From Coping to Thriving: How Covenant House Counsellors Help Youth Build Lifelong Skills

Occupational therapy and counselling services are some key components to the overall care for young people at Covenant House. Our team focuses on honouring each young person’s goals and existing strengths, while helping them build new skills to move forward. We sat down with Jordan Higa, Occupational Therapist, and Alexia Balack, Mental Health & Substance Use Counsellor, to explore how their work helps youth build the skills they need to take meaningful steps toward their goals. 

Q: Can you tell us about your role and why it’s such an important support for young people? 

Alexia: My work focuses on three key areas. First, interpersonal effectiveness, which is about building healthy relationships and navigating conflict; second, emotional regulation, or learning to manage intense emotions; and finally, mindfulness, which helps youth stay present and make decisions that align with their values. These skills help young people reconnect with themselves and others, especially when they’re navigating trauma or instability. 

Jordan: I’m an Occupational Therapist, and it is a type of care that helps people of all ages participate in the activities, or “occupations”, that are important to their daily lives. For a young person, these activities could be school, work, self-care, or leisure. I support young people in identifying barriers that get in the way of their day-to-day activities and work alongside them to create routines and systems that help them reach their goals. 

Q: Alexia, can you give an example of a skill you teach in emotional regulation? 

Alexia: One effective skill is called Opposite Action to Emotion. It helps youth identify what they’re feeling and choose an action that’s opposite to that emotion. For example, if someone feels like isolating, they might decide to reach out to a friend instead. It’s a way of respecting their emotions while still taking steps toward growth. 

Q: Jordan, how do you help youth build structure and routine in their lives? 

Jordan: We usually start by looking at everything on their plate – tasks, appointments, all of it – and see how they’re currently keeping track. From there, we create simple, personalized strategies, like keeping one master to-do list, breaking tasks into priorities (A, B, C), or scheduling them like appointments. The idea is to give them tools that build independence, so they can carry these skills into any part of their lives. 

Q: Why do these skill sets matter for young people in the long run? 

Alexia: A lot of youth we work with have experienced trauma and sometimes feel disconnected from their emotions. These skills help them recognize what’s going on in their mind and body and prepare them in handling challenges down the road – whether that’s keeping a job, navigating relationships, or just getting through a tough day. 

Jordan: Life can get busy and overwhelming. Having systems to rely on gives youth confidence. It allows them to think, “I’ve got this. I know what to do.” It’s really about creating a sense of stability and familiarity when things feel uncertain. 

Q: Can you both share a moment that’s stuck with you in your work? 

Alexia: I’ve seen youth come into sessions overwhelmed, and over time, they begin to identify their emotions and use skills to regulate them. Watching them choose actions that reflect their values is incredibly powerful. 

Jordan: One of my favorite moments is when a youth takes a skill I’ve taught and makes it their own. I might give them a worksheet to plan their week, and they come back with a beautifully customized version that works perfectly for them. That’s the magic in collaboration and empowerment. They know themselves best, and when we fuse that with the tools we offer, real progress happens. 

Alexia and Jordan are helping many young people at Covenant House build skills they need to thrive. We’re grateful to our community for making these programs and services accessible. If you’d like to make a difference in a young person’s life, visit: How to Help - Covenant House Toronto.