Searching for Counselling For Abused People

Services

• support, information, and long-term counselling services to survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment and childhood sexual abuse
• information and short-term counselling for supporters of survivors
• support groups and workshops
• accompaniment to court, hospital or police
• community education
• volunteer training program
• public education

Support program for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse * help to understand impact of trauma and provide tools and opportunities for growth

* workshops
* 1:1 peer support
* 15-week healing program
* social activities

COVID-19 (26 Mar 2020): Due to COVID19, the centre is physically closed and regular programming is on hold until further notice * staff is still available via email and phone to support clients * free online computer classes available for women: permanent residents, convention refugees, caregivers * to register, contact iskrena@immigrantwomenservices.com or call 613-729-3145

Crisis Intervention and Counselling Service:

• crisis intervention
• short-and long-term counselling
• information, referral and support services
• support to victims of war and trauma
• support and information on various options for pregnant women

Orientation and Adaptation Services:

• needs assessment and information and referral to community and social services
• support with finding housing, child care, registering children in school and health care
• support with finding housing, child care, registering children in school and health care community support through volunteer befriending, conversation circles to practice English or French
• help with connecting to language classes
• workshops to reduce stress of adjusting to Canadian culture

Translation and interpretation services:

• professionally trained interpreters with expertise in health, community and social services: in person, by phone and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)

Supportive counselling:

• short-term counselling to clients who encounter difficulties in adjusting to life in Canada and assistance in overcoming these challenges

Citizenship Preparation:

• courses, tests and activities to help newcomers prepare for the citizenship test: in class or online.

Employment Counselling and Preparation:

Job search preparation and training:

• developing strong job search strategies and workplace communication skills

Employment counselling:

• resume help, job readiness clinic, employment counselling, skills and career development and help in establishing social and professional networks

Job search workshop held monthly:

• free childcare
• referrals
• computer training

Support services for women who are victims or survivors of violence and/or newcomers and their families:

Support Groups:

• 10-week support group for women survivors of violence
• transportation
• child care
• language interpretation

Children Who Witness Violence Program (in partnership with Family Services à la famille Ottawa) offering:

• support and information to children who witness violence in the home
• individual counselling for childre
• family counselling
• art club for children and mother

Transitional and Housing Support Program for Abused Women

Other Settlement Services:

Language Interpreter Training:

• for culturally diverse women and men who fulfill the requirements for training
• for more information on this program, call the Language Interpretation service

Public education

Training and Outreach:

• Information sessions on Ottawa's diverse community

Anti-oppression training for service providers

Public education sessions on domestic violence for newcomers

Workshops for newcomer immigrant women on parenting in a new culture, legal information, social assistance etc.

Works with service providers and community partners to reach isolated newcomer immigrants and refugee women

This Centre provides

• Information, intercession and referral services
• Crisis intervention
• Food bank services and other food security strategies
• Support to complete an application for the Ontario Hydro Cost Assistance Program and the Energy Assistance Program
• Registration for the Holiday Programs and the Back to School Program with Caring and Sharing Exchange, and Toy Mountain of the Salvation Army
• Tax Clinic
• Community Development Program
• Youth Program (camp, sports, etc)
• School Youth Program
• After-School Program
• Information and advocacy services for affordable housing issues
• Volunteer Opportunities

Programs and Services :

• Social Support Program: practical assistance, referrals, crisis counselling, advocacy, needs assessment
• Community House: food bank, community activities
• Community Development: tax clinic, community gardens, support for community initiatives
• Youth Program :

1. Club 310 (after-school program) for youth aged 6-11 and Club Transitions (recreational program) for youth aged 12-14
2. Drop-in and various activities for local teens aged 12-17 (English)
3. Sports leagues and gym access (Basket-ball, Futsal, Soccer, etc) - various sports available for folks aged 6-30 years old

• Lowertown, Our Home (LOH) project: a partnership between residents and diverse community partners that actively engages community members in identifying common concerns, community solutions and preventative measures to build a healthy and safe neighbourhood
• Action Housing: provides assistance in crisis situations and supports to individuals and families seeking safe, adequate and affordable housing.

