Intake is Closed

A: Yes. Intake for new referrals to the CRD Perinatal Counselling program is closed as of April 10, 2025. The program will continue serving current clients until their program counselling sessions are completed. We expect that the program will conclude all counselling activities by or near the end of June 2025.

A: The program is closing because the five-year funding commitment that sustained it from 2020 to 2025 is ending. Despite extensive efforts to secure new funding, this has not yet been successful.

A: The path to extending the program requires substantial financial commitment. Despite past and continuing efforts led by the South Island Primary Care Society, finances remains the blocker. However, the people, operational systems and referral networks are still in place. If financing is secured, services can resume quickly. Aiming to address that issue, advocacy, outreach and fundraising activities are increasing.

A: Yes. If you have been referred and our Intake Manager already contacted you to schedule your first appointment, you will receive counselling as arranged. If you have not yet been contacted, our Intake Manager will call you to discuss your options.

A: No. We are no longer accepting new referrals as of April 11, 2025. Please see our Service Access Options and Parent Resources pages for a list of counselling programs and services you may explore.

A: Two pages on this site may help.
First, look at our Service Access Options page for a list funded and subsidized and funded counselling options.
Also, visit our Resources for Parents page for longer and broader list of resources. If you are looking for private pay counsellors, links on the page should be helpful.

A: Yes, some are listed on our Service Access Options page. We’ve noted the restrictions we are aware so you have a better idea of whether an option is suitable for you. Highlights are provided in the list below.

• Virtual perinatal counselling might be accessible through the BC Women’s Hospital in Vancouver
• You can look for a midwife who is also registered and able to provide counselling under MSP.
• For low-cost options: The McGee Therapy Clinic offers a few low-cost perinatal intern counselling sessions
• For perinatal loss counselling: Pacific Perinatal Foundation offers some funded counselling services

• Call 310-6789 (no area code needed) for the BC Mental Health Support Line
• Call 911 for emergency services
• Visit your nearest emergency department
• For Indigenous peoples: Call the KUU-US Crisis Response Service at 1-800-588-8717

A: Based on current service levels, approximately 200 families per year will lose access to perinatal mental health counselling.

A: Access is lost by parents in all 13 municipalities that make up the Capital Regional District (CRD).

A: Doing one or two of these actions would help a lot!

• Make a donation to the program’s Canada Helps fundraiser. Your money will help local parents get perinatal counselling when needed.
• Explore funding partner opportunities: Email Alyssa Andres at westshorepcsociety@gmail.com, or Traci McGee at hello@crdperinatal.ca.
• Share information about the program’s closure and services with the community leaders and policymakers, espeically those you know.
• Email your MLA about the critical need for perinatal mental health services and the current funding-access gap.  To get your MLA’s email, click on your CRD riding:  Esquimalt-Colwood | Juan de Fuca-Malahat | Langford-Highlands | Oak Bay-Gordon Head | Saanich North & the Islands | Saanich South | Victoria-Beacon Hill | Victoria-Swan Lake
• Get our Perinatal Service Scenarios paper. Email us at hello@crdperinatal.ca to request a copy of the paper by Michael McGee and Traci McGee. It’s about the program, basic service gap, and practical approaches that can help make perinatal counselling widely accessible in the CRD, Island Health Region and BC.
• Any other initiatives? If you are doing anything else, we’d love to know about it. Keep up posted by email at hello@crdperinatal.ca.

A: This is the best page for status updates. The home page is second best.

A: Call the office at 250-885-6760, or email us at hello@crdperinatal.ca or hello@tracimcgee.ca. (The office is the same for the perinatal program and the McGee Therapy Clinic.). You’ll be connecting with Dayna McPhail (intake and client support), Traci McGee (clinical director), or Michael McGee (program and clinic support).

If you are reaching out about potential funding or other partnership opporutnities, connect with Alyssa Andres or Traci McGee. You will find their contact information on the Partnership Opportunities page.