Counselling

About the Program

Counselling is about supporting you to discover or build on your own strengths and abilities. It is a way to learn more about yourself, make changes, and improve your overall sense of wellbeing by reaching specific goals. As a client, you can expect to be listened to, respected in the goals you set for counselling, and helped in finding ways to cope with life difficulties. Our counseling services offer individual sessions and group programming.

Eligibility

  • Adults (including seniors) and youth (16 years to 29) of all genders
  • People who are on social assistance or are low wage earners without related benefits
  • Homeless, or near-homeless, history of frequent evictions
  • Newcomers (including non-status) and refugees
  • People with mental and emotional health issues
  • People with chronic health issues that impact on wellness
  • Substance users
  • Sex workers
  • LGB and Trans-identified people
  • Parents and individuals pre/post pregnancy
  • People who are or have experienced abuse or violence
  • People who are in trouble with the law

Languages of Service

Language interpretation available for both individual sessions and group programming.


Dates & Hours

Appointments available Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5pm * some evening appointments available (5-7:30pm)

Group program times vary: please check program calendar for details.


Contact

Queen West Site: (416) 703-8482 ext. 2106
Parkdale site: (416) 537-2455 ext. 1232

*Referrals can be made from other community agencies, health professionals, or self-referral.

Philosophy / Approaches

Our counseling approaches include:

  • Harm Reduction philosophy
  • Supportive, strength-based, brief solution-focused
  • Trauma-Informed
  • Body-Centered
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Mindfulness (individual and group)
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for individuals & groups
  • Provision of information about emergency services and other community services in the community
  • Case management, accompaniment, advocacy, referrals and other practical support as needed, e.g. detox, food banks, housing help, legal aid, harm reduction supplies

Additional Information

We provide individual and group counselling for a range of needs including:

  • feelings of depression and anxiety
  • coping with illness stress related to adaptation and settlement, including adaptation to a new country, healing from torture, persecution and/or war
  • childhood and adult trauma or abuse
  • grief and loss
  • anger management
  • harm reduction for substance use and other addictions
  • parenting issues
  • family or relationship difficulties
  • Pre and post-partum mood adjustments