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Multiple Sclerosis – MS

The Ottawa Hospital Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Clinic provides outpatient consultation and care to MS patients and patients with related disorders such as neuromyelitis. Patients are seen as new referrals and for follow-up care. New referrals are prioritized based on their medical needs and urgency. Patients and referring physicians need to ensure that we have all documentation (e.g. past evaluations, MRI, spinal fluid results) prior to their first visit.

The clinic is staffed by neurologists, advanced practice nurse, registered nurses, registered practical nurses and clerical personnel. Our physicians are all specialty trained in dealing with MS and other central nervous system demyelinating conditions. The nursing staff provides teaching and monitoring for MS treatments, assists with procedures and provides emotional support to patients and families. Patients are also provided with referrals and contacts for multidisciplinary care.

If you are in immediate distress or an emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

MS Information and Resources

MS Canada (English & French)

Information, support, and advocacy for Canadians affected by MS.

Web: https://mscanada.ca/

National MS Society (English)

U.S.-based organization with comprehensive resources, support, and research updates for those impacted by multiple sclerosis.

Web: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/

MS International Federation (English)

Global network dedicated to supporting and improving quality of life for people affected by MS worldwide.

Web: https://www.msif.org/

UK MS Society (English)

UK-based organization with information, resources, and approaches for managing MS, and insights that may benefit those affected by MS worldwide.

Web: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/

Consortium of MS Clinics (English)

Collaboration of MS clinics in the U.S. focused on improving patient care and advancing research in MS. Shares best practices, resources, and educational materials.

Web: https://www.mscare.org/

Immediate Assistance/Telephone Distress Lines (Free of Charge)

National Suicide Crisis Helpline (English & French)

24/7 crisis and suicide intervention across Canada.
Tel: 9-8-8

Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region (English & French)

24/7 emotional support, crisis intervention, education, and referrals by trained volunteers for those in Ottawa and surrounding areas.

Distress Line (emotional support, crisis intervention, and community referrals): 613-238-3311.

Crisis Line (situational crisis, psychosis, suicidal behavior, severe depression/anxiety): 613-722-6914 (Ottawa) or 1-866-996-0991 (toll-free)

Web: https://www.dcottawa.on.ca/

Ottawa Crisis Line (English & French)

24/7 crisis support, screening, assessment, referrals, and suicide intervention by trained volunteers for those in Ottawa and surrounding areas.

Tel: 613-722-6914 (Ottawa) or 1-866-996-0991 (toll-free)

Web: https://crisisline.ca/

Hope for Wellness Helpline for Indigenous Peoples (English, French, Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut)

24/7 crisis intervention, mental health counseling services, and referrals via phone and online tailored to the unique needs of Indigenous Peoples across Canada.

Tel: 1-855-242-3310 or chat online https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/

Web: https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/

Boots on the Ground for First Responders (English)

24/7 anonymous peer support and crisis intervention for first responders (including police, firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers, nurses, corrections and parole officers, military, and veterans).

Tel: 1-833-677-2668

Web: https://www.bootsontheground.ca/

Immediate Short-Term Counselling (Free of Charge)

Counselling Connect (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin)

1 to 3 free individual counselling sessions via phone or video, with additional support groups available.

Cost: Free Tel: 211 (in Ontario)

Web: https://www.counsellingconnect.org/

Walk-In Counselling Clinic (English & French)

Same-day, single-session counseling for individuals, couples, and families, available both in-person and virtually.

Cost: Free

Web: https://walkincounselling.com/ (see website for locations and contact information)

Walk-in Counselling at Catholic Family Services (English & French)

Single-session, same-day counseling for individuals, couples, and families. Services are available on a walk-in basis and address various mental health, family, and personal concerns.

Cost: Free (fees may apply for ongoing services)

Tel: 613-233-8478 / TTY: 613-233-1866

Email: info@cfsottawa.ca

Web: https://www.cfsottawa.ca/

Ongoing Psychotherapy and Counselling Services (Costs Vary)

AccessMHA (English & French)

Connects people in Eastern Ontario with mental health and addiction support, providing streamlined access to assessments and appropriate care. Also has self-guided resources.

Cost: Free

Web: https://www.accessmha.ca/

Coalition of Community Health and Resource Centres of Ottawa (English & French)

Directory of resources for the 13 Community Health and Resource Centres in Ottawa, offering information on various health services, support programs, and community initiatives available to residents.

Cost: Free

Web: https://coalitionottawa.ca/ Find Centres by location: https://coalitionottawa.ca/map/

Counselling and Family Service (CFS) Ottawa (English & French)

Counseling and support services to individuals, couples, and families, with specialized support programs for the LGBTQ+ community.

Cost: Sliding scale fees according to annual income and number of dependents.

Tel: 613-233-8478

Email: info@cfsottawa.ca

Web: www.cfsottawa.ca

Clinique de Services Psychologiques de l’UQO (French)

Psychological services and assessments for children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples in the Outaouais region. Services are provided by graduate students under the supervision of licensed clinical psychologists.

