Directory · Each entry checked on the provider’s own website
Free and low-cost counselling in Canada, by province
Public programs, non-profits and a university training clinic in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador, plus programs open to eligible people anywhere in Canada.
This page lists 21 programs that provide or pay for counselling at no charge, on a sliding scale or through public funding, and that publish who can use them. Each entry says who qualifies, what it costs, how to get in, and the date we last checked it against the provider’s own website. Free consultations offered by private practices, including ours, are not listed.
We call a program free only when its provider says so. Where a provider lists no fee, the entry says that, and you can ask when you get in touch. Several of these programs keep office hours and are not crisis services.
If you need immediate support
If you or someone you know is in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, please reach out right away — you don't have to wait for a therapy appointment.
- 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline — call or text 9-8-8 (Canada, 24/7)
- Emergency — call 911 if there is immediate danger
Three routes to check first
Your family doctor or nurse practitioner. If you have provincial health coverage, they can tell you which public mental health services take referrals where you live, and some programs below ask for a referral from them.
An employee assistance program (EAP). Some employers, unions and professional associations offer an EAP: a set number of short-term counselling sessions through an outside provider, at no cost to you. How many sessions, who in your family is covered, and what, if anything, goes back to your employer all depend on the plan, so ask your human resources department or benefits provider before you start.
University training clinics. Some universities with graduate programs in counselling or clinical psychology run community clinics where trainees see clients under supervision, for free or a reduced fee. One is listed below for British Columbia. If you contact one, ask who supervises the work, how many sessions are offered, and what happens when the term ends.
For what private sessions cost in each province, and what provincial health plans and extended health benefits cover, see our guide to what therapy costs in Canada. Crisis lines and other public services by province are on our resources page.
Anywhere in Canada
Programs open to eligible people in any province.
Hope for Wellness Helpline
Donna Cona, an Indigenous organization, funded by the Government of Canada
What it is. Counselling by phone or online chat with experienced, culturally competent counsellors, any time of day. Phone and chat are in English and French; phone support in Cree, Ojibway (Anishinaabemowin) and Inuktitut is available on request, though not around the clock.
Who qualifies. Indigenous people anywhere in Canada.
Cost. No fee is listed; the helpline is funded by the Government of Canada.
How to get in. Phone or use the chat on its website, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Phone: 1-855-242-3310.
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
Kids Help Phone
What it is. Professional counsellors by phone, 24 hours a day, in several languages, and by online chat in the evening (7 pm to midnight Eastern). Texting CONNECT to 686868 reaches a trained volunteer crisis responder at any hour.
Who qualifies. Kids, teens and young adults anywhere in Canada.
Cost. Free, according to Kids Help Phone.
How to get in. Phone, text or chat. Phone: 1-800-668-6868.
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
VAC Assistance Service
Veterans Affairs Canada
What it is. A phone line staffed by mental health professionals, who can arrange short-term support with a professional near you, from one to 20 hours depending on need.
Who qualifies. Canadian Armed Forces Veterans, former RCMP members, their families and their caregivers.
Cost. Free, with no application needed.
How to get in. Phone any time, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Phone: 1-800-268-7708.
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
Mental health counselling under Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
Indigenous Services Canada
What it is. Coverage for mental health counselling, as one of the NIHB benefit areas, where it is not covered by a provincial, private or other public plan. Counsellors enrolled with the program can bill it directly, so you do not pay up front.
Who qualifies. Registered First Nations and recognized Inuit who are eligible NIHB clients.
Cost. Covered for eligible clients; prior approval may be required.
How to get in. Show your client identification to a counsellor enrolled with NIHB, or ask your NIHB regional office or your community.
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
BounceBack, outside British Columbia and Ontario
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
What it is. A skill-building program for low mood, stress and worry. CMHA says the program differs by province or territory; it is funded by governments and donors in British Columbia, Ontario and parts of Manitoba.
Who qualifies. Depends on where you live; the national page sends you to your province's version.
Cost. Free, according to CMHA.
How to get in. Choose your province on CMHA's national BounceBack page.
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
British Columbia
BounceBack BC
Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division
What it is. A skill-building program for low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry, delivered online or by phone with a coach.
Who qualifies. Adults and youth aged 13 and older living in British Columbia. Phone coaching also needs a primary care provider who accepts clinical responsibility during the program (a physician, nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, psychologist, registered clinical counsellor, registered social worker or school counsellor), and has further criteria listed on its eligibility page.
Cost. Free, according to CMHA BC.
How to get in. Register on its website. Phone coaching starts with a referral from one of the providers above. Phone: 1-866-639-0522.
