CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM · CVAP FUNDED
What happened to you was not your fault. And you don’t have to carry it alone.
If you have experienced or witnessed a crime, you may be entitled to free trauma counselling through the Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP). We are here to help you access that support and begin to find your footing again.
If you are in immediate danger or crisis, please call 911 or the VictimLinkBC helpline at 1-800-563-0808, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 110 languages. We direct bill CVAP on your behalf. There is no cost to you at any point and no additional fees. We will confirm your eligibility before your first session.
Right now, even ordinary life can feel like too much.
You might be struggling to sleep, finding it hard to concentrate, or replaying what happened without meaning to. Feeling numb, on edge, or disconnected in ways that are hard to explain to the people around you.
These are not signs that something is wrong with you. They are normal human responses to an abnormal experience. Trauma counselling gives you space to begin processing what happened, at a pace that feels safe, with a therapist who understands.
The Crime Victim Assistance Program is a government-funded program in BC that provides financial benefits, including counselling, to victims of violent crime, witnesses, and immediate family members. You do not need to report the crime to the police to apply.
“You do not have to be ready to talk about everything. You do not have to have the right words. You only have to be willing to begin.”
— The experience our therapists witness every day
Why You Might Be Here
What you might be experiencing right now
When a crime is experienced or witnessed, the violation of safety and loss of control leave lasting psychological effects. These symptoms are recognised responses of a nervous system that has been through something it was never designed to handle alone. All of it is valid, and all of it can be worked through.
Intrusive Thoughts Or Flashbacks
Memories arriving without warning, in dreams or during the day, as if it’s happening again
Feeling Unsafe Or Hypervigilant
Constantly scanning for danger. Jumping at sounds. On edge even in places that should feel calm.
Emotional Numbness Or Shutdown
Feeling disconnected from yourself or others. Going through the motions without feeling present.
Anger, Guilt Or Shame
Feelings often misdirected inward after trauma. None of what happened was your fault.
Stabilisation Before Processing
Good trauma therapy starts by helping you feel grounded and stable in the present. We build safety first, always.
Difficulty Functioning Day To Day
Work, relationships and basic routines all feel harder than they should. You’re managing, but only just.
What CVAP covers
CVAP is available to victims of crime, witnesses, and in some cases immediate family members. You do not have to have reported the crime to the police to apply. We bill CVAP directly — there is no cost to you at any point and no additional fees.
Trauma counselling
Individual therapy with a registered counsellor at no cost to you.
Family counselling
Support for family members directly affected by the crime.
Protective measures
Support with legal protection orders and safety planning.
Income support
Financial assistance if unable to work as a result of the crime.
Medical and dental
Coverage for expenses arising directly from the crime.
Safety measures
Help with moving expenses or home security costs.
STEP BY STEP
Contact our clinic. No referral needed. Call or email us.
2
Submit CVAP application. We help with the form and documentation.
3
Application reviewed. Sessions can begin while it is under review.
4
Counselling begins. We bill CVAP directly. You pay nothing.
5
Ongoing support. Progress reviewed with you regularly.
How Therapy at Aasra Wellness Helps
What trauma counselling looks like here, and why it’s different
CVAP-funded counselling at our clinic is led by Registered Clinical Counsellors with specific trauma training and experience. Sessions are structured around your pace and comfort. You will never be pushed to go somewhere you are not ready to go.
You are believed from the moment you arrive
No requirement to prove what happened or justify your response. You are taken at your word, treated with dignity, and met exactly where you are.
We help you navigate the CVAP application
We walk you through what is needed, help with documentation, and take as much of the administrative weight off your shoulders as possible.
Therapy that understands the justice system
If you are involved in a police investigation or court proceedings, your therapist understands that context and can support you through it.
Stabilisation before processing
Good trauma therapy starts by helping you feel grounded and stable in the present. We build safety first, always.
Reclaiming a sense of yourself
Therapy gradually helps you reconnect with who you are outside of what happened. Your life is not defined by this experience.
STAGES OF HEALING
Stabilisation
Building safety and grounding to function day to day.
Processing
Making sense of what happened at your nervous system’s pace.
Integration
Reconnecting with your life and sense of self beyond what occurred.
Client Reflections
What if healing didn't have to wait for paperwork?
We direct bill CVAP, so you can start your trauma recovery without delays or administrative burden.
What becomes possible when you have the right support
Healing from trauma is not about erasing what happened. It is about reaching a place where what happened no longer controls how you live. That is possible. It happens here, one session at a time.
The Outcome
Positive outcomes May include
Feeling safe in your own body again
Sleeping more soundly
Less intrusion from memories
Reconnecting with people you love
Clarity through legal proceedings
Contact Us
Book a Free 15-Minute Call
Confidential · CVAP registered clinic · No police report required · We direct bill CVAP
No commitment. No referral needed. Just a conversation to understand your situation and help you decide if it's the right fit.
We'll be in touch within one business day.
Questions
Questions you might have before reaching out
How much does CVAP counselling cost me?
Nothing. We direct bill CVAP on your behalf. There is no cost to you at any point, no upfront payment and no additional fees. Your only focus is your recovery.
My child witnessed or was affected by a crime. Are they covered under CVAP too?
Yes. Children who have witnessed a crime, been directly affected by one, or are immediate family members of a victim are eligible for CVAP-funded counselling in BC. This includes children who may not fully understand what happened but are showing signs of distress, behavioural changes, nightmares, withdrawal, or difficulty at school in the aftermath. Aasara Wellness is one of the few clinics that provides CVAP-funded counselling specifically designed for children, using play therapy and trauma-informed approaches that meet children where they are rather than requiring them to talk through what they experienced. Your child does not need to be able to articulate what they are feeling for the work to be effective. And just as with adult CVAP sessions, we direct bill on your behalf. There is no cost to you at any point.
Do I have to have reported the crime to police to access CVAP?
Not necessarily. While reporting can support an application it is not always a requirement. Eligibility depends on your circumstances. Reach out and we will help you understand your options.
What if my application is denied or still being processed?
In many cases, we are able to begin sessions while an application is under review. Please speak with us directly and we will do our best to find a way to support you without delay.
Will I have to talk about what happened in detail?
No. Trauma-informed therapy does not require you to recount what happened, especially not in early sessions. Your therapist follows your lead entirely.
I am currently involved in a court case. Can I still attend counselling?
Yes. Accessing counselling while a case is ongoing is your right. Your therapist understands how to provide support without interfering with legal proceedings. If applicable, CVAP will also approve counselling sessions dedicated for court support.
Is everything I share confidential?
Yes, with the standard exceptions that apply to all registered counsellors. Your therapist will explain this fully before you begin your first session.
What if I’m not sure what I experienced counts as a violent crime?
Please don’t let uncertainty stop you. CVAP covers a broad range of offences and eligibility is assessed case by case. The first step is simply a conversation.
Getting support after what you have been through should not be complicated.
A free 15-minute call to understand your CVAP options, ask any questions, and take the first step when you feel ready. There is no obligation to proceed.
Confidential · CVAP registered clinic · No police report required · We direct bill CVAP
