Services
Counselling and support in your language.
VICCIR offers three programs that work together: counselling for individuals and families, interpreters trained for the counselling room, and training for the people who support newcomers.
Counselling
Mental health counselling
We offer individual, couple, child, youth and family counselling to immigrants, refugees and newcomer families on Vancouver Island, whatever their age, gender or immigration status.
Every client is matched with a counsellor, and there is no fixed limit on the number of sessions. We review progress together, usually every ten sessions.
- Trauma-informed, culturally safe and client-centred
- Sessions in person in Victoria, or online
- An interpreter in the room when English is not the best language for you
- Fees on a sliding scale, discussed case by case
Language support
Clinical interpretation
Our interpreters are trained to work alongside a counsellor, interpreting both sides of the conversation word for word, so you can speak in your mother tongue.
Many of our interpreters have lived experience of the issues our clients face. Some counsellors also speak other languages as well as English.
- Interpreters bound by the same confidentiality as counsellors
- Languages include Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Russian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish and more
- Interpreters are supported and debriefed after sessions
For organizations
Community training & consultation
We offer training and consultation to the people and agencies who support newcomers: sponsorship groups, schools, health workers and settlement services.
Sessions help groups support newcomers with mental health concerns in culturally sensitive ways, set healthy boundaries and look after their own wellbeing.
- Consultation for sponsorship groups
- Training for schools, agencies and health workers
- Information sessions about VICCIR’s services
Practical details
Fees, cancellations and insurance
Cost should never be the reason someone goes without care. If you are worried about fees, tell us when we contact you and we will work it out together.
Fees
Fees are set on a sliding scale and agreed case by case. Couple and family sessions may cost more. Refugees who meet IFHP requirements receive services at no cost in their first year of settlement, and some clients qualify for a fee waiver through our grants. Fees are paid on the day of the session.
Cancelling a session
Please let the office or your counsellor know at least 24 hours ahead. A missed session without notice is charged at half the fee, and after three missed sessions we may cancel further appointments.
Insurance and receipts
Some insurance plans reimburse counselling fees, and we provide receipts. Please check your insurer’s steps before your first session. Direct billing may be available for ICBC.
Ready to talk to someone?
You can refer yourself or, with their permission, someone else living in British Columbia. It can take up to four weeks for us to respond.