Press Release: Willowbridge Community Services Expands Access to Counselling with $597,000 OTF Grant from Ontario Government
Enhanced initiatives will reduce wait times and expand quick access walk-in therapy across Brantford-Brant to improve access to care
Brantford, ON – On April 27, local MPP Will Bouma visited Willowbridge Community Services (Willowbridge) to announce a $597,000 Grow grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). This three-year investment will help expand access to counselling and enhance quick access models to better support individuals, couples, and families experiencing low incomes.
“Willowbridge Community Services has been committed to advancing care through compassion and creativity” said Will Bouma, Brantford-Brant MPP. “I am pleased to be part of a government that supports organizations such as Willowbridge, that help empower individuals to improve their lives for a more positive future, by helping build stronger connections and a deeper sense of belonging.”
Individuals often face significant barriers to obtaining services, facing high fees and significant wait times. This funding allows Willowbridge to enhance its “quick access” model, combining walk-in and appointment-based single session therapy (SST) with expanded ongoing counselling options. The program will also fund the hiring of two additional psychotherapists to increase service capacity.
In addition to improving access, the grant will strengthen clinical quality through training in single session therapy, trauma-informed care, and the social determinants of health, alongside the use of measurement-based tools to track outcomes and ensure continuous improvement.
By providing accessible, community-based care, these enhanced initiatives are also expected to reduce pressure on emergency departments. In one study, nearly 20% of participants reported they would have gone to the emergency department if walk-in counselling had not been available. Even a single session therapy can improve outcomes more quickly than traditional models and clients often experience faster reductions in anxiety and depression, with strong results for those navigating complex challenges such as trauma.
“Counselling has become unaffordable for many in our community, particularly those who do not meet strict eligibility criteria for limited subsidized programs,” said Leslie Josling, Executive Director of Willowbridge Community Services. “This investment comes at a critical time, as demand for mental health services continues to grow. It allows us to respond earlier, reduce distress, and support people in building stronger relationships and wellbeing. Counselling is not a luxury—it is essential to healthy communities.
About Willowbridge Community Services
Willowbridge Community Services brings positive change to life through counselling, developmental services, and autism programs. Founded in 1914, the organization serves individuals and families across Brantford, Brant County, Hamilton, and surrounding areas with a commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and community wellbeing. Learn more at www.willowbridge.ca.
About the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. In 2025-26, OTF invested nearly $107M into 746 community projects. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.