Top Support Groups and Counseling Services for Abuse Survivors in Toronto

Healing from the trauma of abuse is a courageous journey, and finding the right support is key. This guide highlights top support groups and counseling services in Toronto dedicated to empowering survivors, offering a path to recovery and resilience.

Healing after abuse is a deeply personal journey that benefits greatly from community and professional support. Toronto’s network of support groups and counseling services offers survivors safe spaces to connect, learn coping strategies, and rebuild resilience. This guide highlights key resources to help you find the right fit for your path to recovery.

• Reduce isolation by connecting with peers who share similar experiences
• Gain validation through shared stories and mutual understanding
• Learn practical coping strategies and recovery tools from group facilitators and members
• Build a lasting community network that extends beyond meeting sessions

• Trauma-informed therapists use methods such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), EMDR, or Somatic Experiencing
• Client-centered approach ensures care at your own pace and aligns with personal healing goals
• Culturally sensitive practitioners respect diverse backgrounds and offer appropriate support

1. Assaulted Women’s Helpline (AWHL)
   • Provides 24/7 crisis support, information, and referrals to shelters, support groups, and counseling services
   • Call 1-866-863-0511 (TTY: 1-866-863-7868; Mobile: #SAFE)
2. 211 Ontario
   • Confidential information and referral service available by dialing 2-1-1 or online at 211ontario.ca
   • Helps locate local support groups, counseling services, and community programs tailored to your needs
3. Local Domestic Violence Agencies and Shelters
   • Organizations such as Interval House, Nellie’s, Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter, and Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke offer internal support groups and counseling
   • Access services discreetly via their intake lines or through referrals from AWHL and 211
4. Family Service Toronto (FST)
   • Offers individual, couple, and family counseling with fee structures based on income
   • Specialized programs for survivors of violence and trauma
   • Visit familyservicetoronto.org for details
5. Canadian Mental Health Association Toronto (CMHA)
   • Provides general mental health support, peer-led programs, and referrals to specialized trauma services
   • Access through their main intake line or online directory
6. Private and Community-Based Therapists
   • Use directories such as Psychology Today or the Ontario Association of Social Workers to find trauma-specialized clinicians
   • Many offer sliding-scale fees and virtual sessions for accessibility

• Reach out to AWHL or 211 for an initial referral and to discuss your specific needs
• Inquire about group schedules, confidentiality policies, and facilitator qualifications
• Try a single session without commitment to assess comfort and fit
• Remember that it’s okay to switch groups or counselors until you find the right match