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
Foundry centres and Foundry Virtual BC
Foundry BC
What it is. Counselling by drop-in or appointment, peer support, groups, and physical and sexual health care, at Foundry centres or through the Foundry BC app, which offers same-day virtual counselling appointments.
Who qualifies. Young people aged 12 to 24 in British Columbia, and their caregivers.
Cost. Free, with no referral needed, according to Foundry.
How to get in. Drop in at a Foundry centre, or download the Foundry BC app, register and book. Booking help: online@foundrybc.ca or the number below. Phone: 1-833-308-6379 (virtual booking help).
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
SFU Surrey Community Counselling
Simon Fraser University, Faculty of Education (university training clinic)
What it is. Individual and group counselling by trainees in SFU's master's program in counselling psychology, supervised by registered counsellors and psychologists who teach in the program. For fall 2026 and spring 2027 it offers individual sessions three afternoons a week.
Who qualifies. Adults, seniors, youth and school-aged children who live in Surrey and the Lower Mainland. Current SFU students are referred to SFU Health instead.
Cost. Free, according to the clinic.
How to get in. Leave a phone message or email scc_admin@sfu.ca with your name and contact details. Phone: 778-782-4913.
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP)
Government of British Columbia
What it is. Benefits that can include counselling for people hurt by a violent crime that happened in British Columbia, where the same or similar benefits are not available from another source.
Who qualifies. Victims, immediate family members of victims, and certain witnesses. You do not have to wait for charges or a conviction. Applications generally have to arrive within one year of the crime if it happened before 1 January 2024, or within two years if it happened on or after that date, with exceptions set out on the program page.
Cost. Approved benefits are paid by the program. Anything another source can cover, such as a health insurance plan, has to be claimed there first.
How to get in. Apply to CVAP using the application form for the date of the crime. VictimLinkBC (1-800-563-0808) can put you in touch with a victim service program near you. Email cvap@gov.bc.ca. Phone: 1-866-660-3888 (toll-free) · 604-660-3888 (Lower Mainland).
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
Alberta
Counselling Alberta
Calgary Counselling Centre in partnership with the Government of Alberta
What it is. Counselling for individuals, couples and families, online anywhere in Alberta, with offices in several cities, including Calgary and Edmonton. It also offers counselling in other languages and farm-informed counselling.
Who qualifies. Anyone in Alberta.
Cost. A sliding fee scale, with no waitlist, according to the service.
How to get in. Register online or by phone. Phone: 833-827-4230.
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
Crisis Counselling Program
Distress Centre Calgary
What it is. Short-term counselling, one to six sessions, for people coping with acute distress or a situational crisis, with counsellors regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers. Sessions run Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, at its downtown Calgary office or virtually. It does not offer assessment or treatment for specific mental health disorders.
Who qualifies. Youth aged 16 and older, adults, couples and families in the Calgary region.
Cost. Free of charge, according to the centre.
How to get in. Call or text, or fill in the referral form on its page; an intake coordinator phones back in 3 to 4 days. Walk-in counselling is suspended for now. Phone: 403-266-4357 (call or text).
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
Eastside Community Mental Health Services
Wood's Homes
What it is. Walk-in single-session therapy in northeast Calgary (2116 27 Ave NE, Office 100), plus text and live chat support and Indigenous therapy. Walk-in hours: Tuesday and Thursday 11 am to 7 pm, Wednesday 11 am to 6 pm, Saturday 11 am to 5 pm.
Who qualifies. People in the Calgary area. Its Indigenous therapy is for Indigenous youth aged 16 and older, adults and couples.
Cost. No cost, according to Wood's Homes.
How to get in. Walk in during the hours above, phone to book, or text or chat from 9 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week. Phone: 403-299-9699 (appointments) · 587-315-5000 (text only).
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
Saskatchewan
Counselling Connect Saskatchewan
Family Service Saskatchewan agencies, funded by the Saskatchewan Health Authority
What it is. One-hour rapid-access counselling sessions with trained, registered counsellors for concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, substance use, parenting and relationships, with counselling focused on suicide loss. The counsellor can refer you on if you need more.
Who qualifies. Children, youth, adults, couples and families living in Saskatchewan; children and youth aged 6 to 17 have their own booking path.
Cost. Free, with no referral and no waitlist, according to the service.
How to get in. Book online. Sessions take place by phone, online or at a Family Service agency, and are usually available within days.
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
Wellbeing Course, Online Therapy Unit
Online Therapy Unit, University of Regina
What it is. An internet-delivered course of lessons for symptoms of depression or anxiety, with optional support from a therapist by secure email or phone. The unit offers other courses too, including ones for new and expecting parents, chronic health conditions and students.
