Our Staff

Graham Thompson, Youth Mental Health Counsellor

For over 15 years Graham has worked professionally with at-risk children and youth in the social work field.  From child protection to mental health, preventative education to leadership development, he has built a reputation of successfully building relationships and enjoying the challenges and privileges of working with youth.  Graham has a passion for the outdoors, physical activity, and creative expression.  In clinical relationships he combines these passions with professional training to create highly effective treatment services.  

Erin Horvath, H.BSc, Community and Personal Development Worker

Erin has formal training in Psychology (Hon BSc), Community Development (M.A), Mediation (Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution), and Strategic Planning (National Charette Institute). She has extensive experience working with youth, families and communities at-risk in clinical, recreational and community settings with a focus on mental health, trauma, and empowerment. Her experience in theatre, dance and music makes her a fun and dynamic facilitator and allows various forms of creative expression into her work.

Heather Hall, Registered Psychotherapist #3269

Heather has been working in the area of mental health for 18 years, specializing in crisis work, advocating for families and individuals, providing clinical assessment and treatment therapies to youth, and most recently providing direct clinical supervision to community and crisis based teams.  Heather has a great passion and skill in establishing trust with youth, making it more comfortable in sharing their needs with her.  With her vast experience, Heather is able to support youth with effective therapies that are listed in the Treatment tab under the Services page.

Facts

Young people age 15 to 24 are the single biggest group of Canadians affected by mental illness, but they are also the least likely to seek help. Illnesses include:

• Anxiety disorders (social phobia, painful shyness)
• Substance abuse (the most lethal ones are alcohol and tobacco)
• Depression (often inexplicable and therefore it leads to feelings of guilt)
• Eating disorders (mostly occur in females, but it can also affect males)
• Bipolar disorder (affects about one per cent of the population)
• Personality disorders (formally diagnosed only once a person turns 18)

According to the 2012 Focus on Mental Health Report, published by Colleges Ontario:

• Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among youth
• Less than 24% of young people suffering from mental illness receive treatment
• 70% of adults with mental health problems experienced their first symptoms by age 18
• Adults with substance abuse problems typically start drinking or using at a young age

Fees

Sessions cost $90 + tax.  To assist you there are payment plan options, as well as a Scholarship program for those requiring financial assistance.  A Scholarship Request can be downloaded below and emailed to us.

Fees are due at the end of each session unless alternative payment plan arranged.  If you need to cancel a session, a minimum of 12 hours notice is required.  If you miss a session, or are late for a session, full fees will be charged.

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not cover fees for psychological services.  Many private health insurance plans provide some coverage.  The fees are tax deductible as a medical expense.  They may also be tax deductible as a business expense, or as an employee benefit by your employer.

Donate

Many people are surprised to learn that in the Muskoka and Parry Sound regions there are significant rates of low-income, transiency, social class discrimination, sexual orientation discrimination, and other related concerns that compound the mental health issues found in children, youth, and their families.

Often these children are not receiving the services they need due to:

• Waitlists at government agencies - wait times can reach 6 to 12 months
• Families cannot afford private mental health services
• The stigma associated with mental health prevents youth from attending volunteer services
• Have been bullied, discriminated to the point that they fear further harassment by professionals

There are 3 ways you can help:

• Scholarship Fund: This provides a child/youth the ability to afford ongoing mental health therapy
• Single Donation: $80 will provide a much needed assessment or treatment session for a child or youth
• Prevention: 100% of the proceeds will raise awareness and break the stigma of mental health disabilities in your community

Please consider donating by downloading the form below. We are committed to keeping 100% of your donation in your community. Your anonymous donation will be followed up with an update on the great things it has done for an unidentified child/youth or family. Please contact us for full details of how you can help.

New VU

New VU Child & Youth Counselling is a professional service of New Vision Unlimited, a nationally registered not-for-profit community development organization that focuses on equipping people to be leaders of change.

For more information on New Vision Unlimited and what it offers to the communities we serve, please visit us at www.newvu.org

Accountability

Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists, and Psychotherapists (OACCPP):

Our Psychotherapists and Counsellors are members of the OACCPP, which is a self-governing body representing mental health practitioners in Ontario, and currently has over 2000 members. Click here for further information.

College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario:

Our Psychotherapists are registered under the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. For your information and protection, click here for more information.