Programs & Services

Children’s Mental Health Services Intake Team is the front door to accessing our mental health services and supports for children, youth and families. We welcome referrals from children and youth, caregivers or community partners. Once we receive a referral, we will reach out to set up an intake appointment. During this first meeting, you or your caregiver will connect with an intake counsellor who will talk with you to better understand your situation, including your worries and hopes for counselling, and how we can best support you or your family. We’re here to listen and help you find the right path forward. It is important to note, this is not a counselling service but an access point to a wide range of supports and services. If you need counselling support before you are able to complete an intake with us, please reach out to One Stop Talk  to connect with a therapist for a single session appointment.

A Crisis is a time when something really serious or unexpected happens that causes a lot of problems or stress.   It can make people feel scared, confused, or unsure about what to do next. A crisis might be something like a personal emergency, a big accident, or when someone feels unsafe. It’s important to stay calm, ask for help, and work together to get through it.   CMHS is committed to supporting all kids and teens to receive assistance when they and their family are experiencing a Crisis. If you are working with a therapist, please call them for mental health support during a crisis. If you do not have a therapist, please call 1-613-966-3100 and ask to speak to an Intake Worker who will assist you in receiving support. To ensure a timely response please call instead of making a referral through our website. This service is available from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

One Stop Talk lets kids and teens (under 18 years of age) talk to a therapist for free by phone or online when they need mental health support. One Stop Talk offers free, 1-hour sessions where a therapist will talk with you about what’s been bothering you. Together, you’ll make a plan to help you feel better. A friend, parent, or other trusted adult can also join the session with you, if you like.   Go to onestoptalk.ca or call 1-855-416-TALK (8255) to arrange a session.

Brief Therapy is a type of Psychotherapy that focuses on change and how you can “get unstuck” or look at your problems differently to explore new solutions.   Brief Therapy is supportive of the family process and can be provided individually or offered as a family-based intervention.   Brief Therapy focuses on creating a shared vision to make your changes a reality. With focus, evidence shows that you can spend less time in therapy and more time focusing on the life you want to live!

Extended Therapy is longer term therapy targeted to address more complex needs. Service may include individual and/or family focused therapy, with in-home or in-school support as needed, and is based on a treatment plan developed with children/youth and their family, tailored to meet their unique needs and situation.    The approach (individual/family/group), setting (in-person or virtual), and frequency are determined after conversations with the child/youth as well as their caregivers, family members, school team, and other supports.

While you are waiting for services to begin, you will be connected to one of our Waitlist Coordinators.  Your Coordinator will check in with you regularly to provide updates on your service status, gather any new information, and assess for changes in risk.   They may also offer interim support, including referrals to other programs or services that may be helpful while you wait. If you have completed an intake assessment and are experiencing significant distress or require immediate support, your Coordinator can arrange a single-session therapy appointment (through our virtual walk-in clinic) with one of our therapists.

Caregiver Skills Building Workshops support parents and caregivers with increasing their understanding and ability to support and respond to the mental heath needs of their child or youth. We offer Parent Education and Capacity Building workshops on a continuous basis throughout the year. These workshops may be offered as single sessions or multiweek formats and cover a variety of topics. Please refer to our workshop descriptions and calendar for our current workshops. Please note dates, times and formats may vary.   Event Calendar

We offer a variety of therapeutic groups designed to help children and youth manage their emotions, improve social skills, and build resiliency.   We also offer caregiver groups aimed to helping parents and caregivers develop skills and strategies to strengthen their relationship with their child or youth. Therapeutic groups are free of charge and led by experienced clinicians using an evidence based, trauma informed, and family centered approach.  Please note: though offered on a continuous basis throughout the year; group dates, times and formats may vary.

The Honeywell Live-In Treatment Program is a specialized treatment program for youth aged 12–17 (inclusive of all genders and LGBTQ+ youth) who are struggling with chronic suicidal ideation, self-harming behavior, suicide attempts, or other self-destructive and impulsive behaviors.   Rooted in the principles of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), the program is designed to help youth gain control over harmful behaviors and build a life worth living.

Our Court Mental Health worker is an experienced therapist who provides a variety of service to youth between the ages of 12 and 17. They support youth who are involved with, or are at risk of involvement, with the Youth Justice system.  We offer Mental Health Support which helps youth to identify their own mental health needs through education and early assessment. Short term therapy may be provided, or a referral for more intensive therapy initiated.  We also help youth and their caregivers to understand and navigate legal processes (Court Support), and in cases where Diversion is ordered, we work with youth directly to create and oversee a diversion plan.

Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario is a provincial initiative that aims to address a gap in mental health and substance use care for young people in Ontario. Youth aged 12 to 25 can access support for needs related to mental health, substance use, primary health care, education, employment, skill building, training, housing, and other community and social services. Children’s Mental Health Services provides therapy and primary health care services through the Bancroft Hub.

Specialized consultation and assessments services may include psychological or psychiatric services.   These services are designed to provide guidance in the assessment, diagnosis and/or treatment of children and youth with identified mental health needs. In order to ensure children and youth receive the care they need, we maintain partnerships with other community services to provide access to psychiatry and psychology consultation services. When needed, your therapist will explore these options with you as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Intensive In-Home Services   In some situations, and in consultation with your child or youth’s CMHS therapist, families may be offered Intensive In‑Home Services. These services take place in your home and are designed to support the whole family. During these visits, our team works closely with parents and caregivers to build confidence and practical skills. This includes learning ways to manage stress and strong emotions, better understand your child’s needs, and create a calm, safe, and predictable home environment where your child or youth can grow and thrive. Caregivers are actively supported through coaching, guidance, and hands‑on practice. Services typically take place twice per week, with the overall length of support tailored to each family’s unique needs. Active participation from parents or caregivers is an important part of this service. Hands on Parent Practice and Education (HOPE)   Parents and caregivers meet with an in‑home child and youth counsellor for short‑term support, usually 6 to 8 visits, in their own home. These visits focus on helping caregivers feel more confident and supported. Families work on creating routines, building consistency at home, and better understanding their child’s feelings and behaviour. Caregivers also learn ways to strengthen their relationship with their child, respond calmly during difficult moments, and support their child’s emotional well‑being. The goal of this service is to support families in building skills that help children feel safe, understood, and supported at home, while promoting the well‑being of the whole family. School Based Day Treatment Services   We work closely with local school boards to support students who need extra help with their mental health while attending school. These programs take place in specialized classrooms and provide both learning and mental health support during the school day. These programs are for students who may be experiencing emotional, behavioural, or social challenges that make it hard to succeed in a regular classroom without extra support. Referrals to the program are made together by the school team and a CMHS therapist, working closely with families to ensure the program is a good fit for the student.