STUDENT PLACEMENTS IN MENTAL HEALTH
YSB is accredited by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation and has a team of experienced counsellors, supported by psychologists and psychiatrists. They offer welcoming, non-judgmental services for youth and families. All services are free.
Mobile Crisis
Program Overview
The 24/7 crisis line & chat services are for children and youth ages 17 and under who are experiencing a crisis, and for parents, guardians, caregivers, friends or service providers who are concerned about a young person in crisis. When needed, mobile interventions are available 7 days a week from 2 – 10 p.m. Assistance provided may include supportive listening, immediate crisis counselling on the phone or by chat, information on resources and service providers in the community, referrals to child and youth service providers in the community, a home-based intervention, and short-term follow-up service.
Students will have the opportunity to develop their crisis intervention and counselling skills, including short-term follow-up counselling, individual and/or family counselling. Suicidal assessment and intervention and safety planning will also be incorporated into the placement. Working with community partners and team work will be focused on as well.
Recommended programs:
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- Bachelor of Psychology
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Techniques d’éducation specialisé
- Bachelier en psycho-éducation
Wraparound
Program Overview
Wraparound works with existing supports and services to help families, children and youth with complex needs find solutions and work towards a better life. Teams made up of family members, friends, professionals, and others with a strong commitment to the family’s well-being come together to “wrap” individual families in community supports. Together they create and implement an action plan that builds on the family’s strengths, provides services to meet their needs, and guides them towards achieving their goals.
Students will have the opportunity to work from an eco-systemic perspective by completing observations within the Wraparound program while learning about navigating the system and resources within the city. Students will be expected to research and access resources, carry out needs assessments, advocate for families, undertake tasks from the Wraparound agenda, as well as co-facilitate Wraparound meetings.
Recommended programs:
- Social Services Worker
- Techniques de travail social
- Bachelor of Social Work
Walk-In Clinic
Program Overview
The Walk-in Clinic offers direct access to a single counselling session for youth 12-20 and/or their parents or caregivers, without having to make an appointment. While meeting with counsellors, youth and their families are assessed for risk factors, as well as strengths and supports to help them deal with presenting issues. Clients may be referred to Core Counselling Services at the end of the session. The Walk-in Clinic operates Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00-8:00pm
Students will have the opportunity to learn multiple counselling approaches and theoretical perspectives, including Brief Solution Focused, Narrative Therapy and CBT. They will be invited to participate in counselling sessions with counsellors and ultimately on their own, will also be offered the opportunity to engage in reflective processes, clinical consultations, and clinical staff supervision groups.
Recommended programs:
- M.A. Counselling Psychology
- Master of Social Work
Core Counselling Services
Core services provide youth 12-18 and/or their parents with counselling to address issues affecting the family relationship and/or personal mental health. The services are available to clients who are ready to engage in counselling and have an understanding of what they want to accomplish (defined goals). The program uses a variety of clinical approaches including CBT, DBT, narrative, and solutions-focused methods, among others.
Students will have the opportunity to work alongside counsellors who are providing services to youth with complex mental health needs. Students will be able to work independently, as well as with some clients under the supervision of a qualified counsellor. Students may also have the opportunity to work with counsellors facilitating groups.
Recommended programs:
- M.A. Counselling Psychology
- Master of Social Work
Bridges
Bridges is a community-based, collaborative service between four partnering agencies: YSB, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group and Ottawa Public Health. Bridges provides a link between hospital and community, offering intensive short-term (16 weeks) clinical intervention and skill building for youth (13-18 years) presenting with complex mental health needs that require enhanced services before transitioning to ongoing community-based mental health services. Services are provided by an inter-disciplinary team including psychiatrists, psychologists, youth and family counsellors, occupational therapists and public health and psychiatric nurses.
Students will have the opportunity to work alongside staff who are providing services to youth with complex mental health needs. Students will be able to work independently, as well as with some clients under the supervision of a qualified counsellor. Students will also have the opportunity to hone their case management skills, as well as facilitate groups.
Recommended programs:
- M.A. Counselling Psychology
Special Requirements for All Mental Health Placements:
Student placements may run in the fall or winter semester, or both, as required by the school program. Placements do not typically run in the summer semester.
Please note that our student placements are unpaid and many of our opportunities will require the ability to work a rotational schedule. Shifts may occur in the evenings and on weekends and may vary week to week. Due to the 24/7 nature of the RCU, students may be required to work 12 hour shifts in that program.
Bilingualism is required for the Mobile Crisis, School-Based and Wraparound programs but is considered an asset for all other Mental Health programs. Please specify your language abilities on your application.
How to Apply:
Please apply directly to the student placement opportunity of your choice at https://www.ysb.ca/about/careers/.
For any questions, please contact:
Sarah Firlotte, Human Resources Administrator
2675 Queensview Dr.
Ottawa, ON K2B 8K2
613-729-0577 extension 1230
Cover letters should include the following:
- School name, program name and name of placement facilitator
- 1st and 2nd choices for placement
- Students who do not specify two areas of interest or who state that they are interested in “any” placement opportunity will not be considered in the 1st round.
- Date range of placement
- Total hours and number of days/week of placement
- Language abilities
- Please clearly state your proficiency in English and French (and other languages if applicable).
- Why you are interested in working with YSB and why we should choose you
Application deadline for Fall Placement: 2nd Friday in April
Application deadline for Winter Placement: 2nd Friday in October
For more information, or to find out which unit would be of interest to you, visit: YSB Mental Health
Screening Requirements:
Standard screening requirements for student placements include:
- TB testing
- Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector
- Two professional references