Searching for Counselling For People Experiencing Abuse

Interdisciplinary coordination of services for child abuse victims and child abuse investigations including

• assessment, support and intervention for child abuse victims and their families
• research, consultation, training and education on child abuse prevention, recognition, intervention, trauma

In partnership with Children's Aid Society of Toronto, Catholic Children's Aid Society of Toronto, Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, Jewish Family and Child, Toronto Police Service, Radius Child and Youth Services, and Hospital for Sick Children Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Program (see separate listings)

Child Abuse Protocol
Establishes guidelines for coordinated investigations, prosecutions and case management of child abuse cases

Assessment Directed Therapy
Individual trauma assessments for children 4-17 years who have been abused or have experienced trauma due to violence; includes

• child-focused, family-centred, strength-based therapy
• adolescent and parent/caregiver support groups
• facilitation of interagency responses

Child Victim Witness Support
Individual court preparation and support for witnesses 3-17 years and supporting adults prior to criminal court proceedings

Boost Accredited Reliable K9s (BARK) program available to children and youth requiring additional support while accessing CVWS program in Toronto and Peterborough

Expressive Arts support group includes three 12-week cycles each year (winter, spring, fall)

• TTC fare provided
• program locations in Central Toronto provided at intake

In partnership with the Archdiocese of Toronto, Catholic Family Services of Toronto offers the New Beginnings Program, which supports separated, divorced and bereaved.

• offers women and men a learning environment which is safe, welcoming and non-judgmental
• provides counselling opportunities for reflection and spiritual guidance, as part of the healing journey through retreats, seminars, and monthly in-person grief support sessions
• Online Programs
  • Bereavement Introductory Program
  • Separated/Divorced Introductory Program
  • Advanced Program
  • Drop-In Support Sessions
  • Retreats and Seminars

Individual and family counselling, woman abuse groups, wellness programs

Here to Help
Group programs for women, and their children 4-16 years

• focus on the impact of abuse, setting boundaries, and non-violent ways of parenting
• in partnership with Violence Against Women (VAW) agencies
• 3 sessions per year, contact for information
  

Housing Transition Support Program
Counselling and assistance to women leaving an abusive relationship, in accessing shelter or housing

• information and referrals to community services such as housing, legal, financial, health, immigration, children's services, education and employment
• safety planning and goal setting

Navigating Emotions Thoughtfully
Group support and strategies to manage emotions due to trauma

RISE
Drop-in group includes support, resources and information for women dealing with the impact of intimate partner abuse

Understanding Abuse
8-10 week closed treatment group offered 3 times a year

• focus on self esteem, safety, understanding the impact of abuse, breaking isolation

• 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

Centre for French speaking women

Services for Victims of Violence and/or Sexual Assault

• individual counselling
• emotional support and accompaniment

Community Programs (for all francophone women)

• sexual assault prevention in primary and secondary schools
• sexual assault prevention within the community
• volunteer opportunities

Services for Newcomer, Immigrant and Refugee Women

• settlement services for French-speaking immigrant and refugee women
• accompaniment to settlement related appointments
• Action Femmes -- social and education group for newly arrived refugee and immigrant women who are feeling isolated

Transitional and Housing Support Program for Women who are Victims of Violence

• assistance in finding housing

ÉLAN Program

• employment preparation for all Francophone women in search of employment
• computer courses

Tremplin Program

• self-employment and entrepreneurship workshops

Family Court Support Worker Program

• information on the family court process
• assistance in documenting the history of abuse for family court proceedings
• referral to specialized services and supports in the community
• safety planning
• accompaniment of the victim to court proceedings, if necessary

For information and support call Ontario Office/Cancer Information Service at 1-888-939-3333

Canadian Cancer Society office, services include:

