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
Monica Andrus
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON, AB, MB, BC, and NB.
Waitlist
Monica Andrus
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Identity and Self-Exploration, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, ADHD, Attachment, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Transitioning into Adulthood, Anxiety, Depression, BIPOC, Burnout, Trauma, Childhood trauma, Chronic and acute illness, Fertility, Couples, Break-up recovery, Nervous system regulation, Intergenerational trauma, Attachment trauma, Perfectionism, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth
Identity and Self-Exploration, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, ADHD, Attachment, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Transitioning into Adulthood, Anxiety, Depression, BIPOC, Burnout, Trauma, Childhood trauma, Chronic and acute illness, Fertility, Couples, Break-up recovery, Nervous system regulation, Intergenerational trauma, Attachment trauma, Perfectionism, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth
Anna Loch
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
Anna Loch
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment wounds, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Career guidance, Christian counselling, Couples Therapy, Eating disorders, Early childhood, Cultural Challenges, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Existential questions, Familial and social relationships, Life transitions, Mind-body connection, Perfectionism, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Workplace stress, Trauma processing, Stress, Neurodiversity, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Infertility
Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment wounds, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Career guidance, Christian counselling, Couples Therapy, Eating disorders, Early childhood, Cultural Challenges, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Existential questions, Familial and social relationships, Life transitions, Mind-body connection, Perfectionism, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Workplace stress, Trauma processing, Stress, Neurodiversity, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Infertility
Rima Sehgal
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, YT, NU, MB, and SK.
Waitlist
Rima Sehgal
Registered Psychotherapist
She/her
Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment trauma, Attachment wounds, BIPOC, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Coming out and identity, Depression coping skills, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Maternal mental health, Men's issues, Parenting, Relationships, School challenges, Trauma, Workplace stress, Grief and Loss
Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment trauma, Attachment wounds, BIPOC, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Coming out and identity, Depression coping skills, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Maternal mental health, Men's issues, Parenting, Relationships, School challenges, Trauma, Workplace stress, Grief and Loss
Lotus Huyen Vu
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in SK, ON, AB, BC, and MB.
Waitlist
Lotus Huyen Vu
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Addiction, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment trauma, Behavioural Issues, Borderline Personality Disorder, Caregiver burnout, Aging, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Childhood trauma, Life transitions, Trauma processing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Thought Restructuring, Negative thinking and ruminating, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Mindfulness Practices, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Addiction, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment trauma, Behavioural Issues, Borderline Personality Disorder, Caregiver burnout, Aging, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Childhood trauma, Life transitions, Trauma processing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Thought Restructuring, Negative thinking and ruminating, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Mindfulness Practices, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Ting Jiang
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON and BC.
Waitlist
Ting Jiang
Registered Social Worker
Childhood trauma, Emotional regulation, Brain injury, Anger Management, Attachment trauma, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Stress, Social anxiety, Self-Criticism, Chronic Illness
Childhood trauma, Emotional regulation, Brain injury, Anger Management, Attachment trauma, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Stress, Social anxiety, Self-Criticism, Chronic Illness
Ciara Williams
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Ciara Williams
Registered Social Worker
she / her
Trauma, Relationships, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Coming out and identity, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Depression, Existential questions, Emotional regulation, Highly Sensitive Person, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Neurodiversity, Oppressive family dynamics, People pleasing, PTSD, Spirituality, Trauma processing
Trauma, Relationships, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Coming out and identity, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Depression, Existential questions, Emotional regulation, Highly Sensitive Person, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Neurodiversity, Oppressive family dynamics, People pleasing, PTSD, Spirituality, Trauma processing
Michelle Belitzky
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in QC and ON.
Waitlist
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Michelle Belitzky
Registered Social Worker
she/her
Anxiety, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Couples, Depression, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Life transitions, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Family Conflict, Emotional Numbness, Relationships, Familial and social relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Couples, Depression, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Life transitions, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Family Conflict, Emotional Numbness, Relationships, Familial and social relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Sharissa Woon Sam
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Sharissa Woon Sam
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
Anxiety, Burnout, Depression, ADHD, Spirituality, Self-esteem, Building Self-Care Routines, Confidence, Childhood trauma, Nervous system regulation, Self-Criticism, Self-Development
Anxiety, Burnout, Depression, ADHD, Spirituality, Self-esteem, Building Self-Care Routines, Confidence, Childhood trauma, Nervous system regulation, Self-Criticism, Self-Development
Jennifer Henderson
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON and BC.
Waitlist
Jennifer Henderson
Registered Social Worker
They/She
LGBTQ2IA+, Trauma processing, Emotional regulation, Trauma, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Attachment trauma, Borderline Personality Disorder, Boundaries and boundary setting, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Childhood trauma, Coming out and identity, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Dissociation, Familial and social relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, Nervous system regulation, Neurodiversity, People pleasing, PTSD, Self Destructive Behaviour, Sexuality and gender issues, Suicidal ideation, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Stress, Grief and Loss
LGBTQ2IA+, Trauma processing, Emotional regulation, Trauma, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Attachment trauma, Borderline Personality Disorder, Boundaries and boundary setting, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Childhood trauma, Coming out and identity, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Dissociation, Familial and social relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, Nervous system regulation, Neurodiversity, People pleasing, PTSD, Self Destructive Behaviour, Sexuality and gender issues, Suicidal ideation, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Stress, Grief and Loss
Kim Dawson
Registered Psychologist
Virtual Sessions in BC.
Waitlist
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Kim Dawson
Registered Psychologist
Couples Therapy, Trauma processing, Psychedelic therapy, Anxiety, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Depression, Dreams, Emotional regulation, Infertility, Insomnia, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Mind-body connection, Nature-Based Spirituality, Mindfulness Practices, Navigating challenging relationships, PTSD, Shadow Work, Thought Restructuring, Overwhelm, Grief and Loss
Couples Therapy, Trauma processing, Psychedelic therapy, Anxiety, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Depression, Dreams, Emotional regulation, Infertility, Insomnia, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Mind-body connection, Nature-Based Spirituality, Mindfulness Practices, Navigating challenging relationships, PTSD, Shadow Work, Thought Restructuring, Overwhelm, Grief and Loss
Kelly Budenz
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Kelly Budenz
Registered Social Worker
she/her
Anxiety, Depression, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Anger Management, Behavioural Issues, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Assertiveness, Children/Teens, Caregivers, Empowerment, Emotional regulation, Mindfulness, School challenges, Self harm, Suicidal ideation, Stress, General Mental Health, Parenting
Anxiety, Depression, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Anger Management, Behavioural Issues, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Assertiveness, Children/Teens, Caregivers, Empowerment, Emotional regulation, Mindfulness, School challenges, Self harm, Suicidal ideation, Stress, General Mental Health, Parenting
Ghazal Ghoddousi
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON, AB, BC, MB, and SK.
Waitlist
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Ghazal Ghoddousi
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Personal Growth, Empowerment, Life transitions, Childhood trauma, Self-Criticism, People pleasing, Negative thinking and ruminating, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Depression, Boundaries and boundary setting, Behavioural Issues, Cultural Challenges, Interpersonal dynamics, Navigating challenging relationships, Building Meaningful Connections, Identity and Self-Exploration
Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Personal Growth, Empowerment, Life transitions, Childhood trauma, Self-Criticism, People pleasing, Negative thinking and ruminating, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Depression, Boundaries and boundary setting, Behavioural Issues, Cultural Challenges, Interpersonal dynamics, Navigating challenging relationships, Building Meaningful Connections, 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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