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
Justin Leung
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Justin Leung
Registered Psychotherapist
He/Him
Trauma, Dissociation, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), ADHD, Anger, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment trauma, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Depression, Confidence, Existential questions, Emotional Numbness, Emotional regulation, Identity and Self-Exploration, Masculinity, Intergenerational trauma, Break-up recovery, PTSD, Self Destructive Behaviour, Spirituality, Self-Criticism, Trauma processing
Trauma, Dissociation, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), ADHD, Anger, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment trauma, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Depression, Confidence, Existential questions, Emotional Numbness, Emotional regulation, Identity and Self-Exploration, Masculinity, Intergenerational trauma, Break-up recovery, PTSD, Self Destructive Behaviour, Spirituality, Self-Criticism, Trauma processing
Tarni Kaur
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Tarni Kaur
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment, BIPOC, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Building Self-Care Routines, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Confidence, Conflict resolution, Couples Therapy, Cultural Challenges, Depression coping skills, Emotional regulation, Existential questions, General Mental Health, Goal Setting, Identity and Self-Exploration, Intergenerational trauma, Life transitions, Mindfulness Practices, Negative thinking and ruminating, Neurodiversity, OCD, Self-esteem, Social anxiety
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment, BIPOC, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Building Self-Care Routines, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Confidence, Conflict resolution, Couples Therapy, Cultural Challenges, Depression coping skills, Emotional regulation, Existential questions, General Mental Health, Goal Setting, Identity and Self-Exploration, Intergenerational trauma, Life transitions, Mindfulness Practices, Negative thinking and ruminating, Neurodiversity, OCD, Self-esteem, Social anxiety
Sarah Erwin
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in BC and ON.
Waitlist
Sarah Erwin
Registered Social Worker
She/Her
ADHD, Managing ADHD symptoms, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Confidence, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Self-esteem
ADHD, Managing ADHD symptoms, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Confidence, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Self-esteem
Ratiba Yasin
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in BC, NL, MB, AB, SK, and NT.
Waitlist
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Ratiba Yasin
Registered Clinical Counsellor
She/Her
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Depression, Familial and social relationships, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Aging, Break-up recovery, Burnout, Building Self-Care Routines, Career guidance, Confidence, Cultural Challenges, Dating challenges, Decision making, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Family Conflict, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Identity and Self-Exploration, Intergenerational trauma, Life transitions, Parenting, People pleasing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Stress
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Depression, Familial and social relationships, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Aging, Break-up recovery, Burnout, Building Self-Care Routines, Career guidance, Confidence, Cultural Challenges, Dating challenges, Decision making, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Family Conflict, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Identity and Self-Exploration, Intergenerational trauma, Life transitions, Parenting, People pleasing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Stress
Cassandre Quan
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Cassandre Quan
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
Intergenerational trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Depression, Anxiety, Workplace stress, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Building Self-Care Routines, Childhood trauma, General Mental Health, Imposter syndrome, Panic attacks, Navigating challenging relationships, Mindfulness Practices, Meaning and purpose, Perfectionism, People pleasing, Decision making, Trauma, Relationships, Nervous system regulation, Negative thinking and ruminating
Intergenerational trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Depression, Anxiety, Workplace stress, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Building Self-Care Routines, Childhood trauma, General Mental Health, Imposter syndrome, Panic attacks, Navigating challenging relationships, Mindfulness Practices, Meaning and purpose, Perfectionism, People pleasing, Decision making, Trauma, Relationships, Nervous system regulation, Negative thinking and ruminating
Shannon Gagnon
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Shannon Gagnon
Registered Social Worker
She/Her
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behavioural Issues, Break-up recovery, Bullying, Caregivers, Childhood trauma, Emotional regulation, Family Conflict, Depression coping skills, Navigating challenging relationships, Building Self-Care Routines, Grief and Loss, Workplace stress, Trauma processing
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behavioural Issues, Break-up recovery, Bullying, Caregivers, Childhood trauma, Emotional regulation, Family Conflict, Depression coping skills, Navigating challenging relationships, Building Self-Care Routines, Grief and Loss, Workplace stress, Trauma processing
Khysandra Lee
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Khysandra Lee
Registered Psychotherapist
Anger, Anxiety, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Childhood trauma, Confidence, Depression, Eating disorders, Emotional regulation, Fears and phobia, Health anxiety, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Negative thinking and ruminating, Panic attacks, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Self harm, Social anxiety, Suicidal ideation, Trauma, Women's Health
Anger, Anxiety, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Childhood trauma, Confidence, Depression, Eating disorders, Emotional regulation, Fears and phobia, Health anxiety, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Negative thinking and ruminating, Panic attacks, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Self harm, Social anxiety, Suicidal ideation, Trauma, Women's Health
Ariella Boehm
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON, AB, BC, MB, NL, NT, NU, SK, and YT.
Waitlist
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Ariella Boehm
Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
ADHD, Anxiety, Familial and social relationships, Anger Management, Boundaries and boundary setting, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Confidence, Court Mandated Counselling, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Effective communication, Family issues, Goal Setting, Intergenerational trauma, Interpersonal dynamics, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Maternal mental health, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parenting, Personal Growth, Relationships, Self-Criticism, Self-esteem, Self-Regulation, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal)
ADHD, Anxiety, Familial and social relationships, Anger Management, Boundaries and boundary setting, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Confidence, Court Mandated Counselling, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Effective communication, Family issues, Goal Setting, Intergenerational trauma, Interpersonal dynamics, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Maternal mental health, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parenting, Personal Growth, Relationships, Self-Criticism, Self-esteem, Self-Regulation, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal)
Aditi Pathare
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in BC.
Waitlist
Aditi Pathare
Registered Clinical Counsellor
she/her
BIPOC, LGBTQ2IA+, Relationships, Anxiety, Confidence, Attachment wounds, Creativity, Depression, Befriending the Nervous System, Emotional regulation, Identity and Self-Exploration, Grief and Loss, Mental Decolonization, Self-esteem, Trauma
BIPOC, LGBTQ2IA+, Relationships, Anxiety, Confidence, Attachment wounds, Creativity, Depression, Befriending the Nervous System, Emotional regulation, Identity and Self-Exploration, Grief and Loss, Mental Decolonization, Self-esteem, Trauma
Amanda Webster-Singh
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Amanda Webster-Singh
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
ADHD, Anxiety, Neurodiversity, Anger, Negative thinking and ruminating, Imposter syndrome, Perfectionism, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Stress, Confidence, People pleasing, Burnout, Cultural Challenges, Identity and Self-Exploration, Depression
ADHD, Anxiety, Neurodiversity, Anger, Negative thinking and ruminating, Imposter syndrome, Perfectionism, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Stress, Confidence, People pleasing, Burnout, Cultural Challenges, Identity and Self-Exploration, Depression
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
Jordan Kritzinger
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Jordan Kritzinger
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
ADHD, Anger Management, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Confidence, Depression, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration, Imposter syndrome, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Men's issues, Meaning and purpose, Mindfulness, Motivation, Pain management, Perfectionism, Problematic video gaming, PTSD, Relationships, Spirituality, Trauma
ADHD, Anger Management, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Confidence, Depression, Emotional regulation, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration, Imposter syndrome, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Men's issues, Meaning and purpose, Mindfulness, Motivation, Pain management, Perfectionism, Problematic video gaming, PTSD, Relationships, Spirituality, Trauma
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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