Selecting a counselor is a highly personal matter. A professional who works well with one individual may not be a good choice for another person. It is important to find a good fit between you and your counselor. Selecting a counselor is a decision that should not be made until you have had a full discussion with the professional about their qualifications, areas of practice and methods of treatment.

This list has been compiled from a variety of sources as a public service and is believed to be accurate. The information is provided to help survivors find a support person they can work with in their path to recovery. Nothing contained in this list should be considered a reference or recommendation for any of the professionals or counseling services listed.

How do I pay for counseling?

One of the most common concerns abuse survivors face is how they can afford counseling
and/or psychological treatment. Money should never be a barrier to receiving appropriate
counseling. However, the sad fact is that most abuse survivors who need counseling are not in a
position to be able to afford it.

Some survivors simply don’t realize that there are different potential sources of financial help that
may enable them to pay for the counseling that they need.

Common Payment Options:

Cash: All health professionals will accept cash to provide treatment. This is of course usually the biggest barrier for most survivors. They simply don’t have the money to pay for the counseling that they need.

Insurance: If you have private medical insurance there is a good chance your policy has coverage for counseling. If you have private medical insurance you should get a copy of your policy and read it, or contact your insurance company to ask if the policy covers the cost of private counseling. Your insurance company will have customer service representatives that can explain the policy benefits to you.

Doctor Referral: If you are referred by your family doctor to a psychiatrist, your provincial medical insurance program will pay for the treatment. However, many psychiatrists do not make a practice of providing ongoing treatment to abuse survivors. Those that do, often have long waiting lists. You may have to wait for several months for an appointment. Before you are referred to a psychiatrist ask your doctor if the psychiatrist specializes in trauma and treating persons who have experienced sexual abuse.

Victims Services: If there has been a police report or criminal investigation regarding the abuse that you suffered, you or your family may be eligible for counseling from a psychologist or social worker or therapist from the provincial Victims Services program.

For example, in Nova Scotia, if you have been the victim of a crime committed in Nova Scotia, you may be eligible for funding to pay for professional counseling through the Criminal Injury Counseling Program.

Counseling is provided by private counselors in the community who have been approved to be part of the Criminal Injury Counseling Program.

Private Agencies: There are many private agencies and organizations that provide counseling to abuse survivors. You may be able to receive counseling through your local sexual assault centre, mental health centre or women’s resource centre.

Maritime Directory of Services

You can find our free Maritime Directory of Services at the link provided.

 

 

Educating Survivors About Their Legal Options

John McKiggan wrote Breaking the Silence: The Survivor’s Guide to Abuse Compensation Claims to answer many of the common questions survivors have about criminal charges, lawsuits and what the court can do to help survivors of childhood abuse.

Contact Us If You Need Help!

If you or your family have suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse, you can call McKiggan Hebert toll free in Atlantic Canada at (877) 423-2050 or contact us online for a free copy of John McKiggan’s book, The Survivor’s Guide to Abuse Compensation Claims. For more information you can also take a look at John McKiggan’s Sexual Abuse Claims Blog.

Sexual Abuse Resources:

Cases We’ve Handled: