Emotion Regulation Groups are 8-week programs that are clinically designed and researched for young people who are struggling to cope with their emotions. Young people may experience difficulty regulating their emotions during their developing years. Emotion regulation can be a challenge for young people suffering with anxiety, depression, as well as those coping with impulse control and anger. These groups focus on working with participants to develop skills that are proven to foster healthy coping strategies in a safe, supportive, and accepting space. Parents participate in workshops that help them further understand their child’s emotions and behaviour and equip them to support the skills developed in Emotion Regulation group. Three separate groups options are offered: Attention & Impulsivity Group: For young people struggling with behaviour issues, big emotions, anger, attention, or impulsive choices. This group focuses on developing skills to manage feelings, decrease emotional reactivity, stay calm, and make helpful decisions and choices. Mood: For young people struggling with low moods, irritability, or symptoms of depression and sadness. This group focuses on handling negative emotions, breaking negative patterns of thinking, promoting enjoyable activities, and building helpful coping skills to reduce feelings of sadness or depression. Anxiety: For young people struggling with anxiety and anxious thoughts. This group focuses on handling anxiety by introducing healthy coping methods, relaxation strategies, social and emotional skills building, as well as strategies for regulating emotions. Groups typically run for 8 sessions. There are three age groups available for each emotion regulation stream: Age 7 – 10, Ages 11 – 14, Age 15 - 18.

Counsellors, social workers, and psychotherapists offer responsive mental health support and counselling services to children and youth in Northumberland. A brief services approach is used, which include planned, collaborative interventions focused on reducing and/or resolving severe emotional, social, behavioural, and self-regulation problems experienced by children and youth. Every client starts services with a quick access 4-6 session format, which immediately addresses the needs that are present. Over the course of up to six sessions, a strength-based model uses a collaborative approach, allowing parents and clients to learn in unique ways. Through Parallel Care, parents are taught strategies for supporting their children and youth as they pursue goals. This provides children, youth, and their families the chance to walk alongside each other during their journey to mental wellness. Based on collaborative assessment and discussion, some clients will continue counselling after the initial 6 sessions to continue towards their goals for emotional wellness.