Reduced-Cost Counselling Options in Vancouver – 2024
Here’s a resource list of lower-cost, sliding-scale and free counselling services in Metro Vancouver, primarily the city of Vancouver (**although as you’ll see on page seven, 2-1-1 provides resources to all of BC). This list is not exhaustive; at the time when you reach out, the clinic or resource may or may not be accepting referrals or may have variable wait times or waitlists. Please do your research – this is just a place to start!
General Counselling
Wellness Together Canada (Phone Counselling) – 1-866-585-0445
https://wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA/service/talk
Register with this service and speak with a professional counsellor 24/7. Counsellors rotate. Free. Text support also available by texting WELLNESS to 741741.
Family Services of the North Shore – 604-988-5281
https://www.familyservices.bc.ca/find-support/counselling-support/
Professional counselling for residents of the North Shore. Sliding Scale.
Oak Counselling – 604-266-5611
http://oakcounselling.org/
Reduced fee. Secular counselling services provided at the Vancouver Unitarian Centre by supervised volunteers with Master’s degrees in psychology or psychology-related fields. Individual and couples counselling. Check to see if waiting list is open.
JFS Vancouver – 604-558-5726
http://jfsa.ca/counselling/
Therapy services to youth, adults, seniors, couples, and families. Fee for a Registered Clinical Counsellor ranges from $30-110 and is based upon client income from their Notice of Assessment. Free counselling is offered by supervised intern students.
Family Services of Greater Vancouver, Student Internship Counselling Program 604-874-2938
https://fsgv.ca/programs/counselling/
Counselling provided by supervised counselling interns, September to April only. No fee. Offices in Vancouver, Richmond and New West.
Adler Centre – Counselling Clinic – 604-742-1818
http://www.adlercentre.ca/clinic.html
Subsidized individual and couples counselling. Counselling provided by
counselling psychology graduate students at the Adler Centre, supervised by an experienced clinician. $60-$85 to see a counselling intern; $100-$110 with registered counsellor.
Scarfe Counselling – UBC – 604-827-1523
http://ecps.educ.ubc.ca/counselling-centres/scarfe-free-counselling-clinic/ Free for adults and children 10+. Counselling provided by counselling psychology graduate students, supervised by a psychologist. Clinic runs from September to April.
UBC Psychology Clinic – 604-822-3005
http://clinic.psych.ubc.ca/
Counselling services provided by doctoral student interns, supervised by registered psychologists, serving youth and adults. $10-$40 per hour. Availability of services fluctuates.
Simon Fraser University – Counselling Clinics
Surrey Clinic – 604-587-7320 – http://www.sfu.ca/education/centres-offices/sfu-surrey counselling-centre.html Clinic is moving but is offering telehealth appointments. Burnaby Clinical Psychology Centre– 778-782-4720 – https://www.sfu.ca/psychology/clinical psychology-centre.html
Counselling for adults, children and youth provided by supervised graduate students. Surrey clinic: free. Burnaby clinic: services on a sliding scale, based on gross family income.
Canadian Mental Health Association: North and West Vancouver
Branch Brief Counselling Service – 604-987-6959
https://northwestvancouver.cmha.bc.ca/programs-services/counselling/
Up to 12 sessions of counselling for North Shore residents without open ICBC, WCB or other insurance carrier claims. Therapy provided by intern ($30) or registered clinical counsellor ($60).
Living Systems Counselling – 604-926-5496
https://livingsystems.ca/counselling/services-and-fees/
Individual, couple and family counselling using Bowen Family Systems Therapy. Lower-cost counselling provided by supervised interns ($15-$65) at some branches only.
Moving Forward Family Services – 778-321-3054
https://movingforwardfamilyservices.com
Counselling for individuals and families. Counselling primarily offered in Surrey, with limited availability in Vancouver, Port Moody and Abbotsford. Graduate-level counsellors ($50-$65) and counselling interns ($20). Limited free counselling available in exceptional circumstances.
Gordon Neighbourhood House – 604-683-2554 or
counselling@gordonhouse.org https://gordonhouse.org/programs/free-counselling/ Free short term virtual counselling for community members, provided by registered clinical counsellors. Individuals, couples and groups. Downtown Vancouver.
