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Affordable Counselling

Affordable Counselling in Barrie, Ontario

At Mind 2 Heart Connections, we understand that accessing affordable mental health services is essential. That’s why we offer affordable counselling for individuals and families in Barrie, Ontario, and surrounding areas. We are committed to providing high-quality, accessible therapy for everyone, regardless of financial circumstances.

Why Choose Affordable Counseling at Mind 2 Heart?

Our affordable counselling services are delivered by Master of Social Work (MSW) students and Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying) who have completed the academic portion of their graduate studies. These interns receive weekly supervision from our founder, Laura Banks, RSW, MSW, to ensure they provide professional and compassionate care. Each session is available at an affordable rate offering effective therapy at a lower cost.

We offer in-person counseling in Barrie or virtual therapy sessions, giving you flexibility to
choose the format that works best for you.

We are here to help both you and your child find relief and
build a more hopeful future together.

These dedicated professionals have completed the coursework component of their education and are now gaining hands-on experience. With weekly supervision and access to up-to-date therapeutic techniques, they provide care that is informed, compassionate, and tailored to your unique needs.

How Our Interns Can Help

Our interns are equipped to help with a variety of mental health challenges, including:

  • Anxiety and stress management
  • Depression and mood disorders
  • ADHD and autism support
  • Communication skills and building social skills
  • Grief and loss, navigating difficult emotions
  • Anger management and emotional regulation
  • Low self-esteem and building self-worth
More Complex Issues Require a More Experienced Therapist We understand that some clients may face more complex mental health challenges, which may require a therapist with more specialized experience. In these cases, the affordable therapy rates offered at Mind 2 Heart may not be applicable. We are happy to discuss your specific needs and help you find the most suitable therapist, ensuring that your therapy is tailored to the complexity of your situation.

Affordable Therapy Offers 3 Options

At Mind 2 Heart Connections, we believe that everyone deserves access to affordable therapy, no matter their financial situation. To make our services more accessible, we offer three flexible options to accommodate different needs:

$85.00 Per Hour Counseling Sessions

This option is ideal for clients who meet the following criteria:

  • Be 10 years or older
  • Have no or limited access to extended health care benefits
  • Be able to commit to a minimum of 6 sessions, either weekly or bi-weekly (in-personorvirtual).
  • Understand that once the therapist completes their internship, they will no longer be able to offer reduced-rate services
  • Financial strain
$130.00 Per Hour Counseling Sessions

For clients with access to extended health care benefits, we offer sessions at $130.00 per hour. This option is available for clients who:

  • Are 7 years or older
  • Have extended health care benefits to help cover therapy costs
  • Can commit to a minimum of 6 sessions, either weekly or bi-weekly (in-person or virtual)
  • Understand that once the intern is no longer available, the reduced-rate services may no longer be guaranteed
Low Income Subsidy Program
Our Low Income Subsidy Program is designed for families and individuals living at a low income or receiving ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program). This program offers sliding scale pricing and ensures that therapy remains accessible for those in need.

Criteria for this program include:

  • Commitment to a minimum of 6 sessions, either weekly or bi-weekly (in-person or virtual)
  • Eligibility for 8 sessions guaranteed, with the potential for more based on approval from the therapist or clinical director
  • Sliding scale pricing per hour, with the goal of everyone contributing in some way to their therapy
  • Community partner referrals are encouraged for this program

Benefits of Affordable Counseling

Affordable counselling provides a valuable opportunity to receive mental health support while allowing our intern therapists to develop their clinical skills under professional supervision. This mutually beneficial approach ensures you receive high-quality therapy while helping shape the next generation of compassionate mental health professionals

Start Your Mental Health Journey Today

Choosing affordable counselling in Barrie with Mind 2 Heart Connections means you are investing in your well-being while contributing to the growth of new therapists. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or any other mental health challenge, we’re here to help.

Contact us today to book a consultation and see if our affordable counselling program is the right fit for you.

Our client care Team at Mind 2 Heart

Sahar Karimian, BSc, MACP( candidate) Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), Intern therapist
Internship from September
2024-April 2025
Do you long for clarity in your values and goals but feel stuck in patterns that are holding you back? Are your relationships leaving you feeling unsatisfied, like they’re not quite in sync with what truly matters to you? Do you sometimes feel frustrated—whether with the world around you or with how you see yourself? Or maybe your child is facing challenges, and you want to support their emotional growth and resilience, helping them reach their full potential.
  • Client Focus:
    Couples, Families, Individuals, Children (7+)

  • Types of Therapy:
    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, with a Neuro-affirming Approach

  • Areas of Focus:
    anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, attachment & relationships, communication skills, emotional regulation, personal development, executive functioning, self-esteem, stress management, and life transitions.

  • Specialties:
    Working with neurodivergent children, youth, adults, and families, coping skills, autism, parent training and support

  • More than just my work:
    One of life's simple joys for me is watching others savor the food I prepare —happiness is always on the menu in my kitchen! “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there” - Rumi

Are you finding it difficult to understand and support your child’s needs? Perhaps they are experiencing intense emotions or struggling with friendships. Maybe your child has just received a new diagnosis, and you’re working through your own grief and loss over the future you envisioned for them. Raising a neurodivergent child brings its own unique joys and challenges. It’s natural to feel lost, confused and overwhelmed – making it hard to know where to start.

Having grown up in an unpredictable home environment shaped by addiction and experiencing my own struggles in school as a child, my needs often felt misunderstood by the adults around me. These experiences have drawn me to help families who may be experiencing some of the same struggles, so that they might find more understanding, connection, and support with one another.

I aim to provide a safe space to explore complicated feelings, offering a compassionate, trauma-informed, client-centered, and nonjudgmental approach that honors your unique experiences. Through our time together, we will focus on exploring helpful coping strategies while holding space to navigate the challenges you may be facing in life.

Drawing on a range of therapeutic modalities, I am here to support you in cultivating greater self-compassion and empower you to take steps toward the life you truly imagine for yourself. I often draw upon a polyvagal-informed approach, which aims to help you gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, feelings, and actions through the lens of the nervous system. This insight allows you to process and heal from various life events.

I’m currently pursuing my Master of Social Work through the University of Windsor and have worked within the developmental services sector for the past 5 years supporting children, youth, and their caregivers. This has given me deep insight into the challenges that families face as they navigate life’s complexities. I would be deeply honoured to join you, your child, and your family on your journey. I would love to connect and see if I might be the right fit for you.

  • Client Focus:
    Children, Youth and Families

  • Types of Therapy:
    Informed in CBT, DBT, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, strengths -based and attachment theory. Trained in Gottman Level 1 and Polyvagal Theory

  • Areas of Focus:
    Parenting issues, FASD, ASD, communication challenges,child-centered concerns, attachment responses, boundary setting, emotional regulation

  • More than just my work:
    When I’m not working or in school, I enjoy spending time in nature - going on hikes, paddleboarding, camping or taking day trips to explore new places. In the cold winter months, I enjoy spending cozy days reading or watching my favourite TV shows.

Madeleine Dunne, Master of Social Work Intern (Title), BA (HONS), MSW in progress(candidate)
“You make sense” - Sarah Baldwin

Interns begin with Mind 2 Heart in January, May, and September of each year.

If you are interested in applying to be considered for an internship please completed
our application here

Low Income Subsidy Form

For applications requiring reduced rate to our services.

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Internship/Practicum student application

Please complete this if you are requesting or interested in an internship for your graduate studies in counselling or social work with Mind 2 heart

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