Moving Forward is an innovative non-profit agency that provides counselling to anyone who needs it in Canada via in-person, online, and over the phone. We offer free short-term and affordable long-term counselling options to fit your unique situation. Everyone is welcome at Moving Forward regardless of age, race, identified gender, finances, religion, or location. Here you’ll discover all the information you need to see how Moving Forward can help you.
Please remember: 988 is Canada's new suicide crisis helpline. Available 24/7 for calls or texts.
GET STARTED WITH MOVING FORWARD NOW
This link will also show you a list of our currently available individual and group programs.
If you are looking for counselling services or you’re a service agency wishing to refer a client, please review the service options below and complete our intake form. Please carefully review the options and choose the one(s) that best fit your circumstances/needs. You can also call 877-485-5025 and leave a message, however, the fastest way to connect with Moving Forward is through our intake form and reviewing the many varied services we provide (we have no full-time admin support to answer the phone - we instead use our limited funding streams to make our services as accessible as possible). Proof of income may be required for our services.
If you are in crisis/looking for more urgent care services please visit:
https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/looking-for-local-resources-support/
https://wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA
Please remember: 988 is Canada's new suicide crisis helpline. Available 24/7 for calls or texts.
Everyone is different and every case is unique. Our team is educated and trained to deal with numerous mental health and wellbeing issues to help you overcome your struggles. After contacting Moving Forward, we will work with you and your support system to find out the best option for you. Here are a few options we may recommend:
Counselling is offered for clients struggling with depression, anxiety, substance use, couples conflict, parent-child conflict, family conflict, trauma, grief, loss, identity/sexuality, stress and anger. Our counsellors have training in providing diverse therapeutic interventions such as: cognitive-behavioural therapy, trauma-focused CBT, narrative therapy, solution focused therapy, motivational interviewing, emotions focused therapy, and multicultural therapy. Note that most of our counsellors are interns or newer graduates and therefore would have limited experience.
The Moving Forward Program is a free 12-session psycho-education and coaching program based on cognitive behavioural therapy, solution focused therapy, positive psychology, and mindfulness. These sessions can be delivered one to three times per week over the phone or online. Topics include depression, anxiety, stress management, healthy relationships, and healthy coping strategies. Note this is a one-to-one coaching program and not intended for deep clinical counselling work. Minimum age is 16 to participate.
Free one-to-one relationship coaching is available over the phone or online from our registered counsellors and interns. This 8 session program has minimal wait times and can help you with managing intimate relationships. Note this is a coaching program and not intended for deep clinical counselling work and is not offered to couples (it is one-to-one). Minimum age is 16 to participate.
Our Mindfulness-Based Somatic Therapy is a holistic approach to healing trauma designed to enhance the body’s own capacity to heal and reclaim hope from physical/sexual assault, violence, abuse, childhood trauma, bereavement, torture, forced displacement, residential school experience, motor vehicle accidents, and more. This service is only offered to current Moving Forward clients and requires a referral from an Moving Forward counsellor. Minimum fees apply for this specialized service. Please see online intake form for further information.
Both men’s and women’s sessions are offered throughout the year and cover a variety of topics. Men’s, women’s, children’s, youth workshops and groups are offered throughout the year, covering a variety of topics. These programs may also be offered in languages besides English.
Partnerships/Collaborations
Are you/your clients interested in participating in a series of free group counselling sessions regarding life transitions in recovery? Are they planning for or currently undergoing life transitions? Do they have past experience with alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, or problematic drinking?
Dr. Rob Bedi and his team at the University of British Columbia are conducting a study that aims to examine whether a series of facilitated group counselling sessions will enhance wellbeing during the life transitions that occur in recovery.
Participants will be paid up to $120 to complete a series of questionnaires before and after the group sessions as well as a follow-up interview 3 months after the group sessions. Each of the groups will take place over approximately two months.
If you/your clients are interested in participating or learning more about this research project, please see the attached flyer and/or contact the research team at (604) 822-8953, by e-mail at bedi.lab4@ubc.ca or visit their website at https://bedi.ecps.educ.ubc.ca/for-research-participants//.
Moving Forward is proud to be a community partner in this recently announced project
"Principal investigator Nitasha Puri
Substance use disorder is a growing problem affecting racialized men in Canada. There is increased awareness and understanding about why and how racialized men use substances, yet little is known about effective treatments and interventions. The project will use anti-racist research methods to design and study an intervention to support a racialized group, South Asian men who use substances. The team will consist of Punjabi men who use substances, community organization members, health care providers, and researchers. Using a rigorous facilitated approach that highlights evidence from literature and draws upon members’ life experiences, the team will design an intervention to support South Asian men who use substances in the Lower Mainland. Once the design is complete, the intervention will be studied in a feasibility study and pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) in preparation and justification for a full scale RCT."
