FAQs

FSYR provides counselling services to children, youth, adults, couples and families. A “life span” counselling agency, we serve all ages.

The first step is to complete our Application for Service found on our Get Started page. You will then be contacted to arrange a consultation session with a counsellor to discuss your needs and the best service(s) to meet them, at FSYR, or in the community. The counsellor will also provide strategies and resources to take with you.

FSYR offers many programs. Different programs that may be recommended may have different fees. We charge fees because we are not fully funded to deliver services and the demand far exceeds our funding. These will be discussed with you during your consultation session.

For most programs, fees are charged on a sliding scale according to your household income and number of dependents, if your service is not covered by insurance or an EAP.

No one is turned away because of inability to pay, if you live or work in York Region. Proof of income is required for subsidized fees to ensure equity and fairness to those we serve.

The wait times vary depending on the service being accessed. Generally speaking there is a shorter wait time for day-time appointments.

We have 3 office locations throughout the York Region. View our Contact page for more details. Efforts are made to meet at a place that works best for you and/or your family. For your convenience we also provide virtual counselling services by phone and video.

Our counselling services are available in 11 languages. French language services are available through our partnership with Centre Francophone. Translation services are also available in some of our programs.

Our professional Master’s level clinicians are licensed either through the College of Registered Psychotherapists, the Ontario College of Social Work, or the College of Psychologists of Ontario.

If your appointment time is not convenient for you, please notify your counsellor or call our office more than 24 hours in advance to see if alternative arrangements are possible. We strongly encourage you to keep your scheduled appointment to ensure continuity of service.

You will be charged for missed or cancelled sessions with less than 24 hour notice. If more than two counselling sessions are missed or payment is stopped, you may be asked to go back onto the waitlist.

Your counsellor will outline the attendance and participation expectations of your designated program.

Parental/Guardian consent is generally required for children under 16 years of age. However, under the law, a child 12 years or older may access services on their consent alone. 

If a child under 16 has provided their own consent, the counsellor must discuss with them the desirability of involving their parents or guardians. It should be noted, however, that counselling may proceed without the knowledge or approval of the parent/guardian.

When separated or divorced parents share custody of a child, parental consent for counselling is usually required from both parents. This meets our legal obligation, but also creates an inclusive, collaborative environment that will best help your child.