Intensive Family Support (IFS) Services are part of the youth and family counselling program. IFS is an intensive goal-oriented, comprehensive family focused service. Youth and family counsellors work alongside caregivers to support youth who are struggling with significant mental health concerns or disorders which impair their functioning at home, school, and in the community. The primary focus is on empowering caregivers to address current and future challenges. Youth and family counsellors support caregivers’ efforts in a collaborative strength-based manner, using an attachment model that is a family –focused approach to therapy. Services are available in English and French.

Wraparound is a case management process that helps families with complex needs function more effectively in their homes and communities by supporting the youth through an integrated plan. The plan is designed by the youth and their team to help them achieve their vision and focuses on strengths, needs, and culture. Wraparound is designed to teach families the skills and confidence to be independent. Clients have needs identified in two or more life domains (i.e., housing, social, emotional/psychological, educational/vocational, safety, medical). In most cases, clients referred to Wraparound would have experienced multiple treatment breakdowns and have received services from many service providers in the past. Wraparound is a voluntary program therefore the identified client needs to consent to service.

The Youth Mental Health Walk In Clinic provides quick and direct access to single session counselling services, known as Choice Appointments, for youth and/ or their families or caregivers. Youth may choose to access the service on their own and confidentially, or attend the session with family members. Parents or caregivers may also access Choice sessions on their own, as support for a youth. The Walk In Clinic creates opportunities for assessment of risk, need, immediate problem solving and therapeutic conversation, as well as supports connections to the most appropriate services.

The Crisis Line and Crisis Chat offers children and youth who are experiencing a mental health crisis and their families/caregivers direct access to youth workers trained in crisis intervention. Crisis workers assess level of risk, intervene with the caller through supportive listening, develop immediate crisis intervention strategies and safety plans, and implement follow up supports as required. Crisis workers are also well connected to other services available in the Eastern Ontario region and can provide information about available resources in their community.

The Youth Mental Health Walk-in Clinic offers single counselling sessions for youth and their parents, whose needs are more immediate. A single counselling session may be all that is needed. Other options of service can also be explored. The Youth Mental Health Walk In Clinic provides quick and direct access to single session counselling services, known as Choice appointments, for youth and/ or their families or caregivers. Youth may choose to access the service on their own and confidentially, or attend the session with family members. Parents or caregivers may also access Choice sessions on their own, as support for a youth. The Walk In Clinic creates opportunities for assessment of risk, need, immediate problem solving and therapeutic conversation, as well as supports connections to the most appropriate services.

These client-centered counselling and therapy services are available for youth and their parents or caregivers who require clinical interventions to address significant mental health needs. Youth and family counsellors work in partnership with the youth and/ or parents or caregivers to develop an individualized counselling plan based on the individual’s strengths and goals. Youth and family counsellors, who are all registered social workers or regulated psychotherapists, use collaborative, strength-based approaches from a variety of modalities. Sessions are provided in a variety of ways including individual sessions for youth or parents or caregivers, family sessions with family members, group therapy sessions for youth and support groups for parents.

Step Up Step Down is a live-in treatment program offering intensive support for youth experiencing significant mental health issues. A brief stay in a live-in treatment setting is necessary so that youth and caregivers can better identify treatment needs, work on building skills and engage necessary resources for a successful return home. Youth are supported on their road to recovery by participating in a supportive and structured therapeutic setting with youth workers, nurses, a psychotherapist, psychologist, occupational therapist, psychiatrist and teacher.