Cornerstone Counselling: Affordable mental health care for everyone
Located within the Stelmach Community Health Centre, Cornerstone Counselling brings nearly five decades of community-focused mental health services to Mill Woods. As one of Edmonton's largest not-for-profit providers of subsidized counselling, Cornerstone offers accessible, compassionate care for individuals, couples and families navigating life's most difficult moments.
Roots in community service
Cornerstone Counselling was founded in 1977 in the basement of Bonnie Doon Baptist Church by Reverend Dr. Ernest Runions and Dr. Doug Spinney. The two noticed their congregants struggling with mental health challenges and began offering affordable counselling services. Word spread quickly, and they soon had requests for counselling from people outside the church.
"As soon as the community learned there were affordable services in the area, they wanted those mental health services as well," says Sheila Stauffer, executive director. "So the founders opened the doors to the public and welcomed anyone who had issues that they wanted to work through. We've lived with that philosophy ever since."
Today, Cornerstone serves anyone four years old and up — individuals, teens, couples and families — through a team of approximately 30 counsellors. The organization estimates it has helped around 85,000 people find their way to wellness over the years.
Expanding to serve southeast Edmonton
Cornerstone's decision to open a second location at the Stelmach Community Health Centre came down to accessibility. While its west end office continues to serve clients, the team recognized that many people in southeast Edmonton faced barriers getting there.
"Sometimes the west end is a little hard to get to, or people don't want to make that journey from Mill Woods to West Grove," says Sheila. "We wanted to be able to reach the south side."
Joining the Stelmach Community Health Centre aligned with Cornerstone's values in multiple ways. Beyond the practical benefits of location, the integrated healthcare model resonated with the organization's whole-person approach to wellness.
"We appreciated the wholistic approach to wellness, how they have a variety of health services within the one building," says Sheila. "Mental health is a huge part of health, and with all the different services offered in the building, we can collaborate with anyone."
Comprehensive mental health services
Cornerstone provides support for a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, stress, depression, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, and emotional regulation. With 30 counsellors on staff, clients can find someone with the right expertise or background to help them feel comfortable opening up.
Services are available both in person and virtually, with approximately 60 per cent of clients visiting the office and 40 per cent connecting through video or phone sessions.
Beyond individual counselling, Cornerstone offers psycho-educational workshops and support groups. Their anger management workshop runs approximately every six weeks throughout the year, helping participants understand emotional triggers and develop effective coping strategies.
The organization also facilitates support groups focused on healthy relationships, grief and loss, and stress management.
"We're excited to use the new space for these workshops," says Sheila. "It's laid out more efficiently than (our West Grove location)."
A space designed for healing
For counselling practices, the physical environment matters. Clients need to feel safe and comfortable enough to be vulnerable. The Stelmach Community Health Centre's design supports that goal.
"I love that it's not like a traditional hospital setting," says Sheila. "I love all the natural light, and even the light fixtures themselves are beautiful. It's a very bright, welcoming space."
The building's thoughtful details — local artists' work on display, a prominent land acknowledgement and a mosaic created from tiles painted by community members and staff — also add to its appeal, says Sheila.
"So many people can look at different parts of this building and either see themselves or see their community in that and feel comfortable," she says.
This welcoming atmosphere stands in contrast to typical clinical hospital environments, which can add stress for people already dealing with difficult emotions.
"Your space is so important for counselling," says Sheila. "There has to be a perfect balance of a warm and welcoming space where people can reveal those more vulnerable sides of themselves but feel safe and secure doing so. The atmosphere of this entire building is conducive to that."
A counselling room at the new Cornerstone Counselling Mill Woods, located in the Stelmach Community Health Centre.
Affordability at the core
What sets Cornerstone apart is its commitment to making mental health care accessible regardless of income. Through their Way to Wellness Fund, the organization offers fee subsidies so that cost never becomes a barrier to getting help.
"We want to make it affordable and accessible for everyone," says Sheila. "Anyone who's struggling can come and get that support."
This sliding-scale model reflects the founders' original vision: that everyone deserves the opportunity to gain emotional health and reach their full potential, regardless of their financial situation.
Collaborative care in one location
Being part of the Stelmach Community Health Centre creates opportunities for Cornerstone to connect with other healthcare providers and serve clients more comprehensively.
"We're open to creating those community partnerships and letting them know that we're an affordable resource they can send pretty much anyone to," says Sheila.
The co-location of services also benefits clients who may be dealing with physical health challenges alongside mental health concerns. Rather than navigating multiple appointments across the city, patients can access counselling support in the same building where they receive other care.
"Being able to treat not only the symptoms of any type of health issue, but to find the root cause of something and support (people) on a wholistic basis, that's an amazing opportunity," says Sheila. "Not just for people who can afford it, but for everyone who's in need."
Serving Mill Woods
Mill Woods is one of Edmonton's fastest-growing and most diverse neighbourhoods. Many residents are newcomers to Canada or young people starting to build a life as an adult. Cornerstone sees an opportunity to support this community during pivotal moments.
"There are so many people who are either newcomers or just starting out in those challenging years of adulthood and could use that extra mental support," says Sheila. "(It’s) a great fit."
For nearly 50 years, Cornerstone Counselling has helped Edmontonians work through anxiety, relationship struggles, grief and the everyday challenges that can feel overwhelming. Now, with a home in the Covenant Community Health Centre, that same compassionate, affordable care is available to families in southeast Edmonton, right in their own community.
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