It feels good!   

CONFIDENTIAL CHAT

Free Professional Counselling

Face-to-face support.

COVID-19 UPDATE: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, counselling services are currently available only by phone.

“I felt alone, over-whelmed, ashamed and afraid. I picked up the phone and called. Your compassion, kindness and gentle insight helped me access a counsellor. It was then I started to re-claim my life. Thank you. You saved my life.” – Sandra Buekert, Caller

To help with more complex issues, our professional crisis counsellors provide free counselling for individuals, couples and families at Distress Centre.

We have both evening and emergency appointments available.

Please note that counselling is not a 24 hour service. Walk-in appointments are available weekdays from 1:00pm – 4:00pm, or you can submit an intake to book an appointment.

Counsellors at Distress Centre are all Registered Social Workers with the Alberta College of Social Workers.

To get started, call our crisis line at 403-266-HELP (4357) and ask for an intake to counselling or use the online intake form via the button below.

Counselling Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of counselling is offered at Distress Centre?

We provide free, general, short-term crisis counselling at Distress Centre. One to six counselling sessions are provided to help support an individual, family or couple coping with a crisis. Please note that we do not provide specialized assessments or treatment for specific mental health/psychiatric disorders.

What should I expect after I fill out an intake?

Our intake coordinator will contact you by phone in 3-4 days to ask you some questions and set up an appointment if our counselling is a good fit for you. You need access to a phone. We cannot communicate with you by email because of the privacy limitations with it.

Can I see the same counsellor or is it a different counsellor each time?

You can see the same counsellor each session.

Is drop-in counselling available?

MARCH 13, 2020 UPDATE: Please note that in response to the evolving pandemic situation with COVID-19 we are suspending walk-in counselling services until further notice. If you would like to see a counsellor, please call our crisis line (403-266-4357) or submit an intake form below. If you have an appointment scheduled and you are not feeling well, please call your counsellor to reschedule or call reception if you are unsure of who your counsellor is.

Yes, drop-in counselling is available Monday to Friday from 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Please note that there may be a wait of up to one hour.

Where is your office located?

Our offices are located in downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canada at Suite 500, 999 8th Street SW. Please note that we are not able to provide counselling services outside of the Province of Alberta.

If I have mobility concerns am I still able to attend counselling at Distress Centre?

Yes, our offices are accessible on the 5th floor by elevators.

If I have a service animal am I able to bring it with me to counselling?

Yes, service animals are welcome to attend counselling with you. Just let the Intake Coordinator know that you’ll want to bring your service animal with you.

Is there a cost for counselling at Distress Centre?

No, our counselling services are free of charge.

Our Impact Funders: