We are sometimes asked if we provide free or lower cost services. At this time, we do not offer sliding scale or discounted rates. We understand that this can be frustrating when trying to find clinical services. We have compiled a list of alternatives or adjuncts to private therapy that we hope will be helpful.
Crisis Lines
Distress Centres of Greater Toronto: (416) 408-HELP (4357)
Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566
Assaulted Women’s Helpline: 1-866-863-0511 (Toll-free), 416-863-9511 (GTA)
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
If you are in crisis and need immediate assistance, go to your nearest emergency department or call 911.
Hospital Programs (OHIP)
We recommend talking to your healthcare provider (e.g., family doctor, OB, or midwife) about what they recommend for you based on your needs and geographical location. Some of the hospital programs will require a doctor’s referral, while others are self-referral.
Several Ontario hospitals offer perinatal programs including psychiatry services, individual counselling, group therapy and group support groups. Toronto Public Health has created a comprehensive document containing information about perinatal mental health programs within Ontario hospitals and can be found here. We cannot guarantee that all the information is up to date but it is a good starting point to see what may be available.
Examples of programs include: Mount Sinai Hospital, Women’s College Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph’s Health Centre. For Father, there is the Father’s Mental Health Program run out of St. Joseph's Health Centre and Mount Sinai Hospital. Please note that most if not all of these programs limit access to parents of babies under 12 months.
Support Groups
Many of the hospital programs also include support groups. The Toronto Public Health document describes the offerings of the programs here. Example include Women’s College Hospital Mother Matters, North York General Hospital Postpartum Support Group and North York General Late Loss Support Group
Postpartum Support International offers free support groups that are available internationally. There are groups that focus on specific experiences (e.g., NICU, Termination for Medical Reasons), specific identities (e.g., Black moms, queer and trans parents), and specific mental health concerns (e.g., postpartum depression, OCD, bipolar)
Perinatal Wellbeing Ontario offers free peer-led support groups
Community Health Centres
Jessie's – The June Callwood Centre for Young Women: Counselling services and parenting groups available to parents and pregnant people 21 years old and younger
Women's Health in Women's Hands: Counselling services for priority populations (for racialized women, prioritizing those from African, Caribbean, Latin American and South Asian communities) including short-term counselling, group sessions and workshops
Lower Cost or Free Therapy
Perinatal Wellbeing Ontario: Pay-what-you-can student therapists
Baby’s Breath Canada: Resources for infant loss (including one free counselling session)
Hard Feelings: Lower cost virtual therapy (not perinatal-specific)
Child and Family Centres
EarlyOn Child and Family Centres: EarlyON programs offer free support services and programs to parents, caregivers, and their children from birth to six years old. Programs are welcoming, inclusive and high-quality learning spaces designed to provide opportunities for parents and caregivers to:
Join free in-person, indoor and outdoor, or virtual play-based programs with their children.
Connect with early learning professionals through one-on-one consultations or by attending parenting support programs.
Learn about community resources.
Meet other parents, caregivers and children in your neighbourhood.
To view available programs, visit www.earlyonsec.com and create an account on the Children’s Services Portal. For more information, call 1-866-404-2077 ext 217 or email early.on@socialenterprise.ca
Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @earlyonsec
Last Updated: August 22, 2022 (Our intention is to keep this list up to date to help readers find the help they need more easily. If you notice that one of our listed resources is no longer running, we do appreciate if you could let us know.)
