Our Mental Health Team has put together resources as a starting tool on your journey to wellness. Here you will find links to community resources/workshops, private counselling options in the area and other available online supports. There is also more information on specific topics that might better suit your needs.
NEW VISION COUNSELLING
If you are a patient of the New Vision Family Health Team and would like additional mental health support, our mental health team can offer a single session to help navigate community supports or provide brief therapy to reach short-term goals.
Send us a secure message and we will have someone from our Mental Health team get back to you within 10 business days. If you are unable to complete the online form, please call 519-578-3510.
Are you in crisis or need immediate support? Please call 911, go to the nearest hospital.
You can also connect with:
HERE 24/7
Provides front door access to mental health, addictions, and crisis services across the Waterloo Region and will facilitate intake, assessment, and referrals to government funded addictions and mental health services. If you don’t know where or how to get help, feel hopeless, are at risk, or need mental health or addictions support, call Here24/7 at 1-844-437-3247.
988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline
Provides 24 hour emotional support to individuals in crisis. Text or call 9-8-8.
Kids Help Phone
Call 1-800-668-6868 or visit Kids Help Phone online.
Integrated Crisis Centre (ICC)
Provides support for mental health and/or substance-use crises for individuals aged 18 +. The walk-in clinic is located at 298 Lawrence Avenue, Kitchener, and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Camino Mental Health & Wellbeing
Provides single session counselling and mental health support (call 519-743-6333) or walk-in clinic support Monday-Thursday, 9:00am-6:00pm, Friday 9:00am-3:00pm, at 400 Queen Street South, Kitchener.
Here 24/7
Your front door to addiction services, mental health and crisis services provided by 11 agencies across Waterloo-Wellington.
Website: Here 24/7 Addiction Services
Grand River Hospital
Website: GRH Mental Health and Addictions
Website: GRH Mental Health and Addictions - Withdrawal Management
- Non-medical management of withdrawal symptoms for men and women in a residential setting;
- 24 hour monitoring and care for people who need a structured and/or protected setting in order to abstain; and
- Staff members are available to talk about and offer support to individuals and community agencies dealing with unique client needs.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
Website: CMHA, CMHA - specific program search
Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic (RAAM)
Specialized clinics for those experiencing health issues related to their substance use. RAAM clinics are held on a walk-in basis and staffed by health care providers who offer assistance to everyone regardless of age or substance used.
Website: RAAM Waterloo-Wellington
Government of Ontario
Get free, confidential support for depression, anxiety, addiction, gambling and other problems.
Website: Ontario Mental Health Services
Alcoholics Anonymous
Meetings in Kitchener-Waterloo
Website: KW Alcoholics Anonymous
House of Friendship
A Waterloo Region-based nonprofit organization that provides food, housing, addiction treatment and neighbourhood support to individuals and families.
Website: House of Friendship Addiction Services
COUNSELLING SUPPORT
ADHD Therapists in Ontario
Website: Psychology Today - ADHD Therapists Ontario
ADHD Therapists in Kitchener, ON
Website: Psychology Today - ADHD Therapists Kitchener
ASSESSMENTS
CAMH Adult ADHD & Screening Assessments
Website: CAMH - Adult Screening & Assessments
Waterloo Psychology Group
Psychological & Neuropsychological Services, Assessments & Treatment
Address: 22 King Street South, Waterloo
Phone: 226-476-0276
Email: info@waterloopsychologygroup.com
Website: Waterloo Psychology Group
Reflections Mental Health Group
Psychoeducation, Autism, ADHD, MH assessments & counselling
Address:12 Northumberland St., Ayr
Phone: 226-894-3689
Email: reception@reflectionsmhg.com
Website: Reflections Mental Health Group
Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)
Adult ADHD Test (online or paper available)
Website: ADDA Adult ADHD Test
The Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance (CADDRA)
Adult ADHD Assessment Forms
Website: CADDRA Assessment Forms
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
The ADHD TOOLKIT
ADHD courses/toolkit for adults and parents of children with ADHD.
Website: ADHD Toolkit
ADDitude
ADHD online magazine and resources
Website: ADDitude Magazine
How to ADHD
Waterloo Region Family Network ADHD Support Groups
List of upcoming support group dates.
Website: ADHD Support Groups - Adults and Parents
Centre for ADHD Awareness Canada Adult ADHD Support Group (CADDAC)
Adult ADHD Support Group to help you navigate through life’s twists and turns.
