Advocacy 

When I think about the field of Child and Youth Care (CYC), I think about a lot of things: the moments when we see a child finally start to trust, when a parent makes a breakthrough in their supportive approach, you know, the small but mighty victories in therapy make it all feel worth it, and how essential this work really is - work that doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves.

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I’m an advocate for CYC not just because I’ve worked in the field or because I believe in it - I advocate because I know how vital it is to the mental health world. The more I surround myself with other CYCs in the field, the more I reflect on just how much CYC professionals bring to the table.

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If I can be honest for a moment - I'd like to share that CYC work is often overlooked. Too often, it’s treated as the supportive piece of the mental health puzzle, the thing that comes alongside the clinical therapists, psychologists, or social workers.

 

What if I told you that the relational, human-centered approach we bring is not just complementary, but necessary?

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The Heart of CYC: A Relational Approach

Child and Youth Care isn’t just a career. It’s a calling. A calling to connect with kids and families in a way that’s different - grounded, real, and immediate. The work we do is about building trust, listening without judgment, and helping children, youth and their families build resilience in a world that’s often ready to tear them down.

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When we talk about mental health care, we often talk about diagnosis, interventions, and strategies. These are all stepping stones to healing. But CYC professionals bring something different. Something that can’t be measured on a chart. We bring relationships. We understand that kids and teens can’t heal if they don’t feel seen or heard in their world. We don’t just see a diagnosis - we see a person, who is longing for connection, validation and compassion - and that makes all the difference.

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We’re not here to fix anyone - we’re here to meet them where they are, to show them they matter, and to work with them on building up the skills they need to thrive. We bring the real-world tools - the ones that can be used in everyday life, not just in a therapy room. And when we partner with other professionals, we bring context. We see the bigger picture; intergenerational patterns, parents who are in survival mode, complex family dynamics, school pressures, friend groups - all the things that matter in the life of a kid or teen.

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How CYC's Enhance Therapeutic Work

So, why is this important in mental health care? Because, when you get right down to it, healing isn’t just about someone telling you what’s wrong. Healing is about being supported through the hard stuff, having space to process the feelings that feel too big for words, and being given tools that help you move forward in practical ways.

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Therapists and counselors play an integral role in therapeutic services, and they do incredible work. CYC professionals are there for the practice in real-time. We show up with hands-on support to mentor through the hard - using the tools and theories learned in therapy in the moment. ​

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We’re the ones on the ground, seeing the small shifts and helping them get through the tough moments. We don’t just focus on the past; we focus on the present and how they can take actionable steps toward a better tomorrow.

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The Unseen Strength in CYC

There’s a quiet strength in the CYC profession. It’s not flashy or dramatic - it’s steady, and it’s there in the small moments. It’s there when a child reaches out for help for the first time, when a teen sits down and shares their truth, when a parent or caregiver is vulnerable and open to learning how to regulate their nervous system before responding to their child. It's there.

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We don’t always get the applause, but we’re there for the moments that matter. And I think that’s what makes us so essential. Because this work isn’t about doing something perfectly, it’s about showing up and being present - no matter how messy it gets.

We’re not just fixing problems. We’re helping build people. Helping them see that they’re worth investing in, worth loving, worth fighting for. 

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Why We Matter

It’s easy to overlook CYC professionals, but the truth is, we matter - and not just as an add-on or a supplementary service. CYC is the glue that holds many mental health programs together. We bridge the gap between therapy and real life, between understanding and action. We meet kids and their family where they’re at and walk alongside them as they learn to grow, heal, and thrive.

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As someone who’s deeply passionate about this field - I wholeheartedly believe in the power of what we do. And I’ll keep advocating for it, because this work is vital. It's the work that heals, that builds resilience, that transforms. And it’s something I’m proud to be a part of.

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Moving Forward, Not Back

CYC professionals are an essential part of the mental health field, and it’s time we recognized that. We don’t need to be the loudest in the room to make a difference. Our strength is in the steady, quiet work we do - connecting, supporting, and empowering youth, one relationship at a time. And that’s the kind of care that changes lives.

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Kaili Warmington 

A (very proud) Child and Youth Care Practitioner  

(CYC-P)

Rooted Intention Parenting & Mentorship