COVID-19 (17 September 2021): This agency's services are affected by the COVID-19. Many services are offered virtually or by phone and some in-person services offered in all of this agency's programs. The intake process remains the same.

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

COVID-19 (3 Sep 2021): This agency's services are affected by COVID-19. Many services are offered virtually or by phone and some in-person services offered in all of this agency's programs. The intake process remains the same.

Individual and group counselling

• information sessions for partners, family and friends
• workshops
• education through presentations and special events

Program for Francophone women who have experienced sexual assault (French):

• support services to Francophone women who have been victims of sexual abuse (as children or adults)
• to increase their capacity to deal with the effects of the past abuse and regain control of their lives

Transitional and Housing Support Program for abused women and their children:

• supports women to live free from violence by helping them identify and access necessary community support
• offered in partnership with La Présence (women's shelter) and Harmony House (second stage housing)

Program for Francophone children victims/witnesses of family violence and support to their mothers (French):

• provides early intervention services to child witnesses of women abuse and support to their mothers
• individual and group counselling

New Directions:

• 12-week educational counselling program for persons who have been abusive to their intimate partners

Francophone Women Program:

• for women 50 and over who have experienced partner assault
• offers also group and individual support for women under 50

Men's Program:

• for men who have been sexually abused
• individual and group counselling
• in English and French

Counselling Program for victims of abuse:

• including those who have experienced partner abuse, survivors of current or past sexual abuse or incest, and survivors of physical and emotional abuse in their families of origin

COVID-19 (1 Oct 2020): This agency's services are affected by the COVID-19. Many services are offered virtually or by phone and some in-person services offered in all of this agency's programs. The intake process remains the same.

Counselling and support services for individuals, couples and families

Regional lead agency for Support Services Network for Male Survivors in Ontario (Eastern Region)

• Individual and group counselling for male survivors of sexual abuse (English and French)

Counselling Program:

• Individual, couple, family and group counselling
• counselling services for depression, anxiety and other mental health issues, counselling services for newcomers, victims of torture, sexual abuse survivors, adults from dysfunctional families
• therapeutic, educational and problem solving groups
• workshops and presentations
• individual and systems level advocacy (English and French)
• Counselling and Play Therapy for children 5-12 years of age (English and French)

Family Violence Programs:

• Program for Francophone women victims of partner abuse, individual counselling, support and groups, including groups for women 50 and over

Child Witness Program:

• An early intervention program for francophone children who have witnessed partner abuse and for their mothers. Individual and group counselling offered

Program for Francophone women who have experienced sexual abuse as adults or as children:

• Individual and group counselling offered

Transitional Support Program for women and children leaving an abusive relationship (English and French):

• Support, referrals and accompaniment provided

New Directions Program:

• an educational program for persons who have been abusive to their partners, with a partner outreach component (English and French)
• services provided in groups.

Child and Youth Witness Support Program:

• support to children and their families through the criminal justice process, court preparation for children and youth (English and French)

Caring Dads Parenting Program for men (in partnership with CAS)

Walk-in Mental Health Clinic

Services are offered at the main agency and at Orleans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre

COVID-19 (16 December 2021): Staff is delivering services remotely. Métis who are in need of help accessing supports are urged to contact the MNO toll free at 1-800-263-4889 or email covidhelp@metisnation.org.

Bi-weekly Drop-in program: Willow's (16+) for women and 2SLGBTQ+ people who trade/sell sex and/or use substances

• access to an Ottawa Public Health Nurse
• harm reduction supplies (safer sex, injection, inhalation)
• a hot meal
• clothing
• menstrual products
• toiletries
• peer support
• overdose prevention and education & Narcan kits
• crisis intervention
• referrals, including for cultural supports

Direct outreach is being offered during COVID-19: Bi-weekly Support Group (16+) via zoom for women (16+) survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), exploitation, and trafficking

• personal development workshops
• arts-based activities
• cultural activities
• lunch

Support program offered via zoom during COVID-19 with lunch being dropped off:

• Métis-focused
• Trauma-informed
• Strengths-based
• Evidence-based, rooted in harm reduction

The Team is also available to provide trainings, workshops, and presentations to community members and service providers related to harm reduction, gender-based violence, human trafficking, etc.

