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
Jola Mecani
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Jola Mecani
Registered Social Worker
She/Her
Anger, Attachment, Attachment trauma, Anxiety, Break-up recovery, Childhood trauma, Children/Teens, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Social anxiety, Cultural Challenges, Early childhood, Emotional Numbness, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Dissociation, Maternal mental health, Intergenerational trauma, Interpersonal dynamics, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Life transitions
Anger, Attachment, Attachment trauma, Anxiety, Break-up recovery, Childhood trauma, Children/Teens, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Social anxiety, Cultural Challenges, Early childhood, Emotional Numbness, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Dissociation, Maternal mental health, Intergenerational trauma, Interpersonal dynamics, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Life transitions
Jennifer Schofield
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Jennifer Schofield
Registered Social Worker
she/her
Trauma, Anger, ADHD, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Childhood trauma, Building Meaningful Connections, Competitive anxiety, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Creativity, Depression, Existential questions, Family issues, Fears and phobia, Chronic Illness, Grief and Loss, Highly Sensitive Person, Identity and Self-Exploration, Relationships, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth
Trauma, Anger, ADHD, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Childhood trauma, Building Meaningful Connections, Competitive anxiety, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Creativity, Depression, Existential questions, Family issues, Fears and phobia, Chronic Illness, Grief and Loss, Highly Sensitive Person, Identity and Self-Exploration, Relationships, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth
Liz Spaargaren
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
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Liz Spaargaren
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
ADHD, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Effective communication, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Life transitions, Mind-body connection, Women's Health, Wellness Counselling, Trauma, Transitioning into Adulthood, Separation and divorce, Domestic violence, Negative thinking and ruminating, Personal Growth, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Goal Setting, Meaning and purpose, Mindfulness, Navigating challenging relationships, College or University Coaching
ADHD, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Effective communication, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Life transitions, Mind-body connection, Women's Health, Wellness Counselling, Trauma, Transitioning into Adulthood, Separation and divorce, Domestic violence, Negative thinking and ruminating, Personal Growth, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Goal Setting, Meaning and purpose, Mindfulness, Navigating challenging relationships, College or University Coaching
Virlyn Collantes
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in BC and ON.
Waitlist
Virlyn Collantes
Registered Social Worker
She/Her/Hers
ADHD, Anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, Caregiver burnout, Couples Therapy, Depression, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Maternal mental health, PTSD, Relationships, Separation and divorce
ADHD, Anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, Caregiver burnout, Couples Therapy, Depression, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Maternal mental health, PTSD, Relationships, Separation and divorce
Alexandra Walcott
Occupational Therapist
Virtual Sessions in BC.
Waitlist
Alexandra Walcott
Occupational Therapist
She/Her
Meaning and purpose, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Family issues, Attachment, Early childhood, Children/Teens, Giftedness Issues, Disability, School challenges, ADHD, Autism, Self-esteem, Highly Sensitive Person, Adoption, Attention and Impulsivity, Body Dysmorphia, Eating disorders, Learning disabilities, Parenting, Neurodiversity
Meaning and purpose, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Family issues, Attachment, Early childhood, Children/Teens, Giftedness Issues, Disability, School challenges, ADHD, Autism, Self-esteem, Highly Sensitive Person, Adoption, Attention and Impulsivity, Body Dysmorphia, Eating disorders, Learning disabilities, Parenting, Neurodiversity
Eda Mucaj
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Eda Mucaj
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Attachment wounds, Childhood trauma, Transformative dream work, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Addiction, Depression, Dissociation, Anger, Anxiety, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Chronic and acute illness, Borderline Personality Disorder, Eating disorders, Emotional Numbness, Grief and Loss, Life transitions, Intergenerational trauma, Interpersonal dynamics, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Personal Growth, Intimacy concerns, Perfectionism, Sleeping difficulties, Sexual issues
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Attachment wounds, Childhood trauma, Transformative dream work, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Addiction, Depression, Dissociation, Anger, Anxiety, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Chronic and acute illness, Borderline Personality Disorder, Eating disorders, Emotional Numbness, Grief and Loss, Life transitions, Intergenerational trauma, Interpersonal dynamics, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Personal Growth, Intimacy concerns, Perfectionism, Sleeping difficulties, Sexual issues
Candice Frederick
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, AB, MB, NT, NB, YT, NU, PE, NL, and SK.
