Frequently Asked Questions

People come to counselling for all kinds of reasons. You do not need to be suffering from a major mental health issue, or have a psychiatric diagnosis to seek counselling.  Many people come to counselling not because they're in crisis, but because something feels off. If you are experiencing discomfort in your life, have difficulty in you personal relationships, have a feeling that life could mean more than it currently does, or want to grow as a person, you can benefit from counselling. 

That said, some common signs that counselling might be helpful include:

• You feel stuck, overwhelmed, or like you're going through the motions without a clear sense of why
• Anxiety, sadness, or anger feels difficult to manage or understand
• A significant life change — loss, transition, relationship difficulty — is weighing on you
• You find yourself having the same struggles, thoughts, or conflicts again and again
• You feel disconnected — from yourself, from others, or from a sense of purpose
• You're facing questions about identity, meaning, or direction that you can't work through alone

But you don't need a "reason" beyond simply wanting a dedicated space to think, feel, and explore who you are and how you want to live. If you're wondering whether counselling might help you, that is often reason enough to reach out.  Counselling is about connection — making space to explore what matters most, to sit with difficult questions, and to find a way forward.  

Online counselling  (also called virtual therapy)  is professional therapy delivered through secure digital platforms — professional support without the barrier of travel. Sessions follow the same ethical standards, confidentiality requirements, and therapeutic frameworks as in-person appointments. 

Online counselling has the advantage of added flexibility, time efficiency, comfort and familiarity — you can schedule sessions during breaks, fit appointments into busy calendars, and interact from the comfort of your own space, whether at home or even while traveling. 

While you do not need special equipment besides a phone, tablet, or computer to have virtual therapy, it is important to have a reliable internet connection and give yourself the time and space for your session. Read our blog to find out more. 

Research consistently supports the effectiveness of online therapy across a range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, grief, and existential distress. For many clients, the outcomes are comparable — and for some, the added convenience means they engage more consistently, which matters significantly for progress.

Online counselling can actually be a gentler entry point for first-timers. The familiarity of your own space can make it easier to open up.  What matters is the quality of the therapeutic relationship, not the room you're sitting in.  

At Existentia Counselling, we provide support for a wide range of mental health issues including anxiety, depression, relational issues, grief and loss, trauma, life transitions, men's mental health, immigration adjustment, and more.

We work collaboratively in a safe and respectful environment from a client-centred-experiential approach that focuses on your needs. Clients focus on their beliefs, feelings, and lived experiences as they are experienced in the moment to undo blockages and find meaningful answers to their problems.  

Our clients ages vary in range from youth to mature adults (15 and over).  We support clients from all walks of life in a safe and respectful environment where we their unique individuality and background is valued regardless of racial or gender identity.  

These services are intended for:

• Individuals seeking non-crisis therapeutic support 
• Clients residing in BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Mexico
• Those comfortable with virtual sessions 
• Individuals seeking counselling in English or Spanish 

These services are not intended for emergency or crisis situations.

A typical counselling session at Existentia Counselling lasts 50 minutes once a week, although some clients prefer meeting every other week or once a month. 

There is not a set number of sessions as this may vary depending on your particular needs. Some clients are seeking support for a particular situation while others are working on life-long issues. Many of our clients start seeing improvements after 8-12 sessions although many stay for longer.  We'll follow your pace.  

Online sessions are held via secure, encrypted PIPEDA-compliant video platforms,  and meet the same confidentiality standards as in-person counselling, in line with BC privacy legislation and professional ethical guidelines.  Your counsellor will work from a dedicated space to  ensure that your privacy and confidentiality are safeguarded, and   although you do not need a dedicated space, it is important to be in a space where confidentiality can be guaranteed and you feel safe and comfortable sharing.

The first session is usually about getting to know each other — what's brought you here, what you're hoping for, and whether this feels like the right fit. There's no pressure to have it all figured out before you arrive, that's what the sessions are for.

Finding the right counsellor for you might take some time. The most important thing is to feel secure and comfortable sharing with the person that is to be your counsellor.  To find out if Existentia Counselling would be a good fit for you book a free 20 min consultation.

The cost of a 50 minutes session at Existentia Counselling is $160 Canadian dollars. There is an initial 1 hr and 30 min appointment which may be shorter depending on your circumstances. Please check our fees section or contact us for more information.

Most insurance carriers provide reimbursement for services provided by certified counsellors. We recommend to contact your insurance provider directly to make sure our services are covered. 

We currently do not offer direct billing. We will issue you an invoice that you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. We recommend that Check with your insurance and extended benefits provider beforehand. 

We currently do not offer sliding scale. However for people looking for low cost or free options we recommend the following resources:

 Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees (VICCIR) https://www.viccir.org/ 

https://www.freecounsellingcanada.ca/ 

https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/blog/free-or-low-cost-services-bc, 

https://here2talk.ca/main

https://foundrybc.ca/

To book and appointment simply contact us directly through phone, email, or make an appointment through our online portal. All you need is a device that can connect to the internet (phone, computer, or tablet), a reliable internet connection, and a safe place to share. 

Yes, we currently offer services in BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Mexico. We can work with clients across North and Latin America where allowed by legislation. 

Please reach us at contact@existentiacounselling.com if you have any other questions.