Programs and Services

A broad range of counselling and support services are available at CFS, in English and French, to help adults, youth and children find the emotional strength and practical solutions they need to move forward.

Our professional counsellors can help you explore and better understand the challenges you’re facing, whether you’ve experienced trauma, are having difficulty managing your anger, are feeling depressed or anxious, or have relationship issues to work through. Together we’ll find effective ways for you to cope with personal stressors, address mental health issues, enhance problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills, and overall improve your well-being.

Help is available through:

  • Individual counselling sessions
  • Couple counselling
  • Group counselling
  • Workshops and presentations

Language – French and English
Language and sign language interpreters are available on request.

Cost – Based on income and number of dependents using a sliding scale.

Location – 310 Olmstead St., Ottawa
OC Transpo bus routes 12, 14, 15

Contact
613-233-8478 /TTY 613-233-1866
info@cfsottawa.ca

Professional counselling services are available to help individuals, couples and families deal with all kinds of life’s challenges. Whether you are feeling stressed, depressed or struggling with relationship issues, the walk-in clinic can provide immediate help. Services are available to anyone over the age of 6.

  • No appointment or referral is needed.
  • Operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

In-person, virtual and phone sessions are available.

Language – French and English

Cost – Free

Location – 310 Olmstead St., Ottawa
OC Transpo bus routes 12, 14, 15

Hours
Thursdays from 12-8pm (last appointment at 6:30pm)
Fridays from 12-5pm (last appointment at 3.30pm)

Contact
613-233-8478 /TTY 613-233-1866
info@cfsottawa.ca

We advocate for vulnerable and marginalized individuals and groups who face barriers in accessing services related to immigration, refugee status, disabilities, and living on low income. An Advocacy Worker is available to meet with you or representatives of organizations to help identify specific needs and develop the best course of action. We can advocate for individuals aged 16 and up, as well as couples, families and their children.

Services include:

  • Information and referrals that link individuals and families to appropriate services and programs
  • Information sessions and presentations to the public
  • Outreach to vulnerable and marginalized groups who face barriers when accessing services
  • Participation in community planning and coordination activities

Language – French and English

Cost – Free

Location – 310 Olmstead St., Ottawa
OC Transpo bus routes 12, 14, 15

Contact
613-233-8478 /TTY 613-233-1866
info@cfsottawa.ca

You may have been referred to this program as a condition of a Court Order after being charged with, or found guilty of, a domestic violence offence. It is designed for people who have been hurtful, disrespectful, controlling, or abusive towards their spouse or intimate partner. During the 12-week program, we will help you take responsibility for your behaviour and learn healthier ways of relating. Available to all genders, 18 years and up.

We also provide partners and former partners of program participants with individual support, information and referral to community resources, and safety planning on a confidential basis.

Language – French and English
Language and sign language interpreters are available on request.

Cost – Based on annual income using a sliding scale.

Location – 310 Olmstead St., Ottawa
OC Transpo bus routes 12, 14, 15

Contact
Jeff Bondy 613-233-8478, ext. 225
jbondy@newdirectionsottawa.ca

The ultimate goal of this program is to improve the safety and emotional well-being of children by working with fathers who have neglected, abused or exposed their children to violence in the home. We will help you to see how abuse and violence can affect children, and teach you how to interact with your kids and their other caregivers in a more caring and respectful way.

14 group sessions are geared to helping you:

  • Develop skills to cope in healthy ways with frustrating situations
  • Understand how different fathering strategies and choices affect children
  • Increase awareness of controlling, abusive, and neglectful attitudes and behaviours
  • Get strategies to strengthen the father-child relationship

Language – English

Cost – Based on annual income using a sliding scale.

Location – 310 Olmstead St., Ottawa
OC Transpo bus routes 12, 14, 15

Contact
Jeff Bondy 613-233-8478, ext. 225
jbondy@newdirectionsottawa.ca

Knowing what to expect and being well prepared can greatly reduce the stress of testifying in court. We can help your child, as well as you, understand the procedures, paperwork and people you’ll encounter in court.

Services include:

  • Preparing children for court (includes court procedures, roles of court personnel and courtroom tours)
  • Communicating with Crown attorneys, defence lawyers and other justice personnel
  • Accompanying children to court
  • Service referrals
  • Post-court follow-ups
  • Support for the parents and guardians

Language – French and English
Language and sign language interpreters are available on request.

Cost – Free

Location – 310 Olmstead St., Ottawa
OC Transpo bus routes 12, 14, 15

Contact
613-233-8478 /TTY 613-233-1866
info@cfsottawa.ca

This program helps French-speaking children and youth (aged 4 to 17) and their mothers who have been exposed to, have witnessed, or are victims of domestic abuse.

Children have access to individual and group counselling to help them:

  • understand abuse against women
  • find positive ways to share feelings and handle conflict
  • reduce shame and fear
  • discuss safety planning

Mothers are also offered individual and group counselling with a focus on:

  • understanding the impact of woman abuse on children
  • the importance of self-esteem and self-care
  • creating a safety plan for themselves and their children
  • finding resources on child custody and access

Language – French
Sign language interpreters are available on request.

Cost – Free
Financial help is available for transportation and babysitting if needed.

Location – 310 Olmstead St., Ottawa
OC Transpo bus routes 12, 14, 15

Contact
613-233-8478 /TTY 613-233-1866
info@cfsottawa.ca

There are many reasons you may seek counselling for your child, including:

  • anxiety or stress
  • anger or explosive behaviour
  • separation anxiety and attachment issues
  • problems at school due to a learning disability or attention disorder
  • separation from a parent, or grief from the loss of a family member
  • change in the family structure
  • depression

Older kids are under an incredible amount of pressure to succeed socially and academically, and sometimes need help to cope with their feelings, including those related to:

  • anxiety and depression
  • stress
  • relationship issues
  • drug and alcohol problems
  • living with autism

CFS provides individual counselling for children and youth aged 4 to 17.

