SickKids (The Hospital for Sick Children), Outpatient Mental Health Services
Year 2 Practicum, September 2026- April 2027
Name of Practicum Site, Unit or Program:
The Hospital for Sick Children – Outpatient Mental Health Services, Division of Psychiatry
Location:
The Hospital for Sick Children
170 Elizabeth St, Toronto, ON
M5G 1E8
Description of the practicum site and student activities:
The primary part of this role will involve carrying a caseload of patients to provide short-term, evidence-based therapy services (CBT/DBT/EFFT, Solution-focused therapy, ACT), both individually and in group settings. Therefore, training and prior practice using CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behavioural Therapy) with children and youth would be an asset.
Respond to and support children and adolescents who are experiencing moderate to urgent mental health concerns.
Provide support through a variety of modalities including crisis intervention (I.e.: conducting suicide risk assessments), using a trauma-informed approach, providing consultation to other clinicians, case navigation/management, and advocacy.
Support patients and their families in safety planning and exploring mental health resource options.
Practice from an integrated biopsychosocial model that considers the implications of medical, physical, mental health, family cultural contexts and issues of social complexity.
Demonstrate skills in patient and family engagement, interviewing skills with individuals, parents, and families.
Demonstrate capacity to manage highly charged situations inclusive of the prevention and management of behavioral escalations.
Collaborate with diverse inter-professional health care teams.
Navigate and secure resources that address issues related to the social determinants of health.
Work as needed with community agencies and services such as CAS (Children s Aid Society), Ontario Works, Children’s Mental Health agencies.
Practicum Requirements:
☒ Immunizations per PHA Guidelines
☒ N95 Respirator/Mask Fitting
☒ Covid Vaccinations
☒ Police Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check
☒ Comfort working with the population being served
☒ Comprehensive report writing and documentation
Please select Fields(s) of Study:
☒ Children and their Families
☒ Mental Health and Health
Does your practicum require any previous experience?
It is expected for the successful candidate to feel comfortable carrying a reasonable caseload of patients, to provide short-term, evidence-based therapeutic interventions both individually and in group settings. Therefore, training and prior practice using CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behavioural Therapy) with children and youth would be an asset.
Is this practicum in-person, remote or hybrid?
Hybrid
Will this practicum involve direct work or a mix of direct and indirect?
The practicum requires direct patient work with children, youth and their families who are referred to individual and/or group therapy.
Number of practicums offered:
1
Field Instructor name and credentials:
Chantal Tabi, MSW RSW
Application deadline:
March 24, 2026
Do you require a resume? Or resume and cover letter?
Resume and cover letter
Accessibility Considerations:
- Will the student have access to a private space for notes or computer use? Yes
- Are there breaks between clients/patients/meetings? Sometimes
- Is the practicum considered fast-paced? Fast
- Is there a high noise level in the practicum? Low
- Is the site wheelchair accessible? Yes
- What are the physical demands of the practicum? Minimal physical demands.
- Are there any other accessibility considerations that potential applicants with disabilities should be aware of? None
If you are interested in this practicum, please send a cover letter and resume to miri.ben.dat@utoronto.ca by 4PM on March 24th, 2026. Applications will be sent to the site.