We at Stardust are mindful of the inaccessibility in our mental health and counselling systems. We believe that regardless of

 disability, neurodiversity, class, race, nationality, gender, and/or sexuality, you should have access to counselling services. 

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How? 

-Renting from an Accessible Building

-Offering many options for services (in person, online, groups, phone, video, walk in the community, etc)

-Offering Services during the day, evening and weekends 

-Providing multiple sensory-friendly options for therapy spaces, such as low lighting, stuffed animals, different seating and blankets.

-Fidgets, Colouring books, and much more! 

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We recognize the ways in which capitalism perpetuates systems of oppression and inequality, including in the realm of mental health care. As a collective, we aim to challenge these structures by offering affordable and accessible therapy services that prioritize the well-being of our clients over profit.

How? 

- Offering sliding-scale fees

-Reject the idea that profit should be the primary goal of therapy

-Advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of clients and communities, such as universal healthcare and accessible mental health care services.

-Foster a collaborative, non-hierarchical work environment within the therapy collective. This includes practices such as shared decision-making, equitable compensation, and a commitment to anti-oppression principles

We recognize the critical importance of allyship, anti-racism, and anti-oppression work in creating a safe and inclusive space for all of our clients. We are committed to actively challenging and dismantling systems of oppression that have historically excluded and marginalized BIPOC folx and other marginalized communities.

How? 

-Acknowledging that systemic inequalities that perpetuate mental health challenges for marginalized communities, especially BIPOC folks. 

-Supporting other community mental health care initiatives, such as peer support networks/mutual aid groups, that prioritize the needs of marginalized communities

-Prioritize the recruitment and retention of team members from underrepresented communities, and ensure that the organization's leadership reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.

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One of the key benefits of peer support is the sense of community and belonging that it provides. For many individuals, particularly those who may have experienced stigma or discrimination due to their identity or mental health, finding a supportive community can be incredibly empowering. Peer support groups can help individuals to connect with others who have similar experiences, share coping strategies, and provide a sense of validation and understanding.

Harm reduction aims to reduce harm and increase safety for clients, while respecting their autonomy and meeting them where they are at. By adopting a non-judgemental and collaborative approach, and promoting access to resources and social justice, harm reduction-oriented counselling collectives can help clients to address harmful behaviours in a way that is empowering and effective.