This program provides therapeutic services to youth ages 14-17 who have experienced suicidal thoughts, actions, and/or self-harming behaviour in addition to quality of life-interfering behaviours and interpersonal issues. Support includes weekly in-person individual therapy sessions and group skills training, 24/7 phone coaching for youth and caregivers, and family counselling as needed. Treatment ranges from 6-12 months.
Goals of the Program:
- To decrease life-threatening behaviours (e.g. self-injurious behaviour, suicidal thoughts, threats and/or attempts)
- To increase personal coping skills
- To decrease quality-of-life interfering behaviours (e.g. impulsivity, substance use, truancy)
- To provide support and education to the caregivers of the adolescents in the DBT Program
Inclusionary Criteria:
- Youth who reside in Peel
- Youth ages 14 – 17 yrs
- Youth who experience several of the following:
- Life-threatening behaviours
- Quality-of-life interfering behaviours
- Recurrent suicidal thoughts or attempts
- Difficulty in interpersonal relationships
- Frequent mood swings
- Intense fear of abandonment
- Sense of emptiness or confusion about self
- Family conflict
Exclusionary Criteria:
- Youth who are actively suicidal, homicidal or in need of crisis stabilization
- When the safety of the Worker cannot be ensured
- Where youth has active episodes of psychosis, visual and/or auditory hallucinations which impact functioning
- Youth has a cognitive impairment which impacts capacity for insight and new learning
Referral Sources:
- Self-referrals
- Community Service Providers
- Peel CAS
- Peel School Boards
- Hospitals
- Youth Justice Services
Referral Process:
Interested parties should contact the AYSP Intake Specialist at 905.890.5222, for consultation regarding appropriateness for the DBT Program. If suitable, Youth Intake Specialist will arrange to complete an Intake, ChYMH Screener + and subsequent assessments. The youth will then be placed on the DBT waitlist.