Youth Depression Counselling
Depression can impair an individual’s ability to function in daily life. Someone experiencing depression will typically experience symptoms on most days, persisting over a period of time.
What is Depression?
Anxiety can be defined as a feeling of worry or nervousness related to a real or an imagined event. Brief anxiety can help us adapt to our environment by motivating and keeping us safe. For example, being cautious around an area where there could be poisonous snakes.
Intense and prolonged anxiety can impact our ability to perform competently or inhibit people from engaging in daily activities at all. For example, excessive worry about school prevents a student from attending. People with maladaptive anxiety typically overestimate threats in the environment. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issue in North America.
Physiological symptoms of depression can include
Digestive issues
Aches or pains
Sleep issues
Changes in appetite
Low energy
Psychological symptoms of depression can include
Feeling sad, empty and/or down
A sense of hopelessness or despair
Experiencing feelings of worthlessness and uselessness
Excessive guilt
Lack or loss of interest
Irritability
Feeling restless
When to seek treatment
When the symptoms are persistent and severe, and social, cognitive and daily life is impacted. Some of these experiences are a typical part of being human in appropriate amounts. Otherwise, can be an indication of a medical and/or psychological problem. Out of the normal range they can cause substantial personal suffering, and significant difficulties in the areas of social and occupational effectiveness, as well as other areas of functioning (ie. self-care, health, etc.).
Please do not use the above for diagnostic purposes, as it is very general. Self-diagnosis can be harmful. Contact a healthcare provider to consult if you believe there is a concern.
How counselling can help
Quick-access counselling for immediate mental health issues is an innovative and effective solution for Ontarians experiencing mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, addictions, and relationship conflicts. It has proven to divert emergency department mental health visits by tackling mental health issues before they escalate into a crisis. Additionally, a reduction in primary care usage is realized when Quick Access Mental Health counselling clinics are available and accessed.
Who depression counselling is for
Individual counselling involves sessions that are one on one with a clinician. Clients often choose to attend individual counselling to understand and/or change thoughts, feelings, behaviours, personal issues, relationship patterns, or their interactions with others. CFS Counselling + Wellbeing assists over two thousand individuals yearly to navigate a range of concerns.
Ways We Serve You
Book Online
Book an in-person or virtual appointment
(No need for appointments at our walk-in clinics)
Find a Location
Discover a CFS location near you
Call Us
Reach us directly by phone.
Mon, Thurs, Fri: 9am-5pm
Tues, Wed: 9am-8pm
Why Choose CFS?
CFS Counselling + Wellbeing is the only family service agency in Simcoe County and Muskoka. We are dedicated to offering high quality, affordable and accessible services to support the growing and changing needs of individuals, couples, families and workplaces across our region.
Inclusive Programming
CFS welcomes all members of our local communities, without the need for a referral or diagnosis. We strive to create safe spaces for everyone.
Ease of Service Access
CFS welcomes all members of our local communities, without the need for a referral or diagnosis. We strive to create safe spaces for everyone.
Our Counselling Process
Click on the icons below to review our process.
Book
Session
Survey
Next Steps
1
Book
At CFS, all adult counselling programs begin with a session at one of our no-cost #ready2talk counselling Clinics. Appointments can be made online for an in-person or virtual session. Alternatively, you may plan to arrive early to our first-come, first-served walk-in clinic every Wednesday afternoon in Barrie – no appointment required.
Our adult counselling program offers high-quality sessions with experienced social workers and psychotherapists who are registered with their professional colleges. Sessions may be used for individual, couples or family counselling and focus on a topic of your choosing.
2
Session
Regardless of whether you’re arriving for an individual, couples or family session, you don’t have to be concerned about knowing what to do. It’s the job if our professional counsellors to put you at ease and set the stage for a helpful conversation.
Please be aware that babies and children who are not part of individual and couples counselling sessions are not permitted in the session room. At this time, our agency does not provide childminding services. Prior to attending, please contact our Client Care Coordinator at (705) 726-2503 if you need assistance in attending.
3
Survey
All counselling clients are asked to complete a short survey after their session. This ongoing feedback allows CFS to continuously access our services, and advocate on behalf of clients for more accessible programming.
