Watari Counselling & Support Services Society is a registered, charitable social-profit organization established in 1986 in a response to a lack of services and programs for street involved youth and families. Invested in creating space for change we are guided by a belief in the individual's innate strengths, capabilities and desire for wellness.
Working within a community-development model to address locally identified needs, Watari services focus primarily on populations affected by substance misuse or mental health issues. Other related service areas include family strengthening, cultural enrichment, and community/public education projects. With 23 full-time employees and a volunteer Board of Directors, Watari operates five on-going programs at its two locations in East Vancouver, in addition to pilot projects that operate throughout the community.
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Services Offered
Youth Programs * Eastside Integrated Youth Team - Outreach workers connect and engage with youth, up to the age of 25, meeting them where they are at. Early intervention is the key to building relationships with these vulnerable youths and assessing their needs, providing support through lay-counselling, reconnecting young people with family, encouraging them to work through the issues that brought them to the street is a focus of the work. Safety is a consideration that workers keep in mind when matching young people with other supports and services. The outreach team also provide individuals on the street with items needed to support their basic needs, which range anywhere from distributing food, water, clean clothes, or clean, unused harm reduction materials.
* Transitioning Into Independence (TIP) Level 1 - Homelessness is one of the most isolating, lonely and stressful experiences a person can endure. Young people living on the streets are particularly vulnerable, often dealing with complex challenges that include abuse, addiction, mental illness, legal issues and extreme poverty.
* Community Addictions Counselling Team (CACT) - We recognize that substance use is often connected to other issues like poverty, abuse or isolation; so whether it's your struggle or that of a loved one, the counsellors can bridge you with new options, choices and opportunities. Our team of counsellors come with different approaches and backgrounds, allowing us to find a match for anyone walking through the doors.
* Vancouver Intensive Supervision Unit (VISU) - The Vancouver Intensive Supervision Unit (VISU) provides for the effective administration of court orders, and assertive case management for adults with mental-health issues serving sentences/orders within an integrated framework comprised of Corrections Branch, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and Watari employees.
Fees and Payment
This is a registered charity.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale 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.