Cost: Sliding scale fees based on income.

Tel: 819-595-3900

Email: cspuqo@uqo.ca

Web: https://uqo.ca

Family Services Ottawa (English & French)

Counseling and support services for families, youth, and adults in Ottawa experiencing challenging situations. Services are offered by trained counselors.

Cost: Sliding scale fees based on income.

Tel: 613-725-3601 ext. 0

Email: info@familyservicesottawa.org

Web: www.familyservicesottawa.org

Jewish Family Services of Ottawa (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, Dari, Farsi, German, Russian, Somali, Ukrainian, Urdu)

Counseling services grounded in Jewish values for individuals, couples, and families in the greater Ottawa area. Multilingual newcomer services supporting immigrants and refugees of all cultural backgrounds.

Cost: Sliding scale fees based on income.

Tel: 613-722-2225

Email: info@jfsottawa.com

Web: www.jfsottawa.com

The Counselling Group (English, French, Spanish and Arabic)

Counseling services, mental health support, and community resources for individuals, couples, and families.

Cost: Free

Web: https://thecounsellinggroup.com

The Ottawa Pastoral Counselling Centre (English)

Counseling and psychotherapy services for individuals, couples, and families of all religious backgrounds.

Cost: Sliding scale fees based on income.

Tel: 613-235-2516

Email: opc@ottawa.anglican.ca

Web: www.ottawapastoralcounsellingcentre.ca

Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Program at The Royal (English & French)

Provides a 12-session, evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy program designed to teach practical skills and strategies for managing mental health issues. Referral: www.AccessMHA.ca (self-referral for Access MHA screening appointment, after which a referral to OSP Program can be made if appropriate).

Cost: Free Tel: 1-877-527-8207

St. Paul’s University Counselling and Psychotherapy Centre (English & French)

Counseling for individuals, couples, and families offered by students and counseling interns under supervision. Cost: Sliding scale fees based on income.

Tel: 613-782-3022

Email: counselling@ustpaul.ca

Web: http://ustpaul.ca/en/centre-for-counselling-home

University of Ottawa Centre for Psychological Services and Research (CPSR) (English & French)

Psychological services and assessments for children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. Services are offered by doctoral students and interns under the supervision of clinical psychologists.

Cost: Adjustable fees based on income.

Tel: 613-562-5289

Email: cpsr@uottawa.ca

Web: https://socialsciences.uottawa.ca/psychology/centre-psychological-services-research

Online or Telephone Support and Self-Management (Free of Charge)

Anxiety Canada (English)

Online resources, self-help tools, and programs for individuals experiencing anxiety.

Web: https://www.anxietycanada.com/

AbilitiCBT (English & French)

On-line, therapist-assisted program providing cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) tools. The Community Forum offers peer-to-peer support.

Web: https://myicbt.com/en-CA

BounceBack (English & French)

Online resources and worksheets addressing a variety of mental health concerns.

Web: https://bouncebackontario.ca/

Centre for Clinical Interventions (English)

Online resources and worksheets addressing a variety of mental health concerns.

Web: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself

eMentalHealth (English)

An online resource directory of mental health services, including information sheets and screening tools.

Web: https://www.ementalhealth.ca/Toronto/Home/index.php?m=home

Fem’aide (French)

24/7 helpline for Francophone women experiencing gender-based violence, offering support, information, and referrals to appropriate services.

Tel: 1-877-336-2433

Web: https://femaide.ca/

Living Healthy Champlain (English & French)

Self-management supports, programs, and resources for individuals with chronic health conditions in the Champlain region.

Tel: 1-877-240-3941

Web: https://www.livinghealthychamplain.ca/

MindShift CBT (English & French)

Online resources, including videos and telephone coaching with workbooks for depression, anxiety, stress, or worry.

Web: https://www.anxietycanada.com/resources/mindshift-cbt/

Power Over Pain (English & French)

Free evidenced-based virtual resources to help youth and adults manage their chronic pain

Web: https://poweroverpain.ca/

Talk4Healing for Indigenous Women (English, Algonquin, Anishinaabe, Black Foot, Cree, Inuktitut, Micmac, Mohawk, Moose Cree, Odawa, Oji-Cree, Oneida, Potawatomi, Swampy Cree)

24/7 helpline offering support and resources for Indigenous women, provided by Indigenous women.

Tel: 1-855-554-HEAL

Crisis Line: 1-888-200-9997

Web: https://www.beendigen.com/programs/talk4healing/

Tel-Aide Outaouais (French)

Telephone helpline for mental health support in the Outaouais region and surrounding areas.

Outaouais: 819-775-3223

Ottawa et les environs: 613-741-6433

Sans frais: 1-800-567-9699

Togetherall (English & French)

Online community aimed at improving mental health with peer support forums, guided self-help programs, and educational materials.

Web: https://togetherall.com/en-ca/

Peer Support (Free of Charge)

Breaking Free (English & French)

24/7 online recovery support program that is self-managed, offering tools for managing addiction.

