Free, sliding scale, and reduced-cost counselling in Vancouver (Updated 2023)
This page contains a regularly updated resource list of free, low-cost, and sliding-scale options for counselling and therapy services through community organizations in Vancouver, BC and surrounding communities. I’ve included and noted the services requiring a referral from a primary care provider.
Some private clinics and therapists offer reduced cost and/or sliding scale options. In these cases, it’s always best to directly connect with the counsellor you’re interested in working with about your financial situation.
Please let me know if there’s a community organization that I have missed!
Access and Assessment Centre (AAC)
Provides a drop-in clinic and phone service for urgent and non-emergency (non-life threatening) access to a wide range of Vancouver Coastal Health’s mental health and substance use services. The clinic and phones are open between 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. You do not need a referral from a family doctor to access this service.
Website: http://www.vch.ca/locations-services/result?res_id=1186
Phone: 604-675-3700
Wellness Together Canada (Canada-wide)
Description: 24/7 professional phone counselling. Text support is available.
Website: wellnesstogether.ca
Phone/Email: 1-866-585-0445
Family Services of the North Shore
Description: Professional counselling for North Shore residents with sliding scale fees.
Website: familyservices.bc.ca
Phone/Email: 604-988-5281 ext.226
JFS Vancouver
Description: Therapy services for various groups, fees based on income. Free counselling by supervised interns.
Website: jfsvancouver.ca
Phone/Email: 604-558-5726 or counsellingintake@jfsvancouver.ca
Oak Counselling
Description: Individual and couples counselling on a sliding scale.
Website: oakcounselling.org
Phone/Email: intakes@oakcounselling.org
Adler Centre – Counselling Clinic
Description: Subsidized individual and couples counselling by supervised psychology graduate students.
Website: adlercentre.ca
Phone/Email: 604-742-1818 or info@adlercentre.ca
Living Systems Counselling
Description: Counselling using Bowen Family Systems Therapy. Lower-cost counselling by supervised interns.
Website: livingsystems.ca
Phone/Email: 604-926-5496
UBC Psychological Services and Counselling Training Centre
Description: Free counselling for adults and children 10+ by counselling psychology graduate students.
Website: psctc.educ.ubc.ca
Phone/Email: 604-822-1364
UBC Psychology Clinic
Description: Counselling services by doctoral student interns, supervised by registered psychologists.
Website: clinic.psych.ubc.ca
Phone/Email: 604-822-3005 or clinic@psych.ubc.ca
Simon Fraser University – Counselling Clinics
Description: Free counselling services by supervised graduate students.
Surrey Clinic Website: sfu.ca
Burnaby Clinical Psychology Centre Website: sfu.ca
Phone/Email: Surrey Clinic: 778-706-0085 or scc_admin@sfu.ca, Burnaby: 778-782-4720
Canadian Mental Health Association: North and West Vancouver Branch
Description: Up to 8 counselling sessions for North Shore residents.
Website: northwestvancouver.cmha.bc.ca
Phone/Email: 604-987-6959
Moving Forward Family Services
Description: Subsidized counselling for individuals and families in Surrey and Metro Vancouver.
Website: movingforwardfamilyservices.com
Phone/Email: 877-485-5025
Gordon Neighbourhood House
Description: Sliding scale short-term counselling for Vancouver residents.
Website: gordonhouse.org
Phone/Email: 604-683-2554 or counselling@gordonhouse.org
South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, Counselling Services
Description: Free program offered by counselling interns.
Website: southvan.org
Email: counselling@southvan.org
Little Mountain Neighbourhood House – Counselling and Art Therapy Programs
Description: Counselling provided by counselling interns.
Website: lmnhs.bc.ca
Phone: 236-862-2903
Kitsilano Neighbourhood House
Description: Free counselling by phone or Zoom.
Website: kitshouse.org
Phone/Email: 604-736-3588 ext.128 or counselling@kitshouse.org
Vancouver Women’s Health Collective – Wellness Counselling
Description: Counselling and art therapy on select days.
Website: womenshealthcollective.ca
Phone: 604-736-5262
Vancouver Art Therapy Institute Student Clinic
Description: Art therapy by students supervised by registered art therapists.
Website: vati.bc.ca
Email: info@vati.bc.ca
Living Through Loss Counselling Society of BC
Description: Professional grief counselling related to life change or loss.
Website: livingthroughloss.ca
Phone: 604-873-5013
Hollyburn Family Services Society: Intern Counselling
Description: Reduced-rate counselling provided by supervised students.
Website: hollyburn.ca
Phone/Email: 604-968-8211 or info@hollyburn.ca
Health Initiative for Men (HIM)
Description: Brief professional counselling for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.
