HKS Counselling Services is a Francophone community organization that contributes to improving the mental health, well-being and security of its clientele through quality care and services in both official languages.

In addition to service delivery, the institutional role includes maintaining the French language, transmitting Francophone culture and fostering solidarity among the Franco-Ontarian minority.

Services Offered

Mental Health Counselling
This program provides one-to-one, confidential, confidential counselling for people with psychosocial and mental health issues. Counselling services are focused on the objectives identified with clients and various approaches based on best practices are used.

* Comprehensive assessment of risks and therapeutic needs
* Individual counselling sessions for various psychosocial and mental health issues (eg, depression, anxiety, stress, psychosis and self-injury, sexual abuse, accidents and trauma, and bereavement)
* Group debriefing sessions to reduce the risk of post-traumatic stress after a critical incident
* Psychiatric assessment including treatment recommendations

Intervention in Crisis
The purpose of crisis intervention is to cope with the state of a person experiencing a psychological crisis. The purpose of such an intervention is not to provide psychotherapy services, but rather to undertake short-term action to stabilize the person and provide them with help, support and resources.

* Crisis assessment and response services that take into account the client's immediate situation, including factors such as security and immediate needs
* Emotional support and help to reinforce client coping strategies
* Follow-up, information and referrals to other service providers based on the client's needs

Support for Independent Living
This program brings together a range of services for people with mental health issues. Our multidisciplinary team seeks to provide the support needed to relieve their symptoms and life skills training services to improve their daily lives.

* Continuous needs assessment
* Training in the skills of independent living and social life
* Psychological support for clients and their families
* Help in finding employment and training required
* Subsidized housing (two quadruplexes in Kapuskasing and one in Hearst)
* Psychiatric assessment including treatment recommendations and medication monitoring
* Social activities - day center, outings, etc., including transportation
* Customer support to promote and protect their rights
* Accompaniment and transportation for medical consultations as needed (eg, pharmacy, hospital, doctor, etc.)

Early Psychosis Intervention Program
This program offers psychosocial treatments to accelerate the recovery process and promote a good quality of life for people with the disease and their families.

* Emotional support and in-depth assessment to determine the specific needs of each client
* Client awareness of psychosis and available treatments
* Practical help for everyday life (eg, developing a new routine, developing a return to work or school plan, finding suitable housing, applying for financial assistance, etc. .)
* Range of psychosocial treatments according to each client's needs
* Referral to other service providers or community programs, as needed
* Psychiatric assessment including treatment recommendations and medication monitoring

Mental Health Program for Seniors
The role of the Mental Health Program for Seniors is to provide assessment, diagnosis and treatment recommendations to your physician or nurse practitioner. If needed, we will help you connect with other health care organizations and find community support services for yourself and your family or caregiver. Our goal is to avoid hospitalization and crisis situations when possible.

* Once we have received a referral from your family doctor or nurse practitioner, a senior mental health nurse will call you within one month.
* During this call, we will discuss the reason for the recommendation and we will inform you of the waiting times for your appointment.
* After your appointment with the geriatric psychiatrist, recommendations from the results of the consultation and a suggestion of treatment will be forwarded to your family doctor.
* Then, depending on your needs, we will follow a limited follow-up. You and your family doctor will be notified when our services are no longer needed.

Partner Assault Response Program (PARS)
The Partner Assault Response Program is a specialized education / counselling program for individuals who have been physically violent, emotionally abusive or controlling towards a spouse or intimate partner.

* Provides group sessions to individuals who have been violent or abusive towards a spouse/partner.
* Is not an anger management program. Most PAR clients have only been violent toward a partner.
* Provides support and outreach to the victim and present partner of a group participant.
* Is audited by Ministry staff to ensure they comply with Provincial Standards.

Fees and Payment

Counselling services are free and confidential.

This is a registered charity.

Services Offered To:
Adults
Teens

Special Groups:
Bilingual

Payment:
Sliding Scale
Pro-bono