Accessible Counselling in Victoria, BC Updated: January 2026
- Beth Cowin
- Jan 2
- 7 min read
In this article, Arbour therapist, Beth Cowin, offers an update on various options for accessible counselling in Greater Victoria, BC.
Beth draws her knowledge from her experience of work at Mental Health Recovery Partners (MHRP), where she helps connect people to various mental health resources around Greater Victoria. She also leads a weekly support group for family members of those in treatment for mental health and addictions.
For people who don’t have workplace benefits or disposable income, counselling can seem unaffordable and out of reach. While there are several low-income and sliding-scale options in Victoria, often these are staffed by volunteer counsellors and are limited in the therapeutic services they can provide. They can have long waitlists and usually cap the number of sessions. At the bottom of this post is a list of these services in Victoria, British Columbia. All of these volunteer-run agencies can provide reliable support, but they may not be able to provide the depth or duration of therapy that you are looking for.Â
Often when someone seeks counselling, they are looking for help with a specific challenge but also looking for a counsellor who will really connect with them, maybe for months or years. This allows the client to return to someone trusted and familiar who already knows parts of their story as they walk through different seasons of life. Private counselling is one of the few options for this kind of long-term, personal relationship, and it is what we offer at Arbour Counselling Centre. The cost of private counselling is usually covered or diminished through an employer's extended benefit plan, but for those who aren't enrolled in a benefit plan, Arbour tries to do something to help.
Each Arbour Counselling therapist offers a subsidy program for clients who do not have extended benefit coverage through their employer. While this subsidy only offers a limited reduction, it does try to take a small bite out of the cost. See details here:
SAJE BC:Â Young adults between the ages of 19 and 26 who have spent time in the care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (foster care, group home, family arrangement, Youth Agreement, etc.) are eligible for paid counselling services with the certified therapist of their choice up to $1500/year. All Arbour therapists are certified to work for the SAJE program.
BC Crime Victim Assistance Program:Â If you have been the victim of or witness to a crime, or are a family member of someone who has been a victim, you can apply for counselling services with the certified counsellor of your choice.Â
WIRTH Hats:Â WIRTH is a non-profit company that sponsors counselling for people who need it through their hat and clothing sales. To apply for a counselling grant, see the link below, or check out their hats to help the cause!Â
Autism Funding BC:Â Families of children and youth with autism funding can use their funding to pay for Family Therapy with a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Registered Marriage and Family Therapist, or Psychologist.Â
Arbour Counselling also partners to provide counselling resources for specific organizations or people in a particular category. If you are seeking counselling and involved with any of these entities, please contact Arbour for more information.Â
BC Emergency Health Services (First Responders, BC Ambulance, and more)
If you are employed in the BCEHS system, you have access to counselling services that the BCEMHS system pays for directly
BC Physician Health Program (Physicians, Residents, Students, and Family Members)
If you are a physician in BC, the Doctors of BC provides a service for members and their families. Requests can be made directly to the BCPHP for specific counsellors, and they will often cover most of the cost of counselling for a specified number of sessions.
If you or a family member is a student through the HCOS, requests for counselling coverage can be made for specific counsellors.
If you have been in a motor vehicle accident (MVA), you are entitled to counselling services for at least the first 12 weeks after the accident through ICBC service providers. Most of Arbour’s therapists are ICBC service providers. Often, additional counselling beyond 12 weeks can be approved. Click the above link to learn how to obtain a claim number if you’ve been involved in an MVA.
Joy Gillett and Joel Durkovic are approved FNHA providers. The Health Benefits Program is available to First Nations people with Indian status who live in BC.
Low-income general counselling options in Victoria, British Columbia:Â
Citizen’s Counselling CentreÂ
Esquimalt Neighbourhood House
South Island Counselling Centre
Low or No Fee Assessments and Counselling Courses in Victoria and BC
Online Options:Â
In BC, there are a few low-cost or free educational programs offered in groups online which can be very helpful for those experiencing depression or anxiety. Most programs can be accessed with a referral from a Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner. If you are interested in the courses, bring the information to your family doctor or a walk-in clinic to ask for a referral.Â
BCALM (BC Association for Living Mindfully): The (ALM) course. Trained physician facilitators run an 8-week course, The Art of Living Mindfully (ALM), as a group medical visit, teaching mindfulness, meditation, CBT strategies and self-compassion skills to people 20+ years old who are challenged by stress related conditions.Â
There is a $100 registration fee with $40 being refunded to those who attend all 8 full classes. Must be referred by a doctor, nurse practitioner, or midwife.
