COUNSELLING SUBSIDY
This subsidy is accessed through a fee-for-service delivery model
This model increases individual choice, as any participating counselling service provider can be accessed. The financial assistance follows you to the counselling that best suits your needs.
STATUS: Not Accepting Applications; Limitations on Current Approvals
December 27, 2024 - Effective Immediate Limitation as a Result of Year End Review
New Applications:
o No new applications for individuals to receive the Counselling Subsidy will be accepted until April 1, 2025
o No new counsellors or counselling service providers will be onboarded to provide Counselling Subsidy until April 1, 2025
Current Clients:
o All currently active clients will be limited to subsidy for a single session in January
o Clients that have not been seen in three months, or have not been seen since the file was opened will be closed
o Updates will be given in January as to availability for sessions in February and March
Re-application:
o All individuals who have not used ten sessions in a calendar year will be eligible to reapply for the remining session after April 1, 2025 under the updated shifts to the Counselling Subsidy model as outlined below
Click here for the Full Report & Memo on Annual Review (Emailed to Counselling Service Providers - December 27, 2024)
Click here for the Follow-Up Response to Counselling Service Providers (Emailed to Counselling Service Providers - January 17, 202
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 under the following umbrella:
The counselling service is short-term (maximum # of sessions) 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 but are interested, 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.
Ready to fill out the application with your Counselling Service Provider? Download the Counselling Subsidy Application
*All applications must be submitted by a participating counselling service provider.
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. The list above tells you all the providers that are participating in the subsidy.
Who fills out the application?
You fill out the application with the counsellor and provide them your documents: 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.
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