22 of the Best Free & Affordable Therapy Services in Calgary
Mental health services are crucial for our overall well-being. Everyone deserves access to these resources, regardless of their financial situation.
In this article, we'll go over the various free and affordable therapy options available in Calgary, ensuring that you can find the support you need. We'll provide you with descriptions of each service, how to contact them, and other important details.
Know of a resource not mentioned here? We'd love to hear from you! Please email us at info@emotionstherapycalgary.ca to help us make this list as comprehensive as possible.
Key takeways from this article:
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Free Therapy Access | Uncover a range of free therapy options available in Calgary. |
| Community Resources | Explore community-based organizations offering affordable mental health support. |
| Personalized Solutions | Find therapy solutions that fit both your specific mental health needs and your budget. |
| Smart Navigation | Guidance on how to efficiently find and access the right therapy resources. |
How to Get Free Therapy in Calgary
Free therapy in Calgary can be categorized into three types: widely available services with limitations, like Eastside Family Therapy's walk-in single sessions; specialized programs for specific groups, such as those by Immigrant Services Calgary; and affordable sliding scale options, including the Open Path Collective therapist directory and the Calgary Counselling Centre.
Within these broad categories, each free or affordable therapy service has its own nuances and details, and offers a unique approach to mental health support. Read on to learn more about each option.
Affordable Therapy Network: Low-Cost Therapist Directory
The Affordable Therapy Network is a directory of therapists across Canada who offer reduced rates and sliding scales. The network aims to increase the availability of counseling for those in financial need.
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Low-Cost Rates | Sessions between $50 and $65 for those experiencing financial difficulty. Pro-bono and pay-what-you-can options with intern therapists. |
| Sliding Scale Rates | Rates approximately $70 to $120 for those who can afford more, varying between practitioners. |
| Free Consultations | Many therapists offer free consultations to help find the right therapeutic match. |
Calgary SCOPE Society: Counselling for Adults with Development Disabilities
The Calgary SCOPE Society offers free counselling specifically designed for adults with developmental disabilities who are funded through PDD (Persons with Developmental Disabilities). Their dedicated professionals provide personalized support that fosters independence and empowerment.
- Outreach Services: Assistance to individuals, families, and organizations with support tailored to the unique needs of each individual and family. This includes support for behavioral, social, or emotional challenges.
- Community Support Program: Provides flexible levels of support for people with disabilities, including assistance with home, leisure, relationships, and wellness activities. The support ranges from 5 hours a week to 24-hour care based on individual needs.
Carya: Sliding Scale Services
Carya extends its compassionate arm to families, older adults, and provides functional family therapy, all on a sliding scale to accommodate various financial situations. They are a beacon for those seeking mental wellness, fostering a nurturing environment for growth and healing.
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| Family Counselling | Support for families, couples, and parents facing mental health challenges, relationship problems, parenting challenges, grief, and life transitions. |
| Older Adults Counselling | Counselling services for older adults to address depression, anxiety, loneliness, elder abuse, and other challenges of elderhood. |
| Youth Engagement | Empowering youth through counselling and programs focusing on self-esteem, confidence building, and community leadership. |
| Community Support | Various programs and activities for community members, designed to foster connections and support individuals and families. |
| Elder Abuse Response Team | Specialized support for older adults at risk of or experiencing abuse. |
Centre for Sexuality: Focus on Sexual Health
The Centre for Sexuality offers free counselling for those facing challenges related to sexual health and sexuality. Embracing inclusivity, this organization provides a safe space for individuals to explore and understand their sexual health in a non-judgmental environment.
- Inclusivity and Accessibility: Offering free and confidential services, catering to a wide range of demographics including children, youth, adults, and seniors.
- Professional Counselling: Client-centered counselling services that empower individuals to understand and navigate their sexual health and wellness.
- Educational Workshops and Resources: Workshops and a vast array of online resources on sexual health, ensuring access to factual, evidence-based information for everyone.
Distress Centre Calgary: Crisis Intervention
Whether you’re having relationship issues, need someone to talk to, are a victim of abuse, or are struggling with suicidal thoughts, we are here for you.
