- Public Office Hours: Mon - Fri (8:00am - 3:00pm)
Our Child & Youth Mental Health (CYMH) program provides free, confidential mental health support for children and youth in the Similkameen and South Okanagan. Services include assessment, counselling, safety planning, and ongoing therapeutic support for young people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioural challenges, and other mental health concerns. Families are supported throughout the process, and youth are connected to community resources whenever needed. Our clinician is based in Keremeos and works collaboratively with schools, caregivers, and regional partners to ensure accessible, culturally informed care close to home.
Serving the community of Keremeos and the surrounding areas, the Child & Youth Mental Health Clinician operates through the Lower Similkameen Community Services Society, supporting children, youth, and families across the South Okanagan–Similkameen region.
This program is offered under the purview of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and provides confidential, family-centred counselling and support within the context of a child or youth’s family, culture, and community. Services are delivered collaboratively, recognizing the importance of relationships, safety, and belonging in promoting mental wellbeing.
The Clinician provides a safe, compassionate, and supportive space where children and youth can explore their emotions, build resilience, and develop skills to cope with life’s challenges. Support may include individual counselling, family sessions, and parent consultation, depending on the needs of the child or youth.
Ujwala Cherian is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with experience working with children, youth, adults, and families across diverse cultural and community settings. She brings a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to her work and is committed to supporting young people in developing emotional regulation, resilience, and a stronger sense of self.
Ujwala’s areas of focus include anxiety, trauma, emotional dysregulation, and adjustment challenges. She integrates evidence-based approaches such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness, tailoring her approach to meet the developmental and emotional needs of each child or youth. She works collaboratively with caregivers and other service providers, recognizing the vital role families and communities play in supporting mental health and wellbeing.
If you would like to talk with someone about an intake referral please contact:
For immediate supports and crisis intervention:
