Free Counselling Consultations in British Columbia
Browse videos, and choose your best match based on availability, and most of all, fit.
Looking to start therapy? Find your next therapist by exploring our directory of counsellors in BC offering free consultations. Take a look at their profiles and watch video clips to get a feel for their therapy style and approach, and schedule a free consultation to see if they’re the right fit for you. The only commitment is to yourself.
Therapists
Kristin Michie
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Kristin Michie
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
she/her
Anger, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, College or University Coaching, Childhood trauma, Decision making, OCD, Depression, Anxiety, Coming out and identity, Emotional Fluidity, Emotional Numbness, Emotional regulation, Existential questions, Grief and Loss, Health anxiety, Infertility, Infidelity, Imposter syndrome, Women's Health, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Trauma processing
Anger, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, College or University Coaching, Childhood trauma, Decision making, OCD, Depression, Anxiety, Coming out and identity, Emotional Fluidity, Emotional Numbness, Emotional regulation, Existential questions, Grief and Loss, Health anxiety, Infertility, Infidelity, Imposter syndrome, Women's Health, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Trauma processing
Vanessa Liu
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON, NT, YT, NU, AB, BC, NL, and SK.
Waitlist
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Vanessa Liu
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Cultural Challenges, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Attachment trauma, Anger, Attachment, Childhood trauma, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Emotional regulation, Relationship anxiety
Cultural Challenges, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Attachment trauma, Anger, Attachment, Childhood trauma, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Emotional regulation, Relationship anxiety
Sabrina De Araujo
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Sabrina De Araujo
Registered Social Worker
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, ADHD, Assertiveness, Attachment trauma, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Burnout, Couples, Dating challenges, Effective communication, Depression coping skills, Identity and Self-Exploration, Interpersonal dynamics, General Mental Health, Maternal mental health, Nervous system regulation, Grief and Loss, Familial and social relationships, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Self-esteem, Self-Criticism, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Mind-body connection
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, ADHD, Assertiveness, Attachment trauma, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Burnout, Couples, Dating challenges, Effective communication, Depression coping skills, Identity and Self-Exploration, Interpersonal dynamics, General Mental Health, Maternal mental health, Nervous system regulation, Grief and Loss, Familial and social relationships, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Self-esteem, Self-Criticism, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Mind-body connection
Christine Scovell
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Christine Scovell
Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Burnout, Caregiver burnout, Confidence, Conflict resolution, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Depression, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, Relationships, Stress, Trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Wellness Counselling
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Burnout, Caregiver burnout, Confidence, Conflict resolution, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Depression, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, Relationships, Stress, Trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Wellness Counselling
Mariya Garnet
Pre-Licensed Professional
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, AB, SK, MB, NL, YT, NT, and NU.
Waitlist
Mariya Garnet
Pre-Licensed Professional
She/Her
Existential questions, Spirituality, Somatic Therapy, Addiction, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Trauma, Shadow Work, Self-esteem, Self-Development, Assertiveness, Attachment wounds, Break-up recovery, Childhood trauma, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Connecting with your Inherent Power, Depression, Identity and Self-Exploration, Rewilding & Reclaiming the Wild Feminine, Psychedelic therapy, Nature-Based Spirituality, People pleasing, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Intergenerational trauma, Relationships, Emotional Numbness
Existential questions, Spirituality, Somatic Therapy, Addiction, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Trauma, Shadow Work, Self-esteem, Self-Development, Assertiveness, Attachment wounds, Break-up recovery, Childhood trauma, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Connecting with your Inherent Power, Depression, Identity and Self-Exploration, Rewilding & Reclaiming the Wild Feminine, Psychedelic therapy, Nature-Based Spirituality, People pleasing, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Intergenerational trauma, Relationships, Emotional Numbness
Nicole Lobo
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, SK, MB, NL, and YT.
Waitlist
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Nicole Lobo
Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
Parenting, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Attachment, Assertiveness, Borderline Personality Disorder, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Break-up recovery, Confidence, Couples Therapy, Dating challenges, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Family issues, Family Conflict, Women's Health, Workplace stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Supervising qualifying therapists, Stress, Social anxiety, Self-Development, Relationships, Pregnancy, Postnatal Care
Parenting, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Attachment, Assertiveness, Borderline Personality Disorder, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Break-up recovery, Confidence, Couples Therapy, Dating challenges, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Family issues, Family Conflict, Women's Health, Workplace stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Supervising qualifying therapists, Stress, Social anxiety, Self-Development, Relationships, Pregnancy, Postnatal Care
Michelle Brewer
Counselling Therapist
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
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Michelle Brewer
Counselling Therapist
she/her/hers
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, ADHD, Attachment trauma, Attachment wounds, Body Dysmorphia, Boundaries and boundary setting, Childhood trauma, College or University Coaching, Break-up recovery, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Eating disorders, Fertility, Group Therapy, Mind-body connection, Mindfulness, Negative body image, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parental divorce, People pleasing, Personal Growth, Trauma, Women's Health
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, ADHD, Attachment trauma, Attachment wounds, Body Dysmorphia, Boundaries and boundary setting, Childhood trauma, College or University Coaching, Break-up recovery, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Eating disorders, Fertility, Group Therapy, Mind-body connection, Mindfulness, Negative body image, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parental divorce, People pleasing, Personal Growth, Trauma, Women's Health
Nisha Thakkar
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Nisha Thakkar
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
Trauma processing, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Childhood trauma, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, PTSD, Couples, Relationships, Grief and Loss
Trauma processing, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Childhood trauma, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, PTSD, Couples, Relationships, Grief and Loss
Lauren Browman
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Lauren Browman
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Life transitions, Relationships, Childhood trauma, Attachment, Nervous system regulation, People pleasing, OCD, Chronic Illness, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Life transitions, Relationships, Childhood trauma, Attachment, Nervous system regulation, People pleasing, OCD, Chronic Illness, Identity and Self-Exploration
Divya Gulati
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, MB, SK, NL, YT, and NU.
