Free Counselling Consultations in British Columbia

Browse videos, and choose your best match based on availability, and most of all, fit.

Tiles of headshot of First Session therapists
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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

Lindsay Kudlow

Registered Psychotherapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Lindsay Kudlow

Lindsay Kudlow

Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
$185/session
ADHD, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Childhood trauma, Confidence, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Conflict resolution, Effective communication, LGBTQ2IA+, People pleasing, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Empowerment, Familial and social relationships, Relationship anxiety, Dating challenges, Navigating challenging relationships, Relationships, Trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Anxiety, Self-esteem
ADHD, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Childhood trauma, Confidence, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Conflict resolution, Effective communication, LGBTQ2IA+, People pleasing, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Empowerment, Familial and social relationships, Relationship anxiety, Dating challenges, Navigating challenging relationships, Relationships, Trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Anxiety, Self-esteem

Calum Ramsay

Registered Clinical Counsellor
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Victoria, BC)
Virtual Sessions in MB, NT, YT, NU, BC, and SK.
Waitlist
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Calum Ramsay

Calum Ramsay

Registered Clinical Counsellor
He/Him
$150/session
Anxiety, Self-esteem, Life transitions, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anger, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Couples Therapy, Depression, Emotional regulation, Imposter syndrome, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Masculinity, Men's issues, Mental performance, Meaning and purpose, Negative thinking and ruminating, Perfectionism, Sports Performance, Attachment, Self-Criticism, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety, Self-esteem, Life transitions, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anger, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Couples Therapy, Depression, Emotional regulation, Imposter syndrome, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Masculinity, Men's issues, Mental performance, Meaning and purpose, Negative thinking and ruminating, Perfectionism, Sports Performance, Attachment, Self-Criticism, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration

Ryan Yellowlees

Registered Clinical Counsellor
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Victoria, BC)
Virtual Sessions in BC and AB.
Waitlist
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Ryan Yellowlees

Ryan Yellowlees

Registered Clinical Counsellor
He/Him/His
$100/session
Disability, Chronic Illness, Caregivers, Chronic and acute illness, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Empowerment, Motivation, Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Stress, Men's issues, Masculinity, Depression, Depression coping skills, Conflict resolution, Relationships, People pleasing, Family Conflict, Familial and social relationships, Family issues, Effective communication, Physical Disability, Grief and Loss
Disability, Chronic Illness, Caregivers, Chronic and acute illness, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Empowerment, Motivation, Anger, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Stress, Men's issues, Masculinity, Depression, Depression coping skills, Conflict resolution, Relationships, People pleasing, Family Conflict, Familial and social relationships, Family issues, Effective communication, Physical Disability, Grief and Loss

Kaitlin Klimosko

Registered Clinical Counsellor
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Victoria, BC)
Virtual Sessions in BC, AB, SK, MB, and YT.
Waitlist
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Kaitlin Klimosko

Kaitlin Klimosko

Registered Clinical Counsellor
she/her
$150/session
Anger Management, ADHD, Attachment, Anxiety, Building Meaningful Connections, Childhood trauma, Conflict resolution, Depression, Trauma, Court Mandated Counselling, Eating disorders, Stress, Burnout, Assertiveness, Dating challenges, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Men's issues, Parenting, Self-Regulation
Anger Management, ADHD, Attachment, Anxiety, Building Meaningful Connections, Childhood trauma, Conflict resolution, Depression, Trauma, Court Mandated Counselling, Eating disorders, Stress, Burnout, Assertiveness, Dating challenges, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Men's issues, Parenting, Self-Regulation

Jola Mecani

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Pickering, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Jola Mecani

Jola Mecani

Registered Social Worker
She/Her
$165/session
Emotional regulation, Intergenerational trauma, Childhood trauma, Anger, Attachment, Attachment trauma, Anxiety, Break-up recovery, Children/Teens, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Social anxiety, Cultural Challenges, Early childhood, Emotional Numbness, Familial and social relationships, Dissociation, Maternal mental health, Interpersonal dynamics, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Life transitions, Grief and Loss
Emotional regulation, Intergenerational trauma, Childhood trauma, Anger, Attachment, Attachment trauma, Anxiety, Break-up recovery, Children/Teens, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Social anxiety, Cultural Challenges, Early childhood, Emotional Numbness, Familial and social relationships, Dissociation, Maternal mental health, Interpersonal dynamics, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Life transitions, Grief and Loss

Jennifer Schofield

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (London, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Jennifer Schofield

Jennifer Schofield

Registered Social Worker
she/her
$150/session
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, Highly Sensitive Person, Relationships, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
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, Highly Sensitive Person, Relationships, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration

Liz Spaargaren

Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Okotoks, AB)
Virtual Sessions in AB.
Waitlist
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Liz Spaargaren

Liz Spaargaren

Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
$125/session
ADHD, Wellness Counselling, Life transitions, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Effective communication, Familial and social relationships, Mind-body connection, Women's Health, Transitioning into Adulthood, Separation and divorce, Negative thinking and ruminating, Personal Growth, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Navigating challenging relationships, College or University Coaching
ADHD, Wellness Counselling, Life transitions, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Effective communication, Familial and social relationships, Mind-body connection, Women's Health, Transitioning into Adulthood, Separation and divorce, Negative thinking and ruminating, Personal Growth, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Navigating challenging relationships, College or University Coaching

Virlyn Collantes

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Vancouver, BC)
Virtual Sessions in BC and ON.
Waitlist
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Virlyn Collantes

Alexandra Walcott

Occupational Therapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Vancouver, BC)
Virtual Sessions in BC.
Waitlist
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Alexandra Walcott

Alexandra Walcott

Occupational Therapist
She/Her
$170/session
Neurodiversity, Eating disorders, Children/Teens, Meaning and purpose, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Family issues, Attachment, Early childhood, Giftedness Issues, Disability, School challenges, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Self-esteem, Highly Sensitive Person, Adoption, Attention and Impulsivity, Body Dysmorphia, Learning disabilities, Parenting
Neurodiversity, Eating disorders, Children/Teens, Meaning and purpose, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Family issues, Attachment, Early childhood, Giftedness Issues, Disability, School challenges, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Self-esteem, Highly Sensitive Person, Adoption, Attention and Impulsivity, Body Dysmorphia, Learning disabilities, Parenting

Eda Mucaj

Registered Psychotherapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Eda Mucaj

Eda Mucaj

Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
$185/session
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, Life transitions, Intergenerational trauma, Interpersonal dynamics, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Personal Growth, Intimacy concerns, Perfectionism, Sleeping difficulties, Sexual issues, Grief and Loss
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, Life transitions, Intergenerational trauma, Interpersonal dynamics, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Personal Growth, Intimacy concerns, Perfectionism, Sleeping difficulties, Sexual issues, Grief and Loss

Candice Frederick

Canadian Certified Counsellor
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, AB, MB, NT, NB, YT, NU, PE, NL, and SK.
Waitlist
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Candice Frederick

Candice Frederick

Canadian Certified Counsellor
she/her
$160/session
Trauma, Money Trauma, Somatic Therapy, Workplace stress, Wellness Counselling, 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, Navigating challenging relationships, Diabetes mental health support, Perimenopause mental health support, Grief and Loss
Trauma, Money Trauma, Somatic Therapy, Workplace stress, Wellness Counselling, 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, Navigating challenging relationships, Diabetes mental health support, Perimenopause mental health support, Grief and Loss
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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.

Ready to talk?

Use First Session to find the best therapist for you.