Counselling services
Our counselling services are available to all Manitobans. If you’re a Manitoba Blue Cross member with EAP/IAP coverage, these services are part of your benefits plan. We are proud to offer a variety of supports to meet your needs in areas that address:
- stress.
- anxiety.
- depression.
- grief.
- substance use.
- behavioural health.
- nutrition.
- relationships and parenting.
- career and workplace.
- financial and legal.
Get a FREE relationship check-up with your partner or loved ones!
Nurture your connection in a safe, supportive environment with a FREE relationship check-up from Manitoba Blue Cross.
This service requires the participation of at least two people and is available for any type of relationship, from couples or siblings to child-parent. Individual mental health check-ups are also available on a limited basis.
To request an appointment, complete this form and a member of our intake team will contact you. You can also contact intake directly at 204.786.8880 or toll-free at 1.800.590.5553.
Limited spots available! Get a relationship check-up for FREE!
NEW! Get a free mental health check-up!
Take a proactive approach to supporting your relationship with the help of our Marriage & Family Therapy interns. Manitoba Blue Cross is once again offering a free relationship check-up to all members and the public.
Capacity is limited! Click here to learn more.
To request an appointment, complete this form and a member of our intake team will contact you. You can also contact intake directly at 204.786.8880 or toll-free at 1.800.590.5553.
Counselling services
Mental health is an important aspect of your well-being. Let us help you and your loved ones with prevention, intervention and treatment to overcome challenging life events.
Our counselling services are available to all Manitobans, regardless of whether or not you have coverage with Manitoba Blue Cross.
We offer a variety of counselling services to meet your needs in areas that address:
- stress
- anxiety
- depression
- grief
- substance use
- behavioural health
- nutrition
- relationships and parenting
- career and workplace
- financial and legal
- and more
Our values
We provide comprehensive, professional, diverse and accessible mental health supports.
Find available counselling
services for you
Assistance Program (IAP) coverage with Manitoba Blue Cross?
Manitoba Blue Cross members with a group or personal health plan are issued an ID card. To verify if you have Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or Individual Assistance Program (IAP) coverage, look for the EAP acronym (used to represent both programs) under the Coverage list on your card. You can also log in to your mybluecross® account to confirm.
Some members under a group plan may have a secondary card specific to their EAP coverage. If you believe you have EAP coverage but do not see it on your card or listed in your mybluecross® account, please contact us at 204.786.8880 or toll free at 1.800.590.5553 to confirm.
Counselling services for the public
Individual well-being
Every person has their own unique situation that requires careful exploration. We offer prevention, early intervention and treatment options for all life stages including support with topics such as:
- stress
- anxiety
- depression
- grief
- substance use
- behavioural health
- nutrition
Relationships
Seeking relationship counselling is a sign of strength – and a step toward creating healthy, connected and fulfilling relationships. Our counselling services offer prevention, early intervention and treatment for various couple and family relationship concerns.
Parenting
Parenting is one of the greatest joys in life but also one of the greatest challenges. We offer preventative education and supportive intervention for parenting concerns suitable for all developmental stages and every family structure or style.
Career and workplace
When you feel empowered, creating a fulfilling career and work life is within your reach. We offer counselling on the full spectrum of workplace and career matters for all stages and concerns – from setting career goals to retirement planning to managing workplace stress and conflict.
Financial
Gain a better perspective on your financial situation in a safe and supportive environment with prevention, early intervention, assessment and education. Learn how to develop and use a budget, get feedback on your financial health and identify the steps to mastering your use of money, no matter your financial situation.
Legal
Legal counselling provides access to legal information, such as reviewing the process of filing for legal separation or divorce, understanding one’s rights as a custodial or non-custodial parent or viewing samples of forms required for certain court proceedings. Legal counselling does not include legal representation or advice tailored to an individual’s unique situation.
How much does a counselling session cost?
Our fee for a one-hour counselling session is $130, plus applicable taxes.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express payments through our online booking system. Payment is taken at time of booking your session.
Will I receive a receipt for my session fees?
After your payment is processed, confirmation of payment will be sent to you by email from Manitoba Blue Cross. You will receive a valid receipt for insurance purposes after you have attended your counselling session.
Does Manitoba Health cover the cost of the counselling?
Manitoba Health does not cover the cost of the counselling.
Can I claim my session fee under my group or personal health benefits plan?
Counselling services may be claimable under your group or personal health benefits plan. We recommend that you check with your benefits provider before booking a session to ensure that the selected counsellor will qualify under your plan.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel or reschedule your counselling session, we require 24 hours notice. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice are subject to the full fee for the session.
How long is each counselling session?
A session is one hour.
How will I meet with my counsellor?
We offer virtual counselling sessions through online video. Your counsellor will send a private link to the email address you provide when booking your session.
Do you offer evening or weekend sessions?
We provide a range of flexible evening or weekend sessions to suit your needs. Each counsellor maintains their own schedule and offers a variety of daytime, evening and weekend availability.
How many sessions will I need or how often should I attend counselling?
You are not required to attend a specific number of sessions or commit to a particular frequency. You and your counsellor will create a plan that feels managable for you and takes into consideration your availability, financial situation and other factors.
What can I expect during my first session?
Your first session typically starts with you reviewing a consent document, which takes less than five minutes. Next, you'll spend time exploring what has brought you to counselling and asking your counsellor any questions you may have.
During the session, your counsellor will ask questions to guide you or clarify information. This could include your reasons for coming to counselling, what you have tried in the past and what your hopes and goals might be for working together.
Is counselling confidential?
