Phase 1 - Out of the Darkness into the Light

15-week Support Group for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

The 15-week peer-led group provides a supportive and secure environment for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, offering a space where they can unite and share their experiences. This program features peer-facilitated, topic-focused discussions designed to help survivors build and refine their coping skills while exploring the effects of childhood sexual abuse.

Participants benefit from social re-connection, education, and insights into the impact of sexual abuse. Two Gatehouse-trained volunteer facilitators guide the group, ensuring a compassionate and informed approach.

The goal of the Phase 1 program is to achieve the following outcomes on our Theory of Transformation:

  • Acknowledge What Happened
  • Be With and Connect With Others
  • Develop Self-Awareness

This is a closed group process—an intake meeting is required, and no new members are accepted after the second week. Intakes can be conducted over the phone, online via Zoom, or in person. For full details, see the “How to Apply” section below.

Peer Support Group for CSA Survivors

Requirements
Topics
Risks/Benefits
  • Registrants must complete an intake (group readiness meeting).
  • Must be over the age of 18 and a survivor of childhood sexual abuse.
  • Participants must be in Canada.
  • Individuals with sexual offences/offending behaviour are not permitted.
  • Registrants cannot participate if they have committed serious crimes, active and unmanaged substance use, or significant prejudices.
  • Triggers 
  • Moving Out of Isolation into Inclusion
  • Emotional Regulation and Anger
  • Inner Child
  • Loss and Grief
  • Re-establishing Healthy Boundaries
  • Guilt and Shame
  • Unlinking Sexuality from Abuse
  • Mindful Path
  • Transformation and Closure

Phase 1 engages in discussions where individuals share their experiences with triggers, inner child, addictions, boundaries, shame/guilt, and moving forward. These discussions may involve sharing individual perceptions and core beliefs.

Such activities may bring up feelings of fear, sadness, and anxiousness in the group. It is strongly recommended that participants have a support network outside of The Gatehouse, including peers, therapy, or social work support.

Additional Resources:

  • To search for additional mental health support in your community, check out the e-mental health website here.
  • For a list of crisis numbers in Ontario click here.
  • For a list of Domestic-Intimate-Partner-Violence-Resources in Ontario click here.

How to Apply

Step 1: Download an intake form as fillable PDF file using the button below.

Step 2: Complete the intake form and email it to Karen MacKeigan, Program Coordinator.

Download

Download an intake form here to get started.

The purpose of the intake meeting is to determine your readiness to commit to the full 15 weeks of the program, including a willingness to engage with the weekly discussions, exercises, and your self-care plan/practices.

Following the intake meeting, participants are required to complete three individual peer support sessions before registering for any group program. These sessions discuss the topics of grounding techniques, self-care planning, and overall wellness

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants who have previously completed a Phase 1 program may be wait-listed.

Please note: it may take up to two weeks for an intake meeting to be scheduled.

Program Details

Where

The Phase 1 program is offered both in-person at The Gatehouse and/or online via Zoom meetings. It is facilitated by two trained Gatehouse volunteers.

  • Group Options: Separate groups for different gender identities, including all-gender groups. 
  • Scheduling: Groups are available throughout the year.
  • Contact: For questions, please reach out to Karen at programs@thegatehouse.org.

The program fee is $150 ($10 per session x 15 sessions).

Sliding scale and payment plans are available.

  • You will be invoiced via email.
  • VISA, MasterCard, cheque, or e-transfer are acceptable payment methods.
  • E-transfer payments should be sent to Jasmine Lem, Phase 1 W/AG/YAP Program Coordinator at jasmine@thegatehouse.org.
  • Payment is due one week before the program start date and is non-refundable.
  • If paying by cheque. Cheques should be payable to “The Gatehouse” and mailed to 3101 Lakeshore Blvd W., Toronto, ON, M8V3W8 one week prior to group start. 

