We offer counselling and support services to anybody in Ottawa who needs it. No matter what it is that you're dealing with, we're here to listen. We offer a safe space, and will help you work through whatever is troubling you.

Our programs are run by counsellors who are highly skilled and trained in each of our service areas. Family services staff and clients who have already benefited from our services are also involved in making our programs as helpful and successful as they are. We're here. We're available and we're open.

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Services Offered

Children/Youth and Families
* Children's Group - The Children's Group is offered to children aged 6-12 who have been exposed to their mothers' abuse. Individual counselling is provided to children attending groups as needed.

* Mothers' Group - The Mothers' Group runs at the same time as the Children's Group and is offered to mothers whose children are in the children's program. Individual counselling and mother/child counselling is provided to mothers attending groups as needed.

* Family Counselling - Our family counselling services can help parents and their children with a variety of issues, such as:
> Parenting challenges
> Experiences of trauma and abuse
> Family stressors
> Adjustments to separation, divorce, and blended families

Adult
* Couples Counselling - Our couples counselling services can help with a variety of issues, such as:
> Relationship difficulties
> Adjustments to separation, divorce, and blended families

* Individual Counselling - Our counselling services can help with a variety of issues, such as:
> Relationship difficulties
> Parenting challenges
> Experiences of trauma and abuse
> Anxiety and depression
> Family stressors
> Adjustments to separation, divorce, and blended families
> Grief and loss

* Mental Health Counselling - the Mental Health Program offers a range of counselling services to adults who are living with a mental health illness. Counselling services are offered through individual counselling, couple and/or family counselling, workshops and group programs.

Our program works from the perspective that everyone struggles with mental health at different times in their lives. Our program addresses those aspects of challenges to mental health where daily functioning is impaired. We support people living with chronic or acute mental health issues or who have been diagnosed within a range of psychiatric diagnosis.

* LGBTTQ+ Around the Rainbow - LGBTTQ+ Around the Rainbow is a community-based program which provides a full range of education, counselling and support services offered by Family Services Ottawa. We support the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two spirit, queer and questioning (LGBTTQ+) communities and allies.

Older Adults
Growing older doesn't mean that things get easier. In fact, in many cases older adults have more difficulties, but don't get the same level of support that others get. That's why we have programs dedicated to older adults. We believe that everybody, no matter their age, should have access to a good support system.

FSO provides counselling and support services however; we are not crisis centre.

Fees and Payment

Our counsellors are trained professionals in social work, counselling, and psychology; therefore, they are not covered by OHIP. However, we are subsidized and we utilize a sliding fee scale to adjust your fee according to your income and family size so that counselling becomes affordable and accessible to all. Our counselling services may be covered by insurance, depending on the policy agreements.

This is a registered charity.

Services Offered To:
Adults
Couples
Teens
Children

Special Groups:
Bilingual
LGBTQ

Payment:
Pro-bono