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
Kim Dawson
Registered Psychologist
Virtual Sessions in BC.
Waitlist
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Kim Dawson
Registered Psychologist
Anxiety, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Couples Therapy, Depression, Dreams, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, 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, Psychedelic therapy, Shadow Work, Thought Restructuring, Overwhelm
Anxiety, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Couples Therapy, Depression, Dreams, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, 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, Psychedelic therapy, Shadow Work, Thought Restructuring, Overwhelm
Kelly Budenz
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Kelly Budenz
Registered Social Worker
she/her
Anger Management, Behavioural Issues, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Assertiveness, Anxiety, Children/Teens, Caregivers, Depression, Empowerment, Emotional regulation, Mindfulness, School challenges, Self harm, Suicidal ideation, Stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions
Anger Management, Behavioural Issues, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Assertiveness, Anxiety, Children/Teens, Caregivers, Depression, Empowerment, Emotional regulation, Mindfulness, School challenges, Self harm, Suicidal ideation, Stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions
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
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, 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
Graeme Ash
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in MB, YT, AB, SK, and ON.
Waitlist
Graeme Ash
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
He/Him
Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Boundaries and boundary setting, Health anxiety, Confidence, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Stress, Self-Criticism, Self-Development, Assertiveness, Burnout, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Competitive anxiety, Decision making, Grief/Loss, Motivation, Emotional regulation, Fears and phobia, Negative thinking and ruminating, Personal Growth, Self-Regulation, Workplace stress, Pain management
Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Boundaries and boundary setting, Health anxiety, Confidence, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Stress, Self-Criticism, Self-Development, Assertiveness, Burnout, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Competitive anxiety, Decision making, Grief/Loss, Motivation, Emotional regulation, Fears and phobia, Negative thinking and ruminating, Personal Growth, Self-Regulation, Workplace stress, Pain management
Sabrina Sibbald
Registered Social Service Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Sabrina Sibbald
Registered Social Service Worker
she/her
Anxiety, Trauma, People pleasing, Attachment trauma, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Childhood trauma, Boundaries and boundary setting, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Mind-body connection, BIPOC, Emotional regulation, Break-up recovery, Dissociation, Low mood, Social anxiety, Familial and social relationships, Family Conflict, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Nervous system regulation, Perfectionism, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Identity
Anxiety, Trauma, People pleasing, Attachment trauma, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Childhood trauma, Boundaries and boundary setting, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Mind-body connection, BIPOC, Emotional regulation, Break-up recovery, Dissociation, Low mood, Social anxiety, Familial and social relationships, Family Conflict, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Nervous system regulation, Perfectionism, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Identity
Lindsay Kudlow
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Lindsay Kudlow
Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
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
Marjan Emami
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Marjan Emami
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
She/Her
Anxiety, Relationships, Trauma, Addiction, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Childhood trauma
Anxiety, Relationships, Trauma, Addiction, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Childhood trauma
Calum Ramsay
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in MB, NT, YT, NU, AB, BC, and SK.
Waitlist
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Calum Ramsay
Registered Clinical Counsellor
He/Him
Anxiety, Self-esteem, Life transitions, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anger, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Couples Therapy, Depression, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration, 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
Anxiety, Self-esteem, Life transitions, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anger, Behaviour, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Couples Therapy, Depression, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration, 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
Ryan Yellowlees
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in BC and AB.
Waitlist
Ryan Yellowlees
Registered Clinical Counsellor
He/Him/His
Disability, Chronic Illness, Caregivers, Chronic and acute illness, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Grief and Loss, 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
Disability, Chronic Illness, Caregivers, Chronic and acute illness, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Grief and Loss, 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
Kaitlin Klimosko
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in BC, AB, SK, MB, and YT.
Waitlist
Kaitlin Klimosko
Registered Clinical Counsellor
she/her
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
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Jola Mecani
Registered Social Worker
She/Her
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, Grief and Loss, Dissociation, Maternal mental health, Interpersonal dynamics, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Life transitions
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, Grief and Loss, Dissociation, Maternal mental health, Interpersonal dynamics, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Life transitions
Jennifer Schofield
Registered Social Service Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Jennifer Schofield
Registered Social Service 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
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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