The issue of accessing psychological help in Ukrainian in Edmonton is very relevant for Ukrainians who have recently arrived in Canada, as well as for those who live in this city permanently. Unfortunately, not everyone finds it easy to express their deepest emotions and psychological problems in a foreign language, especially if English is not their native language. The good news is that there are indeed several opportunities to receive psychological help in Ukrainian in Edmonton, although there are not as many options as there are for other languages.
Edmonton, as one of Canada's largest cities with a large Ukrainian community, has begun to develop mental health services that take into account the needs of Ukrainian migrants and refugees. However, it is important to understand that the mental health system in Alberta is still developing in this area, and access to services in Ukrainian may be limited compared to services in English.
Private psychologists and psychotherapists who speak Ukrainian
Registered psychologists who provide services in Ukrainian
The first resource for finding a Ukrainian-speaking psychologist is Psychology Today Canada, an online platform that allows people to search for psychologists by specialization and language. On this site, you can find several psychologists in Edmonton who have indicated that they speak Ukrainian.
Dr. Oxana Evans is a registered psychologist in Edmonton (RPsych) with a PsyD degree and 13 years of experience working with people experiencing depression, stress, burnout, trauma, grief, and family issues. Dr. Evans speaks English, Russian, and Ukrainian. Her psychology clinic is located in Edmonton at T6G and can be contacted at 825-786-4768. The clinic has a team of psychologists, testing specialists, and a psychiatrist who work with children and adults.
Sasha Simcisin is a registered psychologist (MC) in Edmonton who speaks Ukrainian, as well as Russian, Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian. The psychologist has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and LGBTQ2+ individuals. Sasha Simcisin works with a variety of issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, and life transitions. He can be reached at 587-406-6039. The psychologist offers both in-person and online sessions.
Petro Palykhata is a registered psychologist (RPsych) with an MA degree in Edmonton. Petro is fluent in English, Ukrainian, and Russian. He offers therapy both online and in person, working with adults, adolescents, couples, and families. Petro specializes in anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, and life transitions. He can be contacted at 587-317-6211.
Hanna Brechka is a registered social worker (MSW, RSW, BA) in Edmonton. She has experience working with a variety of issues, including grief, domestic violence, substance use disorders, and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. She can be reached at 587-816-4126.
Violeta Pidgorna is a young, qualified therapist who identifies as Ukrainian and speaks Russian and English. She works at Solace Psych, a private clinic in Edmonton, and has experience working with Ukrainian refugees. Violeta offers counseling to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She is currently completing her Master of Counselling degree.
Innerlouge Therapy & Psychology
Innerlouge Therapy & Psychology is a multilingual psychology clinic in Edmonton that clearly states that its team offers therapy in Ukrainian. The clinic also offers services in French, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Vietnamese. You can contact them at 587-847-4010.
Alliance Counselling and Assessment
Alliance Counselling and Assessment is a psychology clinic in Edmonton with several psychologists on staff, some of whom can speak Ukrainian. The clinic offers a variety of counselling and assessment services for adults, adolescents, and children.
Interpretation Services for Psychological Assistance
Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA) - Language Bank
For people who want to receive psychological help in English but need interpretation in Ukrainian, an excellent option is to use the language bank services of the Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA). EISA provides translation and interpretation services free of charge to eligible clients.
EISA also provides interpretation for clients in their native language to assist with appointments at government and other organizations. This means that if a person makes an appointment with a psychologist at a public hospital or Alberta Health Services clinic, they can request a Ukrainian interpreter to help them communicate with the psychologist.
You can contact EISA at 780-474-8445 and ask about the Language Bank and interpretation services.
Ukrainian Canadian Social Services (UCSS) - Translation and Interpretation Services
Ukrainian Canadian Social Services (UCSS) is a national charitable organization whose primary goal is to assist individuals and families of Ukrainian ethnic origin through community social service programs. UCSS has an office in Edmonton that can provide translation and interpretation services.
UCSS offers translation and interpretation services for newcomers to Canada. The organization is located at 11717 97 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5G 1Y3 and can be contacted at 780-471-4477. With the help of UCSS, you can arrange for interpretation for psychological counseling in public and private institutions.
Public mental health services that support Ukrainians
Alberta Health Services and oral interpretation
Alberta Health Services (AHS) offers counseling and psychological assistance free of charge to all Alberta residents. Although most psychologists in public clinics speak English, AHS has an oral interpretation system that allows people to speak to a psychologist through an interpreter.
When a person makes an appointment with a psychologist through Alberta Health Services, they can request a Ukrainian interpreter, and the health service will arrange for interpretation. This is an extremely valuable service for people who do not speak English, as it allows them to receive psychological assistance at public institutions at no additional cost.
Mental Health Helpline
The Alberta Mental Health Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-877-303-2642. One of the biggest advantages of this line is that interpretation services are available for more than 100 languages, including Ukrainian. This means that Ukrainians can call the line and ask to speak to a mental health professional in Ukrainian through an interpreter.
