New Path Youth and Family Services of Simcoe County is a government supported, registered not-for-profit charitable organization. We are an accredited children's mental health agency providing a range of compassionate, innovative and accessible services for children, youth and their families.
Services Offered
Walk-In Clinics The Walk-In Clinic is your first step into the services that New Path offers. It provides a single session to children, youth and families who require support for emotional, relationship or behavioural challenges. When appropriate, referrals to our other programs can also take place at the Walk-In Clinic. This program is offered weekly in New Path offices across Simcoe County. The Walk-In Clinic can be accessed by children, youth and families as often as they require support.
Child and Family Services * Brief in Three Program - This client-centered program is for children, youth and families who require greater support than what is provided in our Walk -In Clinic. Counselling will focus on the development of strategies to effectively cope with their presenting concerns. A maximum of 3 sessions is offered within a 2 month time frame. * Child and Family Counselling Program - This service is part of the Children's Treatment Network (CTN) partnership and provides integrated counselling services to children, youth and their families.
This service is for children and youth up to age 19 (or up to age 21 if attending school) with multiple special needs, who reside in Simcoe County.
* Early Years Services - This client-centered program is for children ages 0-6 and their families who require support or counselling to address challenges with social, emotional or behavioural challenges.
* Youth and Family Counselling - This client-centered program is for children and youth up to 18 years of age and their families, who require clinical interventions to address significant needs concerning social, emotional or behavioural challenges. The Youth and Family Counselling Program seeks to improve identified challenges and overall functioning. This program provides regular and consistent sessions that are focused on the client's needs and goals for a duration of up to 6 months.
Youth Services * Adolescent Outreach - This client-centered program is for high school aged youth and their families who require support, counselling or life skills development to address challenges with social relationships, mood or behaviour.
* New Directions Treatment Program - This client-centered assessment and counselling program is for youth ages 12-18 who have been convicted of sexual offence related charges. Youth must currently be on a probation order.
This program works from a strengths-based perspective in partnership with Probation Officers and provides clinical intervention to youth and their families. On average, service can last approximately 12 months.
* Residential Program - This client-centered program is for youth ages 11 through 18 years of age and their families who are experiencing significant social, emotional and behavioural problems and require an intensive 24 hour therapeutic setting. Residential placement is considered after other community-based interventions have been exhausted.
Adult Services
* Partner Abuse Program - Huronia Transition Home's (HTH) program, Athena's Sexual Assault Counselling & Advocacy Centre (Athena's) is now offering women across Simcoe County longer-term counselling for intimate partner violence. In previous years this counselling program has been provided by New Path Youth & Family Services (New Path). These services are available in Barrie, Alliston, Orillia, Collingwood and Midland. Counselling is free and by self referral to any woman or trans-woman over 16 with a lived experience of intimate partner violence.
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.