Website: CADDAC Support Groups
LITERATURE
Maté, G., MD. (1999). Scattered minds: A New Look at the Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder. Knopf Canada.
McCabe, J. (2024). How to ADHD: An Insider’s Guide to Working with Your Brain (Not Against It). Rodale Books.
Barkley, R. A. (2010). Taking charge of adult ADHD. Guilford Press.
How to ADHD - An insiders guide to working with your brain
HELPGUIDE.ORG ARTICLES
ADHD in Adults: Symptoms, Effects, and Self-Help
Website: HelpGuide.org - Adult ADHD
Tips for Managing Adult ADHD
Website: HelpGuide.org - Managing Adult ADHD
Treatment for Adult ADHD
Website: HelpGuide.org - Adult ADHD Treatment
Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief
Website: HelpGuide.org - Adult ADHD Relaxation Techniques
ADHD in Adults: Relationships
Website: HelpGuide.org - Adult ADHD Relationships
PARENTING - ARTICLES, RESOURCES, BOOKS
Rolling with ADHD
Free modules and videos
Website: Rolling with ADHD - Resources for Parents, Teachers and Teens
CADDAC - Parenting Children with ADHD
Website: Parenting Children CADDAC
HelpGuide.Org - Parenting Tips
Website: HelpGuide.Org - Parenting tips for children with ADHD
CHADD - Parenting a Child with ADHD
Website: Parenting a Child with ADHD (article)
CADDRA - Other ADHD Resources
Website: ADHD Resources for Parents
How to Parent Children with ADHD: Evidence-Based Strategies For Managing Explosive Behavior, Strengthening Parent-Child Bonds, And Improving School Success by Dr. CELINA MURPHY & Dr. RIGOBERTO BROCKINGTON
The ADHD Parenting Guide for Boys: From Toddlers to Teens Discover How to Respond Appropriately to Different Behavioral Situations by Richard Bass.
Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents by Russell A Barkley.
GROUPS
MyGrief
Virtual modules you can watch in the privacy of your own home
Website: MyGrief.ca
Bereaved Families of Ontario
Peer grief support & education
Website: BFO Midwest; BFO Programs and Events Calendar
The Coping Centre
Non-profit, charitable organization. No charge for group participants. Coping offers support programs, retreats and educational seminars by professionals and volunteers who have all experienced grief in their own lives. On-going follow-up programs after the initial Coping group sessions.
Address: 1740 Blair Rd, Cambridge, ON
Phone: 519-650-0852 or 1-877-554-4498
Email: coping@copingcentre.com
Website: The Coping Centre - Programs
The Nightingale Centre for Grieving Children, Youth, & Families
Non-profit organization to support children and families living with, or anticipating, the death of a significant person in their life through 1:1 and group support.
Phone: 519-265-9594
Website: The Nightingale Centre - Programs
Griefwalk
Weekly support groups offered Fall, Winter and Spring.
Website: Griefwalk - Programs
Grief Share
In-person and online grief & loss support groups
Website: Grief Share - Programs
Centre for Loss and Life Transitions
An organization dedicated to helping people who are grieving and those who care for them, led by death educator and grief counselor Dr. Alan Wolfelt,
Website: Centre for Loss
BOOKS
- Blindsided: A Game Plan for Grief by Glen & Roslyn Critchton
- Understanding Your Grief by Alan Wolfelt.
- Bearing The Unbearable by Joanne Cacciatore
- Permission to Mourn by Tom Zuba
- It’s OK That You’re Not Ok: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture that Doesn’t Understand by Megan Devine
COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Front Door Mental Health
A starting point for accessing child and youth mental health services and supports in the Waterloo Region. Front Door works with parents/caregivers of children and youth up to the age of 18 who are experiencing emotional, behavioural, relational, and/or mental health issues. The staff at Front Door can provide help regarding next steps in terms of supports, interventions, and community resources.
Phone: 519-749-2932
Website: Front Door Mental Health Website
Camino Wellbeing & Mental Health Children & Youth - Counselling
Provides counselling support for emotional, behavioural, school, or relationship challenges for children and youth up to the age of 17.
Phone: 519-743-6333
Website: Camino Wellbeing & Mental Health Children's Counselling Website
Camino Wellbeing & Mental Health Children & Youth - Groups
Provides a series of group programs for specific age groups and topics.
