FAQs

1What is Peterborough Youth Services?

Peterborough Youth Services (PYS for short) is a non-profit social service agency which has been providing counselling and support to young people 10-18 and their families in Peterborough and surrounding areas for over 40 years. The professional staff at PYS specialize in working with youth.

2What kind of help is available?

A range of services are available including individual and family counselling, and Community Response Team services as well as Youth Justice programs. PYS is a child and youth focused agency. Family therapy is available in support of goals for the child or adolescent, however it is not a requirement for service.

3What can counselling do for me?

Counselling provides help for youth dealing with many different situations and life experiences such as:

  • Difficulties coping with life in general
  • Pregnancy
  • Physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse
  • Gender and identity
  • Family violence and/or family breakdown
  • Grief
  • Poor self-image
  • Teen parenthood
  • Conflict with the law
  • Sexuality and relationships
  • Bullying
  • Sadness, depression, anger
  • Difficulties at school

    • Individual counselling gives young people an opportunity to meet privately with a Counsellor to talk about problems they may be having and explore possible solutions. Your Counsellor will talk with you and gather some information from you and answer any questions you might have. Counselling often includes art or drama and games (e.g., pool, ping pong). You and your Counsellor will decide what works best for you.

    Family counselling is an opportunity for you and members of your family to meet with a Counsellor to work out problems that you haven’t managed to solve on your own. This could mean we meet with one other person in your family or several members, whatever would be most helpful. We usually start by meeting with the young person on their own before moving to family counselling. This can help you to figure out what the problem is and decide on the best way to solve it.

    Community Response Team services are available for youth of all ages. Services include helping young people and families in crisis, assistance finding employment, support with life skills, housing, education and/or applying for financial assistance.

    Youth Justice Programs receive referrals from Probation Services for young persons who have been convicted of an offence while under the age of 18 and received a court ordered disposition to participate.

    4Why should I come to PYS?

    Research has shown us that certain factors can help youth cope with life’s stresses:

  • Friendship/belonging
  • Participating in activities
  • Feeling good about yourself
  • Feeling good about how others see you
  • Having adults in your life whom you admire
  • Having an adult with whom you can talk
    • 5How do I get started?

    You can call Peterborough Youth Services and speak with the receptionist and ask for an intake appointment. Though we encourage family involvement, in accordance with the Child, Youth and Family Services Act any child 12 or over may refer themselves with or without the knowledge or consent of their parents.

    PYS also accepts referrals from community resources (with the support of the youth and family) such as schools, probation, children’s aid organizations, the courts, doctors, public health nurses, and many others who are involved with young people.

    PYS is funded through the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, the United Way, foundation grants and private donations. Services are available to you and your family at no cost.

    6Is it for me?

    If after having read this you’re still not sure whether PYS is right for you, why not call and arrange to meet with a Counsellor to find out more about how PYS might be able to help you? Our staff will be more than happy to arrange a time for you to come in to meet with a Counsellor. You can e-mail us at Send Mail or you can phone 705-743-1681 to speak with the receptionist.

    7What if I’m in crisis?
    From September to June Peterborough Youth Services is open from 9am to 7pm Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays and 9am to 5pm on Thursdays and Fridays. During July and August PYS is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. PYS’ Community Response Team is able to respond to calls within 24-72 hours. If you require immediate assistance and PYS is not open then alternately you can speak to a Counsellor over the phone by contacting310 COPE at 1-855-310-2673 (COPE) In an emergency, visit Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s emergency room or call 911.
    8What about privacy?

    Peterborough Youth Services is committed to protecting your privacy during the collection, use, security and sharing of personal health information related to our clients and their families. All information is stored in a manner that protects its security, and appropriate measures are also taken in the destruction of personal information. We are committed to meeting the privacy standards established by relevant legislation including the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), the Youth Criminal Justice Act and Child, Youth and Family Services Act. For more information on PYS' practices, including how to make a complaint about privacy, you can view a complete copy of PYS’ Privacy Policy at the link below.

    Privacy Policy

    Peterborough Youth Services Policy and Procedures
    9Complaint Information
    Written complaints may be sent to Peterborough Youth Service at 459 Reid Street, Peterborough ON K9H 4G7, by e-mail at [email protected] or by fax at 705 743 1994 . Verbal complaints may be made by phone (705) 743 1681 or in person to any of PYS’ staff or board members at 459 Reid Street or at any of our events or activities. Complaints may be made to The Ontario Ombudsman 483 Bay Street, 10th floor Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C9 Phone: 1-800-263-1830 Fax: (416) 586-3485 TTY: (866) 411-4211 Email: [email protected]