Low Cost Counselling Calgary
At Solasta, we offer both free and affordable counselling in Calgary, depending on where our interns are in their training. Free sessions are provided by student counselling interns completing their practicum placement. Low cost sessions and sliding scale therapy is provided by Counselling Interns who’ve completed their practicum and continue with us at a reduced rate while building toward full registration.
How It Works
Solasta’s counselling interns are graduate students enrolled in accredited Master of Counselling programs. They bring genuine care, current training in evidence-based approaches, and a level of attentiveness that many clients find distinctive — partly because interns are often deeply invested in every session.
Every session is provided under the direct clinical supervision of a registered psychologist at Solasta. This means your intern reviews their work with an experienced supervisor regularly, and the standard of care you receive is actively monitored throughout your time with us.
Sessions are available in person at our NW Calgary office and online across Alberta.
Therapists Providing Low Cost Counselling
Only
Availability — Please Check In With Us
Low cost and free counselling spots at Solasta Counselling in Calgary depend on how many interns we have placed at any given time. We typically have one or two interns with us at once, and their caseloads fill quickly.
If you’re interested, the best thing to do is contact us directly
By phone or email — and ask whether we currently have availability. We’ll let you know straightforwardly what we can offer, and if we don’t have an intern spot available right now, we’ll do our best to point you toward other options that might help.
We’d rather you ask and find out than assume there’s nothing available.
Who Our Interns Are
Melina Rodriguez
Melina completed her practicum with us and continues on as a Counselling Intern, offering sessions at a reduced rate of $85 while she builds her practice toward registration. She works with adults and teens on stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, and life transitions, in person and online.
Jacquie Herdman — Joining September 2026
Jacquie will be joining the Solasta team as a Student Counselling Intern in September 2026. More details about her background and availability will be added closer to her start date. If you’d like to be added to a waitlist for her caseload, please contact us and we’ll keep you informed.
Other Ways to Access Affordable Counselling at Solasta
If intern spots aren’t currently available, there are other options worth knowing about:
Sliding scale fees
Some of our Provisional Psychologists, Registered Social Workers, and Canadian Certified Counsellors can offer a reduced rate to clients who can demonstrate financial need. Ask us about this when you get in touch.
Lower-rate clinicians
Our Canadian Certified Counsellors charge between $160–$200 per session, which is meaningfully lower than registered psychologist rates while still offering professional, supervised care.
Less frequent sessions
Some clients find that moving from weekly to fortnightly sessions makes therapy financially sustainable over a longer period. Your therapist can discuss what schedule makes sense given your goals.
Visit our fees page for a full breakdown of rates by clinician type.
What Sessions Are Like
Intern sessions are 50 minutes and follow the same structure as any counselling session at Solasta — a collaborative conversation focused on your goals, your experience, and what kind of support will be most useful for you.
Interns draw on evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), narrative therapy, solution-focused approaches, and mindfulness-based strategies. The specific approach will depend on your intern’s training and what best fits your needs.
Sessions are fully confidential. As with all individual counselling, confidentiality has the same limits that apply in any professional therapeutic relationship — your intern will explain these in your first session.
Why Choose Solasta for Low Cost Counselling in Calgary?
Getting affordable care shouldn’t mean getting a lesser version of what everyone else receives.
Real Clinical Supervision
Every intern is directly supervised by a registered psychologist — your intern reviews their work regularly with an experienced clinician, and the standard of care is actively monitored throughout.
Honesty About Availability
Spots depend on how many interns we have placed at any given time, and we’ll tell you straightforwardly what’s currently possible rather than leave you guessing. If there’s nothing open right now, we’ll help you figure out what else might work.
A Path Forward Either Way
If intern spots aren’t available, sliding scale fees, lower-rate clinicians, and adjusted session frequency are all real options — and if none of those fit, we’ll point you toward other Calgary resources rather than leave you without a next step.
Other Free and Low Cost Resources in Calgary
We want to be honest: Solasta is a private practice, and our intern spots are limited. If you need ongoing support that we aren’t currently able to provide at a cost that works for you, here are some other resources in Calgary that offer free or low cost mental health support:
- Calgary Counselling Centre — sliding scale fees based on income, no referral needed
- Wood’s Homes — free mental health services for children, youth, and families
- CUPS Calgary — free mental health services for people experiencing poverty or homelessness
- Alberta Health Services — Addiction and Mental Health — publicly funded mental health services, call 1-877-303-2642
- Crisis Support — Calgary Distress Centre: (403) 266-4357, available 24/7
We are happy to help you think through which option might be the best fit if you’re unsure — just give us a call.
CAP
All of our psychologists are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists.
PAA
Many of our psychologists are members of the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta.
CCPA
Many of our psychologists are members of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
Our Calgary Office Space
Our thoughtfully designed counselling spaces are crafted to create a warm, welcoming environment where you can feel completely at ease.
Get Started With Solasta in Three Easy Steps
Find Your Therapist
Book Online
Choose a date and time that fits your schedule and receive instant confirmation of your appointment.
In-person or Online
Visit our welcoming Calgary office or meet with your therapist online from the comfort of your home.
FAQs
Is counselling with a student intern really free?
Yes — our counselling interns offer sessions at no charge. This is part of their practicum training, and there is no cost to you. The only thing we ask is that you commit to attending regularly, as consistent attendance is important both for your progress and for the intern’s training.
Is intern counselling as good as seeing a registered psychologist?
It’s different, not lesser. Interns bring recent training, genuine investment, and strong motivation. They work under close supervision from experienced registered psychologists, which means your sessions are actively reviewed and supported. Many clients find the experience very positive — the level of care and attentiveness is often remarkable. That said, if you are dealing with a complex clinical presentation — severe trauma, active psychosis, eating disorders, or acute crisis — we would discuss whether an intern placement is the right fit before proceeding.
How do I know if a spot is currently available?
Contact us directly by phone or email. Availability changes throughout the year as interns complete their placements and new ones join. We’ll give you an honest answer about what’s currently possible.
Can I see an intern online?
Yes — our interns offer online sessions across Alberta as well as in person at our NW Calgary office.
What if I start with an intern and they finish their placement?
Intern placements are typically for an academic semester or year. If your intern’s placement ends while you are still in therapy, we will discuss your options — including transitioning to another clinician at Solasta or receiving a referral if needed. We won’t leave you without a plan.
Do intern sessions show up differently on insurance claims?
Intern sessions are provided at no cost, so there is nothing to submit to insurance. If you later transition to a paid clinician at Solasta, those sessions would be billed normally and may be eligible for extended health coverage depending on the clinician’s credential and your plan.