Youth and Young Adult Programs
Growing up today comes with many pressures. Expectations from school and peers, the influence of social media, and the challenges of navigating identity, relationships, and independence can make this a difficult time for many young people.
Rideauwood’s Youth and Young Adult (YYA) programs support youth who are struggling with the role that substance use, behavioural addictions, or related mental health concerns may be playing in their lives. Our counsellors work collaboratively with each young person to understand their experiences and develop a personalized plan that supports their goals and wellbeing.
Our team has specialized training and experience working with youth and young adults. We strive to create a supportive, respectful environment where young people and their families can explore challenges, build coping skills, and find pathways toward greater stability and wellbeing.
Youth & Young Adult Substance Use Treatment
This is an out-patient program that provides individual and group counselling for youth and young adults aged 12-25 wanting to make changes to their substance use.
The focus of the program is to support youth on reducing the harms of substance use, and increasing quality of life. All programs at Rideauwood work within a harm reduction approach and support people in their self-determined goals that may include abstinence, use reduction, working towards moderation, etc.
What to Expect
Step 1: Book an Appointment
Book an appointment online at 1Call1Click.ca or by calling 613-260-2360 or 1-877-377-7775 (toll free for Eastern Ontario). Phone calls will be answered between 9:00am-5:00pm.
Step 2: Intake Interview
Your appointment will involve an intake interview with a specialist to gather information and discuss goals for you and your family. They will then discuss what is available and make a match with the appropriate service/agency.
“I came from an abusive family and ended up on the streets when I was 15. It was a rough life and I partied hard. Then I got pregnant and I had a choice to make. I decided to keep my baby and that meant a lot of things had to change. Life on the streets was not going to work anymore and I needed to stop partying. At first it wasn’t that easy, but after I started at Rideauwood I started getting my life together. My little girl is going to have a good start.”
Anna, Rideauwood Alumni
“I loved my phone. I couldn’t put it down. So much so that in grade 12 I started skipping class to post. Soon, I started skipping meals. But then I started skipping sleep. My grades dropped and I lost a ton of weight. The worst was when I skipped prom. I missed a once in a lifetime experience to be with my friends. Thankfully, my dad found Rideauwood. Now I am working on how to feel better without constantly being alone.”
Jennifer, Rideauwood Alumni
“My friends drink all the time when we hang out so what am I going to do? I’m not going to stop hanging with my friends. Last week though, my friends finished their exams and decided to celebrate with a few drinks in my boyfriend’s basement. My last exam was the next day, but I couldn’t say no. I got so wasted. I ended up in the hospital and I missed my exam. We don’t really hang out sober anymore. Maybe we have a problem, but how should I know?”
Valerie, Rideauwood Alumni
“I knew early on that I wasn’t who my family thought I was, so talking about what I was going through—realizing that I was gay, would not go over well with them. The only way out was by getting high, which I did. All the time. As time went by and I kept things hidden I got more and more depressed. I stopped caring about anything. One day at school a counsellor from Rideauwood talked to me. At first, I didn’t pay her much attention, but some of the things she said stuck in my head. I started seeing her a couple of times a week. I soon saw that my situation was a complicated one. She let me work on becoming the person I really am in the only way I could handle it-one step at a time. She kind of saved my life.”
Roni, Rideauwood Alumni
Youth & Young Adult Urgent Substance Use Treatment
Rideauwood provides immediate individual counselling for youth and young adults aged 12-25 with acute substance related issues and who meet the eligibility criteria.
What to Expect
Step 1: Book an Appointment
Book an appointment online at 1Call1Click.ca or by calling 613-260-2360 or 1-877-377-7775 (toll free for Eastern Ontario). Phone calls will be answered between 9:00am-5:00pm.
Step 2: Intake Interview
Your appointment will involve an intake interview with a specialist to gather information and discuss goals for you and your family. They will then discuss what is available and make a match with the appropriate service/agency.
Youth Justice Program
The Youth Justice Program seves youth who are involved with the justice system and have committed their offense before the age of 18, who are also experiencing challanges related to substance use, and related mental health concerns. The program offeres youth-centered individual counselling supports where participants set their own goals with guidance from a counsellor, emphasizing harm reduction and the development of skills, knowledge, and resilience to promote overall health and wellbeing.
Youth diversion workers, case managers, parole officers, lawyers and other providers may refer youth and young adults to the program by completing this form.
The Rideauwood Youth Justice Program works in partnership with the Youth Services Bureau (YSB) and Youth Mental Health and Treatment Court Program.
Partner Service Locations
St. Mary's Home
St. Mary’s Home brings together a number of different services and programs all designed to meet the unique needs of pregnant and parenting youth and their children. Rideauwood provides individual counselling for pregnant or parenting youth (12-25) who are experiencing difficulties related to substance use, and associated mental health issues. Individual counselling supports participants to set their own goals with guidance from a counsellor, emphasizing harm reduction and the development of skills, knowledge, and resilience to promote overall health and wellbeing.
CHEO
Extensive Needs Services (ENS) – Rideauwood counsellors provide individual counselling to youth (12+) with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who are also experiencing challenges related to substance use, and associated mental health concerns.
A New Day
A New Day Youth and Adult Services is an 18-month residential program for females between the ages of 16-26 who have been commercially sexually exploited and/or sexually trafficked. Rideauwood counsellors provide individual and group counselling to the residents of A New Day, offering personalized support to help individuals heal and rebuild their lives.
Youville Centre
Youville Centre is an innovative centre that inspires, educated and nurtures young mothers and their children to utilize their strengths and achieve their goals. Rideauwood counsellors provide individual counselling for clients of Youville who are experiencing challenges related to substance use, and associated mental health concerns.