• information on cancer, treatment, and risk reduction
• support for people living with cancer, family members and friends
• provide access to wigs and hair accessories for cancer patients, who have undergone cancer surgery or have lost their hair as a result of cancer treatment
• provide access to breast prosthesis and accessories for cancer patients
• Wheels of Hope program provides rides to people needing transportation to cancer treatment appointments, call 1-800-263-6750, option 3
• funds research on all types of cancer
• for information about hair donations see the Canadian Cancer Society website
• for information about the Run for the Cure Barrie: https://support.cancer.ca/site/TR?fr_id=30455&pg=entry

• provide information or counselling on understanding hearing loss and managing difficult listening situations including the use, care and maintenance of hearing aids and other listening systems
• help selecting and using specialized communication equipment, e.g. telephones, alarm clocks, television accessories
• provide referrals to other community services

• services to help businesses identify current communication barriers, including:
  • facility and technology assessments
  • education and training workshop to meet accessibility needs and comply with all aspects of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

• for consumers, family, caregivers and general public
• in-service training to home-support providers, presentations/community displays

Provides professional counselling services to culturally deaf and hard of hearing individuals ages 16 and older, who are living with mental health issues or other serious challenges

Offers free counselling, education and advocacy to assist with:

• depression, anxiety or bipolar issues
• present or past trauma
• grief and loss
• life transitions
• parenting and family challenges
• relationship struggles
• personal development
• sexuality
• Deaf identity
• substance use
• domestic violence

Labour market information:

• contains latest labour market statistics for Ontario, timely reports on trends and issues, labour market information for Ontario's regions and cities and links to popular and relevant labour market resources
• helps individuals and businesses make informed decisions about careers, education and employment
• helps individuals determine which occupations suit their aptitudes and interests, where the jobs are, and which occupations have the best prospects data
• helps people locate the most appropriate training and educational resources

Multiservice agency providing a range of services for people with social and emotional problems, including counselling, information and referrals, supplementary financial assistance program (government assistance recipients), support groups, supports for assaulted women, in-home palliative care program, English conversation café for new immigrants, and parenting, mental health and wellness programs and workshops

• Pathways to Employment in partnership with JVS Toronto
• Restitution Services for Holocaust Survivors
• Holocaust Survivor Emergency Funding
• chaplaincy services
• speakers
• all services confidential

Café Europa monthly group for Holocaust survivors in partnership with Bernard Betel (see separate listing)

Children
Jewish child protective and family services investigates allegations of child neglect and abuse

• adoption and foster home services and recruitment
• file and adoption disclosure
• counselling
• big brothers and big sisters program
• homework club
• school outreach counselling program

Families
Includes individual, couple, family and group counselling, family life education and life skills programs

• financial assistance combined with poverty reduction counselling for persons on social assistance
• assistance maximizing benefits and entitlements, and finding employment and accommodation
• support for families with special needs children
• Family Resource Centres for pre-school and caregivers (see separate listings)

Woman Abuse Program
Individual and group counselling, crisis intervention, emergency financial assistance, and support groups

• Here to Help group program for children and their mothers
• advocacy and community outreach
• education and consultation
• referrals

• faxing/printing/photocopying/scanning
• public-access computers
• community bulletin board and job board display

• one-on-one needs assessment and plan
• information and referrals services
• orientation to life in Canada
• information on:
  • Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)
  • health care system and health benefits (Trillium Drug program, Healthy Smiles)
  • education system
  • housing services (Ontario Electricity Support Act)
  • financial services and the banking system
  • transportation system in Canada
  • family services programs (Youth and EarlyON)
  • employment related services
• citizenship preparation classes for the Citizenship Test
• orientation to Ontario workshop series
• assistance with immigration related forms
• volunteer opportunities

• Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program
• Care for Newcomer Children (CNC)

• counselling and crisis intervention, needs assessment and referral
• transitional support
• support groups for victims and survivors

Combination of Aboriginal approaches to healing and clinical practices for family violence treatment and prevention

