Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees
Counselling and community for newcomers to Vancouver Island.
VICCIR provides trauma-informed, culturally safe and accessible mental health counselling for immigrants, refugees and newcomer families on Vancouver Island, in person and online. Through our community groups and programs, we also help people build connections and support beyond the counselling room.
Fees are on a sliding scale. Nobody is turned away because of cost.
How we help
Care that speaks your language.
Three programs that work together: counselling for you and your family, interpreters trained for the counselling room, and training for the people who support newcomers.
Mental health counselling
Individual, couple, child, youth, and family counselling is tailored to each person’s needs. Fees are discussed case by case using a sliding-scale approach.
Clinical interpretation
Specially trained interpreters and multilingual counsellors help clients communicate in the language that is best for their care.
Community training & consultation
VICCIR offers training and consultation to community members and agencies working with immigrants and refugees.
Get help
To meet with a counsellor, or make a referral, contact us today.
Sessions are currently provided in-person and online. You can refer yourself or, with their permission, someone else living in British Columbia.
Send a referral
Fill in the online information form, or call 778-404-1777 if you would like help with it. Tell us your preferred language.
We review the request
Staff consider the right counsellor, and an interpreter if English is not the best language for your care. It can take up to four weeks for us to respond.
We contact you to arrange the next step
We talk through fees and the next available appointment together.
Ten years of care, one conversation at a time.
VICCIR began in 2015 with a handful of volunteers and no funding. Today it is the only centre on Vancouver Island offering trauma therapy to refugees and immigrants in the language they speak.
25,000+
Hours of counselling provided since we opened our doors
30
Languages, with clinical interpreters trained for counselling
80
Countries our clients have come from
$0
Lowest point on the sliding fee scale. Cost never closes the door
“VICCIR is not just an organization. It is a blessing. I came here and found a village. I found home.”
Abel
VICCIR in the news
Why this work needs support now
CHEK News visited VICCIR to report on the funding strains facing the centre, and on what that means for the immigrants and refugees who rely on it for counselling in their own language.
Health and wellness in the community
Counselling isn’t all we do
VICCIR also runs free groups with community partners, where newcomers can meet, share a meal, learn something new and talk with others who understand what it is like to start again.
News and updates
VICCIR’s latest news
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VICCIR is Urgently Seeking Interpreters
Read more →: VICCIR is Urgently Seeking InterpretersVICCIR’s interpreters support clear, accurate, and culturally respectful communication between VICCIR clients and counsellors during mental-health counselling sessions.
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Health and Cultural Ambassador Training
Read more →: Health and Cultural Ambassador TrainingRegister now to express interest in becoming a Health and Cultural Ambassador with VICCIR
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Victoria Vietnamese Seniors Group
Read more →: Victoria Vietnamese Seniors GroupThe Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees (VICCIR), in association with the Van Hanh Temple invites Vietnamese seniors to the Victoria Vietnamese Seniors (55+) Group. This…
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be a refugee?
No. We offer our services to anyone born outside of Canada.
How much does it cost?
Fees for services are discussed on a case by case basis, depending on the needs and circumstances of the individual and the family. Refugee clients who meet IFHP requirements receive services at no cost during their first year of settlement.
What if I don’t speak English?
We use specially trained interpreters, and our counsellors are experienced in working with interpretation. Some of our counsellors speak other languages as well as English.
Can I come with my spouse or children?
Yes, we are happy to work with couples and families, and this is often a very helpful approach.
How long will I have to wait?
Depending on demand, it may take up to four weeks for VICCIR to respond to a referral. Staff will discuss the next available step when they contact you.
Support the work
Your donation makes a difference in the lives of vulnerable people.
VICCIR is a not-for-profit organization. As a federally registered charity (76334 3498 RR0001), your donation is eligible for a tax receipt. Grants cover part of what we do; the rest comes from people in Victoria and across the Island who believe newcomers deserve care in their own language.
Thank you to our funders
Resources
Racist Incident Helpline
The Racist Incident Helpline is a culturally safe and trauma-informed resource for people who have experienced or witnessed a racist incident, but who may not want to or know how to report it to police. The helpline makes sure that everyone can access the information and support they want and need.
Free and confidential, in over 240 languages. Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm (PT).
A provincial service supported by