Centre for victims of sexual abuse

• evaluation and treatment for all individuals who have experienced sexual abuse, abuse as a child or all other trauma
• provides services to clients who have other concerns including job dissatisfaction, relationship difficulty, family conflict, anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), dissociation

Services:

• individual therapy
• couples therapy
• therapy for children
• training and supervision of therapists
• family counselling
• group therapy (women's group, men's group, 2SLGBTQIA+ group, cognitive processing, and more)

COVID-19: In order to respond to the COVID-19 substantial changes were made to the services offered. In-person contact is now limited and offers telephone and virtual support as an alternative. All groups, classes and events are cancelled until further notice.

The health walk-in clinics are closed. Primary health care operates by appointment at the 30 Rosemount Branch. Mental Health, harm reduction and social services walk-in operate at the 55 Eccles St location only.

Health centre focused on family and community health, including:

• advocacy
• primary health care
• outreach
• counselling
• life skills education
• group support
• practical assistance
• crisis intervention
• health promotion
• community development

Services include:

• services from Children's Aid Society workers
• self-help groups
• prenatal programs
• counselling for abused women
• help with accessing social assistance, food, clothing and housing in times of crisis
• services for children, youth and seniors
• services for low-income families
• pre and post natal support
• parenting support programs
• playgroups
• smoking cessation program
• youth leadership programs
• family emergency shelter support
• mental health services

Individual counselling offered in-person, or by video or phone


Services for women who are experiencing or have experienced various forms of abuse:

Support Groups:

• provides information and education around abuse, safety planning, sharing resources, and support
• offered virtually, in-person groups coming this year
• groups offered 2-3 times a year

Individual Counselling:

• provides women a safe space to share their experiences, to develop an individualized plan to assist in dealing with legal, police and other systems, to review ongoing safety planning needs, and to assist in creating a healing plan and to develop strategies in moving forward

Transitional Support Program:

• practical supports assistance such as safety planning, referral to shelters, lawyers and other support services
• assistance with housing applications and accessing eligibility for financial assistance
• court support
• accompaniment to legal, medical and other appointments

Programs for Child Witnesses Woman Abuse:

The Children's Groups:

• children aged 6-12 who have been exposed to their mothers' abuse
• 6-8 children per group
• in-person in the evening
• individual counselling can be provided as needed for children or mothers
• hosts a group for mothers whose children are in the program, it runs at the same time as the Children's Group

At this time, counselling is done by appointment only to come into the building and most appointments are off site. stay tuned to our website and social media for updates.

Couselling for women

• short term or long term
• addictions
• crisis

At this time, counselling is done by appointment only to come into the building and most appointments are off site. stay tuned to the website and social media for updates.

Provides culturally based talk and play therapy for First Nations, Metis and Inuit children

• who have witnessed violence or are victims of abuse
• children use toys, art materials, sand tray and role-plays to express thoughts and feelings
• help to understand violence and the cycle of violence
• healthy expressions of anger
• explore separation
• self- esteem issues
• participate in safety planning

Support services for children and adolescents victims of sexual assault

• individual counselling for children and adolescents, both male and female
• individual counselling for adolescent male offenders
• group counselling for adolescent females

Provides leadership within the hospital and community in protecting children and youth (under 18 years). Major emphasis on the provision of specialized medical and mental health services to children, youth and families where abuse or neglect is suspected or evident.

Components:

• consultation and co-ordination for hospital cases of suspected abuse and neglect
• assistance with urgent assessment and treatment through the Emergency Department
• medical assessment and follow-up in a specialized outpatient clinic (Historical Sexual Abuse Clinic)
• case review by the multidisciplinary inter-agency Child and Youth Protection Team
• case consultation to community professionals
• community and professional education regarding abuse and neglect
• research and publication related to child abuse and neglect
• partners in development of services and prevention programs
• advocacy on child abuse issues

COVID-19 (November 17, 2021): Entrance to the Centre is restricted to people with confirmed appointments and to those in need of emergency support from Intake. Upon arrival, clients are required to clean their hands and put on surgical mask and are then screened by staff.

