Searching for Counselling For Abused People

COVID19 - Remains open * all programs and services operational * staff available to answer crisis help line, 905-728-7311 or toll free 1-800-263-3725, and can provide crisis counselling, support and safety planning

Shelter support and crisis counselling services include:

• secure emergency shelter for women and children fleeing abuse of any kind whether physical, emotional, sexual, or financial
• up to 27 crisis beds available
• confidential 24-hour crisis and supportive assistance by telephone or in person at the shelter
• emergency transportation to the shelter
• food, clothing and basic personal necessities
• supportive counselling for women, safety planning
• children's program staff to support your children
• help finding community resources and supports
• legal and court support referrals and information about your rights
• assistance with special priority for rent geared to income housing
• language interpretation can be arranged with notice
• crisis counselling and transitional support
• Community Support Workers provide support to women and their children who are currently involved in an abusive relationship, are planning on leaving or have left a partner and would like further options to move forward
• help establish short and long-term goal planning, based on individual needs

Support and follow-up are provided through telephone support, email, home visits or an alternative safe location to meet

• short-term supportive counselling
• goal planning
• safety planning
• advocacy, resources and referrals
• housing support groups for women and youth/children

Formerly known as DRIVEN

COVID19 - All support is currently provided virtually, by phone or video

Access to multiple supports in one location for women experiencing abuse and gender-based violence

On-site Services - subject to change

• abuse/violence counselling, sexual violence counselling
• parenting support in regards to children witnessing/experiencing abuse, advice and support of Durham Children's Aid Society
• help developing plan to safely leave, safety planning, injury documentation, admission to shelter
• family law support and guidance
• connection to government financial assistance, help identifying housing options, support in completion of subsidized housing paperwork
• quarterly hygiene bags for those in financial need, clothing vouchers, access to language interpreters, and referrals to other needed supports

Off-site Services (accessed over phone)

• legal support, legal consultation with family lawyer
• Legal Aid Ontario certificates and summary legal advice (if eligible)
• admission to shelter
• young parent support services
• employment support
• specialized addictions counselling
• HIV, sexual health, and drug use information and support
• culturally specific services, Settlement Services for newcomers to Canada
• monthly food boxes for those in financial need
• financial assistance to address immediate safety concerns (if eligible)
• police support
• Outreach Services, a service of the Student Association at Durham College/ UOIT, and other referrals

Video chat connection to Safety Network Durham is available through the Welcome Centre Immigrant Services in Ajax, the Welcome Centre Immigrant Services in Pickering, New Life Neighbourhood Centre in Oshawa, and North House in Uxbridge

COVID19 -- In person, video or phone sessions are available in response to client preference

Therapy, counselling for individuals, couples and families regardless of religious beliefs, and young parent support services:

• assist victims of family violence to obtain protection and safety
• group programs for abused women, children and teens exposed to violence
• parenting groups for young parents
• one on one parenting support and supportive counselling
• life skills and social groups for young parents
• couple and family therapy
• trauma counselling
• psychotherapy for mild to moderate mental health issues

Head office in Oshawa

Satellite office in Ajax
250 Bayly Street W, Unit 22
Ajax, ON L1S 3V4A

Member Agency of Catholic Charities, a Member Agency of Family Service Ontario, and a Member Agency of Ontario Young Parents Association

In-person services suspended ​

For women in Durham Region

• providing service by phone 905-728-0978 ext 221
• individual consultations over the phone with Legal/Family Court Support Workers
• free summary legal advice from family law lawyers available via phone or video conferencing
• information and assistance with court documents
• virtual legal information group sessions on a range of topics

For women outside of Durham Region

• access a family law lawyer for free summary legal advice through Virtual Legal Clinic - to book an appointment, call 1-866-516-3116 ext.235, or email intake@LukesPlace.ca

Assist female abuse survivors and their children as they deal with family law issues