Waitlist
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Candice Frederick
Canadian Certified Counsellor
she/her
Workplace stress, Wellness Counselling, Trauma, Stress, Sexuality, Self-Development, Relationships, Racism, Women's Health, Life transitions, LGBTQ2IA+, Intergenerational trauma, BIPOC, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Burnout, Building Self-Care Routines, Caregivers, Cultural Challenges, Perfectionism, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Grief/Loss, Money Trauma, Navigating challenging relationships, Diabetes mental health support, Perimenopause mental health support
Workplace stress, Wellness Counselling, Trauma, Stress, Sexuality, Self-Development, Relationships, Racism, Women's Health, Life transitions, LGBTQ2IA+, Intergenerational trauma, BIPOC, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Burnout, Building Self-Care Routines, Caregivers, Cultural Challenges, Perfectionism, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Grief/Loss, Money Trauma, Navigating challenging relationships, Diabetes mental health support, Perimenopause mental health support
Hannah Eisenberg
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Hannah Eisenberg
Registered Psychotherapist
Addiction, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment, Behavioural Issues, Children/Teens, Depression, Depression coping skills, Family Conflict, Emotional regulation, Identity and Self-Exploration, Interpersonal dynamics, Life transitions, Mindfulness, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, Panic attacks, Perfectionism, Productivity, Self-esteem, Stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Trauma
Addiction, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment, Behavioural Issues, Children/Teens, Depression, Depression coping skills, Family Conflict, Emotional regulation, Identity and Self-Exploration, Interpersonal dynamics, Life transitions, Mindfulness, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, Panic attacks, Perfectionism, Productivity, Self-esteem, Stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Trauma
Abhilesh Thomas Kollamparampil
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Abhilesh Thomas Kollamparampil
Registered Social Worker
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Adoption, Aging, Anger Management, Attachment, Building Self-Care Routines, Behaviour, Learning disabilities, Low mood
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Adoption, Aging, Anger Management, Attachment, Building Self-Care Routines, Behaviour, Learning disabilities, Low mood
Rachel Bennett
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in NU, YT, NT, MB, NL, ON, BC, and SK.
Waitlist
Rachel Bennett
Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
Borderline Personality Disorder, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Identity and Self-Exploration, Meaning and purpose, Mind-body connection, Highly Sensitive Person, Personal Growth, Depression, Transformative dream work, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Burnout, Nature-Based Spirituality, Rewilding & Reclaiming the Wild Feminine, Empowerment, Confidence, Reconnection to Lifeforce Energy & Vitality, Befriending the Nervous System, Emotional regulation, Bipolar Disorder, Shadow Work, Negative thinking and ruminating
Borderline Personality Disorder, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Identity and Self-Exploration, Meaning and purpose, Mind-body connection, Highly Sensitive Person, Personal Growth, Depression, Transformative dream work, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Burnout, Nature-Based Spirituality, Rewilding & Reclaiming the Wild Feminine, Empowerment, Confidence, Reconnection to Lifeforce Energy & Vitality, Befriending the Nervous System, Emotional regulation, Bipolar Disorder, Shadow Work, Negative thinking and ruminating
Wendy van Es
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON, MB, AB, SK, and NL.
Waitlist
Wendy van Es
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
Panic attacks, Social anxiety, Depression, Depression coping skills, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Building Self-Care Routines, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Childhood trauma, Trauma processing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Empowerment, Mind-body connection, Self-Criticism, Anxiety, OCD
Panic attacks, Social anxiety, Depression, Depression coping skills, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Building Self-Care Routines, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Childhood trauma, Trauma processing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Empowerment, Mind-body connection, Self-Criticism, Anxiety, OCD
Michael Wassef
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, and AB.
Waitlist
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Michael Wassef
Registered Psychotherapist
Relationships, Couples Therapy, Attachment trauma, Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Childhood trauma, Depression, Family issues, Grief and Loss, Effective communication, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Parenting, Conflict resolution, Habits, Infidelity, Navigating challenging relationships, Trauma, Stress, Social anxiety, Self-Regulation, Relationship anxiety, Overwhelm, Negative thinking and ruminating, Motivation, Life transitions, Intimacy concerns, Highly Sensitive Person, Emotional regulation, Christian counselling, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Break-up recovery
Relationships, Couples Therapy, Attachment trauma, Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Childhood trauma, Depression, Family issues, Grief and Loss, Effective communication, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Parenting, Conflict resolution, Habits, Infidelity, Navigating challenging relationships, Trauma, Stress, Social anxiety, Self-Regulation, Relationship anxiety, Overwhelm, Negative thinking and ruminating, Motivation, Life transitions, Intimacy concerns, Highly Sensitive Person, Emotional regulation, Christian counselling, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Break-up recovery
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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