Online Counselling in BC: Talk to a Therapist From Wherever You Are
No commute, no waiting room, no need to live near Kelowna. Online counselling in BC connects you with a real therapist through video sessions that fit around your schedule, your location, and your comfort level.
In-Person in Kelowna
Online Across BC & AB
Registered Clinical Counsellors & Social Workers
Currently Accepting New Clients
Who Online Therapy in BC Tends to Work Best For
- Living outside Kelowna, or somewhere without easy access to a therapist who fits
- A packed schedule where fitting in a commute isn’t realistic
- Parenting or caregiving responsibilities that make leaving home difficult
- Mobility or health limitations
- Preferring to talk from a space where you already feel comfortable
- Wanting a wider pool of therapists to choose from, rather than whoever’s local
- Simply preferring video over sitting across from someone in an office
Online counselling works well for most of the concerns we see in person, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, relationship issues, and life transitions. During your free consultation with the clinician you’ve chosen, you can talk through whether online counselling is the right fit for your needs.
The Practical Side of Online Therapy
Online sessions run through a secure video platform at a time you book directly, and the format stays consistent from week to week. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Booking your session: Pick a time that fits your schedule, and you’ll get a confirmation with everything you need ahead of time.
- Joining from anywhere: A private room, a stable connection, and a device with a camera are all it takes. Your therapist sends a secure link before each appointment.
- Keeping the same rhythm: Sessions follow the same structure and length as in-person appointments, so the format becomes familiar quickly.
- Privacy handled the same way: Confidentiality and record-keeping follow the same standards as in-office sessions, regardless of where you’re logging in from.
- Support if something goes wrong: A dropped call or connection issue doesn’t end the session. Your therapist can shift to phone or reschedule the remaining time.
Our Approach to Effective Online Therapy
Reading the Room, Virtually
Therapists trained in online work pay close attention to tone, pacing, and what’s not being said, the same cues they’d pick up on in an office, just adapted to a screen.
Consistent Structure, Every Session
Sessions follow the same length, rhythm, and format each week, so the relationship builds the same way it would in person, without the format getting in the way.
A Space That's Actually Yours
Being in a familiar environment, your own room, your own chair, often makes it easier to open up than an unfamiliar office would.
Built-In Flexibility When Things Go Wrong
A dropped call or noisy background doesn’t derail a session. Therapists working online know how to adjust in the moment and keep the focus on you.
What Happens After You Book Online Counselling Session
Free Consultation
A free 20-minute video or phone consultation gives you the chance to meet with the clinician you’ve chosen and see if they’re the right fit. If not, they’ll help connect you with another therapist on our team.
Your First Full Session
Your therapist will spend time understanding your situation and what brought you in, so the sessions after this one can move at a real pace.
Ongoing Sessions
You’ll meet regularly, working through what’s relevant using tools and approaches suited to your goals.
Check-Ins on Progress
Every so often, sessions pause to look at what’s shifted and what still needs attention, so the process stays useful rather than routine.
Meet the Therapists Available Online
Since you’re not limited to whoever’s nearby, online counselling gives you a broader choice of therapists. Browse our team below, choose the clinician you’d like to work with, and use your free consultation to see if they’re the right fit.
Why Clients Stick With Online Sessions
Choosing between in-person and online usually comes down to a few practical things: whether the schedule actually works for you, whether you’ll find the right therapist, and whether your coverage applies the same way. Here’s where online counselling lands on each.
Flexible Scheduling
Evening and daytime slots without factoring in travel time on either end.
Access Across BC
Live in Kelowna, Vernon, or somewhere without local options. The therapist pool stays the same either way.
Covered However Your Benefits Work
Online sessions are billed the same as in-person ones, and most extended health plans treat them identically. Our RCC and RSW designations give you flexibility in how coverage applies.
Why Clients Stick With Online Sessions
Choosing between in-person and online usually comes down to a few practical things: whether the schedule actually works for you, whether you’ll find the right therapist, and whether your coverage applies the same way. Here’s where online counselling lands on each.
Flexible Scheduling
Evening and daytime slots without factoring in travel time on either end.
Access Across BC
Live in Kelowna, Vernon, or somewhere without local options. The therapist pool stays the same either way.
Covered However Your Benefits Work
Online sessions are billed the same as in-person ones, and most extended health plans treat them identically. Our RCC and RSW designations give you flexibility in how coverage applies.
Your First Session Can Happen From Home
Location doesn’t have to decide who you work with. A free 20-minute consultation is a simple way to see if online counselling fits what you’re looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions on Online Counselling
What is online counselling?
Online counselling is therapy that takes place by secure video instead of in a therapist’s office. You meet with a Registered Clinical Counsellor or Registered Social Worker from a private space using a phone, tablet, or computer with an internet connection.
Sessions follow much the same structure as in-person counselling. You can talk through what you’re experiencing, work toward your goals, and use therapeutic tools and strategies with your counsellor, without needing to travel to the clinic. Thrive offers online counselling across British Columbia.
Is online counselling as effective as in-person therapy?
Research generally shows comparable outcomes between the two formats. The best format usually comes down to personal preference and what you're working on.
How much does online counselling cost?
Online counselling at Thrive costs the same as in-person counselling. Rates vary depending on the therapist and type of appointment. You can check our Fees & Benefits page or your therapist’s booking profile for their current rate. A free 20-minute consultation is also available if you’d like to meet a therapist and ask questions before booking a full session.
What technology do I need?
A device with a camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, and a private space. Most clients use a laptop or