Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) Mental Health Assessments & Counselling

If you’re a refugee, refugee claimant, protected person, or victim of trafficking, you may be eligible for free mental health counselling and psychological assessments in Canada through the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP).

​These services are fully covered under IFHP and provided by licensed therapists, psychologists, and social workers experienced in trauma-informed, culturally responsive care.

The IFHP program requires that a doctor complete a Physician Referral Form to approve coverage for counselling services. If you need help finding an IFHP-approved doctor in your area, please feel free to reach out. We're here to support you throughout the process.

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What Mental Health Services Does IFHP Cover?

IFHP covers a range of mental health services to support your well-being during a difficult transition:
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  • 🧑‍⚕️ Individual counselling for anxiety, depression, trauma, adjustment and more
  • 👨‍👩‍👧 Family and couples counselling
  • 📝 Mental health assessments (including trauma or mental health evaluations)
  • 🌍 Culturally responsive therapy in your preferred language (depending on therapist availability)

All services are billed directly through Medavie Blue Cross, so you don’t pay anything out of pocket for attended sessions.

Who Is Eligible for Mental Health Services Through IFHP?

You may be eligible if you are:
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  • A refugee claimant waiting for your hearing
  • A resettled refugee (e.g. Government-Assisted Refugee or Privately Sponsored Refugee)
  • A protected person
  • A victim of human trafficking
  • An immigration detainee

Your coverage must be active and verified through Medavie Blue Cross before starting therapy or assessments.

How to Access IFHP-Covered Counselling or Assessments

  • 📄 Check your IFHP coverage using the Medavie Blue Cross secure portal
  • 📅 Contact an IFHP-registered mental health clinic (like ours) to schedule your first appointment
  • 🧾 We verify coverage and handle direct billing, so you pay nothing for attending appointments

Mental Health Assessments for Immigration and Legal Needs

Our team includes licensed psychologists, social workers, and psychotherapists who provide IFHP-covered assessments to support:
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  • Immigration and refugee proceedings
  • Trauma history documentation
  • Mental health diagnoses
  • Functional impairments
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Assessments are done virtually or in-person (depending on your location), and are always trauma-informed and confidential.

Mental Health Support in Your Language

We offer sessions in English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Chinese (Hakka), Tamil, French and Spanish. We’ll help match you with a therapist who understands your background and cultural needs.

Free Therapy for Refugees, Immigrants, and Asylum Seekers in Canada with IFHP

Approved IFHP Mental Health Providers

At Deep Sea Psychology, our team of mental health therapists includes Registered Psychologists, Registered Clinical Social Workers, Counsellors and Psychotherapists who provide mental health counselling and assessment services across Alberta, B.C. and Ontario.

We are passionate about supporting immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers with culturally responsive online mental health services.

Browse the images below to learn more about the trauma-informed and compassionate therapists on our team, offering top-rated virtual therapy services with direct billing to IFHP via Medavie Blue Cross.

​Let us know if you have a preferences to work with a specific therapist, or contact us for assistance with matching to a therapist that best suits your needs and preferences.
  • Alberta IFHP Providers
  • BC IFHP Providers
  • Ontario IFHP Providers
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Alberta IFHP Providers

The following Deep Sea Psychology therapists are approved Alberta IFHP providers.

Services are available in the following languages depending on the provider:
  • English
  • French
  • Hindi
  • Punjabi
  • Spanish
  • Urdu

Contact our Alberta office at 587-557-8573 or [email protected] for assistance with scheduling and setting up direct billing to IFHP to cover 100% of session fees for attended appointments.

BC IFHP Providers

The following Deep Sea Psychology therapists are approved BC IFHP providers.

Services are available in the following languages depending on the provider:
  • English
  • French
  • Hindi
  • Spanish
  • Urdu

Contact the Deep Sea Psychology  BC office at 250-252-5221,  or [email protected] for assistance with scheduling and setting up direct billing to IFHP to cover 100% of session fees for attended appointments. In-person services are available in Kamloops, BC

Ontario IFHP Providers

The following Deep Sea Psychology therapists are approved Ontario IFHP providers.

Services are available in the following languages depending on the provider:
  • Chinese (Hakka)
  • English
  • French
  • Hindi
  • Spanish
  • Urdu
  • Tamil

Contact the Deep Sea Psychology  Ontario office at (289) 622-6727,  or [email protected] for assistance with scheduling and setting up direct billing to IFHP to cover 100% of session fees for attended appointments.

IFHP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does IFHP cover therapy or counselling in canada?
Yes. Mental health counselling is included under IFHP’s supplemental benefits and is fully covered if you are eligible.
What kinds of therapists can i see?
You can see licensed psychologists, registered psychotherapists, or clinical social workers approved by IFHP
Can I get an immigration or trauma assessment?
Yes. IFHP covers mental health assessments completed by qualified professionals to support your case.
What does it Cost?
Nothing. IFHP pays for services through Medavie Blue Cross. There are no fees if your coverage is active. Please note that IFHP does not cover costs associated with missed or late cancelled appointments with less than 24 hours' notice.

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