Family Services Ottawa

Beyond the Baby Blues Fall Program is back ↓

In this program participants will gain a better understanding of their nervous system and how lived experiences shape their responses to the stressors in their lives. Participants will be supported to connect with their changing roles as new parents and work to identify actions that move them closer to what matters most in their lives.

Other key topics:
⭑ Child development
⭑ Attachement
⭑ Mindfullness skills
⭑ Self regulation
⭑ Self compassion

Time: 9:30am - 11:30am
Where: Zoom Video Conference
Fee: $300 (private ensurance receipt provided and sliding scale)
Dates: Updates to come

Questions? Email → [email protected] or call 613-725-3601 x 106

Do you need someone to talk to?

Discover our Walk-in Counselling Clinic, where you can access free, same-day sessions in-person, over the phone, or virtually, all on a first-come, first-served basis. If you plan to visit us in person, please call 613-725-3601 extension 0 to schedule an appointment.

You can find our walk-in clinic at Family Services Ottawa, open on Tuesdays from 12:00pm to 8:00pm and Saturdays from 12:00pm to 5:00pm.

For additional details, please visit our website: https://familyservicesottawa.org/services/quick-access-single-session/

Do you need someone to talk to?

Discover our Walk-in Counselling Clinic, where you can access free, same-day sessions in-person, over the phone, or virtually, all on a first-come, first-served basis. If you plan to visit us in person, please call 613-725-3601 extension 0 to schedule an appointment.

You can find our walk-in clinic at Family Services Ottawa, open on Tuesdays from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Saturdays from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

For additional details, please visit our website: https://familyservicesottawa.org/services/quick-access-single-session/

This group will help 2SLGBTQI+ children (age 7-12) find each other, develop strengths, and take their place in the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Participants will learn skills and build resilience to navigate challenges such as bullying and transphobia.

Note: This is a free 8-week group

For more information, please follow the link below or give us a call at 613-725-3601 ext. 105

https://familyservicesottawa.org/services-and-programs/atr-childrens-group/

Sometimes it just feels safer to speak to someone who understands and/or has lived experience.

We offer counselling for 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Our services include individual counselling for adults or teens, as well as counselling for families and couples seeking support for gender-diverse children.

For more information, please follow the link https://familyservicesottawa.org/services/2slgbtqi-counselling/ or give us a call at 613-725-3601 ext. 105

This is a free, monthly drop-in art and playgroup designed for 2SLGBTQI+ families with young children and those with gender-creative children (ages 0-6). Parents can socialize while their little ones play and create art in a safe and nurturing environment.

For more information, please call 613-725-3601 ext. 105

Separating from an abusive partner can be an overwhelming and dangerous time. In addition to counselling, there are a lot of practical issues where we can offer support. We focus first on helping women stay safe. We provide referrals to shelters, lawyers and can help you complete applications for housing or financial assistance. We can also sometimes go with you to court or to legal appointments.

The Transitional Support Program is offered in partnership with Interval House of Ottawa.

For more information click the link Transitional Support Program | Family Services Ottawa https://ecs.page.link/EmF5M or connect with our client care team at 613-725-3601 ext.117

This is a free, weekly discussion drop-in group led by gender diverse facilitators for trans, non-binary and questioning youth ages 11-17.

The goal of this drop-in group is to meet people, have discussions in an inclusive, affirming space and learn about support resources, make art & have fun!

Note: This event takes place in-person and online through zoom video conferencing.

For more information, please visit our website https://familyservicesottawa.org/services/around-the-rainbow-trans-youth-group/ or give us a call at 613-725-3601 ext. 105

Together with CHEO, we offer a free, online, monthly drop-in group for parents and caregivers of gender-diverse children of all ages. This is a safe space where individuals can come together to share their experiences and knowledge while offering support to one another.

Note: This event takes place online through zoom video conferencing.

For more information, please follow the link https://familyservicesottawa.org/services/caregiver-group/ or call 613-725-3601 ext. 105

Did you know? We provide specialized training and education on s*xual orientation, gender diversity, and gender expression to private sector, non-profit, and government organizations. Our goal is to foster inclusive services and workplaces that cater to the needs of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Our workshops can include information that is tailored to your specific work sector. Additionally, we can create a custom workshop specifically for your organization.

For more information, please follow the link https://familyservicesottawa.org/services-and-programs/2slgbtqi-public-education-workshop/ or give us a call at 613-725-3601 ext. 105

NEW 3-Week Mental Health Workshop: First steps to understand trauma and recovery

WHEN: Thursdays, June 6th, 2024 – June 20th, 2024 | 1:00-3:00PM
WHERE: Family Services Ottawa, 312 Parkdale Avenue
COST: FREE

ℹ️ This workshop will focus on the following topics:

→ What is trauma?
→ Understanding how trauma impacts thoughts, feelings, sensations
→ Learning how to be present
→ Build foundation for healing

For information or to register, contact Tim Deslippe, MSW, RSW at [email protected]

We're growing our team ↓

Family Services Ottawa (FSO) is seeking enthusiastic individuals who are looking for an opportunity to contribute their ideas and energy as a member of our Board. We welcome people that are passionate about making a difference in our community, who share our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusivity and want to work with us to build a community where families and individuals are strong and resilient, and have the supports they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

To learn more and apply: https://charityvillage.com/jobs/volunteer-board-director-remote-in-ottawa-ontario-ca/

Get to know the team: https://familyservicesottawa.org/our-team/

Together always. United in diversity.

