In this talk , Dr. Kira Vimalakanthan highlights the development of the CARES program, a psychosocial intervention that equips caregivers with skills to safeguard their mental health. Using a peer-based model, the CARES program provides a culturally responsive platform to foster open conversations about mental health and the shared experience of caring for a child with complex needs.

About Speaker

Dr. Kira Vimalakanthan is a registered clinical psychologist with nearly a decade of experience in providing assessment and treatment services. She obtained her Ph.D in Clinical Psychology at the University of Waterloo. To date, she has provided services in a variety of settings, including the Centre for Mental Health Research and Treatment at the University of Waterloo, the Eating Disorder Program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, and the Sanctuary Refugee Health Centre. In addition to her work in private practice, Dr. Vimalakanthan is a Staff Psychologist at Surrey Place.