Counselling Services
Currently Accepting New Intakes
YWCA Edmonton’s Counselling Services is accepting new intakes for mental health supports. At this time, we are offering our services to those impacted by domestic violence and human trafficking, which may include children, individuals in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Indigenous people, Black people, Newcomers, and other diverse ethnocultural clients.
For information on how to apply for services, please email our service coordination team at counselling@ywcaedm.org.
If you are in crisis, please see our list of available supports and resources.
Psychological Services
Since 1972, YWCA Edmonton has offered affordable mental health support services in our city.
Our approach
Expert, trauma-informed support to survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking. Our clients are typically women and gender-diverse people with lower incomes who have experienced intimate partner and family violence and are often in crisis, but we offer to support to survivors of all forms of domestic violence and members of marginalized communities.
We’ll never turn you away if you can’t afford to pay. Our affordable services ensure our clients, especially those who are most vulnerable, can receive quality care. Each year, we provide approximately 4,000 counselling sessions to over 400 clients. 99% of these sessions are partially or fully subsidized.
We believe in:
- Empowering you to make informed choices and decisions about your life.
- Your ability to achieve positive growth.
- Working together with other community organizations to create your own support network.
- Offering you quality services and expertise from our team of trained psychologists and practicum students completing their Masters Degrees and PhDs.
Our Services
Individual Therapy
As a result of changes in the community and increasing demand for mental health services we will be implementing a 20-session limit for counselling services. We thank you for your continued support and patience as we work to address the increasing need for mental health support.
Towards Healing
A Domestic Violence Support Group
This weekly support group for women impacted by domestic violence will provide participants the opportunity to create new social connections and networks of support while nurturing their healing process. We will focus on creating understanding of domestic violence, its overall impact and relationships with others.This ongoing counselling group runs in-person at YWCA Edmonton, with limited opportunities for Zoom attendance.
“I was nearly homeless, dealing with extreme self-destructive behaviours, pushing away my friends and family. The help I received really turned my life around for the better”
— Anonymous Counselling Client
Fees
Your fee will depend on:
- what you make each year before taxes;
- your number of dependents;
- your insurance coverage; and
- household income (if applicable).
We’ll work with you to set a fee that is feasible. We do this with all of our clients to ensure everyone has access to our Counselling services and no one is turned away due to their inability to pay.
Further subsidies are available, if needed. Our Service Coordinator will connect with you about subsidy as part of our intake process.
Positive Outcomes for our Clients
Our play therapy room offers a safe, sensory experience for child clients.
Our biggest referral source is our own clients connecting their friends and loved ones to support.
Clients come away with a better understanding of the issues they face.
Clients learn the skills to enact positive changes in their own lives.
Our counsellors welcome and accept our clients as their whole selves.
To Apply
For information on applying for Counselling Services, please contact our Service Coordination team at counselling@ywcaedm.org or by calling 780-970-6501. One of our Service Coordinators will follow-up to begin our intake process.
Psychologists, Counsellors, & Staff
We offer a team of registered and provisionally-registered psychologists, including practicum students completing their Masters degrees and PhDs throughout the year.
YWCA Edmonton Counselling Services is a recognized learning facility that offers training opportunities for students and volunteers completing their Masters degrees and PhDs from accredited institutions, and we are part of the Edmonton Cross-Specialty Psychology Residency Consortium.
We also recommend:
Momentum Counselling
Phone: 780-757-0900
Short-term counselling on a pay-what-you-can basis
Drop-In YEG (Offered via the Family Centre)
Phone: 780-424-6103
Free, single-session drop-in counselling located at multiple locations across the city
Mobile Crisis Outreach Team(s)
Adults: 780-342-7777
Children: 780-413-4733
Mobile support for individuals in dire need of crisis intervention
Distress Line(s)
Adults: 780-482-4357
Children: 780-427-4491
Immediate crisis phone support offered 24 hours a day
Need more help?
211: a 24-hour information and referral line that helps people connect to social, health and government services.
988: a 24-hour mental health and suicide crisis support line