The Overcoming Obstacles Handbook
Durham Region, Ontario edition
Local resources. Inspiring stories. Practical advice.

Whether it’s physical, financial, professional or psychological, everybody goes through tough times in their lives. Josh Martin was 28 years old when he experienced his biggest challenge yet: an aggressive form of leukemia. Inspired by his journey, the Overcoming Obstacles Handbook is a free collection of real-life stories, practical advice and local resources in Durham Region geared at helping people who are facing adversity.
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Scroll below to download your free copy and to find local resources.

Sponsored by
This project is made possible by the generous support of the following local businesses
Reflections Counselling and Psychotherapy Services provides counselling and psychotherapy, in French and English, to adult individuals with anxiety, depression, mood, or related challenges (e.g. self-esteem, stressful thoughts, grief, etc.). We empower individuals to overcome their challenges, through a collaborative exploration leading to insight, growth, and a life of better quality.
Welcome to Trubliss Yoga where our mission is to make you feel at home. Whether you are a seasoned Yogi or a beginner we welcome all levels and want you to feel that you belong. Unite your body, mind and soul right here and remember your first class is always FREE! Find us also on Facebook and Instagram.
My role is to help empower and support you in a non-judgemental manner. I have experience working with addictions, mental illness, youth, and adults. My non-judgmental process allows clients to feel comfortable in a space that is inclusive and safe. Let’s travel on a journey to a Positive Outcome. 416-568-9096 | info@positiveoutcome.ca | www.positiveoutcome.ca
Art with a Heart Inc. is dedicated to using the arts to assist and empower people through multidisciplinary programs. We strive to recognize the uniqueness of the individual while building creativity, confidence, and self- worth in an inclusive environment. We aspire to challenge, encourage and equip these individuals to join in and build community.
Connect2Care ~ Connect to Hope
Appointments available for children, youth, and adults.
Contact: Sheila Moeck, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist.
905-725-8998
342 King Street West, Suite 204,
Oshawa, Ontario L1J 2J9.
connect2carecounselling@gmail.com
www.connect2carecounselling.com
Counselling and therapy for youth and adults
Christine Wildman, Registered Psychotherapist
286 King Street West, Oshawa, Ontario
905-449-6648
newpathscounselling@gmail.com
www.newpathscounselling.com
Specialized psychotherapy services for individuals seeking talk therapy for self-discovery, change and personal growth. We have expertise in exploring new perspectives for problems such as anxiety, depression, grief and anger. We match individuals and couples to the most appropriately trained therapist based on unique needs. 905-431-5654
www.onyxtherapeutics.ca
289-927-3340
Wendysgentleyoga@gmail.com
Facebook | Twitter
Sheri Gundry, RP, EXAT
Sheri Gundry is an Expressive Arts Therapist and Registered Psychotherapist. She believes in healing through creative arts, imagination, talk and narrative therapies. She promotes a safe atmosphere that is intuitive, relational, and collaborative. Sheri is also the founder of Art With A Heart Inc.
Parkwood Photodynamic Therapies has over 20 years of experience in treating arthritis, acute injuries and chronic musculo-skeletal and conditions. Regeneration of those produce lasting pain relief We always offer free consultations during which we determine the nature and extent of your problems, and provide an appropriate treatment recommendation.
Get your copy of the handbook
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Community resources in Durham Region
One of the most important lessons Josh learned from his health crisis was the importance of community. Whether it was accessing peer support programs, using the Cancer Society’s shuttle service to get to appointments or tapping into educational materials from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, community resources played a big role in his success.
Whatever obstacle you face in life — personally, professionally or otherwise — be sure to consider the resources available in your community. Fortunately, Durham Region boasts all kinds of organizations and programs focused on helping folks overcome a variety of obstacles.
Below, you’ll find information about some of them. This listing is by no means exhaustive, but it will hopefully give you a flavour of the kinds of resources available in your own backyard.
Mental health

Distress Centre Durham
24-hour crisis support: 905-430-2522
https://distresscentredurham.com/
Durham Mental Health Services
24-hour crisis support: 905-666-0483
https://dmhs.ca/
Directory of mental health services in Durham Region
https://www.durham.ca/en/health-and-wellness/resources/Documents/MentalHealth/MentalHealthServices-DR.pdf
ONTX – Ontario Online & Text Crisis Services
https://distresscentredurham.com/ontario-online-text-crisis-services/
Canadian Mental Health Association – Durham
https://cmhadurham.ca/
Mental health services for seniors
https://dmhs.ca/cause/seniors-support-program/
Local therapists and counsellors
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/on/oshawa
Local anxiety therapists
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/anxiety/on/oshawa
Local depression therapists
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/depression/on/oshawa
Physical health

