The Counselling Program provides individual and/or family counselling for children and youth ages 0-17 who are experiencing mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, emotion dysregulation, history of trauma, or struggling with grief and loss, family or peer issues. Sessions are client-centered and goal-focused, and occur in the office and/or virtually. Length of service may be up to 6 months, as determined by client need.
Program Goals:
- To assist children/youth and their families to become more effective at managing mental health concerns
- To provide client-directed service as identified by the child/youth
- To help children/youth and families build upon the strengths that exist within their family
- To improve the child/youth’s relationships with family, peers and the community
- To support children/youth and their parents/caregivers in developing and enhancing coping, problem solving and communication skills
Inclusionary Criteria:
- Residents of Peel
- Children and youth ages 0 – 17 yrs
- Children or youth experiencing mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, attention impulse control, attachment, oppositional behaviour and trauma
- Children/youth and families who voluntarily agree to participate in counselling
Exclusionary Criteria:
- Children/youth who are actively suicidal, homicidal or in need of immediate crisis stabilization
- Children/youth who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder and the primary reason for service is to treat that eating disorder
- Custody and Access assessment and/or documentation for court
Referral Sources:
- Self-referrals
- Community Service Providers
- Peel CAS
- Peel School Boards
- Hospitals
- Youth Justice Services
Referral Process:
Parents/caregivers can make a self-referral by contacting WhereToStart.ca or by calling 905.451.4655.
Partner organizations and AYSP staff working with clients who meet eligibility requirements can make a referral to the Counselling Program via the Internal Transfer Protocol.
The Counselling Program Supervisor is available to answer any questions you may have regarding the referral process or program criteria.