Health and social services focused on family and community health

Medical Clinic Services:

• comprehensive health care
• immunization programs
• family planning
• management of chronic and short-term health problems
• health information and advice by telephone from registered nurses
• 24-hour on-call service

Health Promotion:

• special focus on seniors, youth, newcomers
• physical activity
• prevention and management of chronic diseases
• stress management
• smoking cessation programs
• food security programs
• school success programs

Counselling Services:

• crisis support
• mental health support
• youth, individual and family counselling
• housing and jobs searching
• stress reduction programs
• counselling and groups for women who have experienced abuse
• counselling and groups for youth who need support to express anger in healthy ways

Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT): - see separate record for details

Referral Services:

• nutrition counselling by a registered dietitian (groups and individual)
• home, hospital and palliative visits
• high school health clinics led by a nurse practitioner
• foot care and chiropody
• anonymous human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing
• lung health programs
• seasonal influenza and other immunization clinics

Social Services

• home support services
• community development
• youth programs
• collective kitchen
• Contact Ottawa: voice mail box service for those who are unable to maintain a home phone line, available for a nominal fee
• resources for job-seekers
• Students Will All Graduate Program (SWAG): delivers social, recreation, mentoring, and life skills for 9th and 10th grade students identified as most at risk of failing without intervention

Parent/Child Programs

• EarlyON
• drop-in playgroups
• parent support program
• baby cupboard
• prenatal care
• breastfeeding support
• Headstart Nursery School

Offers counselling, mediation and assessment services. Services are client focused and follow a psycho-social holistic model with a structural perspective.

Counselling services:

• Crisis counselling
• individual and couple counselling
• family therapy
• child and youth counselling
• substance abuse assessment and counselling
• counselling for victims/survivors of emotional, physical and sexual violence
• children who witness violence
• children of parents who are separating/divorcing.

Mediation services:

• A way of resolving disputes in a private confidential non-adversarial process with a professional and neutral third party.
• aims to look at the needs and interests of all parties involved in a dispute rather than focusing only on rights.
• allows parties to maintain control of the process which is quicker and usually less expensive than litigation

Family mediation:

• Parenting agreements, custody, access, support and property division, family disputes, prenuptial agreements, parent-child, elder-care, etc.

Civil and work related mediation:

• Voluntary process where the parties involved in a matter currently before the courts agree to meet together with a mediator to achieve a mutually satisfactory resolution to their dispute. Civil court disputes, corporate, landlord/tenant, small claims, harassment.

Family and parenting assessments:

• Process for separated couples unable to agree on custody and access for their children to have a neutral professional specializing in the welfare of children, assess and make recommendations to help resolve the issues.

Full service, non-sectarian agency

• more than 65 programs and services

Walk-in counselling clinics:

• Thelma Steinman Seniors Support Unit
• Settlement services
• see separate program records for description

Student support:

• support towards academic and social success by engaging parents, teachers, school administration and other resources in a collaborative model

Shalom Bayit:

• support, guidance and advocacy offered to Jewish women who are experiencing emotional or physical abuse in an effort to assist them and their children towards safety
• seeks to educate the community around issues of domestic violence and to encourage them to intervene where indicated

Street Smarts:

• non-denominational outreach program to the homeless which links homeless people who are ready for change to resources

Children and Youth Services:

• offers Jewish day school support, psycho-educational testing, bullying workshops and crisis intervention

Member agency of Support Support Services Network for Male Survivors in Ontario

COVID-19 (12 Jul 2021): Due to COVID19, The Counselling Group is offering only live video and/ or telephone mental health counselling services until further notice.

Trained and experienced counsellors provide counselling and support services for children, adolescents, and adults

• individual, couple/relationship, family, and group counselling
• holistic, client-centered approach
• special sensitivity to cultural and diversity issues

Counselling services are offered for a variety of issues, including but not limited to:

• anxiety
• depression
• self-esteem
• relationship issues
• chronic pain
• domestic violence and abuse
• disordered eating
• isolation / interpersonal difficulties
• lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning (LGBTTIQQ) issues
• loss / grief / bereavement
• parenting
• prenatal and post-partum issues
• separation and divorce
• sexual assault
• trauma and post-traumatic stress

