Funding Supports

If you’re having trouble affording services and we don’t have any appropriate reduced fee practitioners available to see you, please see below for information about some alternative sources of funding to access support.

The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program

The Government of Canada runs the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program, which provides eligible First Nations and Inuit clients with coverage for a range of health benefits including mental health and counselling support. Every 12 months, an eligible client can receive up to 22 hours of counselling performed by an eligible provider on a fee-for-service basis (such as individual or group counselling). Additional hours in the same 12 month period may be provided on a case-by-case basis. For these sessions The Growth & Wellness Therapy Centre will bill the government directly, which means you don’t need to pay out of pocket for your sessions, making it more accessible.

Both Alex Kobayashi, MSW RSW, and Julie Klassen MSW BSW RSW are approved providers.

Medavie Blue Cross ePay for Veterans Affairs Canada, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canadian Armed Forces

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) partner with Medavie Blue Cross to provide financial support to qualified members who receive healthcare benefits and services through relevant healthcare programs. Providing direct billing to members who work with Counsellors, Dietitians, Marriage and Family Therapists, Massage Therapists, Psychotherapists, Social Workers and more. Coverage amounts are based on your individual benefits.

Ceridian Cares

Recipient must be a Canadian Resident, 18+ and an individual or family in need of financial assistance. Grant requests accepted for financial help with prosthetics, eyewear, medical equipment, home adjustments for barrier free living, braille books, short-term counseling services, physiotherapy, clothing and footwear, food and basic household needs, medical, and personal development and recreation. Note that they will not accept requests for ongoing long-term therapies needed for more than 6 months, such as physiotherapy, massage, chiropractic, etc, without a specified short/medium-term goal or outcome. Grants typically range from $200 to $4,000 with a maximum grant of $5,000. Responses to applications can be expected within 90 days.

Child Disability Benefit (CDB)

The child disability benefit (CDB) is a tax-free monthly payment made to families who care for a child under age 18 with a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions. For the period of July 2024 to June 2025, you could get up to $3,322 ($276.83 per month) for each child who is eligible for the DTC.

The Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Counselling Program

Provides referrals to short-term counselling for children and youth victims of internet sexual exploitation and their impacted family members.  The goal of the program is to quickly provide support to victims by helping them find a counsellor in their area and directly covering those counselling sessions. The counselling is meant to help with recovery from the victimization that has been experienced and improve coping skills. Coverage eligibility at $1,500 for each eligible child or youth, and $1,000 for impacted immediate family members.