How to Access Low-Cost Counselling in Your Community
Getting mental health support shouldn’t depend on your bank account. Yet for many people, the average counselling rate of $150–$200 per session puts help far out of reach. And when stress, trauma, or emotional pain builds, that financial barrier can make it even harder to take the first step.
The good news is that there are places to turn, both through community agencies and through programs designed specifically to make counselling more affordable. If you or someone you love is looking for support, here are some of the main options available in Delta and the surrounding region, along with how Step Forward Health Society can help when other services don’t cover your needs.
Community Agencies Offering Low-Cost or Free Support
Several public, nonprofit, and youth-focused agencies provide mental health services at little or no cost. Each one serves a specific group or need, so the right option will depend on your situation.
Delta Mental Health (DMH)
Public mental health services with offices in Ladner and North Delta. Best for individuals with moderate to severe mental health challenges who may need psychiatric support.
Psychiatrist consults (doctor referral required)
Primarily regional and online groups
Cost: Free
Deltassist
A long-standing community agency offering practical help and counselling. Ideal for families or individuals needing a mix of support.
Family counselling, substance-use support, parenting help, seniors programs, youth suicide-prevention resources
Cost: Free to varied
Heron Hospice Society
Explicitly focused on grief and loss, Heron offers counselling and groups for anyone living in Delta or on Tsawwassen First Nations Lands.
Offers in-hospice supports
Cost: Free
BGC (Boys and Girls Clubs)
A strong option for teens and families, offering counselling, youth programs, camps, employment support, and mediation for parents.
Cost: Free
Child & Youth Mental Health (CYMH)
Provincial mental health services for ages 0–18 offering therapy, assessments, crisis support, family involvement, and psychiatry when needed. Also includes integrated care with schools, doctors, or traditional healers with consent.
Wait times vary depending on service needs.
Cost: Free
These services cover many vital areas, but gaps still exist—especially for adults, people between systems, those who can’t afford private therapy but don’t meet criteria for public programs, and communities with limited local options.
That’s where Step Forward Health Society can help.
You Deserve Support — and You’re Not Alone
Step Forward exists for people who might otherwise fall through the cracks—those who need support but face financial, geographic, or program-eligibility barriers.
Unlike many community services, Step Forward is:
Open to all ages
Available across BC
Flexible, with no strict limits on support
Designed to fill service gaps rather than duplicate what already exists
We have a long list of programs offering a range of services for diverse mental health needs. Consider exploring them through the “Our Programs” tab at the top of this webpage.
Finding the right mental health resources can feel overwhelming. But help is available, and you deserve support that fits your needs, your circumstances, and your budget. If you’re looking for affordable counselling—or you’re not sure where to begin—Step Forward is here to help you navigate the options and find a path forward.
If you’d like to help make counselling accessible for someone else in our community, you can also support Step Forward’s work by donating today.
Together, we can ensure no one needing mental health care is left behind.