*Please note the name in this story has been changed for privacy of the client*

“I came to a walk-in clinic at Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County because a friend thought it might be helpful. I was really a mess. My wife and I were always fighting and she and the kids had left me. I was using marijuana every day just to cope, which seemed to be more and more difficult after our baby died. I felt angry all the time and frustrated that my family wasn’t doing things the way I wanted them to. I didn’t know where else to turn.

That first walk-in session helped me to understand how my relationship with my stepfather was influencing my relationship with my wife and how I was interacting with my kids. The clinician at CFSSC helped me to realize that I could learn how to tell when I was about to blow up and to get a handle on my feelings before I started to yell at everyone.

I began to feel hopeful that I could make some changes that would help me and my family get along better and so I agreed to continue with counselling. During those sessions I learned the difference between discipline and punishment and how to important it was to share the parenting role with my partner.

Things between my wife, kids and I got a whole lot better and we actually began to have fun together again. I learned how to be more honest with myself and others about what I was feeling instead of keeping all of it inside.

I think the hardest part of counselling for me was to deal with the loss of our son. I don’t think I have ever cried so much as I did when I could finally talk about how sad I was that I was not there to save him.

“I don’t know where else I could have turned to for help. Thank you Catholic Family Services.” – Jim, CFSSC Walk-In Counselling Client

CFSSC – Providing help, offering hope and changing lives.

CFSSC’s professional counselling services help people rediscover their strengths and support them as they learn new skills and strategies to make their lives better.

Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County is a non-profit organization offering professional counselling services and education. Our services are available to everyone living or working in Simcoe County regardless of age, ability, cultural or religious background, race, sexual orientation or gender identity. Find a walk-in clinic open today near you or call for more information (705) 726-2503.