Find a local physiotherapist
https://portal.collegept.org/public-register/
Find a local chiropractor
https://onlineservice.cco.on.ca/webs/cco/register/?t=1
Find a local registered massage therapist
https://registrants.cmto.com/webclient/registrantdirectory.aspx
Alzheimer Society of Durham Region
https://alzheimer.ca/en/durham
Public Health – Durham Region
https://www.durham.ca/en/regional-government/public-health.aspx
Directory of local health and wellness resources
https://www.durham.ca/en/health-and-wellness/health-and-wellness.aspx
Health Information Services – Durham Region
https://www.durham.ca/en/health-and-wellness/health-information-services.aspx
Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre
https://hearthplace.org/
Resources for seniors – Whitby
https://www.whitby.ca/en/residents/Resources-for-Seniors.asp
Resources for seniors – Oshawa
https://www.oshawa.ca/residents/seniors.asp
Oshawa Senior Community Centres
https://www.oscc.ca/en/index.asp#
Community Care Durham
(food and nutrition, transportation, health and wellness and more)
https://communitycaredurham.on.ca/
Meals on Wheels
https://communitycaredurham.on.ca/food-nutrition/hot-meals-on-wheels/
Families and individuals

Directory of services in Durham Region
https://www.durham.ca/en/regional-government/social-services.aspx
Kinark Child & Family Services
https://www.kinark.on.ca/
Enterphase Child & Family Services
http://www.enterphase.com/
Catholic Family Services of Durham
http://www.cfsdurham.com/english/Index_1.html
Local relationship therapists
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/relationship-issues/on/oshawa
Local divorce therapists
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/divorce/on/oshawa
Local grief therapists
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/grief/on/oshawa
LGBTG Prideline – Durham Helpline
24-hour helpline: 905-430-2522
https://distresscentredurham.com/gethelp/lgbtprideline/
YWCA Durham
https://www.ywcadurham.org/
Emergency support and shelters

Directory of emergency shelter programs in Durham Region
https://www.durham.ca/en/living-here/emergency-shelters.aspx
Durham Rape Crisis Centre
24-hour crisis and support line: 905-668-9200
https://drcc.ca/immediate-assistance/crisis-lines/
Y’s WISH Shelter (Women In Safe Housing) (Oshawa)
Crisis line: 905-576-2997
https://www.ywcadurham.org/emergencyshelter
The Denise House (Oshawa)
(emergency shelter and support)
Crisis line: 1-800-263-3725
https://thedenisehouse.com/
Bethesda House (Bowmanville)
Crisis line: 1-800-338-3397
http://bethesdahouse.ca/
Herizon House (Ajax/Pickering)
Crisis line: 1-866-437-4066
http://www.herizonhouse.com/
Cornerstone Community Association
(emergency shelters, health support and more)
http://www.cornerstonedurham.com/
Directory of food banks in Durham Region
https://www.durham.ca/en/living-here/food-banks.aspx
Employment and financial

Local career guidance counsellors
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/career-guidance/on/oshawa
Durham Region Unemployed Help Centre
http://www.unemployedhelp.on.ca/
Employment Supports – Region of Durham
https://www.durham.ca/en/living-here/employment-supports.aspx
John Howard Society of Durham Region – Employment & Training Services
https://jhsemploymentservices.ca/
Credit Counselling Society
https://www.nomoredebts.org/canada/ontario/oshawa/credit-counselling.html
Newcomers

Welcome Centre Immigrant Services
http://www.welcomecentre.ca/index.html
Newcomer Settlement Program
Community Development Council Durham
http://www.cdcd.org/settlement/newcomer-settlement-program/
Community services and resources for newcomers to Durham region
http://www.unemployedhelp.on.ca/JobSeekers/DRUHC_JobSeeker_Resources_NewcomerImmigrantServices.html
Durham Immigration Portal
https://www.durhamimmigration.ca/en/index.aspx
Want to help others in your community overcome obstacles? Here are few local opportunities to consider:

Volunteer opportunities in Durham Region
https://durham.cioc.ca/volunteer/
Blood donor clinics
(search for nearby clinics)
https://blood.ca
Big Brothers Big Sisters
South-West Durham: https://centralsoutherninteriorbc.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/
North Durham: https://northdurham.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/
Habitat for Humanity Durham
https://www.habitatdurham.com/