Confidential, compassionate, free and responsive services

Our Services

ODMH has a variety of mental health services to offer to children, youth and their families. Services can be accessed in-person at an office location, in-home, virtually and by-phone.

Single Session Services

A single session is meant to provide timely support, tools, and direction. Whether it’s a one-time conversation or the start of ongoing care, the focus is on helping you take the next best step for your child, youth, or family. Single sessions can be accessed multiple times - great for practicing skills and coming back as-needed.

What is a Single Session Counselling Session?

A single session counselling session is a one-time meeting designed to provide focused support for children, youth, and their families. The goal is to address one specific concern or challenge you are currently facing.

Who Attends?

Children under 12 years old: Sessions are held with the parent(s) or caregiver(s) only.

Youth 12 years and older: The young person may attend on their own, with their family, or with a caregiver, depending on what feels most helpful.

Family Resource Team (FRT)

The Family Resource Team is an intensive service that works with parents and caregivers to help identify and respond to the unique challenges faced by their family. Services can be offered directly in the family’s home, virtually or in the office. Evening appointments are available.

The Family Resource Team strongly believes that every child is different and so is every family.

In order to support each family, the Family Resource Team will also work with children or extended family members to better the situation, including collaboration with school or other agencies in the community to support the needs of each family.

How can the FRT help my family?

The Family Resource Team can help with:

Parent/child relationships
Limit setting/creating rules and routines
Developing attachment-based parenting skills
Information on child and youth mental health
System navigation and advocacy
Managing stress - parent and child
Information on typical childhood development
Positive behaviour support/positive praise
Social skills development
Parental education on mental health
Promoting overall family wellness
Referrals to community services

Counselling Services

Counselling at ODMH offers compassionate and personalized support for children, youth, and their families as they navigate life’s challenges. Our team of skilled clinicians works alongside clients to explore their needs, build on their strengths, and promote emotional well-being. Services are flexible and can be offered in-person, virtually, or over the phone—whatever works best for your family. Evening appointments are also available.

At ODMH we understand that every person’s experience is different. Whether it’s a brief check-in or more extended support, counselling is always tailored to meet the unique goals and concerns of each child, youth, or caregiver.

To help create lasting change, counselling may include individual sessions, family work, or collaboration with schools, doctors, or other community partners. No matter the issue—big or small—we’re here to help you feel heard, supported, and equipped for what comes next.

Brief Counselling

Brief Counselling is a short-term service that offers a focused space to talk through specific challenges or concerns. Whether it’s a tough week at school, family stress, or feeling overwhelmed, our team is here to help you sort things out and find a path forward. Sessions are goal-oriented and tailored to what matters most to you. Support is available in person, virtually, or by phone—with evening times if needed.

Extended Counselling

Extended Counselling offers ongoing support for children, youth, and families who may be facing more complex or long-standing concerns. Our clinicians build a trusting relationship with you over time, helping to explore deeper patterns, strengthen coping skills, and promote lasting well-being. Each plan is shaped by your goals and your story—because we know every journey is different.

The Child Victim Witness Program (CVWP)

The Child Victim Witness Program (CVWP) is a community-based program, delivered by ODMH, that provides individualized supports and services to vulnerable child and youth victims/witnesses who may be required to testify in court, as well as their caregivers.

The CVWP assists clients in providing their complete testimony (evidence) to the court in a safe, effective manner, and to the best of their ability, while lessening the trauma of the court process.

The CVWP services are offered to children/youth victims and witnesses and their caregiver(s) involved in criminal court proceedings in Lanark County and the Town of Smiths Falls. Children and youth under the age of 18 (at the time of referral) who may be called to testify in criminal court are eligible for the program. Services begin after criminal charges are laid and continue until the court case is concluded.

The CVWP is funded by Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG). ODMH delivers this program through collaboration with MAG’s Victim Witness Assistance Program (VWAP), and in partnership with Victim Services Lanark County who provides the services of a Court Support Worker.

Who can make a referral?

Clients are referred to the CVWP by VWAP

Where are Services Provided?

Services are available in Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, and Perth.

What can a client expect when receiving service?

· Court preparation and orientation

· Accompaniment to court

· Testimonial aid coordination

· Caregiver support

· Safety and risk planning

· Cultural / accessibility accommodations

· Referrals to other community supports

For more information, please contact 1-877-232-8260.

The Lanark County Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (LCYAC)

The Lanark Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (LCYAC) is a collaborative service that brings multiple community partners together to address the needs of children and youth who are victims of, or witnesses to, sexual and physical abuse, as well as other serious crimes. Child and Youth Advocacy Centres exist, or are being set up, in a growing number of communities in Canada, and around the world. They are regarded as a leading practice in how to respond to child abuse cases.

The Lanark Child and Youth Advocacy Centre’s Vision

Children and youth have a right to grow up free of violence in a safe, healthy and nurturing community. The Lanark Child and Youth Advocacy Centre delivers a service that promotes strength, healing, and resiliency in children, youth, and their families who have been affected by serious crime, violence, or abuse, and is sensitive to their unique needs by providing comprehensive seamless service and support.

It’s Mission

The Lanark County Child and Youth Advocacy Centre:

Brings multi-sectoral partners together in one place to give children, youth and their families a safe, comforting and family-friendly space in which to start their healing journey.
Provides advocacy, intervention and access to support services.
Believes in providing a client-centred, trauma-informed system of support in which victims only have to tell their story once.
Is dedicated to efforts to prevent child abuse and violence through education, awareness and change.

Where are Services Provided?

Services are available throughout Lanark County with sites in Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, and Perth. A mobile response may also be arranged.

What can a client expect when receiving services for the LCYAC?

A coordinated response and continuum of service that includes police investigation, child protection, victim support and advocacy, and referral to medical and mental health, as well as follow-up care.
Collaboration between agencies and a multi-disciplinary team that includes professionals, the child/youth, and family.
Forensic interviews, conducted by Police and/or child protection workers, are recorded to reduce the number of times children/youths have to tell their stories. Hopefully causing less trauma, and re-victimization.

Referrals are made by either the OPP, Smiths Falls Police Service, or Family Children Services of Lanark, Leeds, and Grenville.

For more information, please contact 1-877-232-8260.

Open Doors Mental Health for Children, Youth, and Families wish to thank Justice Canada for providing grants, through the Victim’s Fund, that have allowed for the development and ongoing operations of the LCYAC.