Ottawa Centre for Resilience

04/30/2026

Supporting children’s mental health within African families starts with understanding.

*From Surviving to Thriving*
A free online workshop for parents and caregivers
When: May 30 from 12:00 - 2:00PM

Join OCFR therapist, Ganiyat Zurakat (https://ocfr.ca/team/ganiyat-zurakat/) for a culturally grounded conversation about supporting children and teens - before things reach a crisis point.

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02/17/2026

Long winter days, ongoing stress, and worry can quietly affect sleep. For many children, teens, and adults, sleep changes are one of the first signs that the nervous system is overwhelmed - difficulty falling asleep, waking through the night, or feeling unrested even after a full night.

Sleep is not just about rest. It supports emotional regulation, attention, learning, and resilience.

Small changes in daily habits can make a meaningful difference in how the brain and body settle for sleep.

Here are some simple sleep hygiene practices we often share with families. For those seeking additional support, therapy services are currently available.

02/05/2026

A recent CBC Ottawa story highlighted a group of Black mothers who call themselves “The Supermoms”- women supporting one another while raising children with autism and navigating stigma, isolation, and systemic barriers.

Access to mental health and developmental supports is not experienced equally across communities. Cultural beliefs, fear of judgment, and a lack of culturally responsive services can all delay families from seeking or receiving care, even when needs are significant.

Stories like this underscore why culturally responsive, trauma informed care is not an “add on,” but a core part of ethical and effective practice - particularly for families who have historically faced barriers to access.

In some cultures, autism is seen as a "curse." For these "supermoms" of kids with autism, unlearning the shame and celebrating each other provides life-changing connection.

01/20/2026

In the world of adoption, foster care, and kinship care, there can be a lot of pressure to “get it right.” But the truth is: children don’t need perfection. They need connection. They need you.

At times, all parents feel unsure about what their child is really asking for. That’s normal. And that’s where Circle of Security® Parenting™ (COS‑P) can make a huge difference.

Our Spring 2026 COS‑P group helps caregivers:
- Understand their child’s emotional needs
- Support big feelings with confidence
- Strengthen connection and trust
- Feel more grounded in their caregiving instincts
- PLUS: A bonus session on how trauma impacts development and relationships

For: Adoptive, prospective adoptive, foster, and kinship caregivers
When: online, Mondays, 11:30–1:00 PM
Dates: March 23 – May 18 (9 weeks)
Cost: $999 total
To register, email info@ocfr.ca

01/18/2026

12/13/2025

Some helpful guidance on setting healthy boundaries with grandparents with the holidays coming up so you can enjoy time with extended family more.

10/28/2025

Former OCFR clinician Carol Manseau hosts an important talk on how children experience grief and and how adults in their lives can help.

Please share with anyone who may benefit

Grief is a complex journey for children, and knowing how to support them can feel overwhelming. You don't have to navigate it alone.

Join us for November 13th for a webinar where experts will share practical strategies and community resources to support children experiencing loss.

Register now: https://ow.ly/Ll8R50XilUu

10/15/2025

We currently have openings for reduced-fee psychological services with Clinical Psychology Intern Amanda Krause at OCFR.

Amanda provides compassionate support for children, teens, and caregivers dealing with anxiety, emotional regulation, and relationship challenges.

All services are supervised by an OCFR psychologist and may be covered under extended health benefits.

✨ Limited spaces available! Visit OCFR.ca to book your free intake call.

10/07/2025

Our team recently talked about new research on how the adolescent brain develops and what it means for the teens and young adults in our lives.

One of the most interesting findings is that even into the early twenties, the brain is still wired to focus on what feels good right now rather than long-term consequences. This helps explain why things like reward charts or long-term privilege systems don’t always motivate teens the way adults hope they will.

Peer influence also plays a big role. Being around friends or peers makes that pull toward immediate reward even stronger. And for young people who have faced early adversity, it can be even harder to think ahead or wait for rewards.

So what actually helps?
• Positive, consistent relationships with trusted adults
• Immediate feedback and encouragement, rather than delayed rewards
• Real-life practice with problem-solving and responsibility
• Understanding that regulation and connection must come before learning or change

The takeaway: teens are not defiant or unmotivated. Their brains are still catching up. When we meet them where they are developmentally, we create space for growth and connection.

Read the full paper here: https://clbb.mgh.harvard.edu/white-paper-on-the-science-of-late-adolescence/

09/30/2025

At OCFR, our clinicians meet every week to support one another and strengthen the care we provide to families.

Once a month, we also read and talk through an article together. These conversations help us stay up to date with research and make sure our work reflects the best knowledge available.

Next week, we’ll be looking at a paper called The Science of Late Adolescence; https://clbb.mgh.harvard.edu/white-paper-on-the-science-of-late-adolescence/. It explains how the brain keeps developing into the early twenties, which helps explain why older teens may still struggle with things like decision-making, risk-taking, and managing responsibilities.

For parents and caregivers, this research is an important reminder: turning 18 doesn’t suddenly make someone “an adult.” The brain is still catching up, and support and guidance are still very much needed.

We’ll be sharing some of our key takeaways next week.

09/23/2025

Sometimes school testing isn’t enough to explain what’s going on.

A neuropsychological assessment looks deeper at how the brain is working — memory, attention, problem-solving, and self-regulation.

This type of assessment is especially helpful for children with trauma, adoption, prenatal exposures, or medical conditions.

At OCFR, we provide trauma-informed assessments that give families clear answers and strategies for support at home and school.