• case management - variety of services including assessments, referrals, supportive and individual counselling, advocacy
• The Mooka'am Clinic - parents, children, family and couple counselling
• Anti-human Trafficking - helps youth and women to recover, move through the system and begin their healing journey
• Women's Empowerment Circle - program for women in abusive relationships through teachings, ceremonies, case management, supportive counselling and groups
• Journey of the Peaceful Warrior - program for men to develop healthy relationships, improve self-esteem and increase knowledge and pride in Indigenous identity

• program events calendar

Child Protection Agency for the Indigenous community - see other listing

• representation in cases involving issues of particular importance to seniors, such as long term care, hospital discharge issues, elder abuse, government pensions, income maintenance, retirement home tenancies, mental health and mental capacity issues
• assistance in dealing with government bureaucracies
• visits to home or care facility if necessary
• advocacy
• community legal education
• speakers
• law reform
• confidential
• funded by Legal Aid Ontario

Smoking cessation program available to recipients of Ontario Drug Benefits (ODB) * eligible people can visit pharmacists within their community * pharmacists create a smoking cessation plan with the patient * pharmacists coordinate access to smoking cessation aids

Province-wide free anonymous counselling, information and referrals to sexual health clinics and community agencies on:

• STI's
• HIV: PrEP, PEP, point of care tests
• STI testing
• sexual safety
• risk assessment
• birth control options
• emergency contraception
• sexual activity
• relationship concerns
• planned and unplanned pregnancy
• abortion options
• sexual orientation (2SLGBTQ+)
• gender identity

Individual and group counselling, walk-in counselling, information and referral services to individuals and families; specialized services for LGBTQ community, individuals with HIV/AIDS, individuals with developmental disabilities, seniors (including seniors experiencing abuse), sexual abuse survivors, women experiencing abuse, male perpetrators of abuse, separating and divorcing families; advocacy, education, research and community development

Counselling and Support for Individuals, Couples and Families
Counselling and educational programs for those seeking support in dealing with relationships and family problems, parenting, depression, anxiety, job loss, separation, divorce and new relationships, sexual abuse and childhood trauma, life transitions and other issues

• Violence Against Women Program
• counselling for male survivors of sexual abuse, see separate listing
• contact intake line at 416-595-9618 for information on in-person pre-booked appointments and availability of support groups, or visit website
  
• social reform, public education and advocacy

Families in Transition
Planned brief interventions with focus on supporting child adjustment to parental separation, divorce and remarriage , includes individual and family counselling, educational programs, support groups, mediation of parenting plans, and training and consultation for professionals working with changing families

David Kelley Services, see separate listing

Growing Up Healthy Downtown, see separate listing

Options Program, see separate listing

Seniors and Caregivers Support, see separate listing

Individual and Group Counselling for Women in Abusive Relationships
Individual and group counselling for women who have experienced partner abuse, multilingual services available, including crisis intervention, and programs for children who have witnessed partner abuse

• virtual mental health support available for women experiencing violence

Next Steps Program for Men
Group counselling for men who are or have been abusive to their partners, including alternatives to abusive behaviour, and communication skills

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

Developmental Services Passport Program, see separate listing
Toronto Ontario Region Local Passport Agency

FST services available at partner agencies
Call for information on locations, including Unison Health and Community Services, Bathurst-Finch Hub (540 Finch Ave), Working Women Community Centre, Victoria Park Hub (1527 Victoria Park Ave), Rexdale Community Health Centre (8 Taber Rd), and LAMP Community Health Centre (185 Fifth St)

• see separate listings

Transitional housing, counselling, community, court and outreach programs

Housing

Phyllis Haslam Residence -- transitional residence for women on parole

• staffed 24 hours
• individual and group counselling, practical assistance
• referral and support to plan for release
• capacity 19

House Success Program -- case management program supporting individuals and households exiting homelessness to work towards continued housing stability

Counselling

General Counselling -- individual and group counselling supports and workshops for women in the community dealing with social, economic and justice issues