Yes, attending counselling is completely confidential. Your counsellor will review important policies like confidentiality during your first appointment.
How do I select the most suitable counsellor?
When using our online booking system, choose a counselling type that best describes the concern that brings you to counselling. Our counsellors are listed according to their areas of specialization, so you will only see those available counsellors who work in that chosen area. You may see the counsellor's name in more than one area, as most of our counsellors have more than one specialization.
You will also be able to view the counsellors' professional designations. This can help you choose if you need to see a counsellor with a specific designation to have the service qualify under your health benefits plan. Our counsellors' backgrounds include social work, marriage and family therapy, psychiatric nursing, psychotherapy and more.
When is a good time to start counselling?
Any time is a good time to start counselling! Many clients report that they wish they had attended counselling sooner so that they could have seen improvement in their quality of life much earlier.
Counselling services for members
If you have employee or individual assistance program coverage with Manitoba Blue Cross, counselling services including in-person, online video, telephone or e-mail options are available to you.
If you are unsure of your coverage, visit your mybluecross® online account to confirm.
Available services
Individual well-being
Every person has their own unique situation that requires careful exploration. We offer prevention, early intervention and treatment options for all ages, including support with topics such as:
- stress
- anxiety
- depression
- grief
- substance use
- behavioural health
- nutrition
Relationships
Seeking relationship counselling is a sign of strength – and a step toward creating healthy, connected and fulfilling relationships. Our counselling services offer prevention, early intervention and treatment for various couple and family relationship concerns.
Parenting
Parenting is one of the greatest joys in life but also one of the greatest challenges. We offer preventative education and supportive intervention for parenting concerns suitable for all developmental stages and every family structure or style.
Career and workplace
When you feel empowered, creating a fulfilling career and work life is within your reach. We offer counselling on the full spectrum of workplace and career matters for all stages and concerns – from setting career goals to retirement planning to managing workplace stress and conflict.
Financial
Gain a better perspective on your situation in a safe and supportive environment with prevention, early intervention, assessment and education. Learn how to develop and use a budget, get feedback on your financial health and identify the steps to mastering your use of money, no matter your financial situation.
Legal
Legal counselling provides access to legal information, such as reviewing the process of filing for legal separation or divorce, understanding one’s rights as a custodial or non-custodial parent or viewing samples of forms required for certain court proceedings. Legal counselling does not include legal representation or advice tailored to an individual’s unique situation.
How long is each counselling session?
A session is one hour.
How will I meet with my counsellor?
In-person counselling session take place at your counsellor's office, and location details will be provided when booking your session.
We offer virtual counselling sessions through online video. Your counsellor will send a private link to the email you provide when booking your session.
If you select a telephone counselling session, your counsellor will call you at the phone number you provide when booking your session.
Do you offer evening or weekend sessions?
We provide a range of flexible evening or weekend sessions to suit your needs. Each counsellor maintains their own schedule and offers a variety of daytime, evening and weekend availability.
How many sessions will I need or how often should I attend counselling?
Employee or individual assistance program coverage with Manitoba Blue Cross provides access to short-term counselling services. While you are not required to attend a specific number of sessions or commit to a particular frequency, your coverage will dictate how many sessions are available to you and your family annually. Your counsellor will assess suitability of short-term counselling for your concerns, and if they determine that effective treatment is outside the scope of your coverage, your counsellor will discuss more suitable resources with you.
What can I expect during my first session?
Your first session typically starts with reviewing a consent document, which takes less than five minutes. Next, you'll spend time exploring what has brought you to counselling and asking your counsellor any questions you may have.
During the session, your counsellor will ask questions to guide you or to clarify information. This could include your reasons for coming to counselling, what you have tried in the past and what your hopes and goals might be for working together.
Is counselling confidential?
Yes, attending counselling is completely confidential. Your counsellor will review important policies like confidentiality during your first appointment.
What are your cancellation and no-show policies?
If you need to cancel or reschedule your counselling session, we require 24 hours notice. Cancellation with less than 24 hours notice are subject to a full session deducted from your plan.
If more than one cancellation occurs with less than 24 hour notice or you fail to show up for your scheduled session without notice, your file will automatically be closed. You can contact our intake team to review our cancellation policy and request that your file be re-opened to continue accessing our counselling services.
How do I select the most suitable counsellor?
When using our online booking system, choose the counselling type that best describes the concern that brings you to counselling. Our counsellors are listed according to their areas of specialization, so you will only see those available counsellors who work in that chosen area. You may see the same counsellor's name in more than area, as most of our counsellors have more than one area of specialization.
When is a good time to start counselling?
Any time is a good time to start counselling! Many clients report that they wish they had attended counselling sooner so that they could have seen improvement in their quality of life much earlier.
If you are in crisis, in need of immediate assistance or experiencing thoughts of suicide, call or text the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 988 (toll free, 24/7).
Find your EAP/IAP coverage
Manitoba Blue Cross members with a group or personal health plan are issued an ID card. To verify if you have Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or Individual Assistance Program (IAP) coverage, look for the EAP acronym (used to represent both programs) under the Coverage list on your card. You can also log in to your mybluecross® account to confirm.
Some members under a group plan may have a secondary card specific to their EAP coverage. If you believe you have EAP coverage but do not see it on your card or listed in your mybluecross account, please contact us at 204.786.8880 or toll free at 1.800.590.5553 to confirm.
Our values
We provide comprehensive, professional, diverse and accessible mental health supports.
If you are in crisis, in need of immediate assistance or experiencing thoughts of suicide, call or text the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 988 (toll free, 24/7).