- Public Office Hours: Mon - Fri (8:00am - 3:00pm)
Our Men+ Healthy Relationships Counselling Program provides confidential, trauma-informed counselling and support for men and non-binary adults (19+) in Keremeos and surrounding rural communities. The program supports individuals who have experienced intimate partner or gender-based violence, as well as those who are concerned about harmful relationship patterns and want to make positive changes. Services focus on emotional regulation, healthy communication, conflict resolution, self-awareness, accountability, and safer, more respectful relationships. Counselling is available in person and through secure virtual appointments to improve accessibility in rural communities.
The program operates through Lower Similkameen Community Services Society and offers two distinct, separately delivered service pathways: survivor support for individuals who have experienced intimate partner or gender-based violence, and accountability-focused counselling for individuals who want to address harmful, controlling, or aggressive behaviours and build respectful, non-violent relationships.
Services are culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and guided by client choice, safety, accountability, and non-violence. The program is voluntary and is not a court-mandated, probation, diversion, couples, or family counselling service. Participation does not replace any required legal or correctional programming.
The program offers a compassionate, non-shaming space where individuals can explore relationship challenges, build emotional awareness, develop communication and conflict-resolution skills, and work toward meaningful change. Support may include individual counselling, safety planning, healthy relationship education, emotion-regulation strategies, and connections to legal, medical, financial, and community resources when appropriate.
A community-funded pilot: There is currently no public funding available for this service. In response to a gap in community supports identified by LSCSS, the Society has undertaken fundraising and is using charitable donations, including funds raised through the Neighbour-to-Neighbour Fund, to offer this pilot project. A limited number of counselling sessions are available at no cost. This community support is helping make timely counselling available while LSCSS explores opportunities for sustainable funding.
Ujwala Cherian is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with experience working with children, youth, adults, and families across diverse cultural and community settings. She brings a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to her work and is committed to supporting individuals in developing emotional regulation, resilience, self-awareness, and healthier relationship patterns.
Ujwala’s areas of focus include relationship challenges, trauma, emotional dysregulation, anger and conflict management, healthy communication, and behaviour change. She integrates evidence-based approaches such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), EMDR, trauma-informed interventions, and mindfulness, tailoring her approach to each person’s unique needs and goals. She works collaboratively with clients and community partners, recognizing that meaningful change occurs through safety, accountability, connection, and support.
