Programs
Crisis Counselling
in Calgary
Face-to-Face Professional Counselling
Distress Centre Calgary’s Crisis Counselling Program provides free, short-term counselling for youth 16+, adults, couples, and families in the Calgary region who are experiencing acute distress or situational crisis.
Counselling is available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., both in-person and virtually.
Crisis counsellors are regulated professionals with the Alberta College of Social Workers.
How to get help
To access couselling,
call or text 403-266-HELP (4357)
or fill out the referral form.
Call/ text
403-266-HELP (4357)
or fill out Referral form
Counselling Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of counselling is offered at Distress Centre Calgary?
We provide free, general, short-term crisis counselling at Distress Centre Calgary. 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 complete an intake?
Our intake coordinator will contact you by phone in 3 to 4 days to ask 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 its privacy limitations.
Is drop-in counselling available?
Walk-in counselling services are suspended until further notice. If you would like to see a counsellor, please call our crisis line (403-266-4357).
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 on floor 5 are accessible by elevator.
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 Calgary?
No, our counselling services are free of charge.
Accreditation
Having met the 2023 Edition of Standards, our counselling program is accredited with the Canadian Accreditation Council of Human Services. This was granted on June 13, 2025.
