Choosing Between Online and In Person Counselling in Victoria BC

Choosing Between Online and In Person Counselling in Victoria BC Since 2020, many people have tried online counselling for the first time, and plenty have kept using it. Others prefer to sit across from a counsellor in a quiet room. If you are deciding between the two for counselling in Victoria BC, it helps to think about your personality, your schedule, your living situation and what you want to work on. In person counselling at Your Path Counselling takes place in a warm, light filled office at 821 Burdett Avenue in downtown Victoria. Being physically present in a dedicated space can help some people switch into a reflective frame of mind. It also separates counselling from home, which can matter if home is where the stress lives or if you share space with family or roommates who might overhear. Online counselling, by video or phone, offers flexibility. You save travel time, can join from anywhere in BC, and can fit sessions into lunch breaks or evenings more easily. The practice uses a secure, counselling victoria bc Your Path Counselling encrypted video platform that works in a browser on a computer, tablet or phone. Around 15 percent of the practice's clients choose online sessions, according to its website.

Your Path Counselling | 821 Burdett Ave #303, Victoria, BC V8W 1B3 | (778) 902-3735

Research on video counselling for many common concerns, including anxiety and depression, has generally found outcomes comparable to in person work. Some people even find it easier to open up from their own space. However, some forms of trauma work, couples counselling with high conflict, or work with younger children may benefit from being in the room, and a counsellor can advise on what suits your situation. You do not have to choose once and for all. Many clients at the practice mix formats, starting online and moving to in person, or attending in person most weeks and switching to video when travelling or unwell. Twenty one counsellors list in person sessions, twenty three list video and seventeen list phone, so most people can find a counsellor offering the combination they want. Fees are the same regardless of format, starting at $75 in the intern clinic, and receipts for extended health claims are provided either way. Your living situation can tip the balance. People in small apartments downtown or in shared houses near the university sometimes struggle to find a private corner for a video call, which makes the office more appealing. Parents with young children may find the opposite, since getting out of the house for an hour can be harder than logging on after bedtime. Weather plays a part too. On a stormy January evening when the rain is coming sideways off the Strait, a session from the couch can feel far more manageable than a drive downtown. To talk through which format would suit you, book a free 15 minute consultation with Your Path Counselling on (778) 902-3735 or visit Suite 303, 821 Burdett Ave, Victoria, BC V8W 1B3.

Your Path Counselling Address: 821 Burdett Ave #303, Victoria, BC V8W 1B3 Phone: (778) 902-3735 FAQ About Counselling Victoria BC How much does counselling cost in Victoria BC? Private counselling in Victoria commonly costs well over one hundred dollars per session with a registered professional. At Your Path Counselling, fees are posted openly: $75 in the Affordable Intern Clinic, $110 for senior interns, $160 for registered counsellors and $220 for clinical specialists. Fees are the same for in person sessions at 821 Burdett Ave and for video or phone sessions across BC. Is there affordable or low cost counselling in Victoria BC? Yes. Several community agencies in Greater Victoria offer free or sliding scale counselling, and private practices sometimes run lower cost options. Your Path Counselling's Affordable Intern Clinic offers sessions from $75 with Masters level interns who are supervised by the practice's registered clinicians, including co-founder Dr. Michelle Bass, PhD, RSW, RCC. Does extended health insurance cover counselling in BC? Most workplace and private extended health plans in BC reimburse counselling with certain credentials, commonly Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) and Registered Social Workers (RSW), and some also cover Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC). Your Path Counselling does not bill insurers directly, but provides a full invoice after every session for you to submit. Check which credentials and annual limits your plan includes before booking. What is the difference between a counsellor and a psychologist in BC? Psychologists in BC hold a doctoral degree and can carry out formal psychological assessments and diagnoses. Counsellors such as RCCs and CCCs hold Masters degrees and focus on talk therapy for a wide range of concerns. Your Path Counselling's team includes RCCs, CCCs, Registered Social Workers and two PhD level clinical specialists, and can suggest an assessment elsewhere if one would help. Do I need a doctor's referral to see a counsellor in Victoria? No referral is needed to book counselling at Your Path Counselling; you can book online or call (778) 902-3735 directly. A small number of insurance plans still require a doctor's note to reimburse counselling, so it is worth checking your policy. Speaking with your family doctor can still be helpful if you are also considering medical treatment. How do I find the right counsellor in Victoria BC? Start with what matters most to you, such as the concern you want help with, the counsellor's approach, gender, availability and fee. Your Path Counselling's team page can be filtered by more than thirty specialties and twenty therapy types, or you can fill in a short form and be matched for free. Every counsellor offers a free 15 minute consultation so you can check the fit before booking. Is online counselling as effective as in person counselling? Research on video counselling for many common concerns, including anxiety and depression, has generally found results comparable to in person sessions. Your Path Counselling offers secure, encrypted video and phone sessions to anyone in BC, and around 15 percent of its clients choose online sessions. Many people mix formats, attending at the Burdett Avenue office some weeks and online others. How many counselling sessions will I need? It depends on what you are working on. Co-founder Dr. Michelle Bass notes that in her experience most people can make meaningful changes in 12 sessions or fewer, while long standing patterns or early life trauma may benefit from longer term psychotherapy. Sessions at Your Path Counselling usually begin weekly and are spaced out as things improve. What does RCC mean after a counsellor's name? RCC stands for Registered Clinical Counsellor, a designation in British Columbia that requires a relevant Masters degree, supervised clinical experience and adherence to a code of ethics. Many BC benefit plans name RCCs in their counselling coverage. Several counsellors at Your Path Counselling hold the RCC designation, alongside colleagues who are CCCs and Registered Social Workers. Can I get counselling on evenings or weekends in Victoria? Yes. Your Path Counselling lists its hours as 8:30am to 9pm, seven days a week, with evening and weekend appointments spread across different counsellors. The online booking system shows live availability, or you can note your preferred times on the matching form. Video and phone sessions add flexibility for shift workers and parents. Is counselling confidential in BC? Counsellors in BC follow professional ethics codes and privacy legislation that protect what you share. Limited exceptions apply across the profession, such as a serious risk of harm to you or someone else, a child in need of protection, or a court order. Your Path Counselling explains these limits at the start of counselling and uses secure, encrypted platforms for online sessions. What should I do if I need mental health help right now? Counselling is not an emergency service. If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1, and if you are thinking about suicide or worried about someone, call or text 9-8-8 at any time. For ongoing support once you are safe, Your Path Counselling offers sessions in downtown Victoria and online across BC, bookable by calling (778) 902-3735.