Online Therapy and Counselling for BC Residents

Online therapy works! Research shows that therapy outcomes for online and virtual sessions are the same as in person sessions. Working with a therapist online offers convenience and flexibility. The Commons Wellness Collective has a team of Registered Clinical Counsellors who provide online therapy to anyone who is currently living in British Columbia, or considered a permanent resident of British Columbia. We are also able to support folks while travelling or temporarily living elsewhere. With clinicians who specialize in a variety of areas including sex therapy, infertility, chronic illness, relational trauma, and religious trauma, among others, we would be honoured to support you on your journey of healing.

If you reside in a small town or rural community and are struggling to find mental health support, perhaps online therapy is exactly what you need! While there might be lots of great options for folks who live in major cities, we know in small towns it can be harder to find a diverse range of mental health support. We can meet with you in the comfort and safety of your own home.

Read on to learn more about online counselling.

Benefits of Online Counselling

Online therapy is safe and accessible. By using a Canadian platform that is PIPEDA Compliant (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act), we are committed to protecting your privacy and confidentiality. Save yourself the time and cost of needing to travel to a therapy appointment.

Online Counselling can also allow you to maintain better nervous system regulation. Finding a cozy therapy corner in your own home where you feel calm and safe can make it easier to access and process emotions.  Some folks bring their pets to session, others sit in bed in comfy clothes, others bring their journal or art supplies to take notes or draw during sessions. You can feel free to show up in the way that supports your emotional growth. 

Our team of therapists have a diverse list of specialized skills. For folks living in a more remote location, it can be challenging to find specific services, for example, if you’re looking for an AEDP therapist who also supports folks navigating ADHD and chronic health issues, there are not that many options across the province. Because of the convenience of online therapy, we can offer you support regardless of where in BC you live. Everyone deserves to access the care they need.

Is Online Counselling Safe?

Online counselling is as safe as in person sessions, as long as your therapist is meeting legal guidelines! It is always a good idea to confirm that your personal information is being kept confidential. Ask what platform your therapist is using, and do a quick online search to confirm that it meets Canadian Privacy Standards. You can also confirm that your therapist is registered with a regulatory body that holds them accountable to protecting you. All regulatory bodies have “standards of practice” or an ethical framework that guides their work, and therapists are held accountable to meeting these expectations to protect their clients. At the Commons Wellness Collective, we use Jane App to store our data, and host our video sessions. Jane App is a Canadian platform, and data is stored in Canada using the same level of encryption that our banking systems use, so you can rest assured that your information will remain secure and confidential.

In British Columbia, Masters educated therapists can be registered with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC),Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and the College of Social Workers. The BC government has recently announced that Counsellors will join the provincially regulated College of Health and Care Professionals, and as we move towards stricter regulation, this will only serve to increase the confidence you can have that the mental health care professional you are choosing to put your trust in is skilled and qualified to support you.  Additionally, this shift makes it more likely that your sessions will be reimbursable through your extended health benefits.  You can always ask your provider what clinicians are covered before booking your sessions. Most extended benefits plans already offer coverage for Registered Clinical Counsellors, which is the designation shared by all of the therapists at The Commons Wellness Collective.

How Should I Prepare for My Online Counselling Session?

Here are a few suggestions to make the most out of your online Counselling session: 

Structure your day: It is important to structure your day around your therapy appointment the same way you would if you were going to an in person session. This is important to give your nervous system time to settle into your session, and also allow you to decompress afterwards. Spending a few minutes after the session to jot down reflections, take a quick walk, or have a short break will make sure the hard work you are putting in gets integrated properly so that you are able to fully benefit from the session. You will get the most out of therapy if you plan for it with intention. 

Create a designated therapy space:  Ideally, you should give yourself a few minutes to enter and exit the therapy space. Sit somewhere different from where you do your daily work. You can also provide other sensory cues to support the transition, for example, have a designated therapy candle, or tea, or notebook you use during sessions to help your brain more easily prime itself to shift into therapy time. 

Privacy is key: Make sure you have privacy. If you share your home with others, wear headphones and access your session in a private room. If this is not possible, collaborate with your therapist to see if other options may be available. For example, have a session while walking with headphones on. It is challenging to be vulnerable if you are worried about being overheard. Even sessions in your car using phone data can work, so you can be creative with how you do this if your home space makes finding privacy challenging. 

Test your equipment: A strong wifi connection and functional camera is necessary for the most effective session. You can test your microphone, headphones, and camera through the Jane App prior to your session. Jane App also works best when using the Google Chrome browser. 

Integration: Therapy works best when you are reflecting on your sessions between appointments. To integrate new experiences, the new neural pathways that are being built need reinforcement. Do your best to carve out some time for self reflection between sessions. Journaling can also be a great tool to support integration. 

Choose the best therapist for you: If you’re working with a new therapist, or trying online therapy for the first time, ask your therapist how comfortable they are with online sessions. Therapists come to this work with different training and skills. Make sure you are choosing someone who is confident that the work they do will be effective in an online environment.

We know the therapeutic relationship is one of the most important factors  impacting the change you want from your therapy journey, and this is why we offer a free consultation. We want you to feel empowered to make the best choice for yourself!

Is Online Therapy Right for You?

Thankfully there are many styles of therapy and therapists, and you have choices. While for folks in rural areas, or those needing more accessible services, online therapy can be a lifeline, it is not the best fit for everyone.  Online therapy would not be the best fit for someone who will not have a safe or private space for sessions. Folks who are not comfortable interacting online might also find connection through a screen challenging. This can create a barrier and make it more difficult to gain attunement with your therapist.

It is also important to note that online therapy is generally not the best fit for folks who are actively experiencing a mental health crisis like psychosis, or a high level of suicidal ideation.

You might just also have a preference for in person support which is completely understandable, and in that case, we’d love to support you in finding a great fit that meets your needs. We are connected to lots of great Counselling Practices in the Vancouver area that also offer in person services so don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for a referral.

Start Your Healing Journey Online

We would be honoured to support you! All of our clinicians offer online sessions, with sessions available every day of the week.  Schedule a free 15 minute consultation to chat with one of our therapists and find out how online therapy might work for you.

Reach out today and we will connect you with one of the clinicians on our team accepting new patients!