This program is for:
Individuals and/or families who reside in Alberta who need short-term counselling related to relationships, sexuality, gender and sexual diversity and sexual health.
Costs & Fees
Our counselling services are free of charge.
Location
Centre for Sexuality offices or virtually online or on the phone.
Arrangements may be made to meet in public or other community locations.
Hours & Availability
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday
9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Wednesday and ThursdayHow to Register
Book online through our intake form.
Contact Us
Is This An Emergency?
If you’re having a crisis or need to talk with someone right away, Distress Centre, Alberta Health Services Mental Health Help Line and Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline (988) offer 24/7 service.
We believe that all people have the skills, strength and abilities to achieve their goals. Through our free supportive counselling, we provide emotional support and guidance to help you make positive changes related to your sexual health, gender, sexuality or relationships.
Together, we will work on finding possible solutions to the challenges you are experiencing.
Due to high demand for counselling and education services, please expect a delay of up to 5 weeks for us to respond to your intake request with an appointment booking.
If you need immediate assistance, the Distress Centre and the Alberta Mental Health Help Line offer 24/7 support.
Free Supportive Counselling
Sessions are client-led, which means that you and your counsellor work together on achieving your goals for the session.
Our free counselling sessions are 75 minutes long and provided by a registered healthcare provider.
We find that one session is often enough to get the information you need. Another session can be booked if you need support with a different issue or concern.
Individuals or families who live in Alberta and want support related to a current issue, challenge or concern related to relationships, sexuality, gender and sexual diversity or sexual health. This includes topics like:
- All options pregnancy counselling
- BDSM/Kink
- Birth control
- Coming out
- Decision making and communication
- Setting and maintaining boundaries in relationships
- Gender identity
- Polyamory/non-monogamy
- Post abortion counselling
- Relationships and consent
- Sexual difficulties
- Sexual orientation
- STI information and/or support
- Support and resources for parents/caregivers of LGBTQ2S+ Youth
- Transgender support and resources
Anyone 13 years and under requires parental consent to access our services. Youth who could be considered a mature minor can access our services without parental consent.
We are not a crisis service. If you need help right now, contact the Distress Centre or the Alberta Mental Health Help Line.
After you submit a request for counselling services:
Initial Call
A Counsellor will reach out to schedule an initial call or e-mail to ensure that we can meet your needs. During this check-in, we will:
- review the main issue you want to discuss;
- identify your goals for the session; and
- provide resources or a referral if needed.
If our services meet your needs, you can book a session. The counselling session is 60 minutes, plus 15 minutes to review consent and complete evaluations.
Once you book your session, we’ll send you a consent form to complete. If you can’t fill it out before your appointment, you can do so at your session.
During and after your session
Counselling is available in person, on the phone or through video chat.
After the session, we’ll follow up with an e-mail with additional resources. We also offer referral services to match clients to additional services and resources. We will discuss referrals with you and always get your consent to share information before contacting any service on your behalf.
Book Now
To get started, fill out our intake form.
We do not provide…
Psychotherapy: We do not provide psychotherapy and cannot support people working through long-term challenges (i.e., something that has happened in the past that is impacting you today). We can help you find more in-depth or comprehensive support; contact our Information Specialist for help.
Conversion therapy: We are a feminist and pro-choice organization and do not offer or support any type of conversion therapy. Our support model emphasizes individual choice and self-determination; participation in any of our sessions is voluntary.
Court Mandated Counselling: We do not offer court-ordered or otherwise mandated counselling and do not accept referrals for people involved in the justice system. If you’re looking to access these services, contact us for a referral.
2SLGBTQ+ Supports
We help folks who want emotional support and guidance related to gender and sexual diversity. We can provide information and support related to topics like:
- Coming out
- Exploration of gender and/or sexuality
- Navigating medical, social or legal transition
- Referral letters to gender affirming specialists
- Gender affirming gear
If you need more information, please give us a call at 403-283-5580, or fill out an intake form to book a free counselling session.
Safe and supportive environments at home for children, teens and young adults are vital to their well-being. We offer counselling sessions for parents/natural supports of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals to help them create safe, affirming spaces. We cover topics like:
- Family relationships
- Advocacy/systems navigation
- School systems
- Healthcare systems
- Grief and loss
- Strategies to support your 2SLGBTQ+ family member
- Which behaviours help and which behaviours hurt
If you need more information, please give us a call at 403-283-5580, or fill out an intake form to book a free counselling session.
We offer referrals to match clients with services and resources that can help them. All referrals are discussed with clients and we always get consent to disclose information before contacting any service on a client’s behalf.
To book a free supportive counselling session, complete our counselling intake form.
Questions?
We’re here to help direct you to the services and supports most useful to you. If you’d like to talk to someone about your options, contact our Information Specialist: intake@centreforsexuality.ca