The line is staffed by qualified mental health professionals, including psychologists, social workers, and addiction counselors, who can provide confidential support, information, and referrals to other services.
Services for Newly Arrived Ukrainians
The Immigrant Education Society (TIES)
The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) is a non-profit organization that provides educational workshops, counseling, and information to help people overcome the mental health challenges of this period. TIES specializes in working with immigrants and refugees, including Ukrainians.
TIES has English language classes and literacy programs for newcomers, but also provides counseling and support for people experiencing mental health challenges. You can contact TIES at 403-235-3666 for information about their services in Edmonton and the surrounding area.
Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers
The Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers is a service located in Edmonton that addresses the needs of immigrants and refugees in Canada. The centre offers a wide range of resettlement services, including psychological services for individuals who have experienced trauma.
The organization may be particularly valuable to Ukrainian refugees, as they have experience working with people who have experienced severe trauma.
Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA)
The Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA) is an organization that provides resettlement and integration services for immigrants and refugees in Edmonton. In addition to interpretation and translation services, EISA also provides information about available mental health services and can help people navigate the mental health system.
You can contact EISA at 780-474-8445 for information about their services.
Centre for Newcomers (CFN)
The Centre for Newcomers (CFN) is a resettlement service in Alberta that offers a wide range of services for immigrants and refugees. CFN is located in Calgary but has contacts and information about services in Edmonton and other cities in Alberta.
Support services for Ukrainians who have left due to the war
Alberta Supports Contact Centre
For Ukrainians who have come to Alberta as evacuees due to the war, the Alberta Supports Contact Centre provides a wide range of services and information. The centre can be reached at 1-877-644-9992 and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
One of the biggest advantages of Alberta Supports is that services are available in Ukrainian and more than 100 other languages. The centre provides information on mental health, financial assistance, housing, and other resettlement services.
Online resources and platforms
Togetherall
For people who may not have access to a live Ukrainian-speaking psychologist, the online platform Togetherall can be a useful alternative. Although Togetherall typically offers services in English, the platform is moderated by clinical consultants and trained assistants who may be knowledgeable about the needs of people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Tips for finding psychological help in Ukrainian
Direct search on Psychology Today
Psychology Today Canada is an online platform where you can filter psychologists by language. On the psychologist's website, you can search by specialization, location, and language spoken. This is the most conscious way to find a Ukrainian-speaking psychologist in Edmonton.
Contacting Ukrainian community organizations
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) is the voice of Ukrainians in Alberta. The organization can provide information about mental health services available to Ukrainians in Edmonton, including psychologists and psychotherapists who speak Ukrainian. You can contact the UCC for referrals and recommendations.
Requesting an interpreter through government services
If a person wants to receive psychological help through Alberta Health Services, they can request a Ukrainian interpreter when making an appointment. This is a more affordable option for people with limited financial resources, as public mental health services in Alberta are free of charge.
Challenges in finding psychological help in Ukrainian
Limited options
One of the main challenges in finding psychological help in Ukrainian in Edmonton is that there are significantly fewer options than for English speakers. Although there are several Ukrainian-speaking psychologists in the city, the choice is still limited compared to other languages such as French or Mandarin.
Cost of private services
Private psychologists in Edmonton charge fees ranging from $200 to $250 per session. For Ukrainians who have just arrived in Canada and are still establishing their financial stability, this can be a significant cost. Some psychologists offer a sliding scale of fees, but this is still more expensive than public services.
The need for planning when using an interpreter
If a person decides to seek psychological help through public services with an interpreter, advance planning is required, as the interpreter must be arranged in advance. This means that emergency counseling may be more difficult if the language is not English.
Conclusions about psychological help in Ukrainian in Edmonton
So, it is indeed possible to get psychological help in Ukrainian in Edmonton, although the options are limited compared to services in English. The most straightforward options are to contact private psychologists who have clearly indicated that they speak Ukrainian, such as Dr. Oxana Evans, Sasha Simcisin, or Petro Palykhata. These professionals offer both in-person and online therapy and have experience working with a variety of mental health issues.
For people who wish to receive psychological help through public services but do not speak English, it is possible to request a Ukrainian interpreter through Alberta Health Services or contact the Alberta Mental Health Line at 1-877-303-2642, which offers interpretation in Ukrainian.
For new Ukrainian arrivals, especially those who have come as evacuees due to the war, organizations such as TIES, Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, and Alberta Supports offer specialized services and information about mental health in Ukrainian.
While finding mental health support in Ukrainian may require more time and research than finding services in English, it is possible, and there are enough resources in Edmonton for people to receive quality mental health support in their native language. Don't ignore your mental health needs because of language barriers—it's important to seek out services and start your journey to better mental health, regardless of which language you feel most comfortable in.