YOUR GOALS ARE OUR GOALS TOO
Services
Clinical Groups
Next level ABI rehabilitation and support
Facilitating progress is fundamental in any walk of life. Everybody deserves a path to achievement. TABIRS believe progression should be rewarded. That’s why Clinical Groups were set up – to provide the additional support individuals need to take their ABI rehabilitation to the next level.
Clinical Groups are recommended for clients who are willing to engage with peers and have the potential to apply the skills learned to settings outside the group. Our groups will always be there when you need them. If an individual is ready, willing, and able to change their behaviour and improve their skills, the door to our Clinical Groups is open.
All groups are facilitated by or directly supervised by a clinical team member. Psycho-educational and goal-oriented by nature, cognitive, communicative and behavioural abilities are always explored before group participation begins.
Rewarding rehabilitation, one group at a time.
We have a wide range of progressive Clinical Groups available:
Living Well With a Brain Injury Group | 12 Weeks
This workshop provides participants with an overview of the impacts of brain injury and opportunities to develop effective strategies for various aspects of daily life.
Core topics include:
• Neuroanatomy and functional changes following brain injury
• Compensatory techniques
• Communication skills
• Emotional regulation, navigating interpersonal relationships, and sexuality
This group is best suited for individuals who were old enough at the time of injury to know a ‘before and after’.
Cognitive Rehabilitation Following ABI | 12 Weeks
This structured group intervention begins with an overview of neuroanatomy and the common outcomes of acquired brain injury (ABI). Participants are introduced to the functional domains commonly affected by ABI, including attention, memory, communication, fatigue, and mood regulation. The program integrates educational instruction delivered by clinical staff with experiential learning through interactive exercises.
Each session is designed to enhance participants’ insight into their cognitive profiles, fostering awareness of both strengths and areas for improvement. Evidence-informed strategies are introduced to support cognitive functioning in daily life. Participants are encouraged to establish individualized rehabilitation goals and apply learned techniques in real-world contexts. Comprehensive handouts are provided to reinforce learning and support continued application beyond the group setting.
Positive Psychology Group
Positive Psychology focuses on increasing happiness in everyday lives. There are many practices associated with Positive Psychology that require a conscious effort to change thought patterns about the self and one’s experiences. For people with ABI, there are many challenges to implementing regular positive thought routines. This group seeks to assist individuals in identifying harmful thought processes and replace them with compassionate and supportive phrases, identify areas of strength to build self-esteem, and become more mindful of positive experiences to increase happiness in the moment.
Your Best Self Workshop | 12 Weeks
This group focuses on building self-esteem and a better self-image through exploring our innate strengths and our personal values. Participants report feeling inspired, confident, and happy at the end of each session.
Finding Happiness Workshop | 12 Weeks
This group helps participants to develop everyday cognitive routines that are proven to increase happiness. Topics include being grateful, focusing on the positives, forgiveness, mindfulness and more.
cTech Group | 12 Weeks
This group is designed for individuals interested in learning how to use an Apple or Android device to support cognitive functioning. Whether you’re new to technology or already comfortable with it, all skill levels are welcome. Throughout the program, participants will explore a range of topics and apps that can:
- Introduce the basics of using a smartphone or tablet for compensation
- Supplement memory, attention, and organization strategies
- Support mood regulation
Using everyday technology, the group offers practical tools to help improve daily routines and stay socially connected. A limited number of devices are available for use during sessions—perfect for those who are curious but not yet ready to invest in their own.
Men’s Group and Women’s Group | Rolling admission based on availability
This weekly support group brings together individuals with shared lived experiences of brain injury to collaboratively engage in problem-solving everyday challenges. The group emphasizes the development and application of metacognitive and communication skills to promote self-awareness, interpersonal effectiveness, and functional independence. Participants are encouraged to explore special interest topics relevant to their recovery, including mood regulation, self-esteem, self-compassion, and the formation of a positive post-injury identity.
SUBI Groups
The Substance Abuse and Brain Injury (SUBI) project was initiated to study the problem of substance abuse and brain injury. This website provides information for Healthcare Providers, persons with an acquired brain injury, and the general public.
SUBI Introduction
The SUBI group supports individuals in making and meeting goals around changing their substance use. The groups aim to provide education, peer support, prevention messages, and harm reduction, as well as problem-solving and coping strategies. The nature of the activities pursued in the group will cater to the composition of the group and their expressed goals. For some participants, the SUBI group may serve as a way to get ready for services offered to the general community. Clients will undergo a brief assessment to determine their readiness for the group. Participants in the SUBI groups must have case management support to attend. Start dates are scheduled for spring and fall but remain flexible depending on interest.
