I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor offering virtual depression counselling to adults anywhere in British Columbia. My role is to provide a safe, supportive space where we can better understand what is contributing to your depression and work together toward meaningful, lasting change.

What depression looks like for the people I work with

Many of the clients I see describe feeling emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed, or stuck. They often talk about:

• Having little motivation or energy
• Feeling emotionally numb
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Losing interest in activities they once enjoyed
• Struggling with negative self-talk or low self-esteem
• Feeling hopeless about the future
• Changes in sleep or appetite, and difficulty concentrating

Some clients also experience thoughts of suicide. If that is part of your experience, it is something we can talk about openly and safely.

If any of this sounds familiar, counselling may help.

What we do together

We will begin by exploring the concerns that brought you to counselling, how they have changed over time, and how they are affecting your daily life. Together, we will identify your goals for therapy and develop practical strategies to help reduce your symptoms and improve your overall wellbeing.

If it appears that past experiences or trauma may be contributing to your current difficulties, we will discuss whether approaches such as EMDR or the Flash Technique may be appropriate.

Every treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs, preferences, and goals, and we will regularly review your progress together as therapy unfolds.

The approaches I draw on

My approach to treating depression is individualized and depends on what is contributing to each person’s symptoms. I primarily draw from:

• Person-centred counselling – understanding your experience on your terms
• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy – building on your existing strengths
• Narrative Therapy – separating you from the problem
• Mindfulness – practical strategies for the day to day

If past trauma appears to be contributing to depression, I may also incorporate EMDR or the Flash Technique to help process distressing memories that continue to have an emotional impact.

Depression I work with

I work with adults experiencing a wide range of depressive concerns, including:

• Major depressive disorder (clinical depression)
• Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Regardless of the diagnosis, my focus is on understanding your unique experience and developing a treatment plan that supports your individual needs and goals.

When depression is connected to something else

Depression can develop for many different reasons, including grief and loss, relationship changes, burnout, chronic stress, trauma, or major life transitions.

Rather than focusing only on the symptoms, I work collaboratively with clients to understand the experiences and circumstances that may be contributing to how they are feeling. Together, we will explore ways to reduce symptoms while also addressing the underlying issues that may be keeping you stuck. Depending on your needs, this may include developing practical coping strategies, processing difficult life experiences, strengthening resilience, or addressing the impact of unresolved trauma.

Depression and anxiety together

Anxiety and depression often occur together, so it is very common for clients to experience both at the same time. During our initial sessions, we will explore how each is affecting your daily life and whether one appears to be contributing to the other, then work on practical strategies for both.

“I think I’m too depressed for therapy”

Many people worry about this.

In my experience, the fact that someone has reached out for support and attended their appointment tells me there is already a part of them that wants things to be different, even if they do not feel hopeful right now.

I meet clients where they are and never expect them to make changes before they are ready. Together, we will work at a pace that feels realistic and manageable, focusing on small, achievable steps toward your goals.

What a session looks like

In the first few sessions, we will explore your experience of depression – when it began, how it has changed over time, and how it is affecting your daily life, relationships, work, and overall wellbeing. I will also ask how you are managing your basic day-to-day needs, which helps me understand your current level of functioning.

From there, we will identify practical strategies to help reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

By the end of each session, my hope is that you will leave with:

• A better understanding of what may be contributing to your depression
• Practical tools or strategies to work on between sessions
• A clear sense of the next steps in your treatment

If we are using EMDR or the Flash Technique, you may also notice new insights, reflections, or a reduction in the emotional intensity of difficult memories over time.

How long counselling usually takes

The number of sessions varies from person to person and depends on the severity of the depression, how long it has been present, and your goals for therapy.

Many clients begin to notice meaningful changes within approximately 5 to 7 sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. Throughout therapy, we will regularly review your progress together and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

How progress is measured

I primarily measure progress through ongoing conversation. Together, we will regularly review how you are feeling, whether your symptoms are improving, how you are functioning day to day, and whether we are moving toward your goals.

If you find it helpful, I am also happy to use validated screening tools such as the PHQ-9 to help monitor changes in your symptoms over time.

What progress can look like

Every client’s journey is different, but a common example is someone who initially came to counselling feeling emotionally exhausted, hopeless, and unable to enjoy activities they once loved. Over time, they gradually began sleeping better, reconnecting with family and friends, becoming more active, and noticing a reduction in negative self-talk. They reported feeling more hopeful about the future and more confident in their ability to manage life’s challenges.