- Distress Centre Calgary
The Distress Centre Calgary stands as a pillar of hope for individuals in Crisis. Specializing in immediate support, they also provide telephone assistance for youth, ensuring that no one has to face their struggles alone.
- 24-Hour Crisis Support: Available by phone, text, or chat, offering immediate crisis intervention and support.
- Professional Counselling: Up to six free short-term crisis counselling sessions with, evening and emergency appointments available.
- 211 Service: Access to a network of community, social, health, and government services to assist Calgarians and those in Alberta.
- Youth Support: Youth peer support is provided through the ConnecTeen youth program.
Immigrant Services Calgary: Multilingual Support
Immigrant Services Calgary provides psychotherapy and counselling on a sliding-scale basis, including free in-home support for those who qualify. This organization prides itself on its ability to offer services in multiple languages, ensuring that newcomers to Calgary are welcomed and supported.
Languages available for counselling services:
- English
- French
- Spanish
- Arabic
- Mandarin
- Plus other languages upon request
Insight Counselling & Therapy Centre: Sliding Scale and Group Sessions
"Therapists at Insight Counselling and Therapy Centre help you bring out the best in yourself and others. You will learn how you became the way you are so you can decide what you want to change."
- Insight Counselling and Therapy Centre
Insight Counselling & Therapy Centre provides individuals, families, children, and youths with access to sliding-scale counselling. Group therapy sessions here are not only supportive but also affordably priced, making mental health care accessible to more people.
| Therapeutic Specialties | Description |
|---|---|
| Relationships | Counselling for relationship challenges and improvement. |
| Anxiety & Depression | Support for managing anxiety, depression, and related issues. |
| Stress & Anger Management | Techniques and strategies for dealing with stress and anger. |
| Grief & Loss | Help in coping with grief, loss, and life transitions. |
| Employment Issues | Guidance on handling workplace stress and career concerns. |
| Trauma | Therapy for addressing and healing from trauma. |
| Personal Growth | Support in personal development and self-improvement. |
Kindred: Pay What You Can
Kindred offers a unique "pay-what-you-can" model for rapid-access, single-session counselling, supporting individuals, couples, and families with immediate needs.
Rapid Access Counselling provides 75-minute single sessions within 3 business days. It's offered Alberta-wide for individuals, couples, and families, addressing immediate mental health challenges. Services are available online and by phone, ensuring accessibility.
Functional Family Therapy is an evidence-based program for families, particularly those with children at risk of involvement with the criminal justice system. It focuses on strengthening family dynamics and improving relationships within the family unit.
Kindred's services are designed for anyone in need of counselling, especially those facing financial barriers. The organization focuses on aiding individuals, couples, families, and teenage parents, fostering strong family bonds and supporting mental health.
Open Path Collective: Affordable Therapy Access
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective is dedicated to helping individuals access affordable mental health care. We believe everyone deserves the support they need, regardless of their financial situation.
- Open Path Collective
The Open Path Collective offers affordable, in-office and online psychotherapy sessions for those in financial need. They serve clients who lack health insurance or have insufficient mental health benefits, ensuring access to mental health care at reduced rates.
- Affordable Sessions: Psychotherapy sessions are offered between $40 and $70, with a special rate of $30 for student intern sessions.
- Lifetime Membership: A one-time fee of $65 provides lifetime access to affordable therapy sessions within their network.
- Wide Demographic Reach: Services are available to all races, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, countries of origin, disabilities, ethnicities, and people.
- Online and In-Office Therapy: Clients have the option of choosing between in-person or online sessions based on their preference and need.
Skipping Stone: Transgender Support
Skipping Stone offers specialized counselling services for transgender youth, adults, and their families, emphasizing a fees-based-on-ability-to-pay model. This organization is dedicated to providing support and resources tailored to the transgender community in a respectful and affirming environment.