Surveys are completed online and take about five minutes. All results are confidential. If client comments are used in CFS marketing materials, details are changed to protect the identity of our clients.
4
Next Steps
For many individuals, couples and families, a visit to CFS’s single-session, #ready2talk Counselling Clinic provides the assistance they’re looking for. If they wish to return to the clinic, they may – up to twice per month! Our funder, Ontario’s Ministry of Health, ensures there is no cost for this service.
For others, at their counsellors’ discretion, there is an opportunity to continue into a multi-session block for individual, couples and family counselling. The cost of these sessions is not currently covered by OHIP or a funder and are valued at $150/session. However, as a registered charity dedicated to equity, CFS has a flexible pay-what-you-can fee structure designed for inclusion. Many private health insurance plans cover counselling services. Receipts will be provided.
Client Rights & Responsibilities
At CFS Counselling + Wellbeing, we foster a culture of mutual respect and inclusivity, where everyone feels safe and valued. We do not tolerate discriminatory or aggressive behaviors and expect all clients, staff, volunteers, and partners to contribute to this positive environment. I understand that a failure to uphold this culture of respect may result in termination of services.
Frequently Asked Questions
With the number of locations and mental health and wellbeing services offered by CFS, we know the details can become confusing.
While you can contact us at 1-888-726-2503 or info@cfssc.ca, we’ve also compiled this list of FAQs for you to browse in the meantime. Maybe your question will be on the list!
CLOSED
Is there a charge to attend CFS's YouthCALL counselling programs?
No, CFS offers inclusive , professional counselling in person or virtually by appointment, or through our walk-in clinics at no cost to participants. The cost for running these clinics is covered in part by CFS funders and donors.
Is couples counselling available through CFS's YouthCALL counselling programs?
Yes. CFS offers inclusive and professional couples counselling services to youth residents and employes within Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka.
Is family counselling available through CFS's YouthCALL counselling programs?
Yes. CFS offers inclusive and professional family counselling services to residents and employes within Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka.
Is there an age or location requirement to access CFS's YouthCALL counselling programs?
Yes. YouthCALL counselling programs are limited to youth aged 12-25 living and/or working in Simcoe County. Adults aged 26+ may access CFS's #ready2talk counselling clinics. Individuals under the age of 12 may access CFS's #ready2talk counselling clinic as part of a family session only.
Do I need a referral or diagnosis to access CFS's YouthCALL counselling clinics?
No. CFS's accessible clinics are available by self-referring. No diagnoses is required.
Do CFS's YouthCALL counselling programs welcome members of the 2SLGTBQIA+?
Absolutely! CFS is proud to provide low-barrier, inclusive programming, and strives to create a safe space for all members of our community. All CFS staff members have completed the Safer Spaces training program offered by the Gilbert Centre.
Are CFS's YouthCALL counselling programs confidential or is session information shared with parents or guardians?
Counselling clients aged 12+ can expect full confidentiality, except where disclosure is required by law. For example, in cases of suspected child abuse or when a client poses a risk to themselves or others.
Book an Appointment
With the exception of CFS’s walk-in counselling clinics, all counselling services now require an appointment. To book your session, click the Book Now button and you’ll be directed to our online booking tool. If no appointments are currently available, please check back soon. New appointments are added daily. If you require support in securing your appointment, please call 1-888-726-2503.
Explore our Blog
Self-Care During the Holidays
Today's blog is written by Lee Anne Medwid. It’s the Season to be jolly… ho, ho, ho! Christmas decorations appear in...
Managing your Anger
By Angie Blandford, B. Sc., MSW Emotions In the 20th century, Dr. Paul Ekman identified six basic emotions: Anger...
What is Self-Compassion?
By Ricky Giesbrecht, MA, RP, CCC. Have you heard of self-compassion? When I first heard the word in 2012, I...
Generously Funded By
Explore Other Services
Youth Services (12-25 yrs)
YouthCALL is the front door to mental health/wellbeing services for local youth!
MindSelf
Providing participants opportunities to support their own mental health and wellbeing.
Spark'd
The Spark’d program helps newcomers feel connected in Simcoe County.