Counselling - Individual, Couple and Family

Whether you are an individual, a couple or a family struggling with a problem, our highly trained counsellors can help. Being sensitive to your individual and family values and goals, we will work with you to build upon your strengths in order to meet the challenges of life, and to use opportunities for growth and change. Problems we deal with range from individual and relationship issues to the multiple difficulties of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Our services are available to any resident of Halton who needs assistance in coping with life's challenges. Day and evening appointments are available at our offices in Burlington, Georgetown, Milton and Oakville. Fees are geared to family size and ability to pay. Counselling available in French, Hindi, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Urdu, and Punjabi as well as English. All counselling is strictly confidential.

Here are some typical words of appreciation for the counselling services provided at HFS:

My counsellor is very sympathetic but also realistic. Provided very accurate and worthy advice. Also, very friendly."
"What a wonderful agency, a safe place for me. I don't know where I would be today without it and I mean that. Problems still go on and I am finding the help and support I need. Thank you so much for giving me my life back."
"She was excellent, I could be open and honest with her."
"My counsellor was really approachable, she made you feel like she really cared for you."
"My therapist was kind, generous, open, flexible, trustworthy, supportive and available."
My counsellor is an insightful, gentle, caring woman who I felt really understood me."
"My worker is a great counsellor and helped me enormously."
"My counsellor has been incredibly helpful. His guidance and assistance were invaluable."
"Due to my financial situation, I thought originally that there was nowhere to turn to. But Halton Family Services was very reasonable and accessible."
"What an amazing counsellor. She makes me feel like I have a safe environment to work through my problems. She genuinely wants to help and cares very much."

Limitations to Couple Counselling

Please be aware that when abuse within a relationship is an issue, Halton Family Services has a policy of not providing couple counselling. This policy is a response to research and clinical experience showing that couple counselling is ineffective and potentially dangerous when there is ongoing abuse in the relationship. Halton Family Services is, however, committed to working with these families.

The most effective means of therapy for abusive partners is a therapeutic group that focuses directly on changing abusive behavior, and the underlying beliefs that support abusive behavior. There is also individual and group counselling available for those who experience abuse from their partner.

When abuse in the relationship has been addressed, the couple may choose to work on their relationship further by participating in couple counselling.