Website: Camino Wellbeing & Mental Health Groups
The Resilience Project
A collaborative initiative of community organizations that provides information and skill development, and fosters resilience within after school programs.
Website: The Resilience Project After School Programs
PRIVATE PRACTICE MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH
Psychology Today
Provides listings for mental health professionals in independent practice offering counselling support for a wide range of presenting issues.
Website: Child & Youth Therapists in Kitchener
PSYCHIATRY
Child and Adolescent Outpatient Mental Health, Grand River Hospital Psychiatric Consultation Clinic (PCC)
Offers out-patient mental health programs and services to children and youth upon referral from the Grand River Hospital Mental Health Team or Family Physicians.
Phone (Referrals from family physicians): 519-749-4310
Website: Child & Adolescent Out-Patient Mental Health
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Waterloo Wellington
Provides psychiatry service for children and youth up to the age of 17 experiencing mental health difficulties. To access this service, attend a single session at 737 Woolwich Street Guelph Tuesdays 10:00am-3:30pm to explore/request psychiatry services.
Phone: 1-844-454-3711
Website: CMHA Child & Youth Psychiatry Services
PSYCHOLOGIST
A Psychologist provides assessment and treatment for a wide range of behavioural, cognitive, and emotional issues.
Waterloo Psychology Group
Location: 22 King Street South, Suite 402, Waterloo
Phone: 226-476-0276
Email: info@waterloopsychologygroup.com
Website: Waterloo Psychology Group Website
Psychological Testing & Evaluation
Independent practitioners available in Kitchener:
Website: Link to Psychology Today Listings
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) views psychological problems as being based, in part, on faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking and on learned patterns of unhelpful behaviour.
Goals of CBT include learning to recognize and reevaluate distortions in thinking that are creating problems; gaining a better understanding of the behaviour and motivation of others; developing problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations; and, facing fears versus avoiding them. CBT includes the development of strategies to change thinking patterns.
FUNDED PROGRAMS
Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP West)
A freely offered short-term, evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) program for Ontario residents aged 18+ who are experiencing depression, anxiety, or anxiety-related concerns
Phone: 1-833-944-9966
Website: OSP West Website
Bounce Back (CMHA)
This freely offered skill-building program is provided by Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) coaches who help youth 15+, adults, and care providers to manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress and/or worry. The program is delivered online or over the phone, accompanied by support materials, and is offered in over 15 languages.
Phone: 1-866-345-0224
Website: BounceBack Coaching
FEE FOR SERVICE PROGRAMS
Waterloo CBT Clinic
Location: 570 University Avenue East, Unit 903, Waterloo
Phone: 226-686-0848
Website: Waterloo CBT Clinic
CBT Therapists in Kitchener
Listed in Psychology Today independent practitioner directory.
Website: CBT Therapists in Kitchener
ONLINE COUNSELLING OPTIONS
AbilitiCBT Ontario
Free, self-guided internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) program designed to help you work through thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Website: AbilitiCBT
Mind Beacon
Fee for service (covered by most benefits), offering digital guided CBT programming for a variety of mental health concerns.
Website: Mind Beacon
Mindshift Group Therapy
Fee for service (covered by most benefits) online 8 session group therapy program for adults (18+) struggling with mild to moderate anxiety using CBT
Website: Mindshift
SLIDING SCALE FEE-FOR-SERVICE COMMUNITY COUNSELLING SUPPORT
The Counselling Collaborative of Waterloo Region is a partnership between five non-profit community mental health agencies within the Waterloo Region offering affordable counselling support for a broad range of emotional and mental health presenting issues. Call central intake to determine the right program for you at 519-884-0000.
The Counselling Collaborative Includes:
Camino Wellbeing & Mental Health
Services provided fee-for-service and subsidy options for counselling, resources, and a range of programs to support individuals, couples, and families with their mental health wellness.
Website: Camino
Interfaith Counselling Centre
Provides counselling support for individuals, couples, and families for a broad range of presenting issues.
Website: Interfaith Counselling
Porchlight Counselling & Addiction Services
Provides counselling support for addictions, mental health, and relationship issues.
Website: Porchlight Counselling
Shalom Counselling Services
Provides counselling support for individuals, couples, and families for a broad range of presenting issues.
