Counselling

Family Services Durham (FSD) provides individual, couple and family counselling and psychotherapy to people who live, work or own property in Durham Region. We provide help for a variety of issues.

Service is offered in-person, by telephone or by video. Fees are based on a sliding scale to help support accessible services.

FSD embraces diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and understands that having a sense of belonging is vital to the success and well-being of individuals, families and the community. It is important for residents of Durham Region to feel valued, included and embraced as they bring their various cultural identities, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, religious affiliations, life experiences and other intersecting identities to the services we provide. FSD is actively committed to building and nurturing a diverse, equitable and inclusive space where all clients we serve feel valued, respected, heard and empowered.

You can request a service by completing the online Counselling Request Form, or calling 311 or toll-free at 1-888-721-0622 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Arrangements will be made for you to speak with an Intake Counsellor. They will gather information about your situation. If they determine FSD’s services cannot meet your needs, information about other community supports and resources will be provided.

Here and Now Counselling (HNC) is a service from Family Services Durham that offers prompt access to counselling for individuals ages 12 and up. It’s designed to give you support when and as you need it.

You can talk to a counsellor about mild to moderate concerns, including:

  • Handling stress or burnout
  • Coping strategies
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Relationship challenges
  • Parenting
  • Managing emotions
  • Building confidence
  • Setting goals
  • Dealing with grief or loss
  • Adjusting to life changes

Counselling is provided by registered psychotherapists and social workers at different locations across Durham Region and remotely (by video and/or phone). You can request service by completing the online Counselling Request Form or by calling 311 or toll-free at 1-888-721-0622 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

After an intake to understand your current concerns and hopes, you may be offered a Here and Now Counselling session within two weeks, if eligible. Clients can attend up to two sessions per month.

This type of counselling focuses on one issue at a time, gives you helpful strategies and offers support in just one session.

Multi-Session Counselling may be offered depending on current needs presented during the intake.

Fees are based on a sliding scale and will be discussed during your intake.

Multi-Session Counselling may be offered by FSD based on your current needs.

During your first Multi-Session Counselling appointment, your counsellor will spend time getting to know you. They will gather information about your situation and work with you to find out what you want to achieve in counselling.

Many types of therapy can be offered, including:

  • Solution-focused Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Emotionally Focused Therapy
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
  • Trauma-informed approaches
  • Feminist-informed approaches
  • Mindfulness-based approaches
  • Psychoeducation

Fees are based on a sliding scale and will be discussed during your intake.

FSD can support you with many types of problems that are mild to moderate in severity. These can include:

  • Abuse (past or current)
  • Anger
  • Anxiety
  • Bullying
  • Children and youth who witnessed or experienced domestic abuse
  • Communication and conflict resolution
  • Couple or family conflict
  • Depression
  • Grief and loss
  • Substance misuse
  • Parenting
  • Self-esteem
  • Separation and divorce
  • Sexuality or gender concerns
  • Survivors of sexual abuse or assault (past or recent)
  • Stress
  • Trauma

Attending a workshop that provides you with information on different wellness topics is another way that Family Services Durham offers mental health support. These workshops are available to anyone who lives, works or owns property in Durham Region. Please see the Information below for our upcoming workshop(s):

Managing the Winter Blues – February 12, 2026, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Offered virtually through the Microsoft Teams Platform

person standing in icy tunnel

This workshop will include information about the difference between "winter blues” and Seasonal Affective Disorder, as well as provide strategies that support wellness during the winter season.

Interested in registering? The fee for this workshop is $20. Please email FSD_Intake@durham.ca or call 311, noting that you would like to be connected to Intake at Family Services Durham to register for this particular workshop.

We also offer specialized counselling to the following people:

We provide no-cost counselling to men ages 16 and older affected by past or recent sexual abuse or assault. This program also offers support to their partners or family members.

FSD provides men age 16+ with timely access to confidential counselling through Men's Counselling Link.

Men’s Counselling Link is for men who:

  • feel overwhelmed by stress, anger, or family pressures
  • want to improve their relationships or break harmful patterns
  • are concerned about conflict at home, or managing their emotions
  • are unsure where to turn but want to make a positive change

Men’s Counselling Link is delivered by 211 in collaboration with Family Services Ontario and partner agencies including FSD. Services are funded by the provincial government, and there is no cost to the client.

To request support through Men’s Counselling Link:

  • complete FSD’s online Counselling Request Form,
  • call 311 or toll-free 1-888-721-0622 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), or
  • call 211 (24/7)

The Partner Assault Response (PAR) Program is provided to those who are referred by the Crown Attorney's Office, or their probation and parole officer. The PAR program may accept voluntary clients who have no outstanding partner assault charges.

The Positive Alternatives Diversion Program (PADP) is a referral-based program offered in cooperation with Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS). This program is provided to parents who have been referred by DRPS for having used inappropriate forms of discipline with their children.

Counselling may also be provided to individuals who have used – or at risk of using - other types of harmful behaviour against others.

Counselling for adults who are living with a developmental disability is provided alongside case management delivered by the Adult Protective Services program.

FSD offers counselling and psychotherapy to parents/caregivers and families with children of all ages. Direct service is available for children ages six and over when there is a clinical need. Children under 12 are provided with service within family counselling/psychotherapy.

Information you share with intake staff and your counsellor will remain confidential. We will only release it without consent if we are legally required to.

Please see our Written Public Statement for more details about how we manage your personal information.

FSD cannot take a position in third-party matters, which may include situations involving:

  • Employers
  • Family members
  • Legal issues
  • Insurance claims

Our counsellors are:

  • Social workers
  • Psychotherapists

They have Masters-level training. Each is registered with at least one of the following:

  • The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers (OCSWSSW)
  • The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)

FSD is accredited by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation and meets the certification requirements of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), and the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). FSD is a member of Family Service Ontario, Family Service Canada, and Family Services Employee Assistance Programs (FSEAP).

Locations and hours

Daytime and evening appointments are available.

Appointments may be provided in person or remotely (online or by phone). In-person appointments are offered at the following locations throughout Durham Region, with hours varying by location:

  • Ajax
  • Beaverton
  • Bowmanville
  • Cannington
  • Oshawa
  • Port Perry
  • Uxbridge
  • Whitby

605 Rossland Road East

Whitby, Ontario L1N 6A3

Phone: 311 or toll-free 1-888-721-0622

OHIP does not cover fees for counselling or psychotherapy.

The fee for service is set during the Intake process based on your household income. Fees are based on sliding scale to support access to service.

Payment is due upon receipt of service. Payments can be made by cash, cheque or e- transfer, and by debit or credit card at some office locations.

Receipts are provided for payment. Registered Social Workers and Psychotherapists are considered medical practitioners for the purpose of the Medical Expense Tax Credit, so you can claim counselling fees as a medical expense on your income tax return.

Some private health insurance plans also cover counselling fees.

FSD’s philosophy

Helping you find your inherent strength, courage and wisdom.

Resources and Information

More information about mental health

To express a concern about our service

To express a concern about the service you have received, first speak with your counsellor/worker. If you are not comfortable doing so or your concern is not addressed, call 311 or 1-888-721-0622 (toll-free) and ask to speak with a Family Services Durham (FSD) Manager. If your concern remains, you can contact the FSD Director’s office at 905-668-4113 ext. 2775. If your concern is still not addressed, you may appeal to the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers or the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, based on the counsellor’s professional association.