Website: checkhimout.ca
Phone: 604-488-1001 ext. 230
Qmunity – Counselling Program
Description: Counselling for members of the LGBTQ+ communities.
Website: qmunity.ca
Phone: 604-684-5307 ext.107
Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre
Description: Counselling is limited to hormone, surgical readiness, and ADHD assessments.
Website: cwhwc.com
Phone: 604-442-4352
Mosaic – I Belong Program
Description: Support groups for LGBTQIA+ refugees and immigrants.
Website: mosaicbc.org
Phone/Email: 236-991-0107 or ibelong@mosaicbc.org
Trauma Specialized Counselling & Trauma Services – Family Services of Greater Vancouver
Description: Counselling for various groups, including survivors of incest/trauma/sexual abuse.
Website: fsgv.ca
Phone: 604-874-2938
VAST
Description: Trauma-focused psychological counselling for refugees.
Website: vastbc.ca
Phone: 604-255-1881 or Toll Free: 1-866-393-3133
Residential Historical Abuse Program (RHAP)
Description: Free counselling for those sexually abused under provincial care.
Website: vch.eduhealth.ca
Phone: 604-875-4255
Crime Victims Assistance Program – Victim Link BC
Description: Funded counselling for victims of crime and their families.
Website: gov.bc.ca
Phone: 1-800-563-0808
BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Description: Counselling for male survivors of sexual abuse.
Website: bc-malesurvivors.com
Phone: 604-682-6482
Battered Women’s Support Services
Description: Counselling for women survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual abuse.
Website: bwss.org
Phone: 604-687-1868
Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre (formerly WAVAW)
Description: Counselling for marginalized genders who have experienced sexualized violence.
Website: wavaw.ca
Phone: 604-255-6344
MMIWG2S Family Counselling Program – Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre
Description: Counselling for family members of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people.
Website: salalsvsc.ca
Phone: 604-255-6344
Atira Community Services Society – Stopping The Violence Counselling
Description: Free counselling for women and trans women who have experienced abuse.
Website: atira.bc.ca
Phone: 604-331-1407 ext. 106 or 107
Seniors Older Adults Outreach JFS Vancouver
Description: Professional in-home or in-office counselling for seniors.
Website: jfsvancouver.ca
Phone: 604-558-5719
Vital Connections Program – Family Services of Greater Vancouver / Century House
Description: Free professional counselling for adults 50+ in New Westminster.
Website: fsgv.ca
Phone: 604-519-1064 ext. 2
Well Being Program for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind
Description: Free counselling for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind individuals.
Website: deafwellbeing.vch.ca
Phone: 778-819-0951 (voice), 778-987-4174 (text), 604-456-0901 (TTY only)
BIPOC – First Nations Health Authority
Description: Access to mental health providers, including counsellors, social workers, and psychologists.
Website: fnha.ca
Phone: 1-800-317-7878
Metro Vancouver Indigenous Counselling
Description: Free professional counselling for Indigenous individuals in BC.
Website: mvic.ca
Phone: 604-256-5850
Vancouver Black Therapy and Advocacy Foundation
Description: Connecting Black community members with accredited Black local counsellors.
Website: vancouverblacktherapyfoundation.com
Indigenous Counselling Program: Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre
Description: Free counselling for Indigenous individuals, incorporating Aboriginal healing approaches.
Website: salalsvsc.ca
Phone: 604-255-6344
Substance Use Services, Vancouver Coastal Health
Description: Substance use assessment, counselling, and treatment planning.
Website: vch.ca
Phone: 1(866) 658-1221
Burnaby Substance Use Services
Description: Free 1:1 online and in-person counselling for Burnaby residents.
Website: fraserhealth.ca
Phone: 604-777-6870
Fraserside Community Services
Description: Free substance-use counselling for adults, families, and youth in New Westminster.
Website: fraserside.bc.ca
Phone: 604-522-3722
BC Responsible and Problem Gambling Program
Description: Free professional counselling for individuals and families affected by gambling.
Website: bcresponsiblegambling.ca
Phone: 1-888-795-6111
PnP & Me – Health Initiative for Men
Description: Free 12-week group counselling for gay, bi, queer men and gender diverse people who use drugs during sex.
Website: checkhimout.ca
Phone: 604-488-1001
Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC
Description: One-to-one adult, youth, family and group counselling for Indigenous people.
Website: nccabc.ca
Phone: 604-628-1134
Vancouver General Hospital – Mental Health Outpatient Services
Description: Group therapy for depression, anxiety, and concurrent disorders. Psychiatry consultations.
