Our background
Our Subsidy Program
At South Island Counselling, we believe everyone deserves access to caring, professional and affordable support. Our Subsidy Program ensures cost isn’t a barrier, helping individuals and couples receive the counselling they need to heal, grow, and strengthen their well-being.
About Our Subsidy Program
Making Counselling Accessible for Everyone
At South Island Counselling, we believe that mental health care should never be out of reach. Since 1975, we’ve been committed to ensuring everyone in our community — regardless of financial situation — has access to compassionate, professional and afforadable counselling.
Why Our Subsidy Program Matters
Low-cost / affordable counselling gives people the opportunity to change their lives for the better — no matter their background or circumstances. When individuals have access to mental health support, they can begin to:
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Build confidence and self-esteem, learning to see their own worth and potential.
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Rebuild relationships with family and friends, creating stronger connections and support systems.
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Manage stress, anxiety, and depression through healthy coping strategies and self-awareness.
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Heal from trauma or loss, finding space to process and move forward.
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Overcome addictions or harmful patterns with professional guidance and compassion.
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Find stability and focus, improving their ability to work, study, or pursue meaningful goals.
These positive changes don’t stop with one person — they ripple outward, strengthening families, workplaces, and entire communities. By supporting affordable counselling, we help create a healthier, more resilient, and inclusive society where everyone has a fair chance to thrive.
How It Works
Through our Subsidy Program, we help cover up to 80% of the cost of counselling for individuals and couples who need financial assistance and we see clients in Victoria, BC, Vancouver Island and British Columbia.
We currently offer two subsidized fee levels for individual counselling:
For couples we offer one subsidy:
Those who qualify typically have a gross household income below $60,000 per year for individuals and below $100,000 combined income per year for couples and do not have extended health benefits that cover counselling.
As a charitable organization, we reinvest any additional revenue into our Subsidy Program. When a client pays the regular session fee of $140, they’re helping to pay it forward — directly supporting someone who otherwise couldn’t access therapy.
We’re deeply grateful to every client, donor, sponsor, and grantor whose generosity makes this program possible. Together, we’re ensuring that mental wellness remains within everyone’s reach.
Donate or Contribute
Every donation helps us continue providing accessible counselling services to individuals and families across Greater Victoria and throughout British Columbia.
