If cost is a barrier to counselling, you have more options than it might seem. This guide lists free and lower-cost mental health supports in Vancouver and across BC, checked against official sources on October 27, 2026. Services, fees, and wait times change, so confirm details with each organization before you count on them. Vancouver Psychology Centre is a private practice and is not affiliated with the organizations listed.

If you need help right now

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.

  • 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 9-8-8, any time of day.
  • BC Mental Health Support Line: call 310-6789 (no area code) for emotional support and information about services in BC.
  • 1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433, for distress or thoughts of suicide.
  • KUU-US Crisis Response Service: 1-800-588-8717, culturally aware crisis support for Indigenous people in BC.
  • Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service: 1-800-663-1441, for substance use resources and referrals.
  • HealthLink BC: call 8-1-1 for non-emergency health information and to speak with a nurse or health navigator. It is not a counselling service.

Children, youth, and families

  • Foundry: counselling, peer support, groups, and primary care for young people aged 12 to 24 and their caregivers, at Foundry centres and through Foundry Virtual. Foundry states that all of its services are free and confidential. It is not a crisis service.
  • Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre: helps families across BC find their way through the mental health system and offers peer support for parents and caregivers. Call 604-875-2084 or toll-free 1-800-665-1822, Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5:00pm.
  • Kids Help Phone: support for young people by phone (1-800-668-6868) or text (CONNECT to 686868).
  • Here2Talk: mental health support for post-secondary students in BC, through an app and website.
  • Family Services of Greater Vancouver: counselling and support for children, youth, parents, and caregivers. The organization describes its programs as free, though some require pre-registration or a referral. Call 604-731-4951.

Free and low-cost counselling for adults

  • BounceBack: a free skill-building coaching program for low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, and stress, by phone or online. Open to adults 19 and over and to young people aged 13 to 18. Call 1-866-639-0522.
  • UBC Psychology Clinic: therapy from supervised trainees on a sliding scale based on household income. Availability for adult individual therapy has varied, so call 604-822-3005 to confirm current openings.
  • SFU Clinical Psychology Centre: individual, couple, and family therapy and assessments, with fees on a sliding scale based on gross family income. It does not serve SFU students, staff, or faculty. Call the intake line at 778-782-4720.
  • Vancouver Coastal Health mental health and substance use services: public outpatient counselling for mental health and substance use concerns at community health centres. Contact VCH or call 8-1-1 to ask how to be referred.
  • Living Through Loss Counselling Society: counselling and groups focused on grief and loss. It is a fee-based service, so check its website for current rates.

Support for specific communities and experiences

  • Pacific Post Partum Support Society: phone and text support, weekly support groups, and sessions for partners, for people experiencing distress during pregnancy or after a baby arrives. Call or text 604-255-7999, or call toll-free 1-855-255-7999.
  • QMUNITY counselling: low-cost counselling for queer, trans, and Two-Spirit people, with fees based on circumstances and free counselling sometimes possible. QMUNITY notes that wait times can exceed three months, and it does not offer crisis or same-day sessions.
  • Metro Vancouver Indigenous Counselling: counselling and culturally safe care for Indigenous individuals, families, and communities, funded through the First Nations Health Authority, extended health benefits, or private payment.

Where to find more

The BC government's Help Starts Here page on free and low-cost services lists phone lines, virtual programs, and community directories, and its resource search can help you find counselling near you. Many listings do not state a cost, so ask when you call.

Questions to ask before you book

  • What does a session cost, and is there a sliding scale?
  • How long is the wait for a first appointment, and can I be put on a waitlist?
  • Who provides the counselling: a registered clinician, or a trainee under supervision?
  • Is it offered in person, online, or both?
  • Will I get a receipt I can submit to my extended health plan?
  • Is there anything I can use in the meantime, such as a support line or a group?

If you would like to see a VPC clinician

Vancouver Psychology Centre offers therapy, assessment, and coaching in person at our Mount Pleasant office and by secure video across BC. Our care team can talk you through what is available and what a first step could look like. You can reach them here.