South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, Counselling Services
counselling@southvan.org http://www.southvan.org/program_category/community-programs/ Free program offered twice a week by counselling interns from City University. Individuals, couples and families.
Little Mountain Neighbourhood House – Counselling and Art Therapy Programs 604-879-7104 (Ask for Lynette)
https://web2.lmnhs.bc.ca/counselling-and-art-therapy/
Counselling provided by counselling interns, by appointment only. Building is accessible.
Kitsilano Neighbourhood House – 604-736-3588 ext.128 or counselling@kitshouse.org http://www.kitshouse.org/counselling-sessions/
Counselling by phone or Zoom, in partnership with Moving Forward Family Services and City 2
University; provided by counselling interns.$10/session suggested donation Vancouver Women’s Health Collective – Wellness Counselling –
604-736-5262 https://womenshealthcollective.ca/counselling/
Counselling and art therapy available on select days.
Vancouver Art Therapy Institute Student Clinic – self refer by emailing info@vati.bc.ca https://www.vati.bc.ca/clinic-supervision/
Art therapy by students supervised by registered art therapists who are also clinical counsellors. $10 materials fee for in-person sessions or free virtual sessions. Serves adults and adolescents.
Living Through Loss Counselling Society of BC – 604-873-5013
https://livingthroughloss.ca/counselling/
Professional grief counselling related to life change or loss. Group therapy also available. Small fund available for limited, subsidized counselling. Call to inquire.
LGBTQ+
Heath Initiative for Men (HIM) – 604-488-1001 ext. 230
https://checkhimout.ca/gay-mens-health/mental-health/counselling-support/ Brief professional counselling (8 sessions) is available to gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men either by donation equivalent to hourly wage. Vancouver, New Westminster, Surrey, Abbotsford.
Qmunity – Counselling Program – 604-684-5307 ext.107
https://qmunity.ca/get-support/counselling/
Counselling for members of the LGBTQ+ communities provided by Registered Social Workers and Clinical Counsellors. $60-$140 a session. Daytime only. 10-session limit.
Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre – 604-442-4352
https://cwhwc.com/services/
Counselling currently limited to hormone and surgery readiness for trans and gender-diverse people.
Mosaic – I Belong Program – 236-991-0107 or ibelong@mosaicbc.org
https://www.mosaicbc.org/services/settlement/lgbtq/
Support groups for LGBTQIA+ refugees and immigrants. Groups available online during Covid.
Trauma
Specialized Counselling & Trauma Services – Family Services of Greater Vancouver – 604-874-2938
https://fsgv.ca/programs/counselling/
Professional counselling for women, children, survivors of incest/trauma/sexual abuse, pregnant women with a trauma history and those experiencing family violence. No fee, however may require a referral from a social worker.
VAST – 604-255-1881 or Toll Free: 1-866-393-3133
https://www.vastbc.ca/refugee-home
Trauma-focused psychological counselling for refugees in one-on-one and group settings. Services provided in over a dozen languages.
Residential Historical Abuse Program – 604-875-4255
https://vch.eduhealth.ca/PDFs/CE/CE.851.S49.pdf
Free counselling for those who were sexually abused while under the care of the province (foster care, group homes, etc.)
Crime Victims Assistance Program – Victim Link BC 1-800-563-0808 (available 24/7) http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/bcs-criminal-justice-system/if-you-are a-victim-of-a-crime/victim-of-crime/financial-assistance-benefits
Funded counselling for victims of crime, their immediate family members and witnesses. Contact for eligibility.
BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse – 604-682-6482
https://bc-malesurvivors.com/for-survivors/funding-your-therapy/
Registered clinical counsellors (RCCs) provide individual and group counselling for male survivors of sexual abuse. RCC fee: $100 for individual counselling. Group counselling: $40 per week. Reduced cost counselling provided by practicum students at $45/hr. Victim services workers on staff to help apply for funding for those who qualify.
Battered Women’s Support Services – 604-687-1867
https://www.bwss.org/support/programs/counselling/
Counselling and support services for any woman who has been abused in an intimate relationship as well as women survivors of childhood sexual abuse, adult sexual assault and Indigenous residential school survivors.
WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre – 604-255-6228
https://www.wavaw.ca/counselling/
Individual counselling and group support for cis and trans women, two-spirit, trans and/or non binary people who have experienced sexual assault.