 

WednesdaysWOMEN-PH1-15 weeks DAY, 12pm-2pmMarch 4, 2026 – June 24, 2026In-person
WednesdaysWOMEN-PH1-15 weeks DAY, 12pm-2pmFebruary 25, 2026 – June 17, 2026Virtual
WednesdaysWOMEN-PH1-15 weeks DAY, 12pm-2pmJune 3, 2026 – September 9, 2026In-person
WednesdaysWOMEN-PH1-15 weeks DAY, 12pm-2pmMay 27, 2026 – September 2, 2026Virtual
WednesdaysWOMEN-PH1-15 weeks DAY, 12pm-2pmOctober 7, 2026 – January 27, 2026In-person
WednesdaysWOMEN-PH1-15 weeks DAY, 12pm-2pmSeptember 9, 2026 – December 16, 2026Virtual
WednesdaysMen’s Ph 1 in-person, 7pm – 9pmFeb 25/26 to May 6/26In-person
WednesdaysMen’s Ph1 Virtual , 7pm – 9pmFeb 25/26 to May 6/26Virtual
WednesdaysMen’s Ph1 in-person, 7pm – 9pmApril 15/26 to July 29/26In-person
WednesdaysMen’s Ph1 Virtual, 7pm – 9pmApril 15/26 to July 29/26Virtual
WednesdaysMen’s Ph1 in-person, 7pm – 9pmJun 10/26 to Sept 16/26In-person
WednesdaysMen’s Ph1 Virtual, 7pm – 9pmJun 10/26 to Sept 16/26Virtual
WednesdaysMen’s Ph1 in-person, 7pm – 9pmAug 19/26 to Nov 25/26In-person
WednesdaysMen’s Ph1 Virtual, 7pm – 9pmAug 19/26 to Nov 25/26Virtual

 

ThursdaysPH1 All Genders – 15 weeks , 7pm – 9pmFebruary 19, 2026 – June 4, 2026In-person
MondaysPH1 All Genders – 15 weeks, 7pm – 9pmMarch 2, 2026 – June 29, 2026In-person
MondaysPH1 All Genders – 15 weeks, 7pm – 9pmMarch 16, 2026 – July 20, 2026Virtual
MondaysPH1 All Genders – 15 weeks, 7pm – 9pmMay 25, 2026 – September 21, 2026In-person
MondaysPH1 All Genders – 15 weeks, 7pm – 9pmJune 8, 2026 – October 5, 2026Virtual
MondaysPH1 All Genders – 15 weeks, 7pm – 9pmAugust 24, 2026 – December 14, 2026In-person
MondaysPH1 All Genders – 15 weeks, 7pm – 9pmAugust 24, 2026 – December 14, 2026Virtual
TuesdaysWOMEN-PH1-15 weeks, 7pm – 9pmFebruary 3, 2026 – May 19, 2026In-person
TuesdaysWOMEN-PH1-15 weeks, 7pm – 9pmFebruary 3, 2026 – May 19, 2026Virtual
TuesdaysWOMEN-PH1-15 weeks, 7pm – 9pmMarch 31, 2026 – July 14, 2026In-person
TuesdaysWOMEN-PH1-15 weeks, 7pm – 9pmApril 7, 2026 – July 21, 2026Virtual
TuesdaysWOMEN-PH1-15 weeks, 7pm – 9pmMay 26, 2026 – September 1, 2026In-person
TuesdaysWOMEN-PH1-15 weeks, 7pm – 9pmJune 9, 2026 – September 15, 2026Virtual
TuesdaysWOMEN-PH1-15 weeks, 7pm – 9pmJuly 21, 2026 – October 27, 2026In-person
TuesdaysWOMEN-PH1-15 weeks, 7pm – 9pmAugust 11, 2026 – November 17, 2026Virtual
TuesdaysWOMEN-PH1-15 weeks, 7pm – 9pmSeptember 8, 2025 – December 15, 2026In-person
TuesdaysWOMEN-PH1-15 weeks, 7pm – 9pmOctober 6, 2026 – January 26, 2026Virtual
TuesdaysWOMEN-PH1-15 weeks, 7pm – 9pmNovember 17, 2026 – March 9, 2026In-person
TuesdaysWOMEN-PH1-15 weeks, 7pm – 9pm

November 17, 2026 – March 9, 2026

Virtual

Please note: The following group dates may change slightly due to volunteer facilitator availability. Group dates will be confirmed via email to registrants.

Questions? If you have any questions about the Phase 1 Program, please email Karen MacKeigan, Program Coordinator

* 14 Week Program