Wellkin (formerly OECYC) delivers family mental health care with a focus on children and youth living in Oxford and Elgin counties. Our programs and services support the needs of each individual while the agency maintains a well-rounded approach that include screening, assessment, treatment, and education. The supports and services have no costs attached and a health card isn't required to access Wellkin. We aim to engage and support families/caregivers and peers in delivering care to kids while being responsive to their unique life and family circumstances. We wish that everyone accessing our services will achieve stability through active participation in treatment plans designed to address safe, healthy, and manageable outcomes.
Services Offered
Child & Youth Programs * Pittock Day Treatment Program - This program is designed to provide a treatment alternative for children with long-standing behavioural and emotional difficulties who struggle to function successfully in a regular classroom setting or other alternative programs. At Pittock Day Treatment, we integrate academics and social skill development through various treatment options.
* Intensive Family Service Program - The Intensive Family Service Program is designed to provide brief, intensive, in-home services for families at risk of breakdown. This program is offered for families for an average of 8 to 12 weeks, and up to 8 hours a week of supports, depending on the client/family needs assessment. The Wellkin intensive service worker will work with families in their home, to help develop treatment plans, strategies and solutions that focus on improving the family unit and mental wellness.
* School Community Intervention Partnership (SCIP) - This program partners with selected schools and parents to support parents and child(ren) with skills to manage child(ren) behaviors. This program is an innovative program that provides effective early intervention for children with difficulties in emotional and behavioral self-regulation that may be interfering with their performance at home, school, and in the community. Often children that experience difficulty following rules, non-compliance, irritability or moodiness, hyperactivity, impulsivity, trouble with peer relations and a hard time managing feelings have accessed SCIP.
* Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Children & Youth Transition Support Program - This program provides home and school-based supports for children and youth ages 8-18 (or up to their 18th birthday) who have a diagnosis of High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome. This program will assist children and youth to successfully transition from elementary school to high school by providing support and education to youth, peers, and families. This program also provides peer-mentoring support both within the school and the community.
Child & Youth Services * Counselling Services - Wellkin Child & Youth Mental Wellness provides confidential counselling services to young people (birth to 18 years of age) and their families living in Oxford and Elgin Counties at no cost.
Reasons clients might wish to come to counselling are many and varied. These may include but are not limited to such issues as mental health concerns, depression, family violence, behavioural concerns, school or social difficulties, parent-child conflicts, internet/gaming and digital dependency, substance abuse, and issues surrounding sexuality. Wellkin will assist the client with accessing the most appropriate resources to address their needs.
* Crisis Response & Urgent Care - Crisis Response & Urgent Care is a service that children and youth under the age of 18 in Oxford and Elgin Counties can turn to at any time if they are dealing with a crisis or urgent situation.
Fees and Payment
Services are offered at no cost.
This is a registered charity.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono
Online Counseling: Yes
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.