MMIWG2S Family Counselling Program-WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre 604-255-6344 http://www.wavaw.ca/mmiw-family-counselling/
Free counselling for family members of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people. Family members includes extended families, community families and self identified family members.
Atira Community Services Society – Stopping The Violence Counselling 604-331-1407 ext. 106 or 107
https://atira.bc.ca/what-we-do/program/stopping-the-violence-counselling/ Free individual and group counselling for women and transwomen who have experienced relationship abuse, sexual assault, or physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
BIPOC
First Nations Health Authority – 1-800-317-7878 (Toll Free)
http://www.fnha.ca/benefits/mental-health
Mental health provider list: http://www.fnha.ca/Documents/FNHA-First-Nations-Health Benefits-Mental-Health-Provider-List.pdf
Provides coverage to access mental health providers, including counsellors, social workers, and psychologists. FNHB covers three mental health programs: Short-Term Crisis Intervention, Indian Residential School Resolution Health Support Program, and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls – Health Support Services.
Metro Vancouver Indigenous Counselling
https://mvic.ca/mental-health-and-wellness-program/
Free professional counselling for Indigenous individuals across BC, registered with the First Nations Health Authority. Waitlist form: https://mvic.ca/indigenous-counselling-application/
Vancouver Black Therapy and Advocacy Foundation
https://vancouverblacktherapyfoundation.com/sanctuary
Non-profit organization linking Black community members with accredited Black local counsellors in Metro Vancouver. Priority for Black, disabled and LGBTQIA+ folks.
Indigenous Counselling Program – WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre –
604-255-6344 https://www.wavaw.ca/indigenous-counselling/
Free one-to-one counselling for Indigenous including trans and cis women, as well as trans, non-binary, and Two Spirit people, incorporating Aboriginal healing approaches and traditions based on the Medicine Wheel.
Addictions
Addictions Services, Vancouver Coastal Health – 604-675-3710
http://www.vch.ca/your-care/mental-health-substance-use/substance-use-services Substance use assessment, counselling and treatment planning for individuals, couples and families. Group counselling also available. Free.
BC Responsible and Problem Gambling Program – 1-888-795-6111 (available 24/7) https://www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca/getting-help/find-counsellor Free professional, multilingual counselling for any British Columbian struggling with their own or their family member’s gambling. Counsellors have a minimum of a Master’s degree in a counselling-related discipline.
Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC –
604-628-1134 Drug and Alcohol Outpatient Services – 520 Richards St. Vancouver
https://nccabc.ca/health/alcohol-drug-outpatient-services/
Walk in or call to set up an appointment. One-to-one adult, youth, family and group counselling for Indigenous people, part of an intensive outpatient treatment program.
Mental Health
Vancouver Coastal Mental Health – Vancouver Hospital – 604-675-3710 http://www.vch.ca/your-care/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-outpatient-services Group therapy for depression, anxiety, stress. Individual mental health assessments. Referral through your family doctor, or via a walk-in clinic.
SAFER – Vancouver Coastal Health – 604-675-3700
http://www.vch.ca/Pages/Suicide-Attempt-Follow-up,-Education—Research-SAFER.aspx?res_id=474 For Vancouver residents, provides counselling for individuals age 19 and over who have made a suicide attempt, are currently suicidal, or have suicidal thoughts; also offers support and education for people who are concerned about the risk of suicide in a significant other or bereaved by a suicide death.
Kelty’s Key Online Therapy – Vancouver Coastal Health –
604-675-3700 https://www.keltyskey.com/
Free, cognitive-behavioural online therapy for qualifying Vancouver residents. Registered online clients are assigned an online psychotherapist for time-limited sessions. The general public may also access the online courses in a self-help capacity (without therapist assistance).
Bounce Back Program – Canadian Mental Health Association –
1-866-639-0522 http://www.cmha.bc.ca/programs-services/bounce-back/ Telephone coaching for adults and youth (15+) with mild-moderate depression with or without accompanying anxiety. Coaching available in English, Cantonese, French and Punjabi. Family doctor’s referral required to access the coaching program. Free.