Moving Forward is a Western Canadian partner in the CA-CBT for South Asian Communities project led by CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)
Services are provided by insured and highly qualified, fully supervised Registered Clinical Counsellors, Registered Social Workers, and interns from accredited Diploma, Degree or Master’s of Counselling Psychology, or Master’s of Social Work programs.
Our team is working towards A World Without Sorrow. That’s why we offer counselling services to individuals, couples, and families in multiple languages, so no one is left behind.
What makes Moving Forward unique is a blend of interns and new graduates who provide mental health services in a supervised environment. We receive funding from different institutions for clinical supervision (supervisors who support interns and new graduates). These supervisors oversee more than 275 part-time counsellors, social workers, and interns on post-secondary practicums. These incredible people bring a fresh perspective to Moving Forward and provide crucial help to our most vulnerable communities.
Our counsellors and social workers are typically newer graduates or interns on school practicums. Therefore, if you are looking for experienced counsellors, you should contact private therapists or direct service providers within the public sector.
Moving Forward has a network of private registered counsellors who reserve a certain amount of spots in their schedule for lower fee clients, who have no insurance coverage for counselling, referred by Moving Forward.
If you are low income, do not have insurance, and require long term therapy, consider services with a private, registered therapist. Sessions range from $50 for individuals to $65 for couples and families for the first six sessions. After this time, the counsellor will reassess your financial circumstances and the rate may change. There are no session caps and no wait times for this service. Please be advised that these services are provided by the counsellor, and not Moving Forward, we simply provide the referral. Any further correspondence will be with the counsellor.
Please note the $50-$65 fees are for online services; if requesting in-person services the fees will be higher. You can discuss this with the private therapist.
If you are low income and cannot afford the fees for a private registered therapist, consider short-term services (up to 12 sessions) with an intern or recent graduate. If more sessions are required, we can facilitate a transfer to another intern once 12 sessions are completed. Working with an intern ranges from $20 to $35, however we also offer a ‘pay what you can’ system for those who are unemployed or work less than full-time.
*Please note, our intern counsellors are only offering services online or by telephone.
You will collaborate with your counsellor to determine goals that are specific, observable, measurable, and concrete. Goals usually are one of three types:
You do not need to establish goals prior to attending your first session; this will be discussed in detail with your counsellor as the counselling progresses.
At Moving Forward, we provide accessible counselling to underserved communities. Our current healthcare system is stretched, and wait times can be long. Every missed appointment means someone is not receiving the treatment they have been waiting for. For this reason, we require a minimum of 24h hours advance notice to cancel appointments. A missed appointment without 24 hours notice will result in a missed appointment fee and/or may result in discontinuation of services.
Our services are offered in English, French, American Sign Language, Arabic, Bengali, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Cantonese, Croatian, Farsi, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Hokkien, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Malay, Mandarin, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Serbian, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu. For some languages, there may be limitations in terms of days/times of availability of counsellors. Some may be low fee while others have minimum fees with a private clinical counsellor. Please email us for more information.
While we receive numerous referrals from Health Authority sites, MCFD, Probation and Schools (who are responsible for publicly funded mental health and addiction counselling/psycho-education services), we are not funded by any of these groups. Therefore we rely on fees to help cover our operating costs. By operating in this way, we are not limited to who we serve based on age, identified gender, presenting issue, or geography. If you are looking for free services, please contact those government service providers or ask about our ‘pay what you can’ option.
Moving Forward offers free and low cost counselling to those who are truly in need of help. To get started with Moving Forward, complete our online intake form (the fastest way to get connected), email our team, or text/call 778-321-3054 for more information.
Be the first to know when we organize special events and workshops where you can discover strategies for coping with life’s daily struggles and access resources to improve your mental health.
Note: the following resources are provided for informational purposes. Their inclusion in the list is not an endorsement of their services. Also, program offerings are subject to change so you may wish to first search the program online to find the most accurate information.
EASE
Everyday Anxiety Strategies for Educators (EASE) - EASE is a collection of evidence-informed anxiety prevention and resilience-building resources for use with students in grades K-7. The resources use cognitive behavioural strategies to address the thoughts, feelings and behaviours associated with anxiety.
We routinely come across great resources and service providers in the community, many of whom we work closely with to offer integrated and holistic services to our mutual clients. So while Moving Forward can address your emotional health needs, please feel free to explore some other services in the community that may be able to address some of your social, physical, financial, spiritual, academic, career and nutritional needs.
