Many young people struggling with mental health challenges do not receive the help they need. Long waiting lists, limited access to services, and inadequate systems are well-known barriers—but equally significant is the lack of deep, trusting connections between young people and their providers. When a sense of safety has been broken, vulnerability does not come easily. While countless professionals are skilled, warm, and well-trained, truly connecting with troubled adolescents is an art that requires time, trust, and a safe, supportive environment—ideally one that includes peers who can relate to their experiences.

Not every young person has the means or opportunity to attend a residential program, but the core elements of effective care can be applied by any professional. Drawing on nearly 15 years of experience in child and adolescent mental health—and having treated tens of thousands of young people and their families—Yes We Can Youth Clinics has become one of the world’s leading specialists for individuals ages 13 to 25 struggling with mental health issues, addictions, and behavioral challenges.

This session will share best practices from the Yes We Can model of care, highlighting why it works and how professionals can adapt its principles in their own settings. With a structure that includes 10 weeks of residential care, 10 weeks of aftercare, and individualized continued care plans, Yes We Can achieves a 90% recovery rate among youth from more than 50 nations—demonstrating the universal power of warmth, structure, empathy, and timely, compassionate confrontation delivered within a safe and supportive environment.