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| Community Coaching | An empowerment-focused approach providing emotional and practical support, building resiliency and improving wellbeing. |
| Peer Mentor Program | A 6-month program matching trans youth and/or parents with mentors for community and connection building. |
| Community Group Programs | Groups for trans and gender diverse folks of all ages, including partners and parents, to build a sense of community. |
| Expressions Program | Helps individuals express themselves through learning skills like style, wardrobe, grooming, and hygiene. |
| Gender Affirming Gear | Provides access to gender affirming gear like binders, breastforms, and packers, with sizing and care information. |
| Affirming Health Care | Collaboration with healthcare providers for services like hormone therapy and gender affirming surgeries. |
| Name/Gender Marker Changes | Assistance with the process of changing name or gender marker, including a comprehensive guide and clinics for support. |
Wood’s Homes: Walk-In and eTherapy Services
Wood’s Homes offers comprehensive and immediate mental health support with a variety of services tailored to meet the needs of families, couples, and individuals. These services are designed to make mental health support more accessible to everyone.
- Free Single-Session Therapy: Immediate and accessible support for urgent mental health needs, offering one-time sessions to address current challenges.
- eTherapy: Therapy available through email, providing a convenient and flexible option for those preferring remote access to mental health services.
- Walk-In Services: Available on specific days for instant support without prior appointment requirements, catering to immediate counselling needs.
- Extended Services: Up to six visits or sessions with the same counselor or therapist, allowing for continuous and consistent support.
- Mobile Crisis Family Support: Intensive support and guidance available both in-person and online, focusing on family crisis situations.
- Mental Health System Navigation: Assistance in navigating the mental health system in Alberta, connecting clients to the best services for their needs.
- Integrated Ethnocultural Team: Offering immediate support from a team proficient in multiple languages, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for diverse communities.
Wood's Homes' team of professionals, including psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, and family therapists, work together to address client concerns, ensuring a comprehensive approach to mental health care.
Additional Free and Affordable Therapy Resources in Calgary
Each of the following resources provides distinct services aimed at enhancing mental health in Calgary. They represent vital community assets and offer diverse support ranging from counseling to psychiatric assessment and beyond.
Alberta Health Services offers walk-in counselling for a variety of emotional and mental health issues. This service provides immediate access to help without the need for an appointment, tackling urgent needs swiftly and effectively.
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) offers peer support with free, one-on-one sessions, fostering recovery and resilience through shared experiences and understanding.
The Calgary Counselling Centre is known for its compassionate and professional counselling services offered on a sliding fee scale.
Access Mental Health provides information, consultation, and referrals for individuals in Calgary facing addiction and/or mental health concerns.
CUPS offers counselling services, psychiatric assessments, and medication support prescriptions, especially targeting individuals without regular family doctors and clients of CUPS Health Services.
The Calgary Narrative Collective utilizes a strengths-based, solution-focused approach with creative modalities for individuals, couples, and groups.
The Counselling for Immigrant Women by CIWA program offers engagement and a sense of community for women of all ages.
The Crowfoot Primary Care Centre provides the One-Step-at-a-Time counselling service for various life challenges.
The Mustard Seed Neighbour Centre provides counselling on addictions, relational guidance, and more, along with having a dedicated Indigenous counsellor.
The South Calgary Health Centre offers walk-in mental health therapy on a single-session basis, providing immediate and accessible help.
YW Calgary supports the creation of healthy family dynamics with counselling that promotes mindfulness and resilience.
Resources: Summary PDF
This PDF from Alberta Health Services is a valuable tool for anyone seeking a quick overview of mental health support options. It's especially useful as a printable resource that you can easily take with you or share with others who might benefit from these services.
AHS Know Your Mental Health Options PDF
Conclusion
With the wealth of resources available in Calgary, no one needs to navigate mental health challenges alone. For those who are just beginning their therapy journey, we have a comprehensive guide on how to find a therapist in Calgary which offers valuable insights and tips. For guidance on finding the therapy approach that fits you best, read our article on how to navigate the types of therapy.
If you have any questions about these resources or wish to learn more about how Therapy Calgary Emotions Clinic can assist you on your path to emotional well-being, we invite you to book a free 20-minute consultation. Take the first step towards positive change in your life - schedule your consult today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore the resources listed in this article, assess your eligibility, and reach out to the organizations directly.
Yes, many services cater to teens, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and families, among others.
Organizations such as the Distress Centre Calgary offer rapid crisis intervention.