Mood Disorders Association of BC – 604-873-0103 ext. 2
Counselling and Wellness Centre
http://www.mdabc.net/counselling-and-wellness-centre-mdabc
Individual therapy with certified counsellor ($85-$95 an hour) or intern ($50 hour). Group therapy also available.
Multilingual
SUCCESS – Individual and Family Counselling – 604-408-7266 or
604-684-1628
https://successbc.ca/counselling-crisis-support/services/counselling/
Counselling offered in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Farsi and English with a focus on helping new immigrants of Chinese and other ethnic origins. Play and art therapy also available. Fees charged on a sliding scale based on income.
MOSAIC – Stopping The Violence Family Counselling – 604-254-9626 (Ask for the Stopping the Violence Counsellor and/or the Women’s Support Worker).
https://www.mosaicbc.org/services/counselling/stopping-the-violence/
Free, confidential counselling support and multicultural outreach services for women who have experienced, or are at risk of, abuse, threats, or violence in an intimate relationship, sexual assault or childhood abuse. 1:1 counselling and group support. Services available in English, Punjabi and Hindi.
MOSAIC – Vietnamese Family Support Program –
604-254-9626 ext.1030 (Ask for the Vietnamese Family Support
Program). https://www.mosaicbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/
T56770Vietnamese_VFC_June06_Web.pdf
One-on-one or family support and counselling for a variety of life issues. Services available in Vietnamese and English.
Vancouver and Lower Mainland Multicultural Family Support Services Society Multicultural Outreach/ Stopping the Violence Program –
604-436-1025 https://www.vlmfss.ca/multicultural-outreach
Individual counselling, group counselling, advocacy, crisis intervention and referrals for women experiencing any form of abuse or violence, provided in numerous languages.
Youth
Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA) – Counselling Program
604-253-5885 or link.counsellor@unya.bc.ca (intake counsellor works on Mondays) https://unya.bc.ca/programs/alcohol-drug-counsellors/
Free individual and group clinical counselling for Indigenous youth, ages 13-24. Or contact the Wellness Centre for drop-in counselling hours: https://unya.bc.ca/programs/ native-youth-health-wellness-centre/
Dan’s Legacy – Therapeutic Counselling Program
tom@danslegacy.com
https://www.danslegacy.com/help/
Counselling for youth ages 15-25 who have experienced abuse or are affected by substance use. Family counselling also available. Bursaries available for those unable to afford therapy.
Drop-In Counselling Program – The Foundry – 1-833-308-6379
https://foundrybc.ca/virtual/drop-in-counselling/
Single-session virtual counselling for youth ages 12-24 and their caregivers. Counselling by voice, video or chat.
Trauma Counselling for Children Affected by Family Violence (PEACE) – 604-436-1025 Vancouver and Lower Mainland Multicultural Family Support Services Society https://www.vlmfss.ca/childrens-programs
Counselling available for children ages 3-18 who have been exposed to domestic violence.
Kids Help Phone – 24/7 – In English or French
1-800-668-6868 – to talk to a professional counsellor
https://kidshelpphone.ca/ (to start live chat) or access online resources
text CONNECT to 686868 for crisis text support – https://kidshelpphone.ca/text/ Phone, text or live chat. Anonymous and confidential. No need to give your name.
Health-Related
Callanish Society – 604-732-0633
https://www.callanish.org/ongoing-programs
Counselling for adults and youth affected by cancer at any stage, and for their family members. Counselling also available for family members grieving the loss of a loved one from cancer. Sliding scale rate ranging from $50 to $150 / session.
Adapt Clinic – Genetic Counselling Program – BC Women’s Hospital Contact: Angela Inglis: 604-875-2726 or Emily Morris: 604-875-2000 ext. 6787
7
http://www.bcmhsus.ca/our-services/genetic-counselling-(the-adapt-clinic) Free 1:1 counselling for anyone of any age who has a diagnosis or family history of a mental health disorder, seeking to better understand potential risks associated with the mental health condition as well as strategies for protecting future mental health.
