While demand for mental health services is surging in Ontario, a Stratford resource is working hard to ensure availability and a variety of therapists are ready to help.
RGA Counselling and Psychological Services and The Space Within recently merged.
Owners Al Voort and Linda Mackay said that the reason for the merger was to centralize and expand services.
“These are services that are so needed,” Mackay told StratfordToday. “We have really good practitioners in town … but sometimes there are long waiting lists, including for mental health. That’s where the collaboration with RGA (came from).”
In the past, Mackay said that whenever The Space Within had no availability they would always recommend RGA. Voort said he was neighbours with the co-founders of The Space Within, Karen and Bill James-Abra, and always supported them when they were starting out.
Joining forces has helped the community, they said.
Voort and Mackay are reporting that their organization has little to no wait times for the over 50 professionals working under their umbrella. Children, adolescents, couples, families, and individuals are supported by private practices spanning many specialties – from stress and anxiety to neurodiversity and trauma. Their organization also has massage therapists.
The holiday season is infamous for a rise in stress levels. Voort said his summer caseload is low but starts increasing in September.
“It just continues to climb in December, January, February, March,” he said. “You really do see this seasonal effect happening with a lot of people.”
Mackay urges people to be mindful of the resources available in Stratford during a stressful time of year, noting that self-care activities are a crucial part of maintaining good mental health.
“We all want to be in our jammies and watch Netflix and enjoy some time with family and eat a lot. Walk, exercise, stay in some routine and structure. It is so important.”
Voort urged everyone to reach out and seek help. While some of their professionals aren’t accepting new patients, many of them are.
The newly-merged organization has retained their locations. The Space Within is nestled in between Revel and the Hub in the downtown while RGA is located at 153 and 157 Huron St.
Due to COVID and the subsequent lockdown, they have adapted their practices to a hybrid model, with therapy in person and online, for those looking to avoid long winter drives.
The organization is still in the throes of combining their administration and website, with a new name set to be announced. To inquire about services or referrals, contact [email protected] or [email protected].
