Central Toronto Youth Services (CTYS) is a community-based, accredited Children's Mental Health Centre that serves many of Toronto's most vulnerable youth. We believe in building the strength and resiliency of young people in ways that are engaging, respectful and empowering.
Services Offered
Pride & Prejudice * Trans Fems Are Brilliant! (TFAB!) - A group for self-identified trans feminine/trans woman/trans girl/trans femme youth aged 14-24.
TFAB! offers participants a series of workshops on writing and storytelling for empowerment and publishes a zine of group writing.
* Yo! Yoga - Free! Trauma Sensitive Yoga for Queer & Trans youth, 16 - 24 years old.
* Transceptance > Ongoing peer support group for parents and caregivers of transgender youth and young adults > Provides support and education, reduces isolation and stress, and shares information, including strategies for dealing or coping with disclosures > New members welcome, feel free to drop-in; no RSVP is required
* Families in TRANSition (FIT) - Families in TRANSition (FIT) is a 10-week, closed group for parents/caregivers of trans and gender-questioning youth (age 13 - 21) who have recently learned of their child's gender identity.
* Chillout > support group for LGBTQ2S youth > learn strategies and tools for managing anxiety > includes yoga, discussion, and arts-based activities > connect with other LGBTQ2S youth
* Boyoboy - For guys 16-24 who identify as two-spirit, intersex, trans, non-binary, gay, bi, queer. Through discussions of health, arts & culture, and current events, Boyoboy explores the intersections and issues of GBTQ2S youth identity and experiences. Always entertaining and educational, each workshop focuses on a specific topic or theme.
Community Counselling We offer support to youth ages 12-18 through outreach, individual counselling & group work. Many of our clients face unique challenges that cannot be addressed using traditional approaches. * C2C - C2C is an interactive, peer support group for youth between the ages of 12 - 17 looking for support managing worries and life challenges.
* Priority Access for Students (PAS) Program - The Priority Access for Students (PAS) Program provides individual and family focused counselling services as well as case management for TDSB and TCDSB students and their families. Identified students are referred by their school social workers to this program. The program uses a family systems framework to build relationships and resources within families. The service may also include other key individuals, such as school social workers, teachers or other significant people, for the purpose of additional support and coordination of services.
* RITES for African-Canadian Youth - The RITES program at Central Toronto Youth Services (CTYS) is a culturally specific, identity development initiative that supports the empowerment of Black and African-Canadian youth between the ages of 13 and 18. RITES employs an integrated, full spectrum model of support and care so participants have access to range of coordinated mental health clinical and program supports and resources.
We understand that daily exposure to racism, discrimination, homophobia, violence and poverty can lower young people's self-esteem, impact their mental health and compromise their potential for overall success. RITES implements an asset-focused, strengths-based approach informed by evidence and research on the effects of racism, stress management and racial identity and is informed by various Africentric cultural, social value systems and practices.
* School Outreach - This program offers group counselling within six designated Toronto District School Board schools. These groups are offered to a variety of students identified as needing support in building and maintaining healthy relationships, dealing with anxiety, managing their anger, and building social skills.
* Community Outreach Program - Community Outreach Program provides a variety of flexible counselling services for youth and their families who have a range of mental health needs and may have had difficulty benefiting from previous supports or counselling services. Using a strength based, relational approach this program is designed to service youth and their families who require services within their home and/or community setting. Youth referred to this program often struggle with depression and anxiety, can have difficulties coping at school and frequently find it difficult to participate in activities outside of their home.
Fees and Payment
Our services are free of charge.
This is a registered charity.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono
Online Counseling: During COVID-19
Could You Make an Appointment?
One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.
