Counsellors who understand your world
Connect clients and family members with counsellors who share or understand their lived experiences and diverse backgrounds.
INCLUSIVE & SPECIALIZED COUNSELLING SERVICES · FOR O P S Counselling that actually fits who you are.
Developed in response to feedback from diverse communities across the Ontario Public Service (O P S), the program provides clients and their eligible family members with access to professional, confidential mental health support that better reflects their unique experiences and needs.
- 100% confidential
- Inclusive by design
- Book in minutes
8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Monday to Friday, Eastern Time
GOALS OF THE I S C S PROGRAM What this program sets out to do
Your choice of counsellor
Offer clients an opportunity to view and select their counsellor based on the factors that are important to them.
Inclusion and belonging across the O P S
Strengthen inclusion and belonging across the O P S by improving access to culturally responsive and identity-affirming mental health support.
You can choose to get to know your counsellor before proceeding with services. Book your first session and feel free to use it as a 15-minute orientation session or use the full session if you wish to proceed. You can change your mind at any time.
HOW WE SUPPORT YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS Five steps, and we walk them with you
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Call the I S C S phone line
Call the dedicated line, 1-888-212-8727. A representative will explain the program and answer any questions.
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Choose a counsellor that's right for you
Select a counsellor based on what matters most to you, including cultural background, identity, lived experience, areas of specialization and language.
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Information to support clinical care
We'll ask some questions to better understand your current situation, so we can support you based on your needs — and review privacy and service policies with you.
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Book your first appointment
If an appointment is available, we'll schedule it during the call. If not, your selected counsellor will contact you directly to arrange a convenient time.
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Continue your care
Future appointments can be booked directly with your counsellor or through our dedicated line, making it easy to continue receiving the support you need.
MATCH ON WHAT MATTERS Find someone who truly understands you
Once the new online experience launches, you'll be able to filter across 15 dimensions of who a counsellor is and how they work. Until then, our representatives will match you on the phone.
OUR COMMITMENT A welcoming, respectful and inclusive experience
The I S C S program is committed to creating an experience where clients and their families can access support that reflects their identities, experiences and mental health needs. Our goal is to help every client feel heard, understood and empowered on their wellness journey.
About Homewood Health
For over 140 years, Homewood Health has been committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of Canadians. As Canada's leader in comprehensive mental health and addiction treatment, we continue to make a meaningful impact on individuals, families and organizations nationwide.
Homewood's mission & vision
Mission: To improve lives through exceptional mental health and addiction services.
Vision: To be the most trusted name in mental health and wellness, creating pathways to better well-being for everyone.
Notice of Collection
The information will be collected in identifiable format by Homewood Health on behalf of the Treasury Board Secretariat (T B S) and is necessary for the proper administration of the I S C S program, which supports the objectives of the O P S People Plan, Mental Health and Well-being Action Plan, and the O P S Leadership Pledge.
All information will be de-identified, aggregated, analyzed and managed by Homewood Health in a manner consistent with the Data Standards for the Identification and Monitoring of Systemic Racismopens in a new tab and the O P S Human Resources Privacy and Security Guidelinesopens in a new tab. To ensure the confidentiality of respondents, there will be no reporting on any group where there are less than ten respondents.
Homewood Health will provide de-identified and aggregated reporting to designated representatives within the Centre for Employee Health, Safety and Wellness (C E H S W), Treasury Board Secretariat (T B S). C E H S W will use the de-identified and aggregate information to gain insights on client experiences with the program for the purpose of evaluating the program to ensure it continues to meet the needs of O P S employees and their families and to inform any future improvement to services.
T B S does not collect identifying information such as your name, email address or IP address.
Privacy Statement
Ontario is committed to respecting your privacy and protecting your personal information. The Ontario government handles personal information in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The information will be stored, retained, and destroyed in accordance with our records retention policies and applicable law. For more information, please read our Privacy Statementopens in a new tab.
We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Nations. We recognize and deeply appreciate their enduring, historic and ongoing connection to this land. We also honour the many Indigenous Peoples who call this place home today, and we are committed to offering care that respects the cultures, histories and rights of all Indigenous communities across Ontario.