Darren Courtney

Dr. Courtney has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from McMaster University, Medical Doctorate from Queen’s University and complete Psychiatry Residency from the University of Ottawa. He has been working with youth with complex psychiatric disorders since 2009. He was the clinical director of the Youth Inpatient Unit at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre from 2009-2014. From 2014-2016, he was a staff psychiatrist on the Concurrent Youth Inpatient Unit at the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto; and then the Youth Addictions and Concurrent Disorders Service at CAMH from 2016 to present. Main models of treatment include motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy. Judicious use of pharmacotherapy may also be a part of treatment.

Research Synopsis

Dr. Courtney’s research interests include: (1) quality appraisal of Clincal Practice Guidelines and their implementation, (2) the use of Integrated Care Pathways for youth with depression, (3) the management of self-harm in youth, including the use of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, (4) predictors and moderators of treatment-resistant depression in youth, (5) the use of clozapine for young people with psychosis and severe substance use disorders.