By having an open mandate (open to anyone wanting our services) Moving Forward is able to collaborate with other like-minded agencies, and ensure we are not repeating what other agencies are doing, while also identifying gaps and setting about reducing such gaps.
– Gary
If you are in danger of hurting yourself or someone else, call 9-1-1 or go to a hospital emergency department.
Please remember: 988 is Canada's new suicide crisis helpline. Available 24/7 for calls or texts.
(formerly the Canada Suicide Prevention Service)
If you’re having thoughts of suicide, or are worried about someone else, Talk Suicide is here to listen. Connect to a crisis responder for help without judgment.
Call 1-833-456-4566 toll-free any time – or text 45645 from 4 p.m. to midnight ET.
Crisis Centre Online Chat Canada
Crisis Line: 310-6789
The Crisis Centre Distress Services: 604-872-3311
Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
Surrey Urgent Care Response Centre for Adults (19 years and older)
For urgent mental health and substance use concerns. Services include: Crisis stabilization; Assessment and psychiatric consultation; Treatment initiation and Connection to community-based services. Address: 13750 96th Avenue, Surrey, BC. Hours of operation: Open every day 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Last walk-in appointment accepted at 7:00 p.m. Walk in or call 604-953-6200 for an appointment (recommend calling first if possible)
A uniform RCMP member and a clinical nurse specializing in mental health work together and provide on-site emotional and mental health assessments, crisis intervention and referrals to appropriate services. When a person is in crisis they can call Surrey RCMP non-emergency number at 604-599-0502 or by dialing 911. The Car 67 team will drive in an unmarked police vehicle to enhance privacy of the individuals and families that they serve.
Vancouver Coastal Health’s Access and Assessment Centre for Adults
803 West 12th Avenue, Level 1 East Entrance Vancouver, BC
The Access and Assessment Centre (AAC) is here to help you, your family member or your friend during a non-life threatening mental health and/or substance use issue.
Call (604) 675-3700 or walk in between 7:30 am – 11 pm
Psychological First Aid offered by Psychologists
Or call 604-827-0847
Call the help line 1-855-242-3310 or online chat at hopeforwellness.ca
For more information visit Government of Canada- Hope for wellness Helpline
B.C. Mental Health Walk-in Intake Clinics (Child and Youth Mental Health)
YouthinBC 24/7 crisis line at 1-866-661-3311 or their online chat 12pm – 1am daily
Offers virtual drop-in counselling sessions by voice, video, and chat to BC’s young people ages 12-24 and their care-givers. Free and confidential. Easy to access. No referral or assessment required. Call 1-833- FØUNDRY (that’s FØUNDRY with a zero or 1-833-308-6379)
Canadian Mental Health’s BounceBack Program
Work on CBT-based materials over the phone with a trained coach for free. To get started, book an appointment to see a doctor, nurse practitioner, or your school counsellor.
Kelty's Key is your source for online therapy. Get tailored treatment from an online therapist, or work on your own with our self-help resources. With Kelty's Key, getting the help you need is flexible and accessible. We are publicly funded by Vancouver Coastal Health, making all our services 100% free.
24-Hour Crisis and Information Line 604-255-6344. If you are in need of immediate crisis assistance, call 604-255-6344 in the Lower Mainland or call our national toll-free line at 1-877-392-7583.
Dr. Joti Samra, R.Psych. and Dr. Dan Bilsker, R.Psych. (Lead Authors; 2007), Consortium for Organizational Mental Health (COMH; www.comh.ca), Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC.
Treatments for anxiety include prescription drugs, counseling, meditation and exercise. Experts recommend a combination of these modalities. Experiencing some anxiety when facing difficult decisions or life changes is normal, but when that anxiety interferes with daily life it becomes a disorder.
South Fraser Women’s Services Society
For laundry and shower (women)
Surrey Public Libraries
For free internet
WorkBC Employment Services Centres
Y Mind (Vancouver Island)
Mental Wellness - YMCA-YWCA Vancouver Island (vancouverislandy.com)
Free psychoeducational program for teens (13-18) and youth (18-30) experiencing mild-moderate anxiety. In-Person and Online programs available. 7 sessions offered, weekly (often in the evenings).
Surrey RCMP
Non-emergency: 604.599.0502
Paramedics/Ambulance
Non-emergency: 604.872.5151
Fire
Non-emergency: 604.543.6700
Surrey Food Bank
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri (9:00am-1:00pm)
10732 City Parkway, Surrey 604.581.5443
Surrey Food Bank Newton/Green Timbers
Alternate Wed. (12:00pm-2:00pm)
& Green Timbers Covenant Church (14219- 88 Ave, Surrey) 604.581.5443 Ext 110
604-602-0186 ext 109. Clients buy at a discount. They have several locations. The form can be printed from the web page and needs to be signed by a professional including the agency charity number.
