Counselling

At Woodside, we recognize the importance of professional, Christian-integrated counselling and therapy. While we believe wholeheartedly that a relationship with the living Jesus meets our deepest needs, we also acknowledge that we live in a broken world where mental health struggles are real and can be significant. Furthermore, we believe that mental illness is real and often requires professional support from a certified counsellor, such as a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) or Social Worker (RSW).

We also recognize the valuable role counselling can play in recovery from trauma, in healing broken relationships and marriages, and in supporting individual well-being. God created us for connection with Himself and with others, and when that connection is disrupted, we may need additional support. If you are struggling to live out God’s purpose for your life, or if you are concerned about your mental health (including thoughts of suicide), please click the button below to connect, in confidence, with our Director of Congregational Care, Cairine Domzella (RP); or the link to access Woodside resources and local emergency resources.

You do not have to struggle alone.

Are you experiencing a mental health crisis, or are you thinking about suicide? If you are, you do not have to struggle alone. There are supports available at our church and in our community that can help.

Emergency supports

If you are worried that you might hurt yourself or end your life, or if you have made a plan to hurt yourself or end your life, this is time to get immediate help. 

1. Your best option is to call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
2. You could also call a crisis support line. Here are a few available in our region:
   • Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline
     • Call or text 988 (available 24/7).
     • For more information, visit https://988.ca/get-help/what-to-expect  
   • Here 24/7
     • Call 1-844-437-3247.
     • For more information, visit https://here247.ca/ 
   • Talk Suicide Canada
     • Call 1 833 456 4566 (available 24/7) or Text 45645 (available 4pm-midnight).
3. You could also visit the Integrated Crisis Centre, located at 298 Lawrence Avenue, in Kitchener. It is open Tuesday-Saturday, 2pm-8pm.

Counselling supports

If you are experiencing mental health challenges, including thoughts of suicide, it can be helpful to speak with a certified counsellor (e.g. a registered social worker or registered psychotherapist) about your experiences. Woodside offers short-term counselling and can make referrals to other local counsellors for longer-term counselling. If finances are a barrier to accessing counselling services, the church is also able to offer short-term financial support. To contact the church regarding counselling, email care@woodsidechurch.ca.

You may also choose to contact a local counselling agency directly. Here are a few recommendations:

• By Peaceful Waters is a Christian counselling agency with locations in Alma, Arthur, Kitchener, Listowel, Palmerston, St. Jacobs, Waterloo, and Wilmot. For more information, visit https://bypeacefulwaters.ca/ or call 519-886-8577.
• Ember Counselling & Training is a Christian counselling agency located in Bloomingdale. For more information, visit https://www.embercounselling.ca/ or call 226-808-9190.
• Woolwich Counselling Centre is a counselling agency located in Elmira. They have Christian counsellors on staff. For more information, visit https://woolwichcounselling.org/ or call 519-669-8651.
• Shalom Counselling Services is a counselling agency located in Waterloo. They have Christian counsellors on staff, and all counsellors practice spiritually integrated psychotherapy. For more information, visit https://shalomcounselling.org/ or call 519-886-9690.
• Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health offers quick access counselling (i.e. a single counselling session, available within 24 hours). For more information, visit https://www.caminowellbeing.ca/services/quick-response-drop-in-counselling.