About Couch of Hope

At Couch of Hope, we’re here to support you. We are a community-based organization offering counselling services for individuals and groups within Nova Scotia who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health challenges. 

Our focus is on making care accessible – especially for people in our community who feel marginalized or who face barriers when trying to get the mental health care that they need. We believe that everyone deserves a safe space to be heard, understood, and supported.

A cozy living room with a light-colored sofa adorned with a beige throw blanket and pillows. A large houseplant is positioned in the corner, and a framed landscape painting hangs on the wall. In the foreground, a round wooden coffee table holds decorative items and a tissue box.
Two women sitting on a black sofa in a living room, engaged in conversation. The woman on the left is wearing a dark jacket and beige pants, with white sneakers. The woman on the right is wearing a beige and white striped sweater and dark pants, sitting cross-legged. Behind them, there is wall art with abstract shapes and colors. A small side table with a lamp and other items is to the left, and a tall lamp with a white shade is on the right. The floor has a patterned rug.

At Couch of Hope, we also play a role in strengthening mental health care across Nova Scotia by providing training and clinical supervision to counselling therapy interns. This helps grow a new generation of compassionate, skilled therapists within our community.

Our approach to therapy is supportive, relational, relational and grounded in human connection.

We believe that healing happens in safe, trusting relationships.

Couch of Hope is proud to be an approved practicum site for both Acadia and Yorkville University. Students in Yorkville’s Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MACP) program, and Acadia’s Master of Education (MEd) program can complete their practicum with us, after finishing their academic coursework. 

During their time at Couch of Hope, interns will gain the hands-on client experience they need to graduate and move forward as Registered Counselling Therapist Candidates (RCT-C).

Our Clinical Supervisors are Registered Counselling Therapists in good standing and approved supervisors with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT). They work closely with each intern, along with university professors and practicum coordinators, to provide hands-on training, guidance, and ongoing support.

Our Vision, Mission and Values

  • Vision

    A future where every Nova Scotian has access to compassionate, inclusive and high-quality mental health care, supported by well-trained counselling therapist interns.

  • Mission

    To support the mental wellness of individuals across Nova Scotia by offering free counselling services, while actively contributing to the growth of the province's mental health care capacity through intern training, supervision, and system-level development.

  • Values

    Accessibility, Compassion, Growth, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration, and Commitment to care.

Our Core Principles

These core concepts and principles are at the heart of our work at Couch of Hope:

  • Equity refers to an approach that ensures everyone has access to the same opportunities.

  • Diversity is defined as the many ways we are unique and different from one another while distinguishing ourselves as individuals and identifying ourselves as belonging to a group or groups.

  • Inclusion refers to the intentional, ongoing efforts and actions to ensure that people with different identities actively participate in all aspects of the work of an organization and/or society.

  • Reconciliation is a process of healing relationships that requires public truth sharing, apology, and commemoration that acknowledges and redresses past harm.

  • Accessibility when our environments, services and products and policies are proactively designed and constructed so that people with a disability can fully and equally participate without experiencing barriers.

  • Guides to identifying, understanding, and taking systemic action against racist and oppressive practices. These principles call for us to take a deep examination of the colonial influences in our system and put robust structures and leadership in place to raise up and support diverse communities. ARAO requires honest, real community engagement, examination of bias and power imbalances, and true valuing of diversity so we can eliminate racism and oppression.

Colorful sticker with a chevron arrow and rainbow stripes that reads, "Every one is welcome here" with a small heart symbol.

IMPACT RESULTS

Our Impact Report offers a meaningful look into the work that’s happening at Couch of Hope. Inside, you’ll find a snapshot of our programs, community partners, and the growing need for accessible mental health care across Nova Scotia.

Read More Here

Couch Of Hope Is Dedicated In Memory Of Diana Hope George (Bastien)

Black and white photo of a woman with medium-length hair sitting on a couch, resting her chin on her hand and smiling slightly.

Diana Hope George (Bastien) was kind, compassionate, loving and cared deeply for people. She spent her career working in Social Services, where she was devoted to helping and contributing to the well-being of others. Diana had the brightest smile and the most contagious laugh; her presence had a way of putting people at ease. Diana had an incredible gift to connect with people from all walks of life, she made people feel valued and she instilled hope.

Couch of Hope is inspired by Diana.

July 27, 1973- August 18, 2015

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call your local mental health support line, go to the nearest hospital, or call 911.

We are a mental health clinic providing counselling services, however we are unable to handle emergency situations.

The Suicide Crisis Helpline - Call or text 9-8-8

The Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team 1-888-429-8167 

The Canada Suicide Prevention Service 1-833-456-4566 

Trans Lifeline Canada 1-877-330-6366