Stepping Stone Trust is one of the largest mental health service providers in New Zealand. Each week, our services reach over 500 people in the Canterbury region.
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Services Offered
Adult Community Support Work - Community Support Workers visit people in their own homes on a weekly basis. This support is utilized to assist people in maintaining wellbeing, and achieving their goals. (Access to this service occurs via referral from CDHB Specialist Mental Health Services, G.P. or any allied health service.)
Youth Mobile - Youth Mobile is an intensive support option, with staff visiting young people in their own homes as frequently as required, with daily visits an option in times of crisis. (Access to this service occurs via referral from CDHB Specialist Mental Health Services.)
Youth Community Support Work - Visiting young people weekly, our Community Support Workers provide regular input to assist young people to achieve their goals. (Access to this service occurs via referral from CDHB Specialist Mental Health Services.)
Caroline Reid Family Support Service - The Caroline Reid Family Support service provides support to children and young people (aged 7-16) whose parents experience mental illness. This service provides education, support and fun activities for the children and young people, as well as support to parents. (Access to this service occurs via referral from CDHB Specialist Mental Health Services, or via referral from any agency working with the family.)
Community Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS) - This is a brief intervention service, offering young people up to six sessions to assist them to manage mild to moderate mental health and addiction issues. Young people can be seen at school, health clinics, or at home. (Access to this service can occur for a young person by self-referral, or a parent/caregiver or school staff member arranging an appointment.)
Fees and Payment
SST is fortunate to receive the majority of its funding through the Canterbury District Health Board, with all services remaining free of charge.
This is a registered charity.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono
If You Call, Please Let Us Know How it Went:
Were You Able to Make an Appointment?
One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.