COUNSELLING SUBSIDY
The FCSS Short-Term COunselling subsidy is accessed through a fee-for-service delivery model with your Counselling Service Provider
This model increases individual choice in finding short-term, preventative counseling, as any participating counselling service provider who is a part of the program can be accessed. The financial assistance follows you to the counselling that best suits your needs for short-term preventative counselling as funding is available.
STATUS: Funding Available
How to access the Counselling Subsidy
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Individuals must be a resident of the city of Lethbridge.
Household Income is below Statistics Canada's Low Income Measure - see chart below.
*Note: The Low Income Measure scale will be used as a guide to assess household income and the amount of subsidy available, but it is not restrictive. If you are experiencing undue hardship, opportunities for subsidized counselling are available.
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The counselling subsidy is available for individual, couple, family or group therapy which is short-term (maximum # of sessions and used in a timely fashion) and preventive in nature (i.e. directed at promoting psychological wellbeing and resilience).
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Are you already accessing counselling services from someone? Ask them if they are participating in this counselling subsidy program. If they are not currently part of the program but are interested in onboarding to assist with subsidy, let them know to contact the Counselling Subsidy Coordinator at callie@cmhalethbridge.ca.
Not connected with a Counselling Service Provider? Check out this list for providers that are participating in the counselling subsidy program or click the button below.
*All subsidy applications must be submitted by a participating counselling service provider
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You will complete the application with your Counselling Service Provider. You will provide all documents to your counselling provider and then they will send the completed application to us! Download it here or below.
Applications are submitted by a participating Counselling Service Provider.
If you and your counsellor are ready to apply, download the Counselling Subsidy Application
Looking for the list of providers? Click the button below.
*Note: The Low Income Measure scale will be used as a guide to assess household income and the amount of subsidy available, but it is not restrictive. If you are experiencing undue hardship, opportunities for subsidized counselling are available.
FAQs
What if I live outside of City limits?
Counselling services through FCSS are available for residents of Barnwell, Barons, Coaldale, Coalhurst, Lethbridge County, County of Warner, Coutts, Milk River, M.D. of Taber, Nobleford, Picture Butte, Raymond, Stirling, Taber, Vauxhall, Warner. Please visit Counselling Services – FCSS for contact information.
What do I do first?
You first need to access a counselling service provider and discuss subsidy options with them. The list above tells you all the providers that are participating in the FCSS Counselling Subsidy program, however there are many other counsellors that provide services to the community. If you are connected to a counsellor who is not a part of the program, talk to them about becoming a part of the program.
Who fills out the application?
A Counsellor who is participating in the program will fill out the application with you. You will need to provide them your documents and information for proof of residency and household income.
Who sends the application?
The counsellor sends the application in to be reviewed and the subsidy decision is sent back to the counsellor.
What if I switch counsellors and still have subsidized sessions left?
Those left over sessions will follow you to the next counsellor, as long as that counsellor is participating in the subsidy program.
What if I AM Looking for Long Term or Counselling that is not Preventative?
While these are not eligbile for subsidy through this program, Counselling Service providers may have access to other funding to allow for subsidies and sliding scales. Talk to your counsellor about options that may be available.
If you are in crisis, please reach out to talk to someone through the Distress Line of Southwestern Alberta at (403) 327-7905 or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline by calling 988.
Are you an interested Counselling Service Provider wanting to participate?
Connect with the ICA Counselling Administor today!
If you are needing assistance in finding a counselling service provider, please refer to the list above (green button) for the participating provider list or connect with Community LINKS for support in accessing this list at 403-328-5465 or communitylinks@cmhalethbridge.ca