Services
“Fear of a name is more than fear of the thing itself.” (Albus Dumbledore)
Anxiety can affect many parts of a young person’s life - from school, friendships and family
relationships to sleep, physical health and everyday activities. At CAYAC, we provide specialized
assessment, psychotherapy and psychiatric care for children and adolescents experiencing anxiety,
including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
We begin by understanding what the young person is experiencing, how anxiety is affecting their life
and what they and their family would like to change. We then recommend the service - or
combination of services - that best fits their needs.
Clinical Assessment and Treatment Planning
Treatment begins with a comprehensive clinical assessment. We meet with the young person and
their parents or caregivers to understand their current concerns, symptoms, development, health,
family relationships, school experience and broader life circumstances.
When helpful, and with appropriate consent, we may also gather information from a teacher,
physician or another professional involved in the young person’s care.
Following the assessment, we recommend an individualized treatment plan based on the young
person’s needs, strengths, preferences and goals.
Psychotherapy
Our psychotherapy is evidence-based, practical and tailored to each young person and family.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) forms the foundation of our approach because it is one of the
most extensively studied and effective treatments for anxiety in children and adolescents. Depending
on the young person’s age and needs, therapy may help them:
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Understand how anxiety affects their thoughts, feelings, body and behaviour
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Recognize patterns that keep anxiety going
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Develop practical skills for managing distress
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Gradually approach situations, thoughts or feelings that anxiety has led them to avoid
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Make choices guided by their goals rather than by their fears
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And more...
Our clinicians also draw from other therapeutic approaches when appropriate, including Acceptance
and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, compassion-focused therapy and psychodynamic
psychotherapy.
Specialized Treatment
We provide treatments tailored to particular anxiety-related conditions, for example:
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Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD; and
- Prolonged Exposure (PE), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD and trauma-related difficulties.
Working with Parents and Caregivers
Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping children and adolescents overcome anxiety.
Their involvement will depend on the young person’s age, needs and treatment goals.
Parent sessions may focus on understanding the young person’s anxiety, responding effectively
when anxiety appears, reducing patterns that unintentionally accommodate anxiety, and supporting
the young person as they practice new skills.
With adolescents, we carefully balance family involvement with the young person’s need for privacy,
trust and growing independence.
Individual and Group Therapy
Individual therapy provides personalized treatment focused on the young person’s particular needs
and goals.
Group therapy offers structured treatment alongside peers facing similar challenges. It provides
opportunities for shared learning, encouragement and the reassuring experience of discovering that
one is not alone.
The length of individual treatment varies according to each young person’s needs. CBT is generally time-limited and often lasts between four and twelve months. Some clients return for occasional booster sessions, and they are always welcome to do so.
Group therapy consists of a predetermined number of sessions, typically ranging from 8 to 16, depending on the participants’ age and the type of group.
Psychiatric Services
Our comprehensive psychiatric assessment provides an in-depth understanding of the young
person’s mental health difficulties within the broader context of their development, physical health,
family, relationships, school and life circumstances.
Following the assessment, the psychiatrist will provide:
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a clear psychiatric diagnosis, where applicable;
- a comprehensive biological, psychological and social formulation that brings together the
factors contributing to the young person’s difficulties; and - personalized recommendations, which may include medication, psychotherapy, school-
based support or other appropriate interventions.
The referring physician or nurse practitioner will receive a detailed professional consultation note.
The young person and their family will also receive a clear written summary of the diagnosis, formulation and recommendations, as appropriate, so that they understand the conclusions of the
assessment and the suggested next steps.
Medication Treatment and Follow-Up
When medication is recommended, psychiatric follow-up may be available to monitor its
effectiveness, address side effects and make adjustments when needed.
Medication is considered within the young person’s broader treatment plan and may be offered on its
own or alongside psychotherapy, parent support and other interventions.
Accessing Our Services Is Simple
Psychiatric Services
Psychiatric services require a referral from a physician or nurse practitioner (NP). No special referral
form is required. The referral can simply be faxed to the number listed in our contact information and
should include:
1. The young person’s information:
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full name
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date of birth
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Health Card Number, including the version code
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email address and phone number if they are the primary contact
2. Caregiver information if they are the primary contact:
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full name
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relationship to the young person
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email address
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phone number.
3. The referring physician’s or NP’s information:
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full name
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contact information (including e-mail)
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billing number
4. The reason for referral, noting that CAYAC’s psychiatric services are intended for children
and adolescents whose primary concerns involve anxiety, including OCD and PTSD, Tics
and BFRBs.
All Other CAYAC Services are available through self-referral. Simply email us, call us or complete the
contact form on our website.