• provides information pertaining to legal rights, health and safety and alternatives to at-risk behaviours
• programs include parenting, newcomer family law, anger management, theft and fraud, healing from abuse and trauma, domestic/gender based violence, and substance abuse

Reintegration Counselling -- individual and group counselling for women on provincial probation and parole

• referred clients provided with skills to develop alternatives to theft, fraud, substance use behaviours and poor decision making
• general counselling topics recommened by parole officers such as parenting, substance use behaviours and healing from abuse

Direct Accountability Program (DAP) -- provides alternatives to prosecution for individuals charged with minor criminal offences, operates at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury St and 2201 Finch Ave W

Partner Abuse Response program -- 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

TREM Standing Strong (TREM SS), 416-924- 3708 ext 261 or ext 252 - 16 week group program for women 16-29 who identify as survivors of gender based or family violence

• trauma informed group and individual counselling
• groups available to participants 16-19 and 20-29
• clients also receive individual counselling and resource support as needed/requested during enrollment in program
• Youth Dating Violence (YDV) training and knowledge sharing opportunities to community service organizations

Employment and Community Supports

Women's Empowerment Through Business (WEB) -- trauma-informed program to promote economic security and independence for women and gender-diverse individuals through entrepreneurship training, personal development workshops and expanding peer connections

Record Suspension (Pardon) Information Services -- supports women and men with submitting a record suspension application to the National Parole Board of Canada

• application processing fees and TTC fares covered
• virtual support to anyone living anywhere in Canada

Volunteer Led Supports

​Talk and Listen Phone Line, 1-855-924-3708 -- Monday-Friday 9:30 am-4 pm, assists women calling from institutions to navigate the criminal justice system

• information and resources on legal information, housing, mental health services, reintegration, release planning
• does not make third part calls or call on anyone's behalf

Court Support -- practical assistance and support, information to women and their families navigating the court system

• assistance with referrals, information and resources
• free snacks, clothing, personal hygiene items for women released on bail
• located at 10 Armoury St and 2201 Finch Ave W courts

Vanier Centre for Women -- social and recreation program, provides information and resources about Elizabeth Fry Toronto and other community supports

The Market Place -- for marginalized women particularly those recently released from incarceration

• provides donations such as clothing, hygiene supplies and gift cards to clients

Bingo Hall Program - provides volunteer opportunities for volunteers and clients the bingo hall to provide information about the organization while raising funds

Resource centre

• crisis intervention
• information and referral
• urban orientation
• community outreach
• food programs

Indigenous Healthy Babies Healthy Children

• home visits for families with children birth-6 years
• auntie approach
• prenatal and postpartum support
• early education support, links to community resources and referrals

Pimaatsiwin -- drop-in for mothers and children birth-6 years

• parenting classes
• prenatal programs
• community kitchen, healthy families training and workshops

Trauma Support -- 416-963-9963 ext 249

• case management
• peer support
• peer-led support circles
• trauma counselling

Community and Family Wellness Support

• support, counselling and referrals specializing in legal assistance
• ending violence and general assistance

Cultural programming

• women's and youth hand drumming, arts and crafts, beading
• Full Moon Ceremonies, Traditional feasts
• Ojibwe language class
• fitness programs
• cultural traditions, crafts, support groups, speakers

Housing Program

• information and referral
• assistance finding and accessing safe, stable housing

Investing in Women's Futures

• self-employment and pre-employment training program
• includes skill-building workshops, educational bridging programs, traditional counselling and activities
• dress for success program

Mobility for Good -- free phones and subsidized plans to Indigenous women at risk or surviving violence, in partnership with Telus

Provincial telephone and online (chat) crisis counselling, emotional support, information and referrals to emergency shelters, legal information and community services, as well as culturally appropriate resources for women who have experienced abuse

• liaison with diverse communities
• confidential and anonymous

Toronto only: initial assessment and intake for assaulted women's shelters, call 416-863-0511 or toll free 1-866-863-0511