About ORCC Counselling Services


The Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre (ORCC) offers counselling services for women 16 years and older who are either recent or childhood survivors of all types of sexual assault. All counselling services at ORCC work from an anti-oppression, anti-racist, feminist approach. Our counsellors use a variety of counselling techniques including: art therapy, play therapy meditation and relaxation, EMDR and cognitive behavioral therapy. Our counselling team consists of four counsellors and one counselling team leader.  All of our counselling services are free of charge.

Counselling Services

Survivors may access our long-term counselling, crisis counselling and group counselling.  Additionally, the ORCC offers crisis counselling to a survivor’s supports (partner, parent, and friend).

  • Long-term Counselling: Counselling that explores a variety of issues related to sexual assault and promotes healing. Long-term counselling generally lasts up to 42 sessions that are completed within 1 year.
  • Crisis Counselling: Short-term counselling that is available for women in immediate need of counselling services. Crisis counselling offers up to 6 sessions of counselling. Supports of the women may access up to 3 sessions of crisis counselling.
  • Group Counselling: Various therapeutic groups offered bi-yearly that focus on a variety of topics including grief, boundaries, trust, relationships, sex and sexuality, flashbacks etc. These groups promote sharing and healing with other survivors in a safe, closed-group setting. These groups require women to register and to complete a pre-screening interview with the group facilitator prior to the beginning of the group.
  • Workshops: Various workshops offered year round and they cover a variety of topics including, trust, forgiveness, boundaries, sex, sexuality and self-esteem. These groups do not require women to register.

How to Access ORCC Counselling Services

To access long-term or group counselling services at the ORCC or to receive more information about counselling services, please call the Counselling Team Leader at 613-562-2334 ex 30.
To access crisis counselling services at ORCC please call the crisis line between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday at 613-562-2333 ex. 30.