We also draw on play therapy as a useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool. In addition to showing us behaviours that indicate what your child is struggling with emotionally, play provides a safe and natural setting where they can more easily express their feelings.

Language – French and English
Language and sign language interpreters are available on request.

Cost – Based on annual income using a sliding scale.

Location – 310 Olmstead St., Ottawa
OC Transpo bus routes 12, 14, 15

Contact
613-233-8478 /TTY 613-233-1866
info@cfsottawa.ca

Whether you are in crisis or just struggling to cope with the daily demands of raising children, professional counsellors are here to help. In this program you will explore and better understand the personal challenges that may be impacting your parenting. We will also help you enhance your parenting skills to improve your family’s well-being overall.

Following an intake meeting to assess your needs, you can access:

  • Individual counselling
  • Group counselling
  • Workshops and presentations

Language – French and English
Language and sign language interpreters are available on request.

Cost – Based on annual family income and number of dependents using a sliding scale.

Location – 310 Olmstead St., Ottawa
OC Transpo bus routes 12, 14, 15

Contact
613-233-8478 /TTY 613-233-1866
info@cfsottawa.ca

This program provides men with a safe place to share and break the silence of sexual abuse. We will help you to understand how abuse is affecting your life, as you develop your inner strength and learn skills for managing life’s challenges. Available to all men aged 16 and older, cis or trans, who have been sexually abused.

Following an intake meeting to assess your needs, you can access:

  • A 12-week group program (2 hours per week)
  • Individual counselling (up to 12 sessions)
  • Referral to other services as needed

Language – French and English

Cost – Free

Location – 310 Olmstead St., Ottawa
OC Transpo bus routes 12, 14, 15

Contact
613-233-8478 /TTY 613-233-1866
info@cfsottawa.ca

For survivors of sexual abuse, healing often begins with sharing their story, either with a counsellor or other survivors. This program provides Francophone women with a safe place to do both. It is designed to help you regain control of your life and learn ways of managing and eventually reducing symptoms of distress caused by sexual abuse. Survivors of all types of sexual abuse are welcome. This may be abuse in childhood, incest, unwanted sexual touching, rape, date rape, rape by a partner, acquaintance, friend, or stranger, sexual harassment in the workplace, sexual violence in war, ritual abuse, or cyberporn.

Support is provided through:

  • Individual counselling
  • Group counselling
  • Counselling and awareness sessions for partners and friends to help them understand and support survivors through the healing process

Language – French

Cost – Free
Financial help is available for transportation and babysitting if needed.

Location – 310 Olmstead St., Ottawa
OC Transpo bus routes 12, 14, 15

Contact
613-233-8478 /TTY 613-233-1866
info@cfsottawa.ca

This program serves Francophone women who have been subjected to partner abuse. This may include behaviour that has been hurtful, disrespectful, controlling or physically abusive. The program is available to all women, regardless of religion, culture or sexual orientation. You can benefit whether you have left your violent partner or are still living in that situation.

Support is provided through:

  • Individual counselling sessions that specialize in domestic violence
  • Support groups
  • Accompaniment and advocacy services
  • Information on community resources

Language – French

Cost – Free
Financial help is available for transportation and babysitting if needed.

Location – 310 Olmstead St., Ottawa
OC Transpo bus routes 12, 14, 15

Contact
613-233-8478 /TTY 613-233-1866
info@cfsottawa.ca

The decision to leave an abusive relationship can be a difficult one. It can have serious consequences, including dangerous violence, loss of housing, and financial uncertainty. If you have already left or are thinking of leaving an abusive relationship, we can help you work through the practical challenges. All women are welcome in the program, cis or trans.

Practical support includes:

  • Referral to a women’s shelter
  • Information, referrals and advocacy for securing housing, financial assistance, legal assistance, health needs, language interpretation, accompaniment and counselling services
  • Help with safety planning for you and children – whether you stay or leave
  • Help with creating a transition plan

Language – French and English
Language and sign language interpreters are available on request.

Cost – Free

Location – 310 Olmstead St., Ottawa
OC Transpo bus routes 12, 14, 15

Contact
613-233-8478 /TTY 613-233-1866
info@cfsottawa.ca

The insidious and wide-spread nature of sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces has had significant impacts on the many people affected. We provide a community-based space – completely separate from the CAF – to support you in your healing journey. Our program aims to give survivors a voice, providing you with a safe environment where you can share your experiences and heal alongside others.

If you have been affected by sexual misconduct in the CAF and are a member of the Francophone minority community, you can access programming online, in-person in Ottawa and by phone. Available to all genders.

Language – French

Cost – Free
Financial help is available for transportation and babysitting if needed.

Location – 310 Olmstead St., Ottawa
OC Transpo bus routes 12, 14, 15

Contact
613-233-8478 /TTY 613-233-1866
info@cfsottawa.ca

Resilience is what gives people the emotional strength to cope with difficulty – to accept and adapt to situations and move forward. This program can be delivered to individuals or groups, and specialized programs can be arranged for children and youth as well as parents and couples. We also offer group sessions that focus specifically on emotional regulation, anger management and skills for living.

Language – French and English

Cost – Based on annual income using a sliding scale.

Location – 310 Olmstead St., Ottawa
OC Transpo bus routes 12, 14, 15

Contact
613-233-8478 /TTY 613-233-1866
info@cfsottawa.ca

Mother daughter on couch
“I appreciate that I was able to have an outlet to express my feelings and to learn new behaviours to help me act better in my future relationships.”

– New Directions program participant