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Starling Community Services.

Lutherwood Adopts New Treatment Approach


Waterloo – Lutherwood is excited to announce that it has adopted a new treatment approach that is already showing considerable promise amongst its youth at Lutherwood’s Children’s Mental Health Centre.

There have been tremendous advancements in treatment programs that help children learn to cope with mental health challenges. Nearly two years ago, Lutherwood began reviewing evidence-based treatment approaches that showed promise in our day and live-in treatment setting. That review found promising evidence that Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), when adapted for youth, was getting excellent results. After discussions with staff and community partners, we adopted an adapted version of DBT as an evidence-informed group intervention for youth served in our day, youth justice and live-in programs at Lutherwood.

Our staff members are now expertly trained and as of early November began to use this approach with youth in treatment. Over the next few years, we will be monitoring the DBT-informed program to evaluate its effectiveness.

For more information about our DBT-informed approach or any of our services, please contact us.

"Change does not come easily or immediately for our youth. But there is nothing more gratifying than to see them months and years later and hear the positive impact we had on their lives."