Web: https://www.breakingfreeonline.ca/

Mood Disorders Ottawa (English)

Peer-run volunteer organization supporting individuals with mood disorders and other mental health challenges.

Tel: 613-526-5406 or email info@mooddisordersottawa.ca

Web: https://www.mooddisordersottawa.ca/

Psychiatric Survivors of Ottawa (English)

In-person and online peer support groups for individuals dealing with mental health and addiction challenges.

Tel: 613-567-4379 (Ottawa) or 1-877-550-4379 (toll-free) or email info@pso-ottawa.ca

Web: https://www.pso-ottawa.ca/

Addictions Support

Breaking Free (English & French)

Self-managed recovery support program. Access is provided by licensed organizations, such as healthcare providers and addiction services, who make Breaking Free available to those in their care.

Cost: Free

Web: www.breakingfreeonline.ca

Community Addictions Peer Support Association (CAPSA): All People, All Pathways (English & French)

Peer group meetings for individuals with addictions. Families, allies, and professionals are also welcome.

Cost: Free

Web: https://capsa.ca/peer-support/

Connex Ontario (English & French)

Information and navigation support for people experiencing issues with gambling, drugs, alcohol, or mental health.

Cost: Free Tel: 1-866-531-2600

Web: https://www.connexontario.ca/en-ca/

Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services (English)

Assists individuals and families dealing with substance use, behavioural addictions, and mental health issues. Cost: Contact by phone or email.

Tel: 613-724-4881

Web: https://www.rideauwood.org/

SMART Recovery (English)

Self-management and recovery training program offering online and in-person support and resources for addiction.

Cost: Free

Web: https://www.smartrecovery.org/

Sleep (Costs Vary)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) Group (English)

Dr. Brian Lynn, M.D., facilitates a CBT-i group program designed to help improve sleep patterns and manage insomnia.

Cost: Covered by OHIP

Referral by physician

Tel: 613-247-8880

MySleepWell (English)

Online resource for managing sleep difficulties based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) principles for insomnia.

Web: https://mysleepwell.ca/

Private Practice Psychologists (Fee-for-Service)

College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (English)

Public register to verify the credentials and areas of practice of licensed psychologists and behavior analysts in Ontario. Enter search criteria on the website to find a provider that fits your needs.

Web: https://members.cpbao.ca/public_register/new

Ottawa Academy of Psychologists (English & French)

Online directory of registered psychologists and psychological associates in the Ottawa area. Enter search criteria on the website to find a provider that fits your needs.

Tel: 613-235-2529 for help accessing psychological information and services.

Web: https://ottawa-psychologists.org/online-directory/

Social Work (Costs Vary)

Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (English & French)

Public register to verify the credentials and areas of practice of licensed social workers and social service workers in Ontario.

Web: https://www.ocswssw.org/

If you know the name of the provider you would like to contact, you can use the Online Register Search (https://onlineservices.ocswssw.org/en-US/Online-Register-Search/Online-Register-Search-Custom/ ).

Multilingual Services – Services in languages beyond English and French (Costs Vary)

Counselling Connect (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin)

1 to 3 free individual counselling sessions via phone or video, with additional support groups available.

Cost: Free

Tel: 211 (in Ontario)

Web: https://www.counsellingconnect.org/

Hope for Wellness Helpline for Indigenous Peoples (English, French, Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut)

24/7 crisis intervention, mental health counseling services, and referrals via phone and online tailored to the unique needs of Indigenous Peoples across Canada.

Tel: 1-855-242-3310 or chat online https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/

Web: https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/

Jewish Family Services of Ottawa (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, Dari, Farsi, German, Russian, Somali, Ukrainian, Urdu)

Counseling services grounded in Jewish values for individuals, couples, and families in the greater Ottawa area. Multilingual newcomer services supporting immigrants and refugees of all cultural backgrounds also offered.

Cost: Sliding scale fees based on income.

Tel: 613-722-2225

Email: info@jfsottawa.com

Web: www.jfsottawa.com

The Counselling Group (English, French, Spanish and Arabic)

Counseling services, mental health support, and community resources for individuals, couples, and families.

Cost: Free

Web: https://thecounsellinggroup.com

Talk4Healing for Indigenous Women (English, Algonquin, Anishinaabe, Black Foot, Cree, Inuktitut, Micmac, Mohawk, Moose Cree, Odawa, Oji-Cree, Oneida, Potawatomi, Swampy Cree)

24/7 helpline offering support and resources for Indigenous women, provided by Indigenous women.

Tel: 1-855-554-HEAL

Crisis Line: 1-888-200-9997

Web: https://www.beendigen.com/programs/talk4healing/

Making an Appointment

Physician Referral Needed
External referrals to be faxed to 613-739-6631 

Contact Us

Clinical Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m


Location: General Campus: 2nd Floor, room 2201


General inquiries: 613-737-8532 ext. 0
Symptom Management Line: 613 737-8532 ext. 2

Resources

MS Canada

Return to all clinics and services

Last updated on: March 24th, 2025