For over 50 years, the Canadian Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin (CMHA Peel Dufferin) has been a pioneer in providing services for people with mental illness and educating Canadians about mental health issues. As the leading client-driven, community-based mental health organization serving the Region of Peel and Dufferin County, we are innovative partners in proactively strengthening individual support, and developing a responsive mental health system.
CMHA Peel Dufferin champions good mental health for everyone and supports the full participation of those with mental illness and addictions in the life of the community. In addition to providing a variety of mental health services, we are committed to community development, mental health awareness and addressing the stigma surrounding mental illness.
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Services Offered
Access: Intake, Information, Referrals * 24.7 Crisis Support Peel Dufferin 24.7 Crisis Support Peel Dufferin is a community crisis service offering timely response to adults (16 years and over) experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis; individuals having difficulties coping; and family, caregivers and friends needing support.
24.7 Crisis Support Peel Dufferin professionals will speak to you by phone to provide support and help you make a plan to stay safe.
Brief Services * Family Support - CMHA Peel Dufferin offers support to those that are concerned about someone's mental health and substance use issues.
* Mental Health Counselling - CMHA Peel Dufferin offers free Brief Mental Health Counselling services. Our program follows a brief counselling model that offers an immediate opportunity for therapeutic conversation within 1-2 sessions. Our aim is to focus on your presenting needs and strengths and work hard with you to find solutions and leave with a plan.
The focus is on single session solutions that are intended to help clients identify their immediate needs. We recognize that there are times when an individual needs immediate support to face a specific challenge. When necessary, our counsellors can make recommendations for ongoing counselling supports.
* Substance Use - CMHA Peel Dufferin offers a Brief Services Substance Use Program at no cost to those that are seeking assistance with cutting down or stopping substance use and "addictive" behaviours.
Individual Support and Services * Access to Recovery - Access to Recovery supports individuals experiencing long term mental health concerns to lead fulfilling, satisfying lives within their community.
* Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) - The Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) is a client centred; recover oriented mental health service who offers a broad range of intensive community supports to individuals experiencing serious mental health concerns and their families, in order to reach their recovery goals.
* Early Intervention - Early Intervention supports individuals who have experienced a first episode of psychosis to lead fulfilling, satisfying lives within their community.
* In-STED - The In-STED program aims to identify complex mental health and addictions needs early, and intervene through timely, high-quality, integrated and culturally appropriate short-term case management services.
Group and Peer Support Programs * Recovery West - Recovery West is the name for our newest program at CMHA Peel Dufferin. Recovery West replaces our Partnership Place and Eden Place programs, and also encompasses Vocational Support Services.
At Recovery West we believe that everyone in recovery from mental health issues should have support from their peers and a variety of opportunities throughout their journey in recovery. This program promotes Mental Health Recovery through groups, activities and vocational services with a focus on peer support.
Seniors CMHA Peel Dufferin offers a range of services for older adults and seniors, including intensive case management, specialized geriatric services, crisis services, supportive counselling and advocacy, as well as a Seniors at Risk program for those who may be experiencing abuse or neglect.
* Seniors at Risk System Coordination - Dufferin - Designed to assist in providing a safe short term solution for clients who are being neglected or abused until a longer term plan can be developed and implemented with a team of service providers such as CCAC, Alzheimer Society, and retirement homes.
Youth * Early Intervention - Early Intervention supports individuals who have experienced a first episode of psychosis to lead fulfilling, satisfying lives within their community.
* Impact - Impact provides youth with substance abuse education and harm reduction strategies in individual and group settings. Support is also offered to connect youth to community resources.
Impact offers a positive group setting for youth to practice life and social skill development, including substance abuse education and harm reduction skills and strategies. Individual, community-based supportive counselling is also offered to assit youth in reaching their recovery goals.
Fees and Payment
Services are free and confidential.
This is a registered charity.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: 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.