
Hard Feelings is an innovative, welcoming community of professional counsellors who provide low-cost services and support. Our storefront sells carefully curated books and resources to help build and sustain stronger mental health.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we have temporarily closed our
storefront and all counsellors have moved their
practices online.
As usual, you can connect with a counsellor for
ONLINE SHORT-TERM COUNSELLING.
OUR PODCAST
OUR STORY
Hard Feelings is a non-profit social enterprise. Our mission is to reduce barriers and increase access to mental health supports and resources through an innovative community of practice.
Hard Feelings was founded by Kate Scowen, a social worker, counsellor and writer who believes that strong mental health is rooted in self-understanding and connection. In her work, she found that many people were unable to find affordable mental health supports. She envisioned a storefront where people could come together to find resources that support strong mental health and have access to affordable on-site counselling.
Hard Feelings Mental Health recognizes and honours that our work is situated on the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat and Petun First Nations, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River. To read our full Acknowledgment of Traditional Territory, please click here.
FAQs
Why is it called Hard Feelings?
Mental health challenges can be isolating and stigmatizing. We want to move away from feeling bad about struggling with our mental health to feeling good about the supports that are available. We want people to know that we all have hard feelings and that working to understand them and the ways they impact our behaviour and thinking can change how we treat and accept ourselves. Talking and learning about hard feelings can help us cope with past experiences and move forward. It’s a personal and sometimes complicated journey, but we don’t have to travel alone.
We chose the name Hard Feelings because we want people to know we are a welcoming and safe place, free of stigma and shame. Bring us your hard feelings, we’re here to help.
What does it mean when people say there is a mental health crisis in Canada?
We know that getting the right counselling and support can make positive change. We also know that waiting for or not being able to afford service can make things worse. Limited access to mental health supports is at the core of the mental health crisis and is rooted in stigma. Stigma is visible in the limited amounts allocated for private counselling in employee and student benefit plans, the limited funding for public (free) mental health service and the lack of innovation in private practice models. This means that many people who might benefit from counselling never get the chance to find out.
How do I schedule an appointment with a counsellor?
To make an appointment for counselling:
- View the counsellor profiles (available here)
- Choose a counsellor you might like to work with. Think about what you are hoping to get out of counselling and how that matches with the skills and experience of a counsellor.
- Email that counsellor directly and ask to schedule an appointment. You will hear back from them shortly.
You can also call the storefront at 416.792.4393 or come in to get help navigating the website and counsellor profiles. We will be happy to assist you in contacting a counsellor.
What can I expect from short-term counselling?
In your first counselling appointment, you will meet with a counsellor and discuss what you are struggling with and what your goals are. For some people, short-term counselling will not be enough. In this case, your counsellor will work with you in the short-term to determine a path forward to get you the support you need from another counsellor or mental health organization.
Are counsellor's fees covered by my student or employer insurance?
The majority of the counsellors in the Hard Feelings community of practice are graduate level registered social workers (MSW, RSW). Their services are covered by many student and employee extended health benefit plans. Check with your insurance provider to find out about your coverage.
If you don’t have benefits and are paying for counselling, you can submit your receipts for clinical services provided by a social worker under the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC).
Is counselling private and confidential?
- The counsellor is concerned about suspected child abuse for which health professionals are required by law to report to appropriate authorities.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person, we must notify the police and possibly inform the intended victim.
- If a client discloses an intent to harm themselves, we will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, we may need to take measures to ensure their safety (e.g., call family member, take client to hospital).
- Under special circumstances, we may be required by law to disclose personal health information (e.g., under a court subpoena).
- If a client reports a past incident of abuse by a health professional and discloses the health professional’s name, we are required to report that individual to their governing college.
Your counsellor will discuss privacy and confidentiality with you in your first session and you will be asked to sign a waiver stating that this has been explained to you and that you understand it.
What is a social enterprise?
Traditionally, mental health services operate on two levels: as for-profit businesses where private practitioners charge market rate for service and as charitable or public organizations where services are generally free. Hard Feelings is taking an innovative approach that lies in the middle of these two models.
Our social enterprise model will allow us to facilitate the delivery of low-cost counselling services through several revenue generating streams:
- Sales from the store
- Rental of counselling offices
- Donations and grants
If you have questions about our social enterprise, contact Kate at kate@hardfeelings.org
CONTACT US


We do not provide crisis support.
If you are in crisis and require immediate assistance,
call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.
You can also call the Gerstein Centre Crisis Line at 416.929.5200.
Store Hours
Monday – Thursday 10:00am-7:00pm
Friday 10:00am-5:00pm
Saturday 11:00am-5:00pm
Sunday CLOSED
OUR STORE IS CURRENTLY CLOSED, DUE TO COVID-19