In Ontario, mental health supports are widely available in multiple supports & avenues. Understanding what services are available is key to learning how to find the best services for you, your children and your family.
Your mental health is an important part of your physical well-being. Mental health ranges on a spectrum, from well (if you are feeling good and address problems relatively well), to severely unwell (where you need support to manage your emotions. There are different resources available for the aspects of well to unwell.
Life Coaching
Life coaches are helpful if you need guidance and support on your professional or career development. They can aspire you to achieve your goals, and give you strategies to assist you on your way. Life coaches often complete a certification course, or they have career and lived experiences in motivating people.
Tony Robbins is an example of a life coach. The Tony Robbins Advantage explains the benefits of a life coach and why you should consider life coaching. Oprah’s Magazine article, “A Life Coach isn’t a Therapist, but here’s what they do” explains the benefits of life coaching in your life.
Short-term Counselling
There may be times in your life where you need more focused support, guidance, and intervention into your life. This may be due to life stressors such as work-related stress, test or related anxiety, loss of a loved one, critical incident in the workplace, and more. Short term counselling options are available from your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Family Services Agencies, or a Registered Counselor, Social Worker or Psychotherapist.
An Employee Assistance programs are packages purchased by employers to provide employees and their immediate family members. According the Employee Assistance of Canada, Employee Assistance Program is a: short-term, problem-solving service and very often only a few sessions are required. If longer-term help or a more specialized service is needed, the EAP counsellor can help identify the expertise required and facilitate a referral in your community. There is no cost for this service, and your confidentiality and privacy is maintained with the therapist or the EAP company. You can access this service for 3-8 sessions (depending on your plan), and can access the service again after 12 months or a new issue arises in your life.
Family Services Agencies provide a plethora of family-based services and supports which include group programs (i.e. Partner Abuse Response programs, Co-parenting courses, anger management), to individual counselling. For a list of Family Services in your area, visit: Family Services Ontario.
A counselor, social worker, or psychotherapist are available for short or long term counselling approaches. The Black Therapists List provides a list of therapists available throughout Canada. If you are seeking a specific referral, contact the Kujenga Wellness Project for support in choosing the right therapist for you.
Specialized Mental Health Supports
For individuals who experience significant un-wellness with their mental health, specialized mental health supports may be available to you. To learn more visit: Accessing Specialized Mental Health Resources.
Long-term Psychotherapy
In Ontario, psychotherapy is a regulated profession that one of the five main colleges can practice: Psychologists, Nurses, Social Workers, Psychotherapists, and Medical Doctors/Psychiatry.
Psychotherapy can be done in various forms, and are designed to address significant forms of mental health challenges. Psychotherapists uses interventions designed to change patterns of behavior, perceptions and belief systems, reduce symptoms of distress, and address life challenges. For more information, visit the Mayo Clinic: About Psychotherapy.
Psychotherapists are not covered by public health plans and charge anywhere between: $120 to 220/ per session. Psychotherapists are regulated by their respective college, and are typically possess a graduate or doctorate degree and have over 2 years experience providing psychotherapy. Psychotherapists have a code of ethics they are required to upload to remain registered.
Other therapies include:
Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Yoga Therapy, Expressive Arts & Music Therapy, as well as therapy approaches such as Family Therapy, Couples Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and more.
Subscribe to our page for updates & information on the different types of therapies available or contact us for support with referrals:
Resource Library
Review our resource library and blog for more information about services and accessing supports in the Durham Region.
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