Counselling Pilot
Do you work in the performing arts and entertainment industry and face barriers in accessing mental health services? Do you experience challenges that impact your ability to do the work you love?
Our Counselling Pilot Program might be the solution for you. This pilot program is currently offered to residents of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.
Program Highlights:
- Short-term counselling services;
- Costs of counselling services are covered by The AFC;
- Counsellors and therapists have experience working with arts and entertainment professionals, or have first-hand experience of working in the industry;
- Weekly or bi-weekly counselling sessions delivered by phone or video to help with issues like anxiety, depression, life transitions, or stress;
- Up to a maximum of 8 sessions per client that must be used within 6 months from the date of the first session;
- Feedback surveys to help us further develop the program.
Eligibility Requirements:
To qualify for our Counselling Pilot Program, you must meet both professional and financial criteria.
Professional Eligibility:
- You must work professionally in the Canadian performing arts and entertainment, specifically music, theatre, dance, film and TV, opera, and other performing arts disciplines.
- You must have done some type of paid work in your profession within the last 12 months.
- We encourage you to provide documentation to support your professional eligibility: a current resume/CV, link to your IMDB page, or similar.
Financial Eligibility:
- You are eligible if you have no insurance and/or cannot meet counselling costs through work or personal insurance.
- You are eligible if you can document financial need, meaning that you have less than $10,000 in accessible assets.
- You must be able to provide an overview of your bank balances: bank statements or screenshots from your banking app.
How to apply:
Book a screening appointment through our Navigator service. Mention the ‘Counselling Pilot’ when booking.
Important Notes:
- Commercial photographers and visual artists typically do not qualify for this program.
- Having any mental health benefits or significant savings typically means that you are not eligible for this program.
This pilot program offers a very limited number of spots. We prioritize those with the most explicit need for funded mental health support. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, please contact us before applying to discuss your specific situation. Let’s work together to support your mental well-being!