• individual information, support, guidance and referral on family law system
• group sessions offered including Early Information Sessions, Legal Information Workshops
• access to extensive print and video resources
• weekly pro-bono summary advice clinic to receive lawyer's opinion based on facts of situation
• help with legal preparation and preparing for court
• consultation, education and training to the service community and general public

Family Court Support Worker Program

• information on the family court process
• assistance in preparing for family court proceedings (documenting history of abuse, accessing Legal Aid)
• referral to specialized services and supports in the community
• safety planning
• court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

Support for abused women living in Durham Region

• ongoing, longer-term counselling
• safety-planning
• advocacy

Support services to recent as well as historical or childhood survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and childhood sexual abuse and their families

• 24/7 crisis and support line
• free and confidential service
• individual and group counselling - by phone and secure video (Zoom)
• police, legal, and medical accompaniment
• court advocacy
• public education
• volunteer opportunities and crisis line training

Wait time for individual counselling is currently 9-12 months ; once clients have completed an intake, clients are able to join groups via Zoom, including meditation, yoga, youth survivor's circle, and survivor's circle

Information and emotional support for anyone who has experienced sexual violence or who needs information about sexual violence, services and community referrals

24hr Emergency Medical Services

• DV/SACC team at Lakeridge Health Oshawa available 24 hr medical emergencies for sexual assault and intimate partner violence victims

Sexual Assault

• male, female or transgender adult victims of sexual assault up to 12 days post assault, children under 16 years of age up to 7 days post-assault examination, treatment, evidence collection, safety planning, referrals, follow-up

Domestic Violence

• for intimate partner, adult male, female or transgender victims (do not need to have injuries) - documentation and photographs of injuries, safety planning, referrals, follow-up

Information and Counselling

• individual counselling for adult male or female victims of sexual assault and/or domestic violence within the past year

Community Counselling

• intake, assessment, referral
• short-term individual, couple, family and group counselling
• professional counselling for a variety of issues including:
  • substance abuse, problem gambling, other addictions
  • anxiety, depression
  • grief/loss
  • anger/emotion management
  • personal stress, self-esteem
  • communication, couple/family conflict, extended family issues
  • separation/divorce, blended family issues
  • abuse/violence, sexual assault/abuse, trauma
  • job stress, workplace violence/conflict
  • school problems
  • balancing work and family life
  • caring for elderly parents

Service is offered in-person at various locations throughout Durham Region, or remotely by phone or video

Partner Assault Response (PAR) (see separate listing)

• mandated structured group program for men and women who have been found and/or pled guilty to domestic violence

Employee Assistance
Available for people whose employers contract with Family Services to provide employee assistance services and supports as part of their employee benefits program

• intake, assessment and referral
• counselling for employees and their family members
• critical incident counselling and support services
• organizational support and wellness seminars for employee groups

Adult Protective Services (see separate listing)

• assessment, information and referral
• service coordination and system navigation
• case management
• advocacy and supportive counseling for adults with a developmental disability

Member agency of Support Services Network for Male Survivors in Ontario (central region)

First Nations and Inuit Health Non-Insured Health Benefits Counselling

Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) counselling for children and youth who are victims of internet sexual exploitation and their immediate family

Retired or medically released Canadian Forces personnel and their families

Counselling, consultation or referrals on self esteem, depression anxiety, eating disorders * marital issues, sex therapy, communication * divorce recovery, anger management, loss and grief issues * pregnancy and parenting, postpartum depression * stress and time management * mental health issues * sexual, verbal and physical abuse * home visits * mediation services for couples

COVID19 - Remains open * outreach workers provide counselling in person and by phone

Emergency shelter

• free and confidential services to women who are or have experienced abuse
• access to resources and support services
• promote public awareness
• 24-hour crisis line

COVID19 Programs being offered in person at the Cobourg office and by phone in outlying areas. Groups not happening in person, some may be available remotely.

Regular Service
Community Counselling provides strength based short-term individual counselling and group counselling to women who have experienced family violence.

