Shalem Counselling Services

You can simply call one of these numbers Hamilton (905.528.0353) or across Canada (1.866.347.0041).

In therapy, we work to build health for the client and their relationships. Clients bring many issues to the counselling process, including anger, addiction, communication difficulties, parenting, self-esteem, grief, depression, anxiety, sexuality issues, separation/divorce, trauma and abuse. Our clients include children, youth, adults and seniors.

For your convenience, we offer a variety of daytime and evening appointments.

Yes, we offer the option to meet with counsellors either in person or online.

The average number of sessions is between 6 and 10, with some clients finding one or two helpful, and others needing more.

We are fee-for-service agency, but strive to ensure that fees are not a barrier to service, and that all who seek counselling can access it regardless of financial circumstance. Please ask about our rates and options when you call.

How we’ve set our fees:

We aim to make counselling as accessible, fair, and sustainable as possible. Here’s how we think about fees:

• Our rates are comparable and often lower.
  Our fees fall within — and in many cases below — the typical range for private psychotherapy in our region. As a non-profit agency, fees are designed to cover our costs, without the goal of profit.
• Access comes first.
  We offer subsidized counselling ($5–$105) at our Hamilton clinic whenever possible, made available through generous community grants from Hamilton organizations and donor support. This makes counselling available to Hamilton community members who do not have insurance and are not able to afford full fees.
• Shared responsibility sustains care.
  Our standard sliding scale ($105–$175) helps ensure our counselling services can continue for those who need them now and in the future.
• Fees are not based on therapist seniority.
  All our therapists meet professional standards and receive regular supervision, with the goal of professional excellence. Instead of our most experienced therapists seeing high-paying clients, fees are based on our team’s availability, clinical fit, and suitability. This ensures that clients have equal access and the best care possible.
• We work to match care well.
  We prioritize thoughtful matching between client and counsellor, recognizing that a good therapeutic fit matters more than credentials alone. We encourage you to share with our intake staff what is most important to you in a counsellor, and as much as you’re comfortable about the issue leading you to call us.
• Subsidized spaces are limited.
  We work hard to raise funds to subsidize sessions. Reduced-fee counselling depends on available funding and may not always be immediately available. We’re committed to using these resources as responsibly and equitably as we can.
• Fees can be revisited.
  Life changes. If your financial situation shifts after counselling has begun, we’re open to adjusting fees whenever possible. We don’t want cost to become an obstacle to care.
• We’re always open to conversation.
  If you have questions or concerns about fees, we encourage you to reach out. We’ll explore options with care, transparency, and respect.

Individual, Couple and Family Counselling
In therapy, we work to build health for the client and their relationships. Clients bring many issues to the counselling process, including anger, addiction, communication difficulties, parenting, self-esteem, grief, depression, anxiety, sexuality issues, separation/divorce, trauma and abuse. Our clients include children, youth, adults and seniors.

Attachment-Focused Therapy
Our relationship counselling at Shalem has a strong attachment focus. Our use of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), designed to nurture and repair connections within families after trauma or neglect, is often used by foster and adoptive families to bring relief to distressed children and youth and guide parents seeking to build healthy bonds. Our use of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy helps couples identify harmful patterns and reach out to each other in new ways, to strengthen bonds that have weakened.

Art Therapy
Art therapy offers a creative way to express and articulate emotional experiences that may be difficult to put into words. This type of therapy can be a comfortable way for children and teens to begin processing life experiences.

Music Therapy
Music Therapy harnesses sound elements and musical pieces to discover, reflect, and create new pathways. Since music is meaningful across the lifespan, any client may request to include music therapy in their treatment, regardless of age or musical background. No musical experience necessary!