Website: vch.ca (search for service)
Phone: 604-675-3700
SAFER – Vancouver Coastal Health
Description: Time-limited counselling for Vancouver residents with suicidal thoughts or a history of suicide attempts.
Website: vch.ca
Phone: 604-675-3700
CBT Skills Groups Society
Description: CBT educational groups for BC residents seeking to improve mental health symptoms. Referal is required from a primary care provider.
Website: cbtskills.ca
Phone: Information available on the website
Kelty’s Key Online Therapy – Vancouver Coastal Health
Description: Free, self-directed cognitive-behavioural online therapy.
Website: keltyskey.com
Phone: 604-675-3700
Bounce Back Program – Canadian Mental Health Association
Description: Telephone coaching for adults and youth with depression and anxiety.
Website: cmha.bc.ca
Phone: 1-866-639-0522
Mood Disorders Association of BC – Counselling and Wellness Centre
Description: Individual therapy with a certified counsellor or intern. Group therapy is also available. Occasionally offers group DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy).
Website: mdabc.net
Phone: 604-873-0103 ex.2
Bridge The Gap Program – Looking Glass Foundation
Description: Counselling for BC residents experiencing eating disorders.
Website: lookingglassbc.com
Phone: 604-314-0548
Borderline Personality Disorder Society of BC
Description: Free online and in-person peer support groups. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DPT) groups.
Website: bpdbc.ca
Phone: Information available on the website
SUCCESS – Individual and Family Counselling
Description: Individual and couples counselling is offered in multiple languages.
Website: successbc.ca
Phone: 604-408-7266 or 604-684-1628
MOSAIC – Violence Prevention and Support
Description: Confidential counselling support and multicultural outreach services for women experiencing or at risk of abuse.
Website: mosaicbc.org
Phone: 604-254-9626
MOSAIC – Vietnamese Family Support Program
Description: One-on-one or family support and counselling for various life issues.
Website: mosaicbc.org
Phone: 604-254-9626 ext.1030
Vancouver and Lower Mainland Multicultural Family Support Services Society
Description: Individual counselling, group counselling, advocacy, crisis intervention and referrals for women experiencing abuse.
Website: vlmfss.ca
Phone: 604-436-1025
inform’Elles – Ending the Violence Against Women Program
Website: informelles.ca
Description: French-language only, 1:1 counselling for women.
Phone: 604-563-8213
Urban Native Youth Association – Counselling Program
Description: Free individual and group clinical counselling for Indigenous youth.
Website: unya.bc.ca
Phone/Email: 604-253-5885 or link.counsellor@unya.bc.ca
Dan’s Legacy – Therapeutic Counselling Program
Description: Counselling for youth ages 15-25 who have experienced abuse or are affected by substance use.
Website: danslegacy.com
Email: tom@danslegacy.com
Drop-In Counselling Program – The Foundry
Description: Single-session virtual counselling for youth ages 12-24 and their caregivers.
Website: foundrybc.ca
Phone/Email: 1-833-308-6379 or online@foundrybc.ca
PEACE Trauma Counselling – Family Services of Greater Vancouver
Description: Trauma counselling and therapy for children affected by family violence.
Website: fsgv.ca
Phone: 604-731-4951
SAIP – Family Services of Greater Vancouver
Description: Professional counselling for children and youth who have experienced sexual abuse.
Website: fsgv.ca
Phone: 604-731-4951
DiscoverY – Sources BC
Description: Free short-term counselling for youth and young adults ages 15-25.
Website: sourcesbc.ca
Phone/Email: 604-538-2522 or discoverY@sources.bc.ca
Kids Help Phone
Description: 24/7 confidential phone, text, or live chat counselling for children and youth.
Website: kidshelpphone.ca
Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Text: CONNECT to 686868
Callanish Society
Description: Counselling for adults and youth affected by cancer and for their family members.
Website: callanish.org
Phone: 604-732-0633
IBD Centre of BC – Mental Health Services
Description: Mental health assessments and possible referral to the counselling program for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Website: ibdcentrebc.ca
Phone: 604-416-4444
Inspire Health
Description: Short-term, cancer-focused counselling support for those with a cancer diagnosis or their loved ones.
Website: inspirehealth.ca
Phone: 604-734-7125
Well Being Program for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind (Adults)
Description: Free counselling and mental health support services for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind individuals.
Website: deafwellbeing.vch.ca
Phone: 778-819-0951 (voice), 778-987-4174 (text), 604-456-0901 (TTY only)
SFU Clinical Psychology Centre
Description: It offers a range of reduced-cost services, providing assessment and mental health treatment for individuals, couples, families, and groups. Services by graduate students.
Website: sfu.ca/psychology/clinical-psychology-centre
Phone: 778-782-4720