• Groups to help women explore the impact of abuse on themselves and their children, increase personal safety, build self-esteem, reduce isolation, and strengthen the skills needed to develop and maintain healthy relationships.
• Services available to support children and youth impacted by family violence as well as youth who have experienced abusive dating relationships

Counselling, therapy, and skill-building support for children and youth. Services provide skill development for improving communication, decision-making, and problem-solving as well as managing emotions such as anxiety, stress, and anger.

• Support offered on an individual basis, with flexible hours
• Family support, case management, and coordination with community agencies are provided for the short and long-term needs of young people and their families.

Walk-In Counselling Clinic in partnership with Northumberland Hills Community Mental Health Services, 1011 Elgin Street, Cobourg - available Tue and Thu. Limited in-person appointments are available. Call 905-377-7784.

Registered Charitable, Non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the abuse and neglect of older adults, under the Ontario Strategy to Combat Elder Abuse

Seniors Safety Line - Free confidential 365/24/7 support line for seniors experiencing or at-risk of abuse including physical, mental, sexual, neglect, and financial * partnered with Assaulted Women's Helpline (AWHL)

COVID19 Office temporarily closed to walk-in service; virtual services available by phone, webinar, and online conferencing; contact for information on availability of in-person services, or visit website

• call 416-439-7111 ext 107 for confidential intake for counselling, to register for webinars and workshops, or for information and referrals; for general inquiries email outreach@scarboroughwomenscentre.ca
• contact for information on workshops held at Toronto Public Library locations

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Support services for marginalized women, including counselling, information and referral, and mentoring

• individualized access to trained volunteer mentors and tutors for up to 1 year
• educational webinars and workshops on topics such as healthy relationships, anger, self-esteem, family law, life skills, leadership development, systems navigation
• information brochures on resources, safety planning, for specific groups, including online resources
• outreach

Building Strong Futures (BSF)
Young women's outreach program for youth 13-19 years, at schools and community organizations in Scarborough

• workshops, leadership development
• addresses issues such as healthy relationships, career planning and mental health

Expanding the Reach (ETR)
Outreach program for women with disabilities

• workshops on issues such as self esteem, assertiveness, healthy boundaries and relationships, and economic security
• leadership development opportunities

COVID19 -- services continue by phone and email; no walk-in service


Information and Orientation Services -- settlement services for newcomers who have been in Canada for less than 4 years, including landed immigrants, Convention refugees and foreign-born Canadian citizens

• orientation, information sessions, supportive counselling
• information and referral including housing, access to community resources
• employment assessment and preparation, job fairs, computer with free Internet access
• advocacy, interpretation
• English conversation classes
• participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto -- see separate entry; care for newcomer children -- childminding for parents attending sessions

Newcomer Settlement Program

• volunteer recruitment and training
• outreach, advocacy
• cultural activities

Violence Against Women

• individual and family counselling for assaulted women and children
• support group for abused women, educational workshops
• assists victims of domestic violence who are at risk of abuse
• domestic violence prevention workshops

Men Make a Difference -- culturally appropriate group sessions to learn techniques for developing healthy relationships, resolve conflict, and cope with anger

Seniors Services

• recreational activities
• support groups for isolated Afghan senior women
• assistance accessing community resources

COVID-19 -- counselling conducted virtually and in-person

• individual counselling, transitional housing and support, violence against women counselling, Together We Can Youth Mentorship sessions run virtually or in-person
• START for Life Skills Training Groups are facilitated in-person, pending public health advisories
• Stop Now And Plan for Black African & Caribbean Kids Groups are facilitated virtually
• all other in-person sessions are suspended

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Counselling

General counselling -- clinical support for individuals and families

Violence Against Women Counselling and Transitional Housing and Support - for women and children who have experienced gender-based violence

• clinical counselling, crisis intervention, safety planning, advocacy and referral
• supportive counselling to help access housing, safety and transition planning, educational groups, court accompaniment

Youth Counselling -- clinical counselling for at-risk or high risk youth age 12-21 years

