Virtual Counselling BC
Virtual Counselling Anywhere in BC
British Columbia is one of the most beautiful places on earth. We are close to nature, the climate is awesome, the scenery is amazing. World class!
Yet even though many people call it the “best place on earth”, we still experience the same challenges of life – relationship issues, workplace drama, anxiety, depression, job loss, trauma, grief, boredom and dissatisfaction.
I’m Virginia Purcell, MSc CCC, a counsellor certified to provide counselling therapy in BC Alberta and throughout Canada virtually online as well as in person.
I offer online virtual counselling anywhere in BC, Alberta and the rest of Canada.
Counselling is one of the best tools you can use to get yourself back on track, and start living the life you want.
Going to see your therapist in-person is nice, but sometimes busy schedules, long commute, illness, travel and other factors get in the way.
And many times a specialist is the best person to get the right care from. That’s where virtual counselling comes in. In British Columbia, virtual counselling—aka online therapy—is another great option you can consider as part of your own mental wellness strategy.
What is Virtual Counselling?
Imagine for a moment that you are feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, overwhelmed and are going through many challenges in your life. You wish you could talk to someone. But with everything going on in your life, you just don’t have time to go to a therapist’s office.
What if therapy could come to you?
In essence, that’s what virtual counselling is all about. It’s a way where you can get confidential support from your therapist, from the comfort of your own home.
Importantly, it’s accessible as well. All you need is a smart phone or computer and a wifi connection.
If you’ve been curious about how remote therapy can help you, here’s a deep dive into the top 10 benefits of virtual counselling in BC, and what to consider when making that choice.
Top 10 Benefits of Virtual Counselling in BC - Should You Try It?
1. Convenience and Accessibility
Imagine fitting a therapy session into your day without even stepping outside your home. Or even as you go for a walk outside.
Happily, virtual counselling makes this possible. It allows you to connect with your BC licenced therapist right from the comfort of your home. All you need is a cell phone or laptop and a stable internet connection.
Importantly, virtual counselling means there’s no commuting, no traffic, and no time lost. You have the ease of logging in from your home, office, or even a quiet spot in a park.
Many of my own clients with busy homes connect to their online therapy session while they go for a walk or even from their parked car in the driveway. This flexibility is a game changer for anyone with a busy schedule juggling multiple roles and responsibilities.
Afterall, virtual counselling makes mental and emotional self care more practical for many people.
2. Greater Flexibility in Scheduling
As you know, life in BC can be super busy—with work, school, shift work or family commitments, finding time for self-care isn’t always easy.
Virtual counselling offers flexible scheduling that can adapt to your life. Early mornings, lunch breaks, evenings – you can choose a time that works for you. Importantly, this flexibility allows you to prioritize your mental health without needing to rearrange your entire day.
3. Feel Comfortable in Your Own Space
Discussing personal matters can sometimes be difficult.
When you come to see me in person for counselling, our office space is designed to create a feeling of calm, privacy and support.
But sometimes you just feel better in your own home.
Virtual counselling lets you attend sessions from a place where you feel most at ease, whether that’s your living room, a cozy corner, walking down the road, or from your back porch.
Comfort encourages open conversations and makes it easier to engage deeply in therapy.
4. Virtual Counselling in BC for Rural and Remote Areas
If you live in a smaller town or remote area of BC, accessing mental health services is a huge challenge.
Meeting with a counsellor might be difficult due to long travel times and limited local resources. Sound familiar?
Virtual counselling can be tremendously helpful to anyone living in rural and remote BC since it brings therapy directly to you, wherever you live. And this is especially important for anyone in a community without nearby mental health resources.
Afterall, small towns, farms, and ranches often have very little in the way of mental health care but they deserve great support too!
5. Hybrid Counselling Combines Virtual and In-Person for the Best of Both Worlds
Many of my clients in Fernie the Elk Valley and South Country love the hybrid mix – they come in for in-person sessions in my Fernie or Grasmere office and supplement them with online sessions for that perfect balance of personal connection and convenience.
It is so special to meet in-person, relax, and talk over your favourite warm cup of tea.
And we can continue that connection through virtual sessions on the phone or online when things are busier and virtual is more convenient. I use a confidential telehealth platform for our online sessions.
I am a certified member of the Online Therapy Directory.
6. Access to a Specialist Therapist in BC
Sometimes it is important to get the services of a specialist. It’s the same with counselling.
Connecting with a therapist that specializes in your specific concerns can mean they are better equipped to help you. They will have had specialized training and many years of experience treating your problem.
Virtual counselling means you can choose from a wider range of therapists across BC. Notably, this means finding a specialist who aligns with your specific needs and preferences becomes easier.
Whether you need support for anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, workplace stress , specialized neurodiversity counselling or just need someone to talk to in a confidential space, virtual counselling helps you connect with the right professional for you, no matter where they are in the province.
7. Continued Support During Life’s Changes
Life is full of unexpected twists—moves, travel, changes in routine.
With virtual counselling in BC, you don’t have to pause your therapy.
Stay connected to your therapist and maintain that essential support, even while you are on business trips, work shift, have a fly-in, fly-out situation, work remotely, or you move to another town or city.
This consistent access to mental wellness care can make all the difference during times of transition.
8. More Ways to Communicate
Virtual counselling offers more than just video calls.
Depending on what feels comfortable for you, virtual sessions can also be by phone. You might wonder how this can possibly work without seeing one another? It depends on the person, but quite often zoning in on voice without any other distractions can actually be more effective for some people.
In addition, you don’t need to even think about getting dressed, or your hair and makeup for a phone call session – we are purely focused on therapy – your thoughts, feelings, concerns and goals. PJ’s are just fine 😊
This flexibility lets you engage in therapy in a way that suits your style and needs, making it easier to express yourself.
9. Virtual Counselling in BC is Covered by Many Benefit Plans
Especially since the pandemic most health care benefit plans cover virtual counselling just the same as in-person counselling.
10. Effective Therapy You Can Count On
Worried that online therapy might not be as effective as face-to-face sessions? There is a great deal of research now that shows that virtual counselling can be just as impactful as in-person therapy for many mental health concerns.
(For example, BMC Psychol 10, 35 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00742-7; Lewis, Catrin; Roberts, Neil P; Bethell, Andrew; Robertson, Lindsay; Bisson, Jonathan I (2018). “Internet-based cognitive and behavioural therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults”. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. )
The pandemic certainly made it clear that counselling can take place virtually by video or phone and be very successful.
The key is finding a therapist that is a good match for you and committing to the process. Being in a familiar setting can also help you feel more at ease, leading to more open dialogue and deeper progress.
If you are wondering about trying virtual counselling in BC, now is a great time! Afterall, the sooner you start, the sooner you can begin to address issues, make changes and feel better.
It's easy to book a session. You can start right away.
Try Virtual Counselling in BC
If you’re ready to try virtual counselling in BC, take the step toward prioritizing your well-being from the comfort of your own space.
Your mental health matters, and support is just a click away.
Want to learn more – book a free consultation below and let’s set up a time for a quick chat!