Chuck Jung Associates Psychological & Counselling Services* –
604-874-6574 https://www.chuckjung.com/pro-bono-counselling-tbi/
No-cost counselling for individuals with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and their family members, delivered at Port Coquitlam and Burnaby offices by supervised psychology doctoral students. *While not a non-profit organization, availability of counselling services in the community for people affected by TBIs is extremely limited, hence inclusion on this list
Extended Health Benefits
If you have extended health through your employer, check with HR or your insurance plan to see whether your employer has paid for counselling benefits. Sometimes this is a separate, contracted service (Employee Assistance Program), other times you are covered for a particular counselling professional such as a Registered Social Worker (RSW or RCSW), Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) or a Registered Psychologist (R.Psych), whom you would hire privately. Be clear on who you’re covered for if reimbursement is important to you! Typically, you would pay the therapiss first and they give you a receipt for reimbursement through your extended health. I have written extensively counselling options, including third-party, employee assistance programs, private and subsidized, in the following article: https:// willowtreecounselling.ca/articles/am-i-covered-understanding-your-counselling-options/
Other Options
Some private counsellors and clinics offer subsidized counselling, usually provided by counselling students. This generally requires contacting counsellors and clinics directly to inquire. This can be a tedious process, therefore I recommend creating a standardized inquiry email and to get names off of centralized directories like:
Counselling BC – https://counsellingbc.com/counsellors
Healing in Colour – https://www.healingincolour.com/directory
2-1-1 (Formerly RED BOOK) – https://bc.211.ca/ A searchable online directory of community, government, and social services in BC**
Use Of This List
As agencies change over time, please check with the above services to ensure accuracy of the information provided here. Note that many programs will have wait lists, or wait lists may be closed. You may wish to add yourself to several waiting lists to potentially increase the speed of you being able to access counselling.
Inclusion of the above resources does not indicate an endorsement of them or an affiliation with VPC.
Crisis Services and Hotlines in Vancouver – January 2024 If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911.
—————————————————————————————————————— • 1-800-SUICIDE, BC-wide, 24/7.
- Wellness Together Canada – 1-866-585-0445 – Phone counselling: 24/7 access to a professional counsellor. Or text WELLNESS to 741741.
- Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC – 24/7: Phone 604-872-3311 (Vancouver) or 1-866-661-3311 (toll free); Chat (noon-1am): https://crisiscentrechat.ca/ or youth chat: https://youthinbc.com/ (noon-1am)
- Health Link BC – Nurse Line – 24/7 – Phone: 8-1-1 or 7-1-1 (hearing impaired)
- First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line and On-line Counselling Toll Free: 1-855-242-3310 Chat Line: www.hopeforwellness.ca Immediate counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous people across the country.
- KUU-US Indigenous Crisis Line (24/7) Toll Free: 1- 800-588-8717
Adult/Elder: 250-723-4050 Child/Youth: 250-723-2040
- National Residential School Crisis Line (former residential school students) 24/7 – 1-866-952-4419
- WAVAW 24-7 Rape Crisis Line – 604-255-6344 or Toll-Free: 1-877-392-7583 • Kids Help Phone – 24/7 – 1-800-668-6868 or Text CONNECT to 686868
- Youth Against Violence Line – 24/7: 1-800-680-4264 or Text: 604-836-6381 TTY: 604-875-0885. Help for youth in danger or being threatened.
- Chinese Help Lines – 604-270-8233 (Cantonese) 604-270-8222 (Mandarin) -10am-10pm
- Trans Lifeline – Toll Free in Canada: 1-877-330-6366 – https://translifeline.org/ Peer support hotline run by and for trans people. 7am-1am Pacific Time.
- Critical Incident Response – WorkSafe BC – 1-888-922-3700 (9am-11pm, 7 days wk) For workers who have witnessed a traumatic incident in the workplace. Free.
- Gambling Support Line (24/7) – 1-888-795-6111
- Seniors Abuse and Information Line – 604-437-1940 / Toll-Free: 1-866-437-1940 TTY: 604-428-3359 or TTY toll-free 1-855-306-1443.
Weekdays 8am-8pm; Weekends 10am to 5:30pm, excluding statutory holidays.
- Access and Assessment Centre (AAC) – 604-675-3700 Non-life-threatening mental health or addictions concerns – 7:30am-11pm, 7 days a week. Phone or drop in. – Segal Centre,
VGH – Access & Assessment Centre
803 W. 12th Ave. Vancouver. Response times may vary. http://www.vch.ca/your-care/mental-health-substance-use/vancouver-access-assessment-centre