• facilitates re-engagement with a caring adult, connects youth with supportive services and enhances their identity, sense of culture and belonging

Intervention Groups

SNAP BACK (Stop Now And Plan for Black, African & Caribbean Kids) -- 13-week cognitive behavioural program for children ages 6-11 years with disruptive behavioural problems and their parents or caregivers

• instruction for children about stopping to think before they act, making better choices
• parents/caregivers learn effective parenting/caregiving skills including how to support children in decision-making
• includes individual and family sessions and in-school support

START For Life (Success Through Aggression Replacement Training) -- life skills development

• 10-weeks, skills training sessions with a cognitive behavioural intervention and prevention group that supports individuals 18 years or older to strengthen positive social skills, anger control and healthy decision-making

Socio-educational Groups

• Women Empowering Women Support Network: life skills educational activities
• Gentlemen's Forum: life skills educational activities for men
• Caribbean Lime: life skills and recreational programs for individuals 50 years or older, including book club, bingo, Lime Time and social check-ins

Youth Support -- social and educational programs for ages 9-24 years

• Together We Can Youth Mentorship Program -- Black, African, Caribbean youth or others develop the social skills to be successful in education, civic engagement and employment through interaction with positive role models

Youth Development & Education

Rise Above Youth -- for youth ages 14-18 years, self-development and self-awareness program

• group activities and discussions, focus on building self-esteem and self-worth
• online platform with games for connecting

Defy Your Label Boys & Girls -- support, inspiration, and guidance for ages 9-13

• promotes cultural experiences
• healthy communication, self-esteem, prosocial skills
• online platform with games for connecting

Education -- some programs have fees

• tutoring for grades 1-12, in math, English, science
• programming in STEM and coding

Social/Recreational

March break and Camp Tropicana for children and youth age 4-13 years

Education, information and referrals, and counselling programs on a variety of topics including domestic abuse, anger management, substance abuse, addiction, impaired driving; general counselling available

• individual, couples and family counselling
• relapse prevention and driving sober
• recovery support groups
• amily abuse/anger management for men and women
• Driving Sober program for first time offenders
• liaison services with bail, probation and legal council

Parenting programs

• information and workshops on parenting and child development
• parent-child program
• parenting program for mothers and children (4-18) years who have witnessed domestic violence
• teen mothers' program including healthy meals and snacks, workshops and informal counselling

Girls' Centre

• drop-in centre for girls and young women 9-18 years
• life skills, self-esteem building workshops
• discussion groups
• leadership program
• March break and summer camp

On-site child care, snacks and TTC provided to participants of some programs

Health and mental health information

• education and referral
• Psychosocial Education for the Community - zoom: 918 584 6813
• elder abuse
• addiction counselling
• crisis intervention and trauma counselling
• concurrent disorders group for people with mental health and addictions issues
• gaming addiction group and individual counselling
• family education
• intergenerational recreation group
• seniors social group
• individual advocacy
• research on Tamil's mental health issues
• community development and capacity building
• yoga and meditation

Community Counselling Provides:

• Crisis and longer term counselling rehabilitation case management and psychiatric assessment services to those individuals 16 years of age and older who have a serious mental illness. Require doctor's referral
• Lynx Early Psychosis Intervention program (ERI) which serves those young people who are 15 - 35 years old and showing early signs of possible 1st episode of psychosis .Require doctor's referral
• Virtual ER for pediatric population (children 0-18 years old) which provides adolescent psychiatry consultation based on a doctor's referral

Women's Resources provides emergency shelter, support and referral for abused women, those identifying as women, and their children in the City of Kawartha Lakes. Outreach appointments can be conducted in person or virtual. All current COVID protocols are in place.

• 24-hour crisis line and emergency shelter staffed 24 hours a day.


