Counselling
Confidential support for individuals and families, with an understanding of Japanese culture and life in Canada.
Our counselling services are available in Japanese and English, helping clients better understand their situation, explore options, and connect with appropriate support when needed.
01
Individual Counselling
Support for personal concerns, emotional stress, relationships, work, family matters, and other challenges affecting your everyday life.
02
Family & Relationships
Support for couples and families dealing with communication difficulties, relationship concerns, conflict, separation, or changing family circumstances.
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Parenting & Family Support
Guidance for parents and families navigating parenting concerns, generational differences, family communication, and raising children in Canada.
04
Life in Canada
Support for challenges related to adapting to life in Canada, cultural differences, isolation, major life transitions, and building a new support network.
05
Seniors & Caregivers
Support for seniors, family members, and caregivers facing changing needs, isolation, family concerns, or questions about available community resources.
06
Referrals & Community Support
When additional assistance is needed, JSS can help identify appropriate community services, resources, and other professional support.
“I often hear the word counselling, but what actually happens?”
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“How much does it cost?”
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“What am I supposed to talk about?”
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“It feels kind of intimidating…”
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For anyone, a first counselling experience can feel intimidating. If you have any question about the counselling, fee, or scheduling, please feel free to take advantage of our initial consultation (15 minutes, free, online or by phone). An experienced counsellor will be happy to answer your questions and address any concerns or anxieties you may have about counselling.
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See the How to Contact section below for contact information. Other details of JSS’s counselling services can be found in the following.
How to Contact
JSS offer counselling and information service by telephone, online or in-person. During our business hours, we check voicemail every few hours. Please email us or leave a message with your name, phone number, brief description of your inquiry, and when and how you would like to hear from us.
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Office Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm (except 12-1pm and Holidays)
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Contact: 416-385-9200 | counselling@jss.ca
JSS Counselling is…
Client-centred
Contrary to popular belief, counsellors do not give advice. Rather, the work of the counsellor is to help the client explore different options and solutions in order to figure out what the client wants to do. The counselling relationship is based on the needs of the client.
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Action-oriented
The client and counsellor figure out together what action the client can take to improve his/her situation.
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A combination of social work and personal counselling
JSS combines social work, which focuses on helping people function in wider society and personal counselling, which focuses on helping the person to develop self-awareness on a personal level.
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Culturally Sensitive
Counsellors have extensive knowledge and experience with Japanese culture.
Counselling can help if…
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You feel overwhelmed and unable to cope with daily living
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You want to change but don’t know where to begin
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You want to talk to someone who is objective and supportive
Myths About Counselling
Going to counselling means you are a weak person
Although there may still be some stigma around seeking counselling, getting help does not mean you are weak. On the contrary, admitting you need help is a brave act which should be commended.
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Talking to a stranger about your problems is shameful
In fact, the theory behind counselling is that talking to someone who is in effect ‘a stranger’ is therapeutic. This is because the counsellor does not have any vested interest except your well-being, which means they can be more objective and supportive than perhaps your friends and family can be.
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Talking about your problems will only make things worse
While talking to a counsellor will not immediately solve all your problems instantly, most people find that sharing their problems with someone else eases their burden and helps to give them a different perspective. If you feel counselling is not helping you, talk to your counsellor.You always have the choice to discontinue counselling if you so desire.
Fee Schedule
01
Reimbursement Type
If your insurance covers counselling by a registered psychotherapist / social worker up to a certain amount annually, you may be eligible for reimbursement by submitting the receipt issued by us to the insurance company. If you have such insurance, the counselling fee is $80 from the first session.
02
EAP / SAP (Employee Assistance Program / Student Assistance Program)
If your student insurance or insurance from the company where you or your partner works covers counselling through EAP / SAP providers such as Homewood Health, Morneau Shepell, or Aspiria, please contact them to be referred to us. With this type of insurance, you may receive free counselling support depending on the insurance coverage.
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If you do not have insurance to cover counselling:
The fee for the first session (60 minutes) is $ 15 regardless of your income.
