Counselling and Support Groups

Subsidized Counselling Program

Professional Support for Families and Individuals

Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) believes that everyone deserves access to mental health support. Our Subsidized Counselling Program provides short-term financial assistance (typically 3 to 8 sessions) to help make professional therapy affordable for our community members.

How it works: 

Accessing support is a simple three-step process. Please review the eligibility criteria and follow the instructions below to get started.

Step One: Check Your Eligibility 

To qualify for the subsidy, the following must apply to your household:

• Income: Your total annual household income is $100,000 or less.

• Coverage: You do not have mental health benefits through an employer, OR your existing work benefits do not cover counselling services.

Step Two: Choose Your Therapist

Review our list of approved providers below. Once you find a therapist that fits your needs:

1. Contact the counsellor directly to book an initial intake.

2. Mention the FCSS Program: Inform them that you wish to participate in the FCSS Subsidized Counselling Program.

3. Approval & Billing: Once the therapist accepts you into the program, they will coordinate directly with FCSS to arrange payment.

Note on Costs: The program pays $100.00 per session directly to the counsellor. You are responsible for paying any remaining balance (the difference between the counsellor’s rate and the subsidy) at the time of your appointment.

Step Three: Begin Your Wellness Journey

Once your subsidy is confirmed, simply book your appointments and begin your sessions.

Approved List of Counsellors for Funded Counselling Program

• Burden Bearers
• Compassionate Counselling Care
• Evergreen Wellness
• Grow Forward Counselling
• Kaitlyn Barnett
• Joanne Prysunka Counselling

Other Counsellors in Olds

Core Psychology Assessment & Counselling
Kimberly Williamson Counselling
ANAM Rural Youth Association: One on one support for youth aged 13-25 with Suicide Ideation, Mental Health, Self Harm, Trauma, Bullying, Parent Conflict, High Conflict Divorce.
AHS Mental Health and Addiction Olds:  403-507-8174
Mountain View Emergency Shelter Society: 1-403-586-4765

Support Groups

Alcoholics Anonymous  Olds Evergreen Group
Wellspring Cancer Support
Ahlzeimers and Dementia Caregiver Support Group - Held the third Tuesday of each month at the Royal Canadian Legion #105. For more information, call the Continuing Care Counsellor at 587-876-0493.

Help Lines

• Alberta Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-303-2642
• Canadian Suicide Prevention Service: 1-833-456-4566
• CMHA Distress Line, Rural Areas: 1-800-232-7288
• Addiction Support: 1-866-332-2332
• Kids Helpline, available for anyone 22 and under: 1-800-668-6868
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
• Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-387-5437
• Canadian Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
• Brite Line: Supports for 2SLGBTQIA+ people: 1-844-702-7483
• Trans Lifeline: 1-877-330-6366
• Hope for Wellness Line, offers immediate help to all Indigenous people across Canada: 1-855-242-3310
• Togetherall.com: Online peer mental health support
• Rapid Counselling Services: (free single session counselling for all Albertans): 1-877-244-2360