Sometimes, what a child in distress needs most is the steady presence of a trusted adult—someone who listens with full attention, without pressure or judgment. Annie Farmer, a psychoeducator and psychosocial worker at La Traversée, helps young people of all ages navigate their emotions and relationships.

Universal Needs

Annie’s professional journey has taken her from early childhood centers to schools and community organizations. She has supported youth with special needs, as well as women and children survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Regardless of the setting, she observes the same vital needs: the ability to count on a “significant adult” and a safe space to open up at their own pace.

“Protecting children aligns with my deepest values,” Annie explains. “Even if we don’t always see the results of an intervention right away, we hope to plant seeds that will, over time, help shape a better life path.”

The Psychoeducational Approach

At La Traversée, Annie works with children in their daily lives. She assesses their coping skills and their unique circumstances to develop a personalized intervention plan. Through their sessions, she provides practical tools to help them face emotional and social challenges. This plan is a living document—it evolves as the child grows.

“My role is to be there for every child, welcoming them into a space where they can truly be themselves,” Annie says. “They can tell me what they want, when they want, or even choose to stay silent. It’s up to me to adapt.”

Psychosocial Support or Psychotherapy?

Psychosocial Support focuses on helping the child and their family in their daily lives, based on their current reality, strengths, and immediate environment. it promotes adaptation, emotional safety, and an understanding of what the child is experiencing in the “here and now.”

Psychotherapy is a mental health treatment aimed at fostering significant changes in a person’s psychological, emotional, or behavioral functioning.

These two distinct approaches address different needs. They are often complementary but not always. A child might benefit from one, the other, or both at different stages of their life.

Building the Village

At La Traversée, Annie works closely with colleagues and partners to offer coordinated support tailored to the child and family. Being part of the Centre de services intégrés en violence sexuelle (CIViS) project facilitates access to essential resources, including legal, police, and socio-professional assistance.

The support doesn’t stop with the child. Annie also collaborates with the important people in their lives, such as parents and other caregivers. “Involving them, when appropriate, strengthens existing protective factors and creates a consistent, reassuring environment,” she adds. By better understanding the child’s reactions, these adults can respond in a way that amplifies the positive impact of the intervention.

“They say it takes a village to raise a child,” Annie observes. “That is exactly what we try to create for the families we welcome, offering a tailored service path to help them rebuild.”

The Privilege of a Child-Centered Pace

Thanks to the support of our donors, La Traversée can adapt the length of its services to the complexity of each child’s journey.

An unforeseen event can sometimes disrupt a young person’s daily life, requiring a complete shift in the focus of a session. Similarly, a child who experienced sexual violence at a young age may feel the need to return for support years later as a teenager.

“It is an incredible privilege that allows us to offer flexible support that is truly adapted to each child’s needs,” she says.

Annie is deeply grateful to everyone whose donations and commitment make this work possible. Even simple actions, like sharing a post on social media, help break the silence and prevent sexual violence. “The more we talk about it, the more opportunities we create to change lives,” she concludes.