Community Counselling Resources
Local Resources for the Kelowna and Okanagan Area
It can be difficult to navigate the search for resources. There can be a combination of information overload or a lack of information. I can understand the struggle as it something that I had to navigate while getting into the field. I was lucky enough to have mentors and supervisors help with the process. It is my hope that I can share my acquired knowledge so that people can connect with the available. There is a constant change to resources and luckily there are new resources that are being added all the time. This is a short list of supported (and often free) options within the area for one on one counselling.
note: This list is not meant to provide crisis support.
Kelowna/Okanagan:
CMHA - provides free phone and video sessions with a counsellor for adults 25yrs and older. CMHA is across Canada. Look to their website (here) for more information on specific help in your area.
Foundry - provides in person, and video sessions for children and young adults up to age 25. The Foundry is a multidisciplinary site so other medical professionals are available for help.
Third Space Charity - provides free brief solution focused therapy sessions for students and community members. The primary focus of this site is to provide services to university students at UBCO and Okanagan College. They also provide services to community members.
One Sky Counselling - currently offering extended counselling services to help the community cope with the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Elizabeth Fry Society - This site is a feminist organization that is dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence. This site provides so much help to the community and help to this suffering violence.
FNHA - First Nations Health Authority. This site provides a multitude of resources for First Nation individuals. There is also a counselling service that is provided. I am proud to be one of the providers through this service.
National:
Canadian Mental Health Association - National Website
This list is by no means extensive and I hope to update it as time goes on. Feel free to share resources that you know of that did not make it onto this list at info@threepointscounselling.com
Note that many of these services have had to change since COVID and there may be some changes to how to access services depending on the current change of government regulations. For example, many that previously offered in person resources have moved to online or phone as a way to connect.
Links:
https://cmhakelowna.com/programs-and-services/virtual-counselling/