If progress stalls

If you are not noticing the progress you had hoped for after several sessions, we will take time to review what is working, what is not, and whether any changes to the treatment plan may help. We will discuss strategies you have tried between sessions, any barriers getting in the way, and whether new goals or approaches would better support you.

Depending on what we find, I may modify our current approach or integrate another evidence-informed therapy I am trained in, such as EMDR, the Flash Technique, Narrative Therapy, Clinical Hypnotherapy, or Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. My goal is to stay flexible and work collaboratively with you to find the approach that best supports your progress.

Safety and serious concerns

If you tell me you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, I take those concerns seriously and create a safe, supportive, non-judgmental space to explore what you are experiencing. I will carefully assess the nature and severity of the thoughts, any immediate safety concerns, and the supports you currently have in place.

When appropriate, we will work together to develop a personalized safety plan. A safety plan helps you recognize early warning signs, identify healthy coping strategies, and know what steps to take if you begin to feel unsafe or overwhelmed. Together we identify supportive people you can reach out to, community and crisis resources available to you, what matters most to you, and what can help you stay connected to hope during difficult moments. We review and update it as needed throughout therapy.

If I believe a client is at immediate risk of harming themselves or someone else, I have both an ethical and legal responsibility to take appropriate steps to help keep them safe, which may include involving emergency services or other supports when necessary.

If you need support right now: call or text 988 (Suicide Crisis Helpline), call 911, or go to your nearest emergency department. My practice runs on scheduled appointments and I am not able to provide crisis or after-hours support.

Working alongside your doctor

Many of my clients work with family physicians, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, naturopathic doctors, or other healthcare professionals while attending counselling. I respect each client’s healthcare choices and believe that, when appropriate, a collaborative approach provides the best support for overall wellbeing.

Counselling and medication can complement one another, and many clients find that using both together provides the support they need to work toward their goals.

If I believe you would benefit from additional medical or psychiatric support, I will discuss this openly with you and explain my reasoning. Examples might include persistent or worsening symptoms despite treatment, significant changes in mood or functioning, questions about medication, or situations where a specialized psychiatric assessment would be beneficial.

Fees, sessions and insurance

Fee: $150 for a 60-minute counselling session.

Session length: 60 minutes is standard. I also offer appointments from 30 to 90 minutes in 15-minute increments when clinically appropriate.

Reduced rates: I do not offer a sliding scale at this time. If cost is a barrier, I am happy to discuss other options that may be available, including extended health benefits, the Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP), or lower-cost counselling services in the community.

Extended health: Many extended health plans cover services provided by Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs), though coverage varies by plan. I encourage you to contact your insurer before your first appointment to confirm coverage for a BCACC Registered Clinical Counsellor. If your plan allows direct billing and you authorize me to submit claims, I am happy to do so. Otherwise I will send a receipt within 24 to 48 hours so you can claim reimbursement.

Cancellations, when motivation is hard

I understand that depression can make it difficult to attend appointments or find the motivation to leave home.

Your appointment time is reserved specifically for you. If you need to cancel or reschedule, I ask for at least 24 hours’ notice. Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed appointments, are charged the full session fee, because it is often not possible to offer that time to another client on short notice.

If you are worried about committing to an appointment because you are unsure how you will be feeling, you are welcome to check my online availability and book closer to the time. That way you are only booking when you feel reasonably confident you will be able to attend. This can be a helpful option for people concerned about last-minute cancellations.

Start with a free 15-minute call

Finding the right counsellor matters. I offer a no-fee 15-minute phone call for potential new clients, where you can talk about the areas you would like support with and ask any questions about my approach or about counselling in general.

Frequently asked questions

Do you offer online depression therapy across BC?
Yes. All sessions are virtual, by secure video or telephone, for adults anywhere in British Columbia.

How much does depression counselling cost?
$150 for a 60-minute session. Many extended health plans reimburse RCC services.

How many sessions will I need?
Many clients notice meaningful change within about 5 to 7 sessions, though this varies with the severity and duration of the depression and your goals.

Do you use the PHQ-9 or other assessments?
I work primarily through conversation, but I am happy to use validated tools like the PHQ-9 if you find them helpful for tracking change.

Can I see you while taking antidepressants?
Yes. Many clients attend counselling while working with a prescribing physician or psychiatrist. Counselling and medication often work well together.

Do you treat postpartum depression?
Perinatal and postpartum mood disorders are not an area I specialize in. If that is your primary concern, I would encourage you to look for a counsellor with specific perinatal training.

What if I am in crisis?
I do not provide crisis or between-session support. If you need help right now, call or text 988, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency department.