.png)
Counselling and therapy should be available to us all, regardless of income level.
As a social worker, art therapist, and private practice counsellor who has worked in non-profits, community settings, residential settings, and now private practice - I know how important it is to have counselling options that are accessible. I also know how totally confusing it can be to try to find affordable and free counselling services. I too have spent many an hour sifting through Google results!
That’s why I created this list of affordable and free counselling options in (and around) Vernon, British Columbia. My hope is that this will make your journey to mental health support a little bit easier.Â
Affordable In Person Counselling in Vernon, B.C.
Family Resource Centre
The Family Resource Centre offers free and low-cost counselling to children, teens, families, couples, adults, and trauma survivors. They also offer a variety of groups, including Parenting Through Emotion, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Calm Kids, Anger Management, Mindfulness groups, and more. These services are mostly free, with some adult programs operating on a sliding scale cost.
You can access these services by calling 250-545-3390 or emailing info@vernonfrc.ca
Interior Health Mental Health and Substance Use
Interior Health’s MHSU team in Vernon provides counselling and support groups for youth, adults, and seniors with mental health issues and substance use challenges. They also offer specialized mental health services for folks with particular mental health diagnoses such as eating disorders. These services are covered by MSP.
You can access these services by calling 250-549-5737.Â
Child and Youth Mental Health
Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) offers free community-based mental health supports to children and youth. This service involves the child and parent going in for an intake interview where a counsellor will gather information about the child/youth's history and current challenges. Then a decision is made about what type of service will be the best fit for the child. CYMH also has a psychiatrist on staff should there be a need to explore medication options.
You can access these services by calling 250-549-5404.
North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society
North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society (NOYFSS) provides a wide range of programs for children, youth, and families. These include family counselling services, parenting groups, groups for children and youth, and more. Some of the support groups they offer include parenting a child with ADHD, successful co-parenting, and emotional regulation groups for children.
You can access many of NOYFSS' services by calling (250) 545-3572 or emailing noyfssreception@noyfss.org
North Okanagan Hospice Society
North Okanagan Hospice Society (NOHS) offers grief counselling to adults, youth, and children by donation. They have a weekly walking group where folks who have experienced a loss can connect with one another, as well as a seasonal 6-week support group.
You can access NOHS counselling and groups by calling 250-503-1800 ext. 200 or filling out the form on their website.
Canadian Mental Health Association Vernon
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Vernon offers a wide variety of mental health services for youth and adults. Many of their offerings are in a group format, although they do have some individual counselling support for family members of someone with a mental illness, as well as one to one peer support for folks living with a mental illness. CMHA also offers a range of other services, including support with housing, nutrition, employment, and more.
To access CMHA's services, phone 250-542-3114 or email vernon@cmhavernon.ca
North Okanagan Friendship Centre
The North Okanagan Friendship Centre (NOFC) offers culturally appropriate wellness programs to Indigenous children, youth, adults, families, and seniors. They provide individual, group, and family counselling for individuals experiencing mental health and substance use issues. They also provide referrals to other community resources as needed.
To access NOFC's mental health services, call (250)-542-1247 Ext 112
Independent Living Vernon
Independent Living Vernon (ILV) offers free counselling to individuals with a disability. They also have peer support for youth with disabilities, as well as a number of other services and resources related to employment, parking permits, and more.
You can email crystal@ilvernon.ca or call 250-545-9292 ext 204 to access counselling services.
Archway Society for Domestic Peace
Archway provides free counselling to women who have experienced or are currently experiencing violence or abuse. They also offer free counselling for children who live in homes where domestic violence has occurred. Archway also has an office in Armstrong, B.C. and provides some services there.
To access services, call 250-558-0334.
Whitevalley Community Resource Centre
Whitevalley offers free counselling to adults, children, youth, and families living in and around Lumby, B.C. This includes addictions counselling, family support, and more.
You can access services by filling out this form: https://whitevalley.ca/2128-2/
Private Practice Counsellors
Many private practice counsellors in Vernon offer sliding scale rates to individuals who are unable to afford full-fee counselling services. It doesn't hurt to ask! Each counsellor may vary on what they are able to offer in terms of cost, but will work with you to find something that feels accessible. I try to reserve some space for clients who need to pay on a sliding scale, feel free to email me at charlotte@relateandrestore.ca to inquire about my availability.
Click this link to find a list of counsellors offering a sliding scale in Vernon: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/bc/vernon?cost=7
Virtual Mental Health and Counselling Resources
Moving Forward Family Services
Moving Forward offers free and sliding scale counselling options to individuals across Canada. They have a great array of counselling options to fit your budget - including free sessions with counselling interns and lower cost sessions with a registered counsellor. They also offer a wide variety of psychoeducational and support groups such as parenting support groups, youth mental health group, recovery groups, and much more. They also provide services in a number of languages, including Hindi, Punjabi, Tagalog, and Spanish.
To register, fill out this form: https://hushforms.com/movingforwardfamilyservices
Bounce Back BC
Bounce Back BC offers psychoeducation, skill-building, and coaching to youth 15+ and adults struggling with low mood, anxiety, and depression. This program is delivered virtually or by phone with a coach. You will learn skills and tools to manage your mental health.
To register, click here: https://bouncebackbc.ca/bounceback-coaching/
Foundry
Foundry offers free counselling supports and mental health resources to youth 12-24 across B.C. They provide services virtually, as well as in-person at their various locations. The closest Foundry to Vernon is currently the Kelowna branch, but we will be getting a location in Vernon soon! In the meantime, virtual services may be your best bet.
To access services, you will need the Foundry BC app. Click here to learn more: https://foundrybc.ca/virtual/
Here2Talk
Here2Talk provides free counselling services to post-secondary students. They are single sessions offered by phone or chat, but you reach out multiple times for support should you need it. They can also help connect students to longer-term counselling options.
To access this service, sign up here https://here2talk.ca/getStarted or call 1-877-857-3397
I hope this list has been helpful. Please note that this was created in 2024; I will do the best I can to keep the information up to date. If you notice something is incorrect, please reach out and let me know so that we can support as many folks as possible with the right facts!