The HEAL Network
Website: www.healnetwork.org
Phone: 905-450-1608 Ext. 119
Fax: 905-450-8902
Location: 10 Gillingham Drive, Ste. 201, Brampton

The HEAL Network is committed to providing access to programs and services that can help women and children who have been exposed to woman abuse. The network comprises a number of community service agencies and school boards. All HEAL services are offered free of charge and consist of various groups and personal counseling sessions. The facilitators for the groups are all trained in woman abuse issues and specially chosen to reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of the clients and the Peel community. All client information is kept confidential and in accordance with the legal requirements regarding the issue of abuse.

The following programs are offered:

Helping Mothers and Children Survive Abuse Together (HMCSAT)
This group is for women who have been abused by their partner and their children, newborn to 12 years old, who have been exposed to the abuse against their mothers. The program consists of ten consecutive sessions, held once weekly. Women admitted to this group need to be able to focus on their children.


Children exposed to woman abuse may exhibit:

• Aggression towards others
• Depression /sadness
• Sleeplessness
• Anxiety and nervousness
• Low self-esteem
• Withdrawal or clinging behaviour
• Eating and appetite problems

Alternative Intervention
A program for children newborn to 16 years and their caregivers who require counseling and support prior to joining the HMCSAT group program. Participants are offered up to six counseling sessions.


Examples of what are covered:

• Acute trauma
• Assisting a child in managing symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder
• Relationship building between the caregiver and child
• Exploring separation and divorce concerns

Breaking Down Walls
For teenagers, 13 to 16 years old, who are group ready and are experiencing personal conflicts due to the violence that their mothers are experiencing at home. The teens in the group work with a variety of expressive media such as clay, paint, drama and song to convey their experiences. Program consists of ten sessions, each focusing on a different central conflict. Teens can self-refer or be referred by their school, police or a social service agency by calling the HEAL Network: 905-450-1608, Ext.119.


Examples of issues covered in group:

• Power in relationships
• Safety skills
• Anger sand conflict resolution
• Breaking the cycle of violence
• Dating violence and social action
• Dismantling gender stereotypes

Student Lunch Groups
This program is designed to help children develop conflict resolution and coping skills as well as problem solving techniques that they can apply at school, home and in the community. It is designed to help children between the ages of 7 and 10, but it is not limited to these ages. The lunch group runs for 12 weeks over the lunch hour at schools.

There is also a parenting component to the lunch group program which is offered for two evenings during the half way point of the lunch group sessions.