Who qualifies. Saskatchewan residents aged 18 and older with symptoms of depression or anxiety who are comfortable online and have a local medical contact for emergencies.
Cost. Free; the unit says its courses are offered free of charge as part of funded research.
How to get in. Apply online through the course page.
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
Manitoba
Drop-in Counselling at Klinic
Klinic Community Health
What it is. A one-time session with a trained counsellor, with no appointment, at Klinic, 167 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg. Hours: Monday to Thursday, noon to 8 pm; Friday and Saturday, noon to 4 pm. Sessions are first come, first served, and you can ask in advance for a language interpreter.
Who qualifies. Anyone aged 13 or older, including couples and families.
Cost. Klinic's home page describes its counselling programs as free; the drop-in page itself lists no fee. Bring your Manitoba Health card if you have one.
How to get in. Go during drop-in hours and tell the front desk you would like to see a drop-in counsellor. Phone: 204-784-4090 (front desk).
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
Ontario
Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program (OSP)
Ontario Health, through 10 regional networks
What it is. Publicly funded structured talk therapy and guided self-help, including weekly 30-minute phone sessions with a therapist alongside a self-help guide. A mental health professional assesses you first. It is not suitable for everyone, including some people with complex needs.
Who qualifies. Adults aged 18 and older in Ontario with symptoms of depression or an anxiety-related disorder.
Cost. Free, according to Ontario Health.
How to get in. Ask your doctor or health care team for a referral, or refer yourself through the network for your area. Languages vary by network.
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
BounceBack Ontario
Canadian Mental Health Association
What it is. Phone coaching with trained coaches, plus online videos and workbooks, for anxiety, low mood, stress and worry. Adults get up to six telephone sessions.
Who qualifies. Teens (15 to 17) and adults (18 and older) in Ontario.
Cost. Free, according to CMHA.
How to get in. Refer yourself online; no doctor's referral is needed. A health care provider can also refer you. Phone: 1-866-345-0224 (referral questions).
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
Good2Talk
What it is. Support from counsellors and crisis responders by phone, text or online message, 24 hours a day.
Who qualifies. Post-secondary students in Ontario.
Cost. Free, according to Good2Talk.
How to get in. Phone, or text GOOD2TALKON to 686868. Phone: 1-866-925-5454.
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
The Walk-In Counselling Clinic & Counselling Connect
Partner community agencies in the Ottawa area
What it is. Single-session counselling, either at walk-in clinics run by partner agencies across the Ottawa area (including some evening and weekend times) or as a session booked online for later in the week. It also runs therapist-led groups on topics such as grief, anxiety and substance use.
Who qualifies. People in the Ottawa area. Each partner clinic sets its own schedule and languages.
Cost. Free, with no appointment or referral needed for walk-in sessions, according to the service.
How to get in. Check today's walk-in locations on its website, or reserve a session online.
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+)
Government of Ontario, through Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario agencies
What it is. Short-term help with essential expenses after a violent crime, which can include counselling, traditional Indigenous health services and related transportation.
Who qualifies. Victims or survivors of eligible crimes, their immediate family members and witnesses. It is a program of last resort, for people without personal resources or other private or public help for the expense.
Cost. Pays approved expenses, as a program of last resort.
How to get in. Your local Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario agency helps eligible people apply.
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
Newfoundland and Labrador
Doorways
NL Health Services
What it is. Rapid single-session counselling, listed among NL Health Services' mental health and addictions care options. It offers drop-in, same-day appointments, either face to face or virtually (phone or video).
Who qualifies. No age or other eligibility rules are listed on the NL Health Services page.
Cost. No fee is listed.
How to get in. You do not need a referral or a booked appointment. For more details, NL Health Services links to the Doorways listing on Bridge the gapp, a free online mental health resource that includes a directory of local services.
Provider’s page · Checked 5 October 2026
Checked at the source, entry by entry
Each entry was read on the provider’s own website on the date shown beside it, not copied from another directory. To be listed, a program has to be free, income-based or publicly funded, and has to publish who can use it. Eligibility rules, hours and fees change, so look at the provider’s page before you rely on an entry.
A gap here does not mean nothing exists where you live. Many communities have non-profit counselling agencies that are not listed because they do not publish a fee or eligibility rule online; your family doctor, nurse practitioner or local health authority can point you to them.
Published by TEO Counselling Services, a private practice (individual sessions $150, couples $175 per 60 minutes; sessions approved by BC’s Crime Victim Assistance Program are billed directly to the program). No program pays to be listed, and we update the list when programs change.