Searching for Counselling For Abused People

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

Support for abused women living in Durham Region

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

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

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

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 - 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

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

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

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

Covid19 Email, phone and online only; client referrals accepted

Programs and supports for individuals and families experiencing violence and abuse, including integrated multi-agency intake procedure, and onsite services through partner agencies

• information, referrals, counselling
• job skills training
• children's services
• women and children's support groups
• financial loans and support
• legal and court support, referrals to shelters, safety planning and risk assessment
• moving services in partnership with Shelter Movers (see separate listing)

Calendar of on-site agencies and programs:

Monday: Yellow Brick House legal support, supportive counselling, outreach; When Love Hurts support group; art therapy

Tuesday: Sandgate Women's Shelter housing transition support and individual counselling

Wednesday: Legal Aid Ontario family law; Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Centre supportive counselling, forensic services, risk assessment; Sandgate Women's Shelter parenting support and Let's Talk Child Witness Program

Thursday: Sandgate Women's Shelter housingtransition support; Womens Centre of York Region Financial Empowerment group

Friday: Community Legal Clinic information and support on landlord/tenant issues, social assistance, EI appeals, CPP, criminal compensation, employment standards, and consumer issues; Sandgate Women's Shelter housing transition support; The Housing Help Centre housing assistance and social assistance

Culturally sensitive counselling and advocacy

Violence Against Women (VAW) Program

• counselling for women in an abusive relationship and for children who witness acts of violence
• safety planning for protection while in transition
• crisis intervention, advocacy, and legal referrals
• interpretation, information and referral
• assistance for stress and depression related to separation from the familial surroundings, lack of adequate finances, physical and mental health issues, and support services and housing assistance within the Greek community
• counselling to develop the life skills of self-confidence and courage, parenting guidance, encouragement for further education
• referral to counselling groups for abusive men
• preventive community education, and public awareness as to the social and criminal consequences of domestic violence

Counselling -- to improve family relationships, parenting or children's education; referrals for anger management

Newcomers -- referrals for housing, employment, language training and settlement

Division of Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada

COVID19 -- all services and programs provided through phone, email, zoom, google meet, what's app and other channels whether in group sessions or individually; location is open by appointment

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Settlement Services

• information and referral, housing and legal assistance
• translation and interpretation
• escort to appointments
• counselling for students, individuals and families, liaising with Children's Aid Society
• youth counselling and parenting sessions
• orientation
• Community Connections Mentorship Program -- community support through volunteer befriending, help adapting to community life skills, conversation circles to practice English
• credential assessment - referral to World Education Services (WES)

Refugee Services

• referral and assistance with shelter, attendance at inquiry, employment, social, welfare and legal services
• social and cultural activities
• Ontario Community Participation -- volunteer placement program for Ontario Works recipients

Welcoming Syrians

• services for Syrian newcomers or sponsor groups
• support to facilitate the settlement process
• workshops on cultural safety and sensitivity
• GAR (government assisted refugees) Support Teams composed of settlement counsellors and volunteers

Career Café -- ACCT's Employment Services helps newcomers understand and integrate into the Canadian job market

• delivered one on one and in a group setting, both online and in-person
• self assessment, writing resumes and cover letters, job search techniques, researching the job market and networking

Youth Services

• settlement program encouraging civic participation and integration through a focus on recreation, sport, and mentorship

Access Centre for Ontario Electricity Support Program

• assistance with applications

Problem Gambling Program

• culturally appropriate prevention, education and treatment with outreach and public education to community groups
• individual or group counselling for gamblers or those affected by gambling

Domestic Violence Education Program

• counselling and referral for victims of family violence

COVID19 In-person and virtual services available; phone and virtual counselling to frontline health workers and their families, and others members of the public, in Ontario; also assists permanent residents, convention refugees, student visa and work permit holders with Employment Insurance (EI)and Canada Emergency Resource Benefit (CERB) applications

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Linguistically and culturally sensitive counselling and settlement services for individuals and families

Counselling and Psychotherapy
Individual, group, couple, marital and family counselling and mental health psychotherapy, for issues such as elder abuse, family violence, wife assault, male batterers, incest, sexual assault, offenders, bereavement, problem gambling, substance abuse; crisis intervention; referrals to community partners as necessary

• consultation for human service providers
• satellite offices (limited hours, by appointment only) in Toronto (602 Queen St W), Markham (5665 14th Ave), Mississauga (720 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Unit 2), and Unionville (600 Village Pkwy)

Family programs, including parenting and family life education, and youth counselling and leadership development

Partner Assault Response (PAR)
12 week group education and counselling program on domestic violence and non-abusive ways of resolving conflict

• victims/partners of the offender provided with support including safety planning, referrals to community resources, and information on offender's progress
• group counselling in Cantonese, Mandarin and Vietnamese

Settlement Program
Orientation, needs and eligibility assessments, interpretation and translation; information and referral topics include immigration, issues of concern to refugees and foreign domestic workers, citizenship, social assistance benefits, legal aid, housing, child care, English classes, and education and employment training

• computer access
• job search and employment counselling
• assistance in accessing services

Housing and Transitional Support Program
Counselling, information and referrals, crisis intervention and case management for women who have experienced violence, and their children

• community services information on issues such as housing, legal, financial, health care, immigration, children's services
• settlement support including assistance setting up safety plan, ongoing counselling and support