Discussions

What is a real good councillor in Brandon to see. The cheaper the better, but if that affects how good they are then I’ll take the better more expensive one. Thanks!

But you may have to do your own leg work by meeting with counsellors to see who works for you. The client-counsellor relationship is a very personal and unique one. A counselor who works for one person may not work for another. Just saying.  
 
You can check out this google search for counsellors in Brandon.  
 
https://www.bing.com/search?FORM=ISBRL&PC=I04&q=:counsellors+in+brandon  
 
What counsellor you chose also depends on what you want to discuss. If it is family related or trauma related or general issues with depression, struggling from day to day, you will want to ask for someone who specializes in your area of concern.  
Good luck  
 
Edited by Spades!!, 2022-08-18 14:24:06

There are many wonderful Councilors' in Brandon. You could try something like this  
 
https://counsellingcentre.ca/  
 
Affordable Counselling for Individuals, Couples & Families  
 
"The Counselling Centre for Hope Healing and Encouragement Inc. provides professional therapeutic counselling for individuals, couples, families and groups in the Westman Region at affordable rates. Providing care in partnership with a number of Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), we offer many different counselling options. For those without insurance coverage, our unique sliding fee scale ensures affordability of our services for all. You won’t be turned away when you come to our centre for help, thanks in part to the generous donations and support we receive from our community."  
 
as it looks like it might be helpful for those on a budger, or no insurance.  
 
if you do have insurance, you could check and see if your insurance has the employee assistance program, i am not sure if that can impact your wait or not though? I am not sure how things work, but this might be an option if you are needing something with in a workable budget for yourself!  
 
That said, I see a counselor regularly and I pay 100.00 per session. I do find it expensive, but I can take into part the amount of schooling/knowledge that they provide as well as my own mental clarity. I do find it worth the fee. I don't know if this is something that could be used at Income tax time as well? Sometimes that helps as well when your able to use that towards taxes, but truly not knowledgeable in that department either.  
 
Good Luck!

Is a good resource as well. There’s lots of therapists around, which one is for you will depend on what you’re wanting to work on and also who feels like a good fit. There’s lots of good ones, but who’s good for one person may not be for another if that makes sense. We all have different ways of viewing client issues and working with them so it’s what fits and makes sense for you.  
You can try one out for awhile and see if you feel they’re a good fit. If they aren’t you can try another. There are free ones through Manitoba health, but they tend to be pretty busy. I would honestly try and find someone who has a masters degree (but I’m perhaps biased as that’s my training and I know what it entailed to get the degree and qualifications). If you have private insurance check the policy to see who they cover (some only cover social workers and psychologists, others cover clinical counsellors, psychotherapists etc.).  
 
Another commenter said it may be able to put in taxes….it does not count sadly and can’t write it off as a health expense without it being prescribed by your family doctor and forms filled out as needed for a disability.

hi! that was me, that is really good to know - thanks!  
 
For example, if seeing a counsellor was due to something like PTSD that your Dr is currently treating you for (medication) but seeing a counsellor on your own, is this something one could inquire about with their family Dr. on filling out the forms, or would this have to be done prior to seeing the consellor?  
thanks for the insight!

The cost of counselling can not be claimed as a medical expense on taxes, even if you have 'forms' filled in.  
Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/lines-33099-33199-eligible-medical-expenses-you-claim-on-your-tax-return.html  
 
That said, counselling is available free through the RHA.  
https://www.prairiemountainhealth.ca/index.php/mental-health

The link you sent is not exhaustive and doesn't i:nclude medical practitioners. Counselling isn't eligible in Manitoba (I believe because it is not a regulated profession). But psychology is.  
 
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/lines-33099-33199-eligible-medical-expenses-you-claim-on-your-tax-return/authorized-medical-practitioners-purposes-medical-expense-tax-credit.html#wb-auto-4

This was a number of years ago (back when it was Prairie Health Matters in the Town Centre), but they had free counsellors, I believe for anyone registered with Manitoba Health. It’s at #20 7th st.