Waitlist
Divya Gulati
Registered Psychotherapist
She/her
Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Relationships, Childhood trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Emotional regulation, Life transitions, Attachment, Familial and social relationships, Trauma, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, People pleasing, Meaning and purpose, Empowerment, Self-Development, Dating challenges, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Intergenerational trauma, Self-esteem
Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Relationships, Childhood trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Emotional regulation, Life transitions, Attachment, Familial and social relationships, Trauma, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, People pleasing, Meaning and purpose, Empowerment, Self-Development, Dating challenges, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Intergenerational trauma, Self-esteem
Ashley Wass
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Ashley Wass
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
Boundaries and boundary setting, Relationships, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Anxiety, Burnout, Emotional regulation, Stress, Break-up recovery, Dating challenges, People pleasing, Women's Health, Relationship anxiety, Deep connections, Grief and Loss
Boundaries and boundary setting, Relationships, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Anxiety, Burnout, Emotional regulation, Stress, Break-up recovery, Dating challenges, People pleasing, Women's Health, Relationship anxiety, Deep connections, Grief and Loss
Kate Newby
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in AB, BC, MB, and SK.
Waitlist
Kate Newby
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Life transitions, Navigating challenging relationships, LGBTQ2IA+, Sexuality and gender issues, Dissociation, Nervous system regulation, Emotional regulation, Trauma processing, Attachment wounds, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Suicidal ideation, Familial and social relationships, Break-up recovery, Bullying, People pleasing, Boundaries and boundary setting, School challenges, Chronic and acute illness, Aging, Caregivers, Mind-body connection, Meaning and purpose, Self-esteem, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Life transitions, Navigating challenging relationships, LGBTQ2IA+, Sexuality and gender issues, Dissociation, Nervous system regulation, Emotional regulation, Trauma processing, Attachment wounds, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Suicidal ideation, Familial and social relationships, Break-up recovery, Bullying, People pleasing, Boundaries and boundary setting, School challenges, Chronic and acute illness, Aging, Caregivers, Mind-body connection, Meaning and purpose, Self-esteem, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Therapy is hard work.
Finding the right therapist shouldn’t be. Over 10,000 Canadians found their new therapist with First Session.
Frequently asked therapy questions
Does every therapist offer free consultations?
It is common practice for therapists/counsellors to provide free consultations, though some therapists may not extend this offer if they're not currently taking on new clients, or they might require a fee for the first consult.
You can book a free initial consultation with nearly all therapists listed in our directory. It can be very helpful to use the time to meet a potential therapist, learn about their approach, and get a feel for overall compatibility.
How long does a free consultation last? Is it online or over the phone?
Free consultations usually take 15 minutes and will use the same platform as you would for full sessions (i.e. online sessions = online consultation).
What should I expect during a free consultation with a counsellor?
A free consultation acts as an introductory meeting rather than a complete therapy session. You’ll discuss your motivations for seeking therapy, alongside understanding the therapist's methods. It also includes practical details such as scheduling, fees, and confidentiality policies.
What kind of information should I be ready to share with the therapist during our consultation?
Be prepared to briefly discuss what brings you to therapy and what you hope to achieve. Sharing any relevant personal history or current challenges can help the therapist understand your needs.
Can I schedule free consultations with multiple therapists to compare, or is that frowned upon?
Meeting with a few different therapists/counsellors to see who feels right for you is totally okay and can be beneficial, especially if you’re brand new to therapy. Think of it as research to find the best therapist to support you on your mental health journey.
What are the next steps if I feel comfortable with the counsellor and want to start regular sessions?
The therapist will likely leave it up to you to book a full-length session after your consultation – you should feel ready to start, and a good therapist will never try to convince you.
You can let them know on the consult call that you’d like to schedule a full session, or take some time to process before confirming via email.
Is therapy covered by MSP? Can I use my work health insurance?
In British Columbia, the types of counselling covered by provincial healthcare plans (MSP) include psychiatrists via doctor referral, or receiving counselling directly in a medical setting such as from your family doctor or in a hospital.
Otherwise, you can expect therapy costs out-of-pocket in the range of $90 to $200+ per session. You may be able to use your workplace insurance benefits to help offset out-of-pocket expenses. Typically, you pay for your session first and then submit your bill as a claim to your insurance provider for reimbursement after.
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