Dr. Helena Hawryluk PhD, RSW
Helena is a Registered Social Worker; the Director/Creator of Warrior Kids program with Wounded Warriors Canada and the Heads Up! School Mental Health Program; and an instructor at the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary and Grant MacEwan University, School of Social Work.
Her clinical practice has focused on supporting families impacted by the effects of secondary trauma related to operational stress injuries.
Helena specializes in one-on-one counselling.
Warrior Kids Camp
This one-of-a-kind program combines the essential knowledge around the impact operational stress injuries can have on children and youth in families with a Veteran or First Responder parent.
These 2-day camps:
- help kids increase a sense of belonging with peers who are from first-responder and military/veteran families with a parental OSI
- increase children’s knowledge around mental health and OSIs
- strengthens the child and family’s outlook that positive well-being can be attained and within their power
- increase knowledge around operational stress injuries
Developed to support children aged 8-16.
Warrior Kids — Virtual Program
This 6 week psycho-educational virtual group helps kids develop clear communication around parental OSIs. This topic is explored with participants using the language of visible (i.e. broken leg) and invisible injuries (i.e. psychological hurts).
The next Winter Virtual Program begins January 30th, 2023.