Emotional Support and Decision Making
NOTICE: UPDATED FEE SCHEDULE STARTING JANUARY 1, 2024
Click here for more information.
Get the support and information you need at every step of your journey.
A safe, non-judgemental space to ask questions, explore your options, and talk about how you are feeling with a counsellor who will support your needs and goals.
Keep reading to learn more about what to expect at each type of appointment. To book an appointment click here, or call us at 519-743-9360.
Due to the high volume of call and email messages we receive, please expect to hear back from us in 2-3 business days.
All emotional support and decision making sessions are booked for 60 minutes with a Registered Social Worker.
Pregnancy Decision Making Support
Decision making support, information, and referrals for pregnant people who are looking for assistance with understanding their options for abortion, adoption and parenting.
Some of the things you may want to talk about at this appointment are:
• How you are feeling
• How to make a decision about your pregnancy
• Questions you have about being pregnant
• Having an abortion
• Placing a child for adoption
• Becoming a parent
• Next steps for abortion, adoption, and parenting
• Support you have from family, friends, your community
Abortion Options Support
Decision making support, information, and referrals for pregnant people who are looking for assistance in learning about their abortion options.
Some of the things you may want to talk about at this appointment are:
• Medication abortion (“the abortion pill”)
• Surgical abortion (“in-clinic abortion”)
• The process for each option
• What to expect during appointments
• Questions you have about abortion
Support Before an Abortion
Emotional support, information, and referrals for pregnant people who are looking for support before having an abortion.
Some of the things you may want to talk about at this appointment are:
• Questions you have about abortion
• What to expect during appointments
• Costs and insurance coverage questions
• What follow-up happens after an abortion
Support After an Abortion
Support for anyone who has had an abortion within the past 2 years. These sessions are tailored to address your individual needs.
Some of the things you may want to talk about at this appointment are:
• What the process of having an abortion was like for you
• How you have been feeling since your abortion and unpacking your emotions
• Making meaning of your experience
• Sharing your story in a supportive, pro-choice environment
• How to talk to family, friends, and others about your abortion
Adoption Options Support
Decision making support, information, and referrals for pregnant people who are looking for assistance in learning about the adoption process.
Some of the things you may want to talk about at this appointment are:
• Your rights when placing a child for adoption
• How adoption works and who is involved
• The process of selecting an adoptive family
• What to expect during the adoption process
• Questions you have about adoption
Support After Placing for Adoption
Support for people who have placed a child for adoption within the last two years. These sessions are tailored to address your individual needs.
Some of the things you may want to talk about at this appointment are:
• What the process of placing a child for adoption was like for you
• Unpacking your emotions since the adoption took place
• Making meaning of your experience
• Sharing your story in a supportive, pro-choice environment
• How to talk to family, friends, and others about your experience
Support During Pregnancy
Support, information, and referrals for pregnant people who are looking for assistance with the next steps of being pregnant.
Some of the things you may want to talk about at this appointment are:
• How you are feeling
• Prenatal care options
• How to have conversations with your healthcare team
• Community resources for parenting support and information
• What to expect at each stage of pregnancy (emotions, body changes, fetal development)
• Support you have from family, friends, your community
• Questions you have about pregnancy
Support After Giving Birth
Support for anyone who has given birth within the past 2 years. These sessions are tailored to address your individual needs.
Some of the things you may want to talk about at this appointment are:
• Your experience and life transitions after giving birth
• Unpacking your emotions about changes to your body, your life, and your relationships
• The “baby blues”
• Post-partum mood and anxiety concerns
• Sharing your birth story in a supportive, pro-choice environment
• How to talk to family, friends, and others about your emotions and needs
Ready to Book an Appointment?
Current Wait Time: 2 weeks
Counselling service Fees
Beginning on January 1, 2024, we will be implementing sliding scale fees for our counselling services to ensure we are able to meet the financial needs of our clients.
This fee schedule will be for any new clients beginning care with our counsellors. New clients are people who have not received counselling care at SHORE within the past 6 months.
There are no fees for pregnancy decision making sessions.
The fees for brief and continuous counselling services are as follows. If you have supplemental benefits with coverage for counselling services you will be charged the full-scale rate of $100/session. If you do not have benefits coverage you will be charged according to the sliding scale rates below. Counsellors may amend the rates charged to a client based on discretion. Fees to be determined on a case-by-case basis during your initial counselling session.
| Counselling Fee Schedule | |
| Household Income | Amount |
| $0 – 24,999 (including those currently receiving Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support, Youth <21) | FREE |
| $25,000 – 49,999 | $25.00 |
| $50,000 – 74,999 | $50.00 |
| $75,000 – 99,999 | $75.00 |
| $100,000+ | $100.00 |
| Other Fees | |
| Pregnancy Decision Making Counselling | FREE |
| Cancellation Fee (less than 24 hours’ notice, or no show) | $50.00 |
Insurance Coverage
Many insurance companies offer coverage for counselling with a Registered Social Worker (RSW).
Where possible, we offer direct billing to your insurance provider. If we cannot direct bill, we issue a receipt once payment has been received so you can submit your claim for reimbursement.
If you do not have insurance, counselling services provided by a Registered Social Worker (RSW) may be claimed as a medical expense when filing your income tax return.
Please contact your insurance provider for confirmation of your coverage before beginning care at SHORE Centre.
Conestoga College
Undergraduate Students (Full-Time)
- Covered $300 per year
- Up to 70% coverage per visit
- Physician referral is required
University of Waterloo
Undergraduate Students (Full-Time)
- Covered $800 per year
- 80% coverage per visit
- No physician referral required
Click here for more information.
Graduate Students (Full-Time)
- Covered $800 per year
- 80% coverage per visit
- No physician referral required
Wilfrid Laurier University
Undergraduate Students (Full-Time)
- Covered $1,000 per year, $100/visit
- 80% coverage per visit
- No physician referral required
Click here for more information.
Graduate Students (Full-Time)
- Covered $400 per year
- 60% coverage per visit
- No physician referral required
Updated November 30, 2023
Ready to Book an Appointment?
Current Wait Time: 2 weeks