Welcome to the Ottawa Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).
The Canadian Mental Health Association, Ottawa Branch, is a community-based, registered charity dedicated to promoting good mental health, developing and implementing support systems and services and encouraging public action to strengthen community mental health services and related policies and legislation.
You May Also Consider (Sponsored)
Quick Start Online Therapy: Tell Us a Little About Yourself and Get Matched With a Therapist Right for You
Take a simple guided quiz and let us know your preferences. Get matched to an online therapist right for you. Convenient and affordable online therapy from your phone, tablet or computer.
Have you been in therapy before?
Services Offered
Community Support Services * Case Management - Case management services provide intensive long-term support for individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. They may have a concurrent disorder (mental health diagnosis and problematic substance use), or be in conflict with the criminal justice system. Community support workers and clients work together to develop goals and plan for an eventual transition out of services.
Concurrent Disorder Treatment Program CMHA Ottawa operates a concurrent disorder treatment program for persons with both a mental health disorder and problematic substance use. Weekly groups are co-facilitated in collaboration with community addiction treatment agencies. Group events increase social skills are an ongoing part of the program.
Fees and Payment
Most services covered by OHIP.
This is a registered charity.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono
If You Call, Please Let Us Know How it Went:
Were You Able to Make an Appointment?
One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.