Access to counseling services for Innisfailians should improve with town council's recent approval to lease shared office for two psychologists at the historic Kemp House.
At council's regular meeting on May 23, administration made a recommendation to approve the leasing of shared office space on the main floor of the historical building, located at 5713 – 51 Ave., for $200 a month, an amount that will be split evenly between Summit Psychology and Pathways Home Family Counseling.
Council was told the top floor of the site is currently leased to the Innisfail Family Day Home Society, which provides services for families with children under the age of five.
In a report to council, Karen Bradbury, the town's community and social development co-ordinator, noted that in discussions with local groups over the past number of months there has been an ongoing concern about the lack of counseling services currently available in Innisfail. She added additional counseling services for Innisfail residents would enhance the quality of care for individuals and families.
Following the council meeting, Bradbury added that while the town has counseling services available through Alberta Health Services (AHS) they are delivered through a “very specific mandate” and many locals can't meet the criteria set by the provincial government agency.
“There are a lot of other individuals who could use this service but they would normally have to go to Red Deer because the town does not have other services other than Alberta Health (Services),” said Bradbury. “Even if there is a wait list at Alberta Health (Services) people still can't access those services unless they go to Red Deer because there is a lack of services.”
The one-year lease approved by council for the two psychologists covers a time period from June 1 to May 31, 2017, with a one-year renewable option.
Karen Bradbury, the town's community and social development co-ordinator
"There are a lot of other individuals who could use this service but they would normally have to go to Red Deer because the town does not have other services other than Alberta Health (Services)."