If you will be receiving subsequent counselling, you have two payment options from the 2nd session and thereafter:
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Pay a counselling fee of $80 per session (without disclosing household income);
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Pay a counselling fee according to your household income (with disclosure of your household income).
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Household – refers to the unit of family members who share a household budget.
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Household Income usually does not include the income of “parents of an adult client” or an adult child(ren) of a client.
Example 1: If a client lives alone and has an annual income of less than $30,000, the counselling fee will be $15 / session.
Example 2: If a client is of a family of 3 (eg: the client, his wife and 1 child) and the annual income of the household (= total annual income of the client and his wife) is $ 65,000, the counselling fee will be $50 / session.
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Generally, sessions are one hour in length;
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The above rates apply to all styles of counselling (in-person sessions at our office or a client’s home / remote sessions via telephone and/or the Internet), home visits or accompaniment/advocacy support by attending a meeting/conference.
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At the time of your first appointment, please bring your proof of income (one of the following documents) and present it to your counsellor. The counsellor will confirm the price setting. If you do not submit this by the second session, the maximum fee ($80) will be applied. However, if you cannot prepare the documents due to unavoidable circumstances, please consult a counsellor.
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Documents issued by CRA related to income tax for the previous year (Notice of Assessment, all T4, notice related to Child Tax Benefit, T1 General, etc.)
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Payroll statement (dated within 3 months)
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Bank account statement – showing the balance and the transactions, etc.
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Proof of Spousal Support and child support amount
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ODSP (Program), OW (Ontario Works) payment notification
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Visitor Visa, Student Visa, etc.
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The fee is $15/session for a client receiving ODSP or OW.
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At the discretion of the counsellor, the fee may be lowered or waived for victims of domestic violence, addictive gambling addictions, HIV patients and those facing serious financial difficulties.
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There will be a $40/hour fee for a counsellor to issue a counselling report at the request form a client.
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For the services that require a counsellor to travel, fees will be charged for transportation (25 cents/km) and parking as required.
*The fee for the initial session is $15 to enhance accessibility to our services, especially for those who do not have insurance coverage.
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*For clients who have difficulty paying the fee due to their financial circumstances, the fee may be reduced or waived. Please consult us if that is the case.
Case Study
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Main complaint – experiencing severe domestic violence from her husband
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Clients – a Japanese woman (Permanent Resident of Canada) with a child
Individual Counselling for the mother
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To help the client calm down to ensure the safety of her and her child,
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To help the client have a clear idea and understanding of the current situation that she and her child are in since many victims of DV are under mind control of their abusers – “You cannot live without me,” “you won’t be able to see your child if you leave me” and etc.
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To help the client see the possible options as clear as possible, so that the client can pick the best available option,
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To help the client enhance her lowered self-esteem due to DV
Individual Counselling for the child
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If the child experienced abuse or was emotionally hurt by witnessing the violence between her/his parents, JSS would provide counselling for the child, as well, especially when the child’s most fluent language is Japanese. Although there are several counselling agencies specifically meant for the children who experienced abuse, in reality most of them have waiting lists that are several months long. For this reason, JSS often provides counselling for the children whose strongest language is English.
Family Counselling for the mother and the child
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In cases where the relationship between the mother and the child was negatively affected by DV, JSS would provide family counselling for the mother and the child to reduce the negative impact from the abuse and to enhance a healthier relationship between them.
Social Work:
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Below is a list of outside agencies, with which JSS would communicate and work with in collaboration according to the client’s decisions.
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Hospital (in case the client and/or her child is physically hurt)
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Police (in case the client wants to report her experiences regarding DV to the police or in case the child was also abused by her/his father.)
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Children’s Aid Society (in case the child was also abused by her/his father.)
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Family Shelter (in case the client wants to urgently escape from her abusive husband with her child.)
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Family Lawyer (in case the client wants to separation and/or divorce.)
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Legal Aid (in case the client cannot afford a lawyer on her own.)
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Ontario Works (in case the client cannot afford basic needs.)
Confidentiality Policy
Japanese Social Services operates using this confidentiality policy. Please read this before providing us with any personal details.