Bread4Life
(10667- 135A St, Surrey) 604.589.8878
Free food daily, 7 days a week
Gracepoint Community Church
(3487 King George Blvd) 604.538.1825
Sundays, 5:00pm
Holy Trinity Cathedral
(514 Carnarvan St., New Westminster) 604.521.2511
Thursdays, 8:00am-9:00am (Breakfast)
King’s Banquet Soup Kitchen
(15262 Pacific Ave., White Rock) 604.538.2533
Tuesdays, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Nightshift Street Ministries Society
(10635 King George Blvd., Surrey) 604.953.1114
Queens Ave. United Church
(Queens Ave. and 6 th St., New Westminster) 604.522.1606
Wednesdays, 11:30am-1:00pm (Lunch)
Cloverdale Community Kitchen
Pacific Community Church (5337- 180 St., Surrey) 604.574.1725 Mondays & Wednesdays 6:30-8:30, Thursdays 12:00pm
South Fraser Women’s Services Society
Women and Children 604.536.9611
Monday to Friday 12:00pm- 1:30pm (Lunch)
The Surrey Urban Mission
(10776 King George Blvd, Surrey) 604.581.5172
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 12:00pm, Saturdays 9:00am-11:00am, Sundays 5:00pm- 6:00pm (1st & 3rd Sunday/month)
Union Gospel Mission
(658 Clarkson St., New Westminster) 604.525.8989
Breakfast 8:30am-9:30am & Soup 11:15am-12:00pm
The Corner Stone
(601 E. Hastings, Vancouver) 604.253.3323
Monday-Friday 6:30am-9:00pm, Saturdays and Sundays 1:00pm-9:00pm
BC Housing Management Commission
604.525.3033
Community Housing Services
13520- 78 Ave, Surrey 604.590.7368 (RENT)
Kekinow Native Housing Society
#1014, 7445-132 St., Surrey 604.591.5299
Seniors Services
604.520.6621 or 1.866.355.7042
After Hours Emergency Services
604.660.3194
Cloverdale Shelter
604.574.4341
Gateway Shelter
604.589.7777
Hyland House Shelter
604.599.8900
Adolescent Crisis Response Program
604.585.5561
Child and Youth Mental Health
604.951.5844/ 604.586.2685
Delta Mental Health Centre
604.948.7010
Langley Mental Health Centre
604.514.7940
Surrey Central/ North Mental Health Centre
604.953.4900
Gateway Station Tower
11th Floor 13410- 108 Ave, Surrey
White Rock/ South Surrey Mental Health Centre
604.541.6844
Russell Unit, Peace Arch Hospital
15521 Russell Ave, White Rock
BC Healthy Kids Program
1.866.866.0800 #4
College of Dental Surgeons
Information line 604.736.3621
Dental Outpatient Clinic (Vancouver General Hospital)
604.875.4006
805 W 12 Ave, Vancouver
Denture Clinic- Academy of Dentistry
604.434.2611
Burnaby
Keys Dental Clinic
604.545.4012
10697- 135A St., Surrey
Reach Dental Clinic
604.589.8678 Ext. 122
1145 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
UBC Dental Clinic
604.822.2112
Safepoint Safe Consumption Site
#2 10681- 135A Street
604.587.7898
Safepoint provides a supervised consumption site and recovery services that includes access to Opiate Agonist Therapy and referrals to Creekside Withdrawal Management Center
Quibble Creek (QC) Sobering Centre
#101 and # 102 13670 – 94 Avenue, Surrey
604.580.4965
QC is a sobering centre that is open 24 hours and provides a voluntary safe place for clients aged 16+. It also provides harm reduction supplies, resources information and a safe consumption site open 7:00pm-8:15pm.
Surrey Substance Use Services (SSUS)
SSUS is open Monday to Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm and has an outpatient clinic for clients requiring Opiate Agonist Therapy, and where those without a medical doctor can access primary care.
Creekside Withdrawal Management Centre
13740- 9a Avenue, Surrey
604.587.3755
Creekside offers voluntary medically supervised 24-hour inpatient detoxification and withdrawal management services for individuals aged 14+. Daily programming includes educational groups, psychoeducational/ art therapy groups, and referrals into treatment and community services.
