The 20 Best Places to Visit in B.C.

City Of Vernon Has Three New Tourist Information Kiosks

Photo: City of Vernon

The City of Vernon has three new tourist information kiosks to tell tourists where to go.

At their regular council meeting Monday, civic leaders will get an update on the kiosks which were funded by the provincial Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program.

The kiosks feature timber construction and solar-powered back lighting and were developed to support Tourism Vernon's Visitor Service strategy with more in-community information to help direct visitors to explore the area.

The kiosks are located at Marshall Field, 6891 Okanagan Landing Rd., the downtown BC Hydro Fast Charging Station/Transit Loop, 3001 31st Ave. And near the Flo Electric Charging Station in Civic Memorial Park, 3805 31st St.

Spring 2024 information panels were recently installed and provide information on nearby attractions and commercial centres, community maps and QR code links to the Tourism Vernon website.

The information panels are expected to be updated semi-annually by Tourism Vernon.

Vernon Getting Ready To Host Western Regional Pickleball Championships

FILE PHOTO Image Credit: UNSPLASH/Joan Azeka April 16, 2024 - 11:30 AM Vernon will be host to this summer's 2024 Pickleball Canada Western Regional Championship and now is the time to register. From July 25 to 28, the Vernon Pickleball Association will host the country's western championship, according to a news release. This comes after the association successfully hosted the BC championship in 2023 and was recognized as Canada's Best Pickleball Club by Pickleball Today in 2023. "Pickleball Canada is thrilled to have the Western Regionals in Vernon at the beautiful Vernon pickleball facility. We look forward to a wonderful event and some great pickleball," Pickleball Canada President Val Vollmin, said in the release. The event, along with the beautiful nature, wineries and other attractions, are expected to attract many tourists. The Vernon Pickleball Association will be host to the 2024 Pickleball Canada Western Regional Championship. Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Vernon Pickleball Association "Come for great pickleball, stay for fun. Vernon and area have a lot to offer with three lakes, great hiking and biking, outstanding golf courses and some fine wineries along with one of the best pickleball facilities in Canada. Book your accommodation early as we are a popular tourist destination," Richard Chambers, Tournament Director, said. The tournament will be played on 12 indoor and 12 outdoor courts, and is expecting to welcome more than 600 players from Western Canada to compete in the different categories: men's and women's doubles, men's and women's singles and mixed doubles. To register and find out more about the tournament, visit the event's website page here. To contact a reporter for this story, email Gabrielle Adams or call (438) 830-1211 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here. News from © iNFOnews, 2024

Support Groups In Vernon, BC

How can I find a support group in Vernon?

Search for nearby support groups by inputting your city, postal code, or the name of the group into the search bar. From there, you can filter to find a group that suits your needs, whether you are looking for support for a teenager, a group that focuses on a specific issue, such as depression, or a particular program type, such as one geared toward developing social skills. To navigate between locations within the same country, enter a new city or postal code into the search bar.

How does group therapy work? Therapy groups are led by one or more therapists and serve to help people process their experiences and learn from others who understand their challenges firsthand. They can be based on a specific issue, such as addiction, grief, physical illnesses, parenting, and caregiving. They can involve a specific type of program or therapy, such as a social skills group or CBT group. They can also be specific to a particular population or community, such as teens or LGBTQ.

Support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous, also focus on a specific issue, but are typically led by members with lived experiences and are less structured than therapy groups. Most therapy groups will meet for a fixed length of time with a consistent group of members, while many support groups meet for an indefinite period of time with members coming and going.

What are the benefits of group therapy?

Support groups help connect people with shared challenges or physical and mental health conditions. In a group setting, participants can receive support and feedback from peers and can acquire new skills, strategies and perspectives by listening to one another. Discussing your experience with someone who also has a cancer diagnosis, or whose son also struggles with addiction, for example, can help you feel less alone, reduce distress, find empathy and connection, and learn practical or medical information that has helped others. Group therapy can also be a more affordable option than individual therapy and just as effective.

Is group therapy as effective as individual therapy? Support groups can be deeply valuable for both emotional support and/or treatment outcomes. It's difficult to make a blanket statement on efficacy due to the many different types of support groups and conditions treated, but group therapy has been found to be just as effective as individual therapy in establishing long-term abstinence for conditions such as substance abuse, addiction and alcohol abuse. How much does group therapy cost?

Group counselling is typically less expensive than individual counselling, with each session costing on average about $90 to $100. Meanwhile, individual therapy sessions can run anywhere from $100 to $200. It is possible to find low-cost group therapy options and many therapists offer group sessions free of charge.

Does insurance cover group therapy?

If you have private insurance, your plan may cover some if not all of your group therapy sessions. You should contact your insurance provider to determine if they provide coverage for group therapy sessions and to determine what, if any, requirements they might have in order for your sessions to be covered, such as a referral from your GP or medical specialist.

How long does group therapy last?

The length of a support group session is often one hour but can fall anywhere between 45 minutes and two hours. The amount of time that people remain in a support group varies based on their specific needs and goals and the type of therapy. Some individuals may seek a shorter-term group, such as a bereavement group, that may last between six and 20 weeks. Some may seek a longer-term group that lasts for a year or indefinitely.

What are the limitations of support groups?

Support groups have many benefits, but there are a few limitations as well. Support groups do not constitute formal therapeutic or medical treatment, and are not run by licensed mental health professionals, so some people may opt for group therapy or individual therapy instead. Additionally, support groups can depend on the other participants, so a disruptive individual has the potential to mar the group dynamic, and the anecdotal information shared may sometimes be unhelpful or inaccurate. Because it is a group setting, confidentiality can be more difficult to guard and participants receive less personalized attention than they would in an individual therapy session.

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