Mindspace Courses (formerly called CBT Skills Groups): A variety of online courses taught by physicians aimed at reducing anxiety or depression symptoms. Specific groups are aimed at developing skills for Parenting, Managing Anxiety, Living with ADHD, and Insomnia. Must be referred by a doctor or nurse practitioner.
BounceBack BC: An online self-paced course available free with no referral needed. Participants can go through videos, information, and exercises at their own pace to learn about managing mild to moderate mental health concerns. With a physician’s referral, participants can access online coaching sessions with a mental health worker.Â
UVIC Psychology Clinic
Psychotherapy and psychological assessments offered for reduced fees
Mental Health or Addictions in Victoria and BC
If you have or think you might be suffering from a mental illness and/or addictions, below are a list of publicly funded or free non-profit resources on Southern Vancouver Island:Â
For Accute Needs or Crises
Victoria CARES Clinic: This is the main hub for all mental health and addiction services in Victoria. Call the clinic to schedule an intake appointment, which is free and usually happens within 2 weeks. This is highly recommended for anyone with mental health concerns.Â
Crisis Response Community Led Team (CRCL aka Circle Team)
Crisis intervention team of mental health workers who respond to people having a mental health crisis, they will attend in person and help with safety planning and accessing mental health or hospital services.
Integrated Mobile Crisis Response Team - Island Health. Accessed through the Vancouver Island Crisis Line. Crisis intervention team of nurses, mental health workers, and plain-clothes police who respond to high risk or high intensity mental health crises.
For General Mental Health Support
Mental Health Recovery Partners: Offers peer support, educational groups, and resource navigation for people and their family members struggling with mental illness.Â
Umbrella Society: Offers peer support, counselling, education, and resources for those struggling with addiction.Â
Island Community Mental Health:Â
Offers daytime programs including peer support, education and recovery programs, employment support, meals, and much more for people who are experiencing or recovering from mental health challenges.Â
For Recovery and Psycho-Social Wellness
The Social Gathering Place is a group of people who have lived with mental health challenges who host activities and events weekly.Â
Friends of Music offers music lessons, groups, and bands for people with lived or living experiences of mental illness. They include ukelele bands, jazz bands, choirs, orchestra, and groups for beginners, and they also host open mic nights.
Connections Place is a clubhouse model with free memberships that provides a place to visit and connect with other people who have struggled with mental health or addictions.Â
Other Specific Counselling Support Resources in Victoria
Victoria Women’s Transition House
For women who have survived or are experiencing intimate partner violence, including counselling, shelter, crisis line, and support groups.
Bridges for Women
Counselling and employment supports for women and non-binary people who have experienced trauma or violence.
Family Services of Greater Victoria
Counselling supports for families who are separating, consultation for understanding the legal process of separation and divorce.
Pacific Centre for the Family
Counselling, social and medical support for families in the Westshore.
Moms Stop the Harm (addictions)
Advocacy and support groups for family members of people struggling with substance use and addictions. Support groups for family members who have lost someone due to addictions.
Men’s therapy Centre
Counselling for men who have experienced trauma or violence.
Victoria Brain Injury Society
Counselling, rehabilitation, support groups, educational programs for people who have brain injuries and their family members.
Early Psychosis Intervention Program (Island Health)
Mental Health Services for anyone under age of 35 who have experienced their first episode of psychosis within the last year.
Family Smart
Peer support and advocacy for parents of children struggling with mental health or behavioural challenges.
Beth Cowin is an Arbour therapist who enjoys working with youth, adults, and couples. Her experiences as a program leader in outdoor education and as a manager in the social services sector has given her the opportunity to interact with people from many walks of life. She is passionate about affirming people in their development of self-esteem and self-identity.