Daytox (located above Creekside WMC)
13740- 9a Avenue, Surrey
604.585.5610
Offers a 6-week long day program for adults 19+. Clients can participate in complementary therapies, psychoeducational groups, counselling, referrals and medication management for those on supervised prescription withdrawal protocol.
Riverstone Home/Mobile Detox Program
45600 Menholm Rd., Chilliwack 1.866.795.0600 or 604.703.6986
Riverstone provides non-medical withdrawal management services, at-home mobile detoxification, counselling, treatment referrals, and a 6 week Daytox program.
Sage Counselling and Addiction Services Inc.
Various Locations 1.888.589.7080 or 604.558.0090
Offers individual counselling, treatment programs, as well as several programs including:
T.E.A.M - Transitional Education for Adult Motivation
It is a 4 Week intensive non-residential day treatment for adults in early recovery. It is a highly structured medium intensity non-residential DAY treatment program for adults 19 & older in early addiction recovery. Minimum of 2 weeks clean time.
W.E.LL- Women’s Empowerment for Living & Learning
Is a 5-week intensive non-residential day treatment for women 19+ and older in recovery. It is concerned with the impact drugs and/or alcohol may be having in their lives. Minimum of 2 months clean time.
M.E.L.L- Men’s Empowerment for Living & Learning
Is a 5-week intensive non-residential evening recovery program for men.
It is an intense non-residential evening treatment program for men 19 & older concerned with the impact drugs and/or alcohol may be having in their lives.
Supported Recovery Houses for Women
A:yelexw Women’s Home & A:yelexw Men’s Home
6994 Pioneer Ave, Agassiz, BC
604-796-6819
A recovery program open to Indigenous people age 19+ in the Fraser Region who have already detoxed and are wanting to live a healthier lifestyle. Staffed 24 hours a day and participants can stay for up to one year. Referral is by an alcohol and drug counsellor or professional service provider and it is funded by Fraser Health.
Charlford House
6845 Kitchener St, Burnaby, BC
604. 420.4626
Firth Residence (provided by Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver)
402 East Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC
604.996.3173
Hanna House (InnerVisions Recovery Society)
1937 Prairie Ave, Port Coquitlam, BC
604.468.2032
Ellendale Residential Treatment (provided by Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver)
402 East Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC
604.520.1166
Mollie’s Place (provided by Kinghaven Peardonville House Society)
Abbotsford, BC
604.856.3966 Local 221
New Dawn Recovery Home for Women (provided by Chrysalis Society)
218-3369 Fraser Street, Vancouver, BC
604-325-0576
Turning Point
North Vancouver and Richmond locations
604.303.6844
Westminster House Society
228 Seventh St, New Westminster, BC
604.524.5633
Central City Lodge Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) (provided by City Centre Care Society)
415 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC
604-675-2455
Innervisions Recovery Centre (provided by Innervisions Recovery Society of BC)
1937 Prairie Avenue, Port Coquitlam, BC
604-468-2032
Pathway to Freedom Society
9034 Prince Charles Boulevard, Surrey, BC
778-888-7617 or 778-888-9646
Phoenix Treatment Centre
13670 94a Ave, Surrey
604.583.7166
Together We Can
2831 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC
604.451.9854
Valley House (provided by Kinghaven Peardonville House Society)
31250 King Road, Abbotsford, BC,
604-864-0039
Residential Treatment Centers (Subsidized and licensed)
Bridgeway Intensive Residential Treatment
Kelowna
250.763.0456
Burnaby Centre for Mental Health and Addictions
Burnaby
604.675.3950
Construction Rehab
New Westminster
604.521.8611
Heartwood
Vancouver
604.875.2032
The Last Door
New Westminster
604.525.9771
Maple Ridge Treatment Centre
Maple Ridge
604.467.3471
Pacifica
Abbotsford
604.872.5517
Rosedale
Chilliwack
604.828.1386
STI/ AIDS Testing & Counselling Clinic
N. Surrey Public Health- 220- 10362 King George Blvd.
604.587.7900
The Needle Exchange
10697- 135A St., Surrey
604.584.5845
Surrey Memorial Hospital Youth Clinic
13750- 96 Ave., Surrey
604.585.5999
1.800. Sex Sense Line
1.800.781.7803
We routinely come across great resources and service providers in the community, many of whom we work closely with to offer integrated and holistic services to our mutual clients. So while MFFS can address your emotional health needs, please feel free to explore some other services in the community that may be able to address some of your social, physical, financial, spiritual, academic, career and nutritional needs.
By having an open mandate (open to anyone wanting our services) Moving Forward is able to collaborate with other like-minded agencies, and ensure we are not repeating what other agencies are doing, while also identifying gaps and setting about reducing such gaps.
– Gary