SUBI II
This group is by invitation only and includes participants who have completed the SUBI introduction. Sessions may review the SUBI curriculum but also include participation in activities that may serve as an alternative to substance use.
Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients program (STOP)
CHIRS, in partnership with CAMH Nicotine Dependence Clinic, runs a Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients (STOP) program that offers individual counselling and free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (e.g. patches, gum) to people who want to reduce or quit smoking commercial cigarettes, and/or use of other tobacco/nicotine products (i.e. e-cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, water pipes, etc.).
The smoking cessation treatment program is for 26 weeks within a one-year period. Meetings are scheduled with a trained STOP Practitioner to provide psychoeducation, behavioural support, one-to-one, or cessation group counselling.
The STOP program is offered to CHIRS employees, clients, and their family members. Individual appointments are scheduled weekly to start and can be reduced to the minimum of once per month, if desired.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
CHIRS is a host to a Narcotics Anonymous (NA) group. The group is run by members of the community. All members of the community are invited to attend without the need for registration. Narcotics Anonymous is a twelve-step program that is a powerful mutual help resource that supports people in recovery from substance use and addiction. It is dedicated to the abstinence-based recovery from narcotics, for both men and women. The only requirement for membership is the desire to stop using narcotics. The NA group at CHIRS is an open meeting and is held at the CHIRS’ head office on Tuesday evenings from 7:00pm to 8:00pm.
A CHIRS staff member is available to support the group and encourage adaptations that make NA accessible to people living with brain injury.
Goal Management Training (GMT) | 12 Weeks
Goal management training is a cognitive rehab training program designed for individuals who struggle with executive dysfunction. The program uses metacognitive strategies to help individuals with executive dysfunction improve their planning and achieve their goals. In this program, participants will be taught the course by two GMT trained facilitators. They will be given instructional tools and materials, workbooks and strategies to use and practice in their everyday life. Participants will also participate in supportive group discussions, where they will share their progress with GMT and receive supportive feedback from the group.
EQ Works | 12 Weeks
Do you ever feel like your emotions go from 0-100 in a flash? Do you ever regret saying or doing something after the heat of the moment has passed? Do you ever feel confused about why you are feeling a certain way?
This group is designed for people who answered YES to any of the above questions. After brain injury, it can be really difficult to manage intense emotions, and therefore, behaviours. This group will help you when you’re feeling upset and do not want to say or do something you will later regret. You will learn how to understand how you are feeling and why you are feeling that way. You will learn to stop that feeling before it becomes too overwhelming. You will also learn other skills to help you manage strong emotions and navigate difficult situations. Skills include mindfulness meditation, recognizing which types of thinking and behaviour are likely to help to you achieve your goals, and what to do to keep yourself on track. Emphasis will be given to practicing skills in group and exploring how skills can be applied to situations that are important in your life.
For information about workshop dates, subsidy and times, please contact TABIRS today by calling (416) 696-6031, toll free: (833) 696-6031.
Other services we provide:
We transform lives.
Help us do more for the community.
A gift to the CHIRS Foundation is a wonderful way to pay tribute or make a difference to those
living with ABI and their families. Your donations help with undertaking more ABI research,
consistently improving care facilities, and employing even more influential members of staff.
CHIRS has provided me with a greater sense of independence. Before CHIRS, and after my accident, I was living with my mother. Moving into a residence at CHIRS gave me a chance to step back into society. As well, I really love the music program at CHIRS; It gives me a chance to practice the harmonica and to join my friends in singing. I also like to mentor at the club. Doing laundry, serving coffee and washing dishes is a great way to feel productive and give back to CHIRS.
The quality of human beings in this building, from staff to volunteers to students to participants, is so far superior to what is found in the regular world. There is always someone here to lend a hand or provide a positive word when needed. There is always something to do at CHIRS. You will never be bored. Many people who attend have had their life change, going from working full time to having a lot of time on their hands. CHIRS gives us a place to go and meet people and have fun.
CHIRS is a good place to hang out. People are my ‘own type’ in that we all have brain injuries which means that we understand each other. It is good to know that at CHIRS people won’t dismiss me right away if they see that I walk funny or hear me talking in a peculiar fashion. I mentor at the club on Mondays and I do the work as needed. It keeps me busy and helps me feel needed. Plus the coffee is cheap which is a bonus!
My favourite thing about CHIRS is connecting with my peers and helping out. I prepare lunch at the club twice a week, run a Scrabble group on Tuesday and help with karaoke on Thursday. It helps to keep my brain stimulated and allows me to feel like I am doing something worthwhile with my life. I love the challenge of making the club a welcoming and positive place. It feels so good to turn frowns into smiles. If I didn’t have CHIRS I would feel isolated and would have far less to look forward to.
