Many young people who we journey with experience mental health concerns that are often left undiagnosed including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder. 

Covenant House Vancouver offers youth an opportunity to address any counselling and psychiatric needs. Our Registered Clinical Counsellors work from an attachment-theory lens, which recognizes that a safe and trusting relationship is a basic biological human need, much like the food, clothing, and shelter that we provide.

When it becomes apparent that a young person is struggling with their mental health or an addiction, a Social Worker on our Case Management Team refers them to one of our in-house Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC). The youth and their Clinical Counsellor will determine what supports the youth requires through a trusting, confidential relationship.

The youth’s therapy may involve one-to-one counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), art therapy, referral to a psychiatrist, referral to a treatment centre, or a combination of services. Covenant House Vancouver has a relationship with the Foundry and their team of psychiatrists who work with our Clinical Counsellors to provide the most effective care possible.

We believe that providing services to aid with these concurrent disorders, due to past traumas, while clients are young is key to preventing lifelong homelessness and for effectively managing symptoms when youth become adults.