COVID-19: Counsellors available by telephone, virtually by Zoom or Teams and/or in person. Access to support services for abused women

• crisis intervention
• information and referral
• support services (by telephone or in person)
• help with emergency transportation or transportation to facilitate links with other community services
• support groups
• babysitting subsidies
• individual counselling
• community education for children

Children Who Witness Violence program:

• support group for children and a concurrent group for their mothers

Transitional Housing Support program:

• help to transition from an abusive relationship to safe housing and services

Integrated social services for the Nepean, Rideau and Osgoode area (some programs are offered to all residents of Ottawa)

• information and referral
• counselling for individuals, couples, youth and families
• community development
• violence against women services
• elder abuse response and referral (see separate record for details)
• youth programs
• after school kids programs
• playgroups (0-6 years)
• health promotion groups
• Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) application support
• referral to emergency food programs for residents of Nepean, Rideau and Osgoode Townships
• Emergency diapers/formula support
• Diabetes Education Program (see separate record for details)
• Good Food Box
• Tools 4 School (see separate record for details)
• general legal advice, notarization of documents and affidavits

Referral to following programs:

• Toy Mountain
• The Snowsuit Fund
• various programs/services provided during the holiday season by local faith and community groups

COVID-19 (August 15, 2022): The three food banks supported by PQCHC continue to run on modified schedule and program. Services are accessed by appointment only and available to those people living in the catchments assigned to each location: Pinecrest Terrace Community House 613-596-6703, Morrison Gardens Community 613-596-6229 and Foster Farms Community House 613-596-4866. The Health Clinic operates on appointments only. For more details and up-to-date information, see website.

Health centre focused on family and community health

Primary Health Care:

• medical clinic staffed by family physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses / community clinics
• nutrition: individual and group support provided by registered dietitians
• clean needle exchange / safe inhalation
• diabetes education
• falls prevention program
• primary care outreach for seniors
• dental screening
• nursing foot care
• lung health program

Community Health:

• community development: advocacy, education and supports to community residents to increase involvement in the community
• multicultural outreach: assistance to newcomers to facilitate integration into existing services
• health promotion: focusing on enabling people to increase control of their health and address determinants of health
• community house coordination: develop and facilitate programs and outreach to five low-income housing communities, support to planning and community initiatives
• safety and trust: support to community leaders and training to support the development of healthy communities and address issues of concern
• youth programming: homework clubs, United Sisters program for girls 10-14, training, workshops and events for youth, Somali Youth leadership and skills development
• pathways to education: support to high school students from low-income communities to help complete high school and move on to post-secondary education: tutoring, mentoring, financial and advocacy support

PQ Employment Services:

• PQ Employment Services: bring the right people together with the resources they need to find success
• Canada Ontario Job Grant program: provides financial support to individual employers who want to purchase training for their employees

Employment Programs:

• Youth LEAD Employment Program: assists permanent resident and refugee youth between the ages of 15-29 to develop skills and experience working in Canada
• Job Track: 15 week program that provides pre-apprenticeship training in the Child Development Practitioner trade through paid placements in child care settings
• Future Builders: 15 week program that provides pre-apprenticeship training and work experience to youth with barriers to employment (aged 16-29 years) in residential construction trades (i.e. general carpentry)

Children and Family Services:

• Headstart Nursery School: subsidized preschool program
• Early ON Child and Family Centre: universal access, information and referrals, bilingual designation
• Leaping Lizards: after-school programming
• Toy Lending Libraries: educational and recreational toys
• Circle of Support: parenting support for vulnerable families - home visiting
• Pre-Post Natal Programs: focus on infant care, parent education, nutrition program for high risk pregnant women
• School's Cool: school readiness program

Specialized Preschool Programs:

• First Words: screening clinics and treatment for children with speech language developmental delays
• Infant Hearing: screening of all newborns born deaf or at risk of deafness
• Blind/Low Vision: intervention and consultation services for families with infants diagnosed as blind or low-vision

Mental Health:

• Assertive Community Treatment Team: support and treatment to those with severe persistent illness
• Families First: housing assistance
• System Navigation: increase client self-efficacy and autonomy

Individual counseling and support groups for women and children

• service offered in person or over the telephone
• in partnership with the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre