Prioritizing communication while fostering an intentional approach to developing healthy and inclusive relationships

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Vicky Essebag in several solution-focused projects. Vicky’s passion for creating positive change with solution-focused communication has been not only inspiring but also instrumental in many school communities, educational institutions, and solution-focused communities. As a highly sought-after consultant and advisor, Vicky’s gentle confidence has an anchoring effect. Her dedication to and message supporting the effect of positive communication, attracts and sustains others to benefit from her guidance.”

“In Relationspaces: A Solution-Focused Handbook for Parents, Vicky Essebag weaves her experience and expertise into a compelling guide for developing positive and loving family relationships. With powerful guidance, Vicky brings a refreshing clarity to how you can encourage positive values, promote self-esteem and navigate any roadblocks with your children. This book is a ‘must read’ as Vicky inspires hope, empowering parents to become their most impactful selves in family life.”

“In presenting the six principles of Relationspaces, Vicky Essebag provides a comprehensive approach to developing emotional balance and self-care, while applying a compassionate and positive stance as a loving and effective parent. Through detailed scenarios drawn from actual case studies, Vicky demonstrates how to look beyond challenges in family relationships in favor of focusing on hidden strengths and signs of success and progress. This book is full of “aha” moments, where we can recognize ourselves, become better parents, and enhance our family relationships.”

“As a practitioner who has worked with diverse groups of children, parents, and educators, I can see this book quickly becoming the go-to resource in many settings. At home, in the classroom, or in therapy, this intentional approach addresses challenging behaviors in a positive, sensible and solution-focused way. Vicky has concentrated decades of research and experience into a winning communicative practice that can be applied to any life challenge. I wish I had had these tools at the start of my career!”

“Vicky is an educator and lifelong learner. I have had the honor and privilege of learning from and working with her for the past eighteen years. Vicky’s care and compassion for those she supports is demonstrated by her genuine ability to connect with people, and her dedication to problem solving. Relationspaces: A Solution-Focused Handbook for Parents offers an authentic guide based on Vicky’s many years using solution-focused communication in schools, with children of all ages and their families.”

“Vicky brings great credibility and authority to Relationspaces: A Solution-Focused Handbook for Parents. She cares about children’s social, emotional, and academic needs and advocates for the children and parents/guardians she serves, using a team approach. She is an excellent communicator and an expert in solution-focused practice. I highly recommend reading this book and learning from such a highly regarded educator.”

“I had the great pleasure of working with Vicky Essebag when she was both a Guidance Consultant and a Vice-Principal at York Region District School Board. Vicky is a dedicated leader with strong interpersonal skills. Vicky was instrumental in introducing solution-focused counseling and communication to staff throughout the region, as a means of building our capacity to serve students and families. She continues to provide empathetic and responsive care to schools, children and families. Vicky is committed to mental health, equity, and inclusion. She is a true ally and I admire her dedication to understanding marginalized youth, and to creating safer and more positive places to learn and work.”

“Vicky exemplifies strong leadership. She is positive, patient, and team-oriented. She has had broad experience in the field of counseling and guiding students, teachers, and systems in the opportunities afforded through various educational pathways. She has played an integral role in developing curriculum and rolling out system implementation of Ontario Ministry of Education initiatives related to Pathways to Success for students. Vicky’s work in solution-focused communication has proven to be an effective transferable skill into her leadership skills with schools and the community at large.”

"Relationspaces; A Solution-Focused Handbook for Parents, is a great book for parents and everyone who wants to develop more conscious, warm, supportive relationships with their children, students and other young people. This valuable resource helps the reader to navigate challenging situations in life and to create an environment where children flourish and grow with healthy self-esteem. Vicky Essebag is a knowledgeable and experienced practitioner who has validated her insights through research. Relationspaces is very practical, easy to read and brings hope to all of our relationships."

“In Relationspaces; A Solution-Focused Handbook for Parents, Vicky Essebag gently and kindly imparts compassion and understanding for children, young people and their families. Vicky is an experienced, modest leader who leads with her heart and with a deep care for the importance of empathy, respect and equity in relationships. This book wonderfully conceptualizes how we can create spaces for communication that are grounded in wellbeing and solution-based resolutions. Its intentional approach is beautifully curated with evidence-based research, case studies and wonderful thought boxes, where you can gather your learning from a bite-sized summary. Relationspaces is instantly relatable and you can’t help but smile with gratitude for Vicky’s openness and the care she has taken in making it as useful and accessible as possible. This book will be a staple for families, carers and professionals to revisit over many years.”

Thank you, Vicky, so very much for bringing your expertise to our team! Your warm and calming style made the session enjoyable and created a safe space for learning. I could see by our team’s engagement and responses that they had valuable learning to take away and integrate into our program delivery. You stimulated self-reflection and discussion on a number of key points, including how we could improve student engagement during our own presentations. Once again, thank you, and I definitely hope to work with you again in future.