Is Online Counselling Right for You? What BC Clients Should Know

A few years ago, online counselling was a compromise. Today, for many people, it is the preferred way to do therapy. Research consistently shows secure video therapy is as effective as in-person sessions for anxiety, depression, grief and trauma.

In British Columbia, online counselling has a second superpower: access. If you live in Kelowna, Prince George, Victoria, the Kootenays or a small community with few counsellors, virtual sessions mean you can work with a Registered Clinical Counsellor who is a genuine fit, rather than whoever happens to be nearby.

What does an online session actually look like? It is simple: we meet over a secure, private video platform at our scheduled time. All you need is a device with a camera, a stable internet connection, and somewhere private to talk, such as a room, a parked car, or even a quiet corner on a walk. Sessions are the same length and cost as in-person appointments.

Who does online counselling suit especially well? Busy parents and professionals who would otherwise lose an afternoon to commuting; people managing chronic pain or fatigue; clients who open up more easily in their own space; and anyone who prefers to take notes, journal or pause the session to breathe without feeling observed in an office.

It is not perfect for everyone. If you do not have a private space, or if you are in crisis and need a higher level of care, in-person support may be safer. A good counsellor will always be honest with you about that.

If you are anywhere in BC and curious whether online therapy could work for you, I would be glad to talk it through. The first phone consultation is free.