Website: Shalom Counselling
Woolwich Counselling Centre
Provides counselling support for addictions, mental health, and relationship issues.
Website: Woolwich Counselling
ONLINE COUNSELLING
Free and fee-for-service options.
BounceBack Ontario
Free skill building program designed to help adults and youth (15+) manage mild-moderate depression, mood, anxiety, and stress.
Website: BounceBack
Connex Ontario
Free 24/7 access to service information in Ontario for those experiencing mental health concerns.
Website: Connex Ontario
Layla Care
Fee for service (covered by most benefits) connecting you with a therapist based on your current mental health needs.
Website: Layla Care
POST-SECONDARY STUDENT SUPPORTS
For post-secondary students attending Wilfrid Laurier University, in-person, telephone, and video counselling sessions are available via the Student Wellness Centre. Wilfrid Laurier University students may also have access to extended health care coverage for social workers, psychotherapists, and psychologists
For post-secondary students attending University of Waterloo, Campus Wellness Counselling services provides in-person, telephone, and video counselling sessions. University of Waterloo students may also have access to extended health care coverage for private counselling services
RECIPIENTS OF OW AND ODSP SUPPORTS
Recipients of OW and ODSP can access counselling support via The Counselling Collaborative of Waterloo Region, a partnership between five non-profit community mental health agencies within the Waterloo Region offering affordable counselling support for a broad range of emotional and mental health presenting issues. Call Central Intake to determine the right program for you at 519-884-0000.
FIRST RESPONDER SUPPORTS
Frontline Forward
A health and wellness centre built by a First responder with a focus on helping to prevent and manage symptoms from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Occupational Stress Injury (OSI). Frontline Forward offers a multi-disciplinary team approach to wellness.
Website: Frontline Forward
Breakwater Institute for Occupational Stress and Trauma
Provides specialized mental health services to those in high stress occupations, including First responders, Military members and veterans, and their families.
Website: Breakwater Institute
Badge of Life Canada
Provides support for Public Safety Personnel and their families with the provision of access to crisis resources, peer support, post-traumatic events support, and therapists listings for First Responders across Canada.
Website: Badge of Life
Boots on the Ground Peer Support for First Responders
Provides anonymous peer support for First Responders by First Responders.
Website: Boots on the Ground
Wounded Warriors Canada
Provides trauma resiliency programs, couples support, and family support to Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, and First Responders and their families.
Website: Wounded Warriors
PSPNET
Supports Public Safety Personnel and their families through the provision of freely offered internet-delivered CBT (ICBT).
Website: PSPNET
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a type of structured psychotherapy designed to provide skills for learning how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, to regulate emotions, and to improve relationships with others. DBT includes the development of mindfulness skills, distress tolerance skills, emotion regulation tools, and interpersonal effectiveness strategies.
FUNDED PROGRAMS
CMHA Waterloo Wellington DBT
Phone: Call HERE 24/7 at 1-844-437-3247
Website: CMHAWW DBT Brochure
CAMH DBT Program
Phone: 416-535-8501
Website: CAMH DBT
FEE FOR SERVICE PROGRAMS
Broadleaf Health
A multi-disciplinary emotional and behavioural care clinic based in Guelph and Waterloo
Address: 100 Regina Street South, Waterloo
Phone: 519-265-7734
Email: admin@broadleafhealth.ca
Website: Broadleaf Health
The Ontario DBT Centre
Offers compassionate and effective Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for adults who struggle with borderline personality disorder, PTSD and complex trauma, suicidal ideation, addiction, self-harm, intense emotions, and impulsive behaviours.
Website: Ontario DBT
Online DBT Therapy in Ontario
Individual or group services available
Website: DBT Virtual
SUPPORT & TREATMENT
Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region
Individual Counselling
Phone: 519-571-0121 (24/7 support)
Website: SASC Waterloo Region
Women’s College Hospital – Trauma Therapy Program
(Temporarily closed to new referrals)
Phone: 416-323-6400
Website: Women's College Trauma Therapy Program
Trauma and PTSD Treatment Centres in Kitchener
Website: Psychology Today - Kitchener Centres
RESOURCES
PTSD Association of Canada
A non-profit organization to support individuals who experience PTSD
Website: PTSD Association
PTSD and C-PTSD Self-Help Guide
Website: NHS Inform PTSD C-PTSD Resource