The Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington (CMHA WW) provides a full care system for those with addictions, mental health or developmental needs. We serve everyone from children to adults to seniors, all under one roof. Our programs help individuals and families to lead lives filled with meaning and promise. We have 350 staff at offices in Cambridge, Waterloo, Kitchener, Guelph, Fergus, and Mount Forest. We also provide visiting/satellite services in Arthur, Shelburne, Erin and Palmerston.
Services Offered
Services for Adults * Adult Counselling and Treatment - Mental Health Clinicians listen to you and help you set priorities and goals. Our Clinicians will work with you to develop and implement skills that will help you create changes in your life and empower you to live your life more fully.
* Adult Psychiatry - Psychiatry assessment services are available for those individuals who are experiencing significant concerns with their mental health. A Psychiatrist can assist by clarifying symptoms and diagnoses, as well as making treatment recommendations. The Psychiatrist will consult and collaborate with you, your family (should you desire this) and your Family Physician/Nurse Practitioner to develop an individual treatment guide for you.
* Dialectical Behaviour Therapy - Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a cognitive-behavioral treatment that was originally developed as a treatment for individuals living with the peaks and valleys of emotional dysregulation who meet the diagnosis criteria of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Individuals supported by our DBT program benefit from a variety of therapeutic services such as one-on-one counselling, skill development groups and telephone consultations.
* FACTT - Flexible Assertive Community Treatment Team - FACTT is a multidisciplinary team-based approach to support individuals living in the community who are dealing with significant mental health issues. We recognize resiliency and approach recovery as a process with ups and downs. We are able to adapt the intensity of support based on individual needs for support and flexibility.
Children's Services * Children's Mental Health, 0-6 yrs - The goal of the Children's Mental Health Program is to support families of children from birth to age six to enhance their nurturing relationship. Nurturing relationships enable both the caregiver and child to feel secure, valued, understood, and successful within the context of family and community. There is no charge for this service.
The children we serve live in Guelph or Wellington County and range from birth to six years. The children and families we support experience specific mental health concerns, including: > Traumatic events > Affect disorders (grief, anxiety, depression) > Adjustment reactions > Regulatory disorders (i.e. emotional regulation and sensory processing) > Sleeping and eating problems > Caregiver/child relationship challenges > Attachment difficulties
* Walk-In Service for Children, Youth and Families (ages 6-18) - Walk-in and meet with a Mental Health Clinician to discuss your needs.
* Child and Youth Sexual Abuse Team - CYSAT is multi-disciplinary Team in Guelph and Wellington that focuses on children who have experienced sexual abuse, children who exhibit sexualized behaviour, and youth who have sexually offended. Our goal is to improve our services for the families who access them by building greater community capacity to cope with these challenges, as well as stronger relationships and increased collaboration between our partners.
Services for Eating Disorders We believe that eating disorder treatment is a team effort. The CMHA team wants to understand your goals and dreams. Family, friends and community may also play a role. Together, we will find a path to recovery.
For adults, we offer: * comprehensive individual assessment * treatment groups * collaboration with community partners and other health professionals
For children and adolescents, we offer: * a comprehensive family-centered assessment * family based therapy * collaboration with community partners and other health professionals
Services for First Episode of Psychosis 1st Step is an assessment and treatment program for people who are experiencing a first episode of psychosis - an experience where you might have trouble telling the difference between what is real and what isn't.
The key to a successful recovery from psychosis is getting help fast. Psychosis has an impact on your life at home, school and work. Our team of professionals can help. To better understand your needs, we will do a comprehensive assessment that will include a medical screening, a medical history and psychiatric interviews. Together with you, we can then develop a treatment plan. Treatment may include counselling, medication, group activities, family education and finding support for your day-to-day living. Our goal is to support you and your family in finding balance in your life and recovery from psychosis.
Services for Seniors * Seniors Mental Health - his is an assessment and treatment program for seniors living in the community who are experiencing mental health concerns which may include: depression, mood changes, dementia and/or anxiety. The service is focussed on you as an individual and your family. The team provides a comprehensive geriatric assessment that will include a medical and mental health history and screening. The care plan is developed and implemented with you and your support network including your primary care physician.
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.
