Quick facts

Service type: Health & Wellness
Eligibility: All ages welcome. Parent/guardian consent required for anyone 12 years of age and younger. No OHIP required
Delivery: In-person on Tuesdays and virtually by phone or video on Wednesdays
Fee: Free
Program dates: Year-round (Tuesday and Wednesday evenings)

Program description

WoodGreen’s Walk-In Counselling service provides single-session counselling to address a wide range of concerns, such as anxiety, depression, anger management and difficulties with work, school or relationships. We work with clients to identify their most pressing issue and discuss strategies that can lead to positive change. Our counsellors are registered professionals (social workers and psychotherapists); WoodGreen staff, students and volunteers may also assist clients under supervision from a registered professional.

 

The WIC provides same day sessions on a first-come first-served basis. New clients are prioritized. Individual, couple, and family sessions available..

 

In-Person Sessions

  • Available on Tuesdays
  • Location: 815 Danforth Ave
  • Walk-in between 4pm and 6:30pm to book a session (limited spots available)
  • Registration/Intake starts at 4pm and ends at 6:30pm (or when spots are filled up)
  • Sessions start between 5pm-7pm and end between 6:30pm-8:30pm based on the intake time

 

Virtual Sessions

  • Available on Wednesdays
  • Phone and Video sessions
  • Call 416-645-6000 Ext.1990 on Wednesday between 4pm-6:30pm to book – leave a voicemail
  • Registration/Intake starts at 4pm and ends at 6:30pm (or when spots are filled up)
  • Sessions start between 5pm-7pm and end between 6:30pm-8:30pm based on the intake time

 

Learn more about Virtual Walk-In Counselling here.

Supporting resources

Download the WIC flyer for more information about the program here.

Open PDF

Frequent Asked Questions

  • Can I make an appointment for another day?

    The walk-in offers same day sessions with a single session model. It does not allow to book future appointments and isnot an on-going counselling program. In-person sessions are at 815 Danforth Ave on Tuesdays.

     

    Virtual sessions are offered on Wednesdays, call 416-645-6000 ext 1900. Registration starts at 4pm both days, until 6:30 or until spots arefull. If you are unable to have a same-day session because you need an interpreter, call the number above to coordinate.

  • Am I limited to only one session in a single-session counselling model?

    You are not limited to just one session, however if you have a session on Tuesday we ask that you wait until the following week to request another session to allow other members of the community to access the service on Wednesday.

     

    If you do request a session as a returning client, you may be turned away on a busy night as the WIC prioritizes new clients that have not accessed the service before.

  • How/Why does the WIC prioritize new clients?

    New clients are prioritized as the Walk-in is a solution-focused single-session model to be utilized on an as-needed basis and not meant to be an ongoing counselling program. Returning clients are still accommodated if the capacity allows for it, after scheduling new clients.

     

    Returning clients that have not been to the WIC for a long period of time may be accommodated over another return client who had a recent session. A client is classified as new if it has been over a year since the last session.

  • Will I be guaranteed a session if I am a new client?

    Being a new client does not guarantee a session as the WIC is still first come first served. Registrations start at 4pm and end at 6:30pm, but the spots can get filled up before 6:30.

     

    Keep in mind that spots are limited, although new clients are prioritized over returning clients on a busy night, it is still best to complete the intake close to 4pm to secure a spot if you are registering for a virtual session, the time you called in on Wednesday will be noted as it may take some time to return the call if the intake worker is on the other line.

     

    Be sure to leave a voicemail with your name and phone number.

  • When will my session start/end?

    The start and end time of your session is based on your time of intake and where you are on the night’s schedule. Each counsellor typically sees two clients a night, starting their first session close to 5pm and the start time of their second session is dependent on when they wrap up with their first client.

     

    Clients in the first round of sessions start around 5pm while those in the second round can start anytime between 6:30-7pm, earlier if the counselor’s first session ends early.

     

    If you are in the second round and start late due to an unexpected circumstance, it will not affect the length of your session. Sessions can go until 8:30-9pm depending on the start time. You will be notified during intake which round you are in, but you may be moved from the second round to the first if someone scheduled before you cancels their session.

