Live without the fear of abuse.
Abuse cannot be justified. It harms everyone involved, yet it is all too common in our society.
Family Counselling and Support Services offers a number of effective counselling programs related to abusive behaviour for individuals, couples, and families.
We help clients deal with all forms of abuse: physical, verbal, emotional, and economic.
The key to change is willingness – to work with a professional, to get at the root of a problem, and to apply proven methods for addressing and stopping abusive behaviour.
We offer that opportunity. 
The Partner Assault Response Program at Family Counselling and Support Services is a violence prevention course supporting individuals and couples who want to overcome abusive behaviours.
We offer a private and confidential place to identify abusive behaviour and develop practical methods for improving relationships.
Those being abused learn to recognize patterns, put a stop to the cycle, and live free of harmful relationships. Those abusing others learn how to manage their behaviour. Couples have an opportunity to learn how to identify abuse and handle conflict with better results.
Sessions are conducted separately for men and women so individual concerns can be addressed in a safe, consultative environment.
Peaceful Alternatives is a free, four-week program for women who have experienced abuse, past or present, who want to eliminate abuse and its lingering effects on their lives. If needed, participants may extend participation beyond four weeks.
The Peaceful Alternatives: Building Peaceful Families Program is a ten-week program for children who have been exposed to family violence.
Children aged 4 to 16 years and their mothers attend separately in age-appropriate groups.
Children are provided with support and healing. Mothers work with our counsellors to learn the skills necessary to assist children at risk.
If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you might want to consider our Peaceful Alternatives program:
Do you want your personal/family life to be safer, more loving, and free from violence and disrespect?
Do you feel overwhelmed at times by verbal, physical, emotional or economic abuse?
Do you feel at times that your partner is overwhelmed by verbal, physical, emotional or economic abuse?
Do you worry that your partner or children are frightened by your behaviour?
Every time an argument begins, do you worry about being abusive or being the target of abuse?
Anger is a normal part of life. But when excessive anger hurts your health and happiness or the well-being of others, you need to learn how to manage it.
We offer that opportunity through our Anger Management program for men and women. Clients learn to identify and manage anger in challenging situations involving themselves, their partners, families, and co-workers. We teach skills for anger control, problem solving, stress management, and assertive communication that can diffuse anger. You will also learn to clearly express your needs and feelings and remove problematic anger from your life.
If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, Anger Management might be for you:
Do you frequently lose control and lash out at others in anger?
Do you have trouble understanding why you lose control?
Do you want to learn the difference between anger and the feelings that cause it?
Do you want to learn to communicate your needs and solve problems more effectively without anger?
Do you want to develop ways to channel angry feelings?
Some testimonials from clients who have benefited from our Abusive Behaviour Programs...
"I liked having a counsellor who is open, understanding, and non-judgmental."
"My partner and I were dealing with what felt like too many issues to resolve. After seeing the counsellor, we are feeling so much better about ourselves and our family. We feel better equipped to deal with future issues."
"I liked the confidentiality and professionalism of the counselling service. It is a safe place to look at solutions to problems – solutions I didn’t know I had."
Our Hours of Operation are:
Monday:
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday:
9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday:
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday:
9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday:
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Our offices are closed Saturdays and Sundays
If appropriate, you can inquire about the Partner Response Program during your first session.
Contact Family Counselling and Support Services at 519-824-2431 or 1-800-307-7078 to schedule an appointment.