Monday – Saturday: 9am - 8pm
1‐888‐622‐8350
We Offer Direct Billing to Insurance!

Where Can You Find Free or Low-Cost Counselling in Red Deer?

Red Deer has several free and low-cost counselling options: drop-in counselling at the addiction and mental health clinic on 49 Street, brief counselling and workshops through the Red Deer Primary Care Network, free 24-hour helplines, and employee assistance programs. For ongoing private counselling at a lower fee, supervised intern programs and sliding scales bring the cost down.

Free public services in Red Deer

Drop-in counselling, addiction and mental health. Recovery Alberta runs single-session drop-in counselling at 4733 49 Street. No appointment or referral is needed. Listed hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 3:30 pm, with the last walk-in at 3:00 pm. Hours can change, so call 403-340-5466 before you go.
Talk to a Counsellor, Red Deer Primary Care Network. Brief, non-urgent counselling for adults in 45-minute appointments. You can be referred by your network family doctor, or call 403-314-3297 if your doctor is part of the network.
Anxiety to Calm workshop. A Primary Care Network group program for adults, offered in person or by Zoom. Call 403-314-3297 to register.

Free help by phone, any time

988. Call or text if you are thinking about suicide.
Alberta Mental Health Helpline. 1-877-303-2642, free and open 24/7.
Addiction Helpline. 1-866-332-2322, free and open 24/7.
Kids Help Phone. 1-800-668-6868, or text 686868.
Health Link. Call 811 for health advice and help finding local services.
211 Alberta. Call 211 for community programs, including agencies that set fees by income.

Lower-cost private counselling

Free services often limit the number of sessions. If you want regular, ongoing counselling without the full private fee, there are three things to ask about.

Intern programs. At Supporting Wellness in Red Deer, sessions with a Counselling Intern are $80 for 50 minutes. Interns are graduate students in the final stage of their master's training, and an approved supervisor oversees their work. These sessions are not eligible for insurance, so they suit people without benefits.
Sliding scales. Some clinicians charge less than the standard fee. One of our Red Deer counsellors currently offers a reduced rate for first responders.
Community agencies. Some agencies in Red Deer set fees by household income. Call 211 for a current list.

Through work or school

Employee and family assistance programs usually include a few confidential sessions at no cost. Check your benefits booklet or ask human resources. Students can ask their school counsellor, and Red Deer Polytechnic has counselling services for its students.

If you have benefits, use them first

Extended health plans usually include psychological services up to an annual maximum, and health spending accounts can generally be used too. With direct billing you pay only what the plan does not cover. NIHB, Veterans Affairs Canada and WCB can also fund counselling for people who are eligible.

The trade-off with free services

Free services are valuable, and for a crisis or a short-term issue they may be all you need. The limits are practical: waits for ongoing therapy, a set number of sessions, and little choice of clinician. Many people combine them, using a free service to get started while arranging longer-term support.

If it is an emergency

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. If you are thinking about suicide, call or text 988 at any time.

Affordable counselling at Supporting Wellness in Red Deer

Our Red Deer clinic is at 5550 45 Street, Unit G11. Ask about the counselling intern program, or about counselling with a Canadian Certified Counsellor if you have benefits. Call 1-888-622-8350 and we will tell you what your plan is likely to cover before you book.

We direct bill many insurers, including Alberta Blue Cross, Canada Life, Sun Life, Manulife, Greenshield, Medavie Blue Cross and NIHB. See direct billing and insurance.

Book online

Call 1-888-622-8350

Direct billing and insurance

Our Matching Process

Over the Phone Consult

Give us a call for an over-the-phone consultation. Booking a therapy session requires no referral. We look forward to getting to know you and helping you access the care you need.

Pair With a Practitioner

Once we’ve spoken on the phone, we’ll be able to assess your concerns and pair you with a practitioner in our office who is best suited for your situation. We want you to receive relevant and relatable support. We have locations in Calgary, Red Deer and Cold Lake.

Come in to Talk

We look forward to having you come in for your first session; our goal is to make you feel welcome and comfortable. You will sit down with a therapist who has specialized knowledge of your area of concern.

Why Choose Supporting Wellness

Safe & Welcoming Environment

Our office is comfortable and inviting for clients of all ages with a modern, open, and friendly atmosphere. We do our best to ensure you feel completely safe and comfortable when you come for your appointment, whether with a family member or on your own.

Family Oriented Practice

We cater to families with multiple concerns. We are knowledgeable about marriage and family counselling, couples therapy, and child therapy. We are dedicated to maintaining an environment that is safe, comfortable and inviting to families.

We Listen & Work Collaboratively

We use a collaborative approach in our therapy and counselling sessions. We listen intently, respond with care, offer helpful feedback, and often recommend activities or reading materials to support progress between sessions.

Specialized Care

Our team includes specialized psychologists and therapists with advanced training. You can trust that the professional supporting you has the experience and expertise needed to provide high-quality care.

No Referral Necessary

We do not require a referral from your family physician; seeking care from one of our trained practitioners is the first step to better mental and emotional health, and we want you to have easy access to the care you need.

Free Connection Calls

All of our therapists offer free 15-minute connection calls to help you determine if they’re the right fit for your needs. It’s a chance to ask questions, share what you’re looking for, and feel confident in your next steps, so you can move forward knowing you’re supported from the very beginning.