Alternatives: East York Mental Health Counselling Services Agency
Accepting new clients (reported by our users)
Alternatives: East York Mental Health Counselling Services Agency
Alternatives is a community-based mental health agency located in the East End of Toronto. We provide one-to-one client counselling, case management and community supports to individuals who have significant mental health challenges.
We value the knowledge and strengths of the individuals who use our services and are committed to giving choice and flexibility to the individuals we serve. We provide individual community support and counselling, groups, advocacy, linkages to other services, information and referrals. We are recovery-oriented in that we focus on self-determination, support / connection, and self-advocacy and hope as part of a journey towards improved well being.
Services Offered
Case Management / Supportive Counselling We support people to make changes in their lives that they feel are important.
We work together in a creative, respectful way to help people meet their needs.
Together, an individual and their Case Manager may address issues related to their specific mental health challenge, the mental health system, housing, poverty, social assistance, experiences of discrimination and other client identifies issues.
Fees and Payment
This is a registered charity.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale
Online Counseling: During COVID-19
Could You Make an Appointment?
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.