• Community services include: individual counselling, housing supports, support groups, Bridges of Kawartha Lakes, Family Court Support and a resource library.
• Resource Centre - information and education on women's abuse and women's issues
• Outreach Services - supportive, one-to-one counselling for those who have experienced past abuse or are experiencing current abuse
• Bridges of Kawartha Lakes - connects women with necessary community partners and resources such as housing, legal aid, children's aid, medical consulting and parenting support
• Family Court Support - Information, support and referrals to help women navigate the family court support system
• Support Groups - support groups for women who have experienced violence in their lives
• Child Witness Program - groups for children who have been exposed to violence and abuse in their home. Sessions involve both boys and girls and groups are organized by age.
• Individual teen counselling for youth ages 12-16 who are experiencing abuse or issues of past abuse including sexual abuse. All calls are confidential.
• Public Speaking and Education - Women's Resources offers speakers to church groups, schools, service clubs and other organizations or businesses who are interested in learning more about Women's Resources or issues related to women abuse.
• Vicky's Values - gently used clothing store provides affordable quality clothing and household items to the community.
• Volunteers - are the cornerstone of Women's Resources. We rely on their dedication and commitment to support the services we provide. If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer, please call 705-878-5938 or go to our website https://womensresources.ca/join/

COVID-19 -- maintain all essential services including supportive housing, assisted living, home care, transportation for essential visits, providing hot meals, frozen meals and food hampers to seniors and people needing isolation

• Transitional Care Centre -- regular service, visits (in person for family and caregiver with appointment)
• also available via phone/virtually telephone reassurance, supportive counselling and service coordination
• Family Health Organization, GAIN Community Team
• Adult Day Program -- in person and virtual care
• Diabetes Education Program -- assessment, consultation, group education
• Wellness and Community Development Program -- in person and virtual platform
• Vocational Training Centre -- in person and virtual platform

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Adult Day Program -- Monday-Friday 9:30 am-3:30 pm, weekday extended hours, Saturday 10 am-3 pm, available in Scarborough and Richmond Hill

• for persons 55 years and older with special needs, such as physical frailty or mild memory impairment, in need of supervised, structured setting
• social and recreation activities, lunch, snack
• personal care and health related services -- exercise, foot care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, massage therapy
• transportation available

Chinese Bereavement Services -- culturally specific bereavement services, individual support and self help group

• public education, seminars, workshops, information and referral

Chronic Disease Self Management Program -- 6 week workshop for adults with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, bronchitis

• individual counselling with nurse, dietitian and social worker
• health and education workshops, seminars
• caregiver education and support
• information and referral
• workshop licensed by Self-Management Resource Centre

Community Outreach -- outreach programs for those living in seniors apartments and suburban areas, retirement groups,seniors self help groups

• community, wellness and health education
• caregiver support, volunteer development

Community support services -- escort to medical appointments, telephone security checks, friendly visiting, hospice visiting, grocery shopping, client intervention and assistance -- free

• congregate dining -- fee, subsidies available
• transportation -- fee
• referrals, follow up

Elder Abuse Prevention Program -- Chinese Elder Abuse Helpline 416-502-2321, elder abuse education, supportive counselling

Geriatric Assessment & Intervention Network (GAIN) Community Team -- wrap around supported care and services with individualized comprehensive geriatric assessment

• intensive case management, personalized care plan
• service navigation

Home care services -- home help, homemaking, respite care, palliative care -- fee

Personal Care Program -- for seniors living in the community requiring higher level of care, care coordination, scheduled and unscheduled personal support workers' visit, security check

Transitional Care Respite Stay Program -- short stay transitional care for individuals recuperating from illness/hospitalization and respite (caregiver relief) -- fee

Integrated Dialysis Care Program -- Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses visit home peritoneal dialysis patients at their home

• health maintenance, nutritional counselling

Supportive housing services -- for seniors requiring higher level of care, 24 hour on site services at Alexandra Park Apartments and Tam O'Shanter Towers, emergency response services

Wellness and Social Program -- social, recreational and educational programs for persons 50 years and older, drop-in centre, friendship groups, interest classes, outings