Each year thousands come through our doors looking for help through one or more of our 90 programs. * From newborn babies to seniors - we help people of all ages. * From women escaping violence to youth overcoming addictions - we help people in crisis. * From newcomers in Canada to people with developmental disabilities - we help people feel like they belong.
At Abbotsford Community Services, we are People Helping People.
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Services Offered
Addiction & Mental Health Services * Abbotsford Addictions Centre - The Abbotsford Addiction Centre provides therapists with Masters Degrees at a free Alcohol and Drug Outpatient Program, with a Multicultural and Seniors Addictions component. We serve both youth and adults using and those affected by substance misuse.
We provide the following services: > Individual, couple, family counselling. > Recovery Groups for men and women. > Substance Affected Group. > Referrals to other services. > Prevention activities in the community.
* Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) Centre - Our opioid agonist treatment centre is a safe space that provides methadone and suboxone treatment. We offer specialized physician support with: > Assessment > Withdrawal management > Suboxone or methadone induction and stabilization > Support worker assistance with: > Referrals to other community services andprimary care physicians > Accessing shelters or housing
Counselling * Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) Counselling - Individual counselling is available for individuals who have been impacted by trauma and have Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) funding.
* Relationship Violence Prevention Program- Cultural Edition - This Relationship Violence Prevention Program- Cultural Edition program is a respectful relationship counselling group for men focusing on the prevention of violence in the home. The program was initially created in 1993.
Services: > Assaultive Men's Psychotherapy Group, offered once a week for 16 weeks, three times a year. > Family therapy to the couples who need it after finishing separate counselling groups. > Community awareness workshops on topics such as self-esteem, anger management, family violence prevention, conflict resolution and parenting after separation are offered every year. Information is also shared with other programs and the community on the issue of violence against women and children.
* Sexual Abuse Intervention Program (SAIP) - We provide a range of appropriate, timely and accessible assessment, treatment and/or support services to children and youth who have been sexually abused, and to children under the age of 12 with sexual acting out behaviours. Individual counselling is from a client centered perspective utilizing the modalities of art and play therapy when appropriate. Treatment may include individual and/or family counselling depending on the needs of the young person, to facilitate healing within the family system. We also offer non-offending parent/guardian groups for the same purpose, covering topics such as safety, secrets, communication, boundaries and emotions. Support groups for children and youth are also offered as the need arises.
* Stopping the Violence - We provide individual and/or group counselling for women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, and/or violence/abuse in relationships. These services are offered from a client centered perspective. We offer a group for female survivors of childhood sexual abuse - called Women's Therapy Group.
* Women Exiting Abuse Violence and Exploitation (WEAVE) - Trauma and/or crisis counselling is offered to women who are actively engaged in sex work and want to exit. Using a women centered approach, confidential services are provided to support women with issues related to trauma and violence.
Women aged 18 and above may participate in counselling solely or with a combination of any other WEAVE services like safe housing, outreach support, and employment alternatives.
Support Provided: > Addictions Treatment > Shelter & Housing > Counselling > Life Skills > Training & Employment
Fees and Payment
This is a registered charity.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono
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One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.