Individual, Family, and Couple’s Counselling

Family Counselling Centre Sarnia-Lambton provides psychotherapy and counselling services for individuals, families, and couples of all ages and stages.

At Family Counselling Centre Sarnia-Lambton, our counselling services are catered to meet each individual, couple, and family’s unique needs. We use a brief solution-focused approach, supporting you in gaining the tools to overcome life’s challenges.

Our team of Master’s-level counsellors and psychotherapists have diverse educational and professional backgrounds and specialize in various modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Dialectic Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and EMDR.

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Based on a number of factors and thanks to the support of United Way Sarnia-Lambton our counselling services may be free, subsidized, or fee-for-service.

How Does Counselling Services at FCC Work?

Together with the counsellor, you will identify your goals to work on in counselling and review these goals on an ongoing basis throughout the duration of your sessions. Sessions can be utilized in-person at our office, over the phone, or by video.

Our Counsellors Will:

  • Meet with you privately to discuss areas of concern and decide topics to focus on. 

  • Discuss challenges and goal opportunities. 

  • Develop and action plan to move forward to overcome challenges. 

  • Connect you with other community agencies and programs, if needed. 

  • Support you through any new issues that may arise and assist with coping with changes.

  • Our team of professionals have a Masters of Social Work degree or equivalent and are registered through either the Ontario College of Social Workers or Social Service Workers or the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Our Counsellors operate from a short term, solution-focused, strength-based approach. Our highly skilled counselling team is trained to provide individual, couple, and family counselling providing a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Our counsellors have a variety of different education, backgrounds, trainings, and experiences to best serve a range of clients. Some of our counsellors have specialization in providing: cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, discernment counselling, trauma informed counselling, couple counselling. Our counsellors can assist with a variety of issues including but not limited to: 

    • Stress 

    • Adjustment and Transition issues 

    • Anxiety 

    • Depression 

    • Postpartum depression 

    • Grief and loss 

    • Trauma 

    • Violence and abuse 

    • Relationship, separation/divorce issues 

    • Family issues 

    • Emotional issues 

    • Communication 

    • Parenting supports 

    • Couple Issues 

  • The first step to an intake assessment is to determine counselling needs. There is NO cost for an intake assessment. Our counselling services are on a self-referral basis. To set up an intake, call our office at 519-336-0120 and ask to speak with the intake department. You can also skip the phone tag by booking an intake appointment for a day and time that works best for you! Please see the "Book Now" icon in the bottom right corner of this page. 

    During the call, an intake worker will assist with determining your goals and areas of concern, and if the Family Counselling Centre is the best fit for you. If you choose to move forward with us, we will complete a brief intake assessment over the phone and schedule a future appointment with one of our counsellors. 

  • Your privacy is our priority and counselling sessions are strictly confidential. No one at the Family Counselling Centre will release information outside of the agency about you or anything that you have discussed with your counsellor without your informed, voluntary, and written consent. There are, however, exceptions when information must be provided without your consent which will be discussed at your first session. 

    Need immediate support? The Distress Line is an available phone support for those struggling and just need someone to talk to. Volunteers are ready to answer your call at 1-888-DISTRES (347-8737) or 519- 336-3000. 

Supports for Survivors of Sexual Abuse

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Brief Trama Work

Our Brief Trauma Work provides immediate counselling services to children and youth under the age of 18 who are victims of sexual assault and abuse.

This program aims to eliminate the long-term impacts of trauma and provides counselling support to the families of those impacted, establishing the best ways to support their children through this difficult time.

To access services for a child in your care call us at 519-336-0120 or click the button below.

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Sexual Assault Outreach (50+)

Our Sexual Assault Outreach service provides counselling support to women 50+ who have experienced sexual assault and/or abuse at any time in their lives. Counselling is flexible and offered by phone, in the office, or in a client’s home.

To access services or learn more about this program call us at 519-336-0120 or click the button below.

Intimate Partner Violence

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Counselling for Women

We provide counselling for women who have experienced physical, emotional, and/or financial abuse in an intimate relationship.

Clients do not need to be living outside of the home or away from their partner in order to qualify for this program.

To access counselling services, contact our intake worker at 519-336-0120 or click the button below.

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Family Court Support

Our Family Court Support Services provides assistance to victims of Intimate Partner Violence who are involved in the Family Court process. The Family Court Support Worker can assist clients with obtaining services, effective risk assessment, safety planning, and supporting clients with navigating the family court system.

To access our Family Court Support Services or for more information, contact us at 519-336-0120 or click the button below.

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Partner Assault Response (PAR)

Partner Assault Response is for anyone who has abused their partner, and is designed to support individuals in learning how to stop abuse and accept responsibility for their actions. The program focuses on developing alternative methods of dealing with anger, frustration and stress, learning effective ways to express feelings, and developing a broader view of gender roles.

Referrals for the PAR program are made through the court system.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Our regular rate is $110.00 per session. Sessions are 50 minutes in duration. 

    We do require 24-hours' notice for any cancellations or changes to your appointment time. There is a fee for late cancels and appointments that are not attended.

  • We provide a receipt upon payment which can be submitted to your extended health benefits provider for reimbursement. Appointments may be covered through with a therapist whose professional designation is Master's in Social Work/Registered Social Worker (MSW/RSW) or Registered Psychotherapist. 

  • We have subsidized fees for people who do not have benefits to cover the cost of counselling. This subsidy is made possible through our United Way funding and is available to those who have a before taxes annual household income of less than $50,000/year. If an individual qualifies, the fee is assigned at one dollar per thousand of income. The balance would be subsidized by the United Way. 

    We have a variety of funded programs that you may qualify for. During intake, our intake worker can inform you of your options. Programs include, but not limited to: Violence Against Women, Congregational Assistance Programs, Express Scripts, Ontario Works. 

    We are not covered by OHIP. 

  • Do you service Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)? 

    We carry many EAP contacts through the Family Service Employee Assistance Program network (FSEAP). With an EAP, there is no cost as counselling is covered by the employer and is available for an employee, their spouse/partner, and dependent children. 

    Not sure if your EAP is with us? To find out more information, call our intake department.

How Do I Find You?

To view and book our next available appointment, click the blue button or call our intake worker at 519-336-0120.