  • How long is each session?

    The session will generally be an hour in length. Partway through the session there will be a brief 10-15-minute break so that the counsellor can consult the team and the supervisor to gather any ideas, resources, or feedback that may be helpful for you. This break is part of the walk-in model and a part of every session. After the break, the session will continue and wrap-up.

  • What can I talk about in the session?

    The Walk-In Counselling service provides single-session counselling to address a wide range of concerns, such as anxiety, depression, anger management and difficulties with work, school or relationships.

     

    The counsellors work with clients to identify their most pressing issue and discuss strategies that can lead to positive change. There are limits to confidentiality, which are mentioned on the welcome form and the counsellor will go over them again before the session begins.

  • What are the qualifications of the counsellors?

    The counsellors are registered professionals (social workers and psychotherapists) who are volunteering their time to provide free counselling for the community. Though they are volunteers, the WIC does choose qualified counsellors through an interview process, and trains them after they join the team.

     

    All new volunteers go through a training period, regardless of how experienced they are, to ensure the quality of the program. All counselling sessions are further supervised by the WIC supervisor through the break the counsellors take during each session.

  • Why are there sometimes two counsellors in a session?

    Upon your consent, your session may have two counsellors. One of the counsellors, the main counselor, will be leading the session. The second will be acting as a shadow. The shadow might just be listening in and observing, or might be participating depending on where the counsellor is in the training process.

     

    The shadow is a counselor that is new to the Walk-in, they are professional counselors but are just going through a training period. You can request to have just one counsellor. The WIC will try to accommodate the request if there are more counsellors than shadows on the schedule.

  • Who has access to my file and session notes?

    The WIC keeps a file for each client with client information and session notes. The file is confidential and stored in a digital client record platform. If you are participating in a session in-person, you may see the counsellor making notes on paper.

     

    The paper will be shredded after the notes are added to the digital file. If you would like to have a copy of any or all of your session notes, you can request them. If you would like them to be sent to a lawyer or another counsellor, you will need to provide a signed release.

     

    Please call 416-645-6000 ext 1990 or email [email protected] for note requests.

  • Can I see the same counsellor I saw last time?

    If you are returning to the WIC, the counsellor you’re paired with will be briefed on the content of your last session using the session note. This is simply a way for the counsellor to have some context before your session so you don’t need to repeat yourself. Since the counsellors at the WIC are volunteering their time, there will always be different counsellors on the schedule.

     

    If a counsellor you were paired with before happens to be on the schedule again, the WIC will not take any requests to pair you up with them in order to avoid it becoming ongoing counselling instead of a single-session model.

  • Can I get an attendance letter after the session?

    Yes! Let your counsellor or the intake worker know you need a letter and provide either an email or a mailing address.

     

    If you need a letter for a past session, call 416-645-6000 ext 1990 or email [email protected]. Please allow a few days for the letter to be sent. If the letter is sent via email, it will be password protected and the password will be shared with you by either the counsellor or the intake worker. If you are unable to open the email, call the above number.

Program testimonials

Anonymous

Client

“I feel a lot better after coming in for this session. I didn’t realize how much it was affecting me before. Knowing that I can do something about it makes me feel a lot better and on solid ground.”

Anonymous

Client

“Thank you so much for providing this service. My experience with the counsellor was really positive and a helpful part of expressing and dealing with some difficult feelings.”

How you can support

Every gift makes a lasting difference in our community

Donate

Ready to participate?

The WIC provides same day sessions on a first-come first-served basis. New clients are prioritized. Individual, couple, and family sessions available.

 

In-person Sessions

Location: 815 Danforth Ave

Walk-in on Tuesday between 4 PM and 6:15 to book a session

 

Virtual Sessions

Virtual Intake: (416) 645-6000 ext.1990

Call on wednesdays between 4 PM – 6:15 PM to book

 

Learn more about Virtual Walk-In Counselling here.

Need help?

Contact information

For more information about this service, please contact

(416) 645–6000

For general information about WoodGreen services, please contact Central Intake

(416) 572-3575

Location

815 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, ON
M4J 1L2

Hours

One-hour counselling sessions are offered Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Related programs