"The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by le***an, gay, bis*xual, trans, inters*x people, and all of those with diverse s*xual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and s*x characteristics."

May 17th, 1990, is a significant date in history, as it marks the day when the World Health Organization declassified homos*xuality as a mental disorder. Each year on this day we commemorate globally, IDAHOBIT.

For more information on this day, please follow the link https://may17.org/about/

Raising families is hard. Today we celebrate and honour the importance of mothering in all its forms.

With the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Family Services Ottawa’s Beyond the Baby Blues Program was able to provide perinatal education and mental health support to over 490 parents, caregivers, allies, and children.

Thank you Ontario Trillium Foundation for enabling us to positively impact and influence the mental health and well-being of Ottawa families! Ontario Trillium Foundation

The Family Services Ottawa team attends Family Service Ontario Conference in Toronto

Elyse Schipper, Executive Director, and Rebecca Fromowitz, Associate Executive Director of Family Services Ottawa, express their sincere appreciation for the opportunity to convene alongside peers from family service organizations spanning Ontario at Queens Park.

"We extend our thanks to Hon. Charmaine Williams, Minister of Women Social and Economic Opportunities for the Government of Ontario, for talking with us about our ongoing collaborative efforts to support women and families. We are also grateful for MPP John Fraser's participation, as we commemorate 50 years of impact among family service organizations across Ontario. Mr. Fraser's longstanding dedication to bridging partnerships within community-serving organizations like ours has been invaluable. It was so nice to talk about what we can do together locally in our Ottawa hometown."

This is your reminder that taking care of yourself is NOT selfish.

Single session counselling focuses on a problem that is affecting your life today, without asking a lot of questions about the past. Counsellors work to support you in getting “unstuck” or back on track.

For many people a single session can offer emotional relief and increased hope so they can move forward. At Family Services Ottawa, we provide two ways for people to get quick access to single session counselling: https://familyservicesottawa.org/services-and-programs/quick-access-single-session/

As we observe , consider sharing this message with those who could benefit from the reminder 🤍

2SLGBTQI+ SUPPORT GROUP FOR CHILDREN AGED 7-12

WHEN: Wednesdays starting May 16| 6pm - 7:30pm

WHERE: 312 Parkdale Ave

COST: N/A

ℹ️ This group will help 2SLGBTQI+ children find each other, develop strengths, and take their place in the 2SLGBTQI+ community and history.

Participants will receive support in learning skills, and building resilience in navigating challenges such as bullying and transphobia.

NEW 5-Week Parenting Course: Positive Discipline

WHEN: Wednesdays, May 22nd, 2024 – June 19th, 2024 (5 sessions) | 6:30-8:30PM
WHERE: Zoom Video Conferencing
COST: $175 per person or $325 per couple

ℹ️ Parenting is hard but learning more about child behaviour and development and the ways to strengthen the parent/child relationship can help make parenting less stressful and more rewarding.

This five-week course offers an informative and interactive exploration of the challenges and opportunities facing all parents – every day. This course is open to parents of toddlers to teens.

Behind a smile can be a silent struggle.

If you or someone you care about could benefit from professional mental health support, Family Services Ottawa is here to help. Our services include one-on-one counseling, workshops, and group programs, tailored to meet your needs. Whether you're seeking individualized assistance or prefer a group environment, we’re committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of our Ottawa community

Click the link https://familyservicesottawa.org/services/ to visit our website and discover how we can assist you. Alternatively, feel free to reach out to our Client Care Team at 613-725-360 for more information.

We extend warm wishes to all who are celebrating Ramadan. Sadly, Ramadan comes at a time when global conflict and Islamophobia, locally and around the world, have led to stress, trauma and many members of the Ottawa region’s Muslim community to feel unsafe.

To our Muslim patients, clients, colleagues, friends and neighbours: we denounce all forms of hatred and will always stand up for the rights of all people, of all faiths, to live in safety and security, free from intimidation and violence. Your health and community service providers wish healing, wellness and safe observance during this Holy Month.

Ramadan Kareem.

Beyond the Baby Blues | 8 sessions

This 8-week online group aims to support parents by providing a space to connect about perinatal mental health, parenting anxiety and the changes that come with being a parent. This group is specific to families identifying as 2SLGBTQIA+ in order to provide a space that addresses the unique challenges Q***r and/or Trans parents face. This group is open to all forms of parenting and family formations.

Some Group Topics: Attachment, Coping Skills, Finding Your Identity in Parenting and Getting Your Needs Met Through Healthy Communication

Participation is by self-referral.

Information ↓

→Wednesdays, Starting March 6th
→Time: 9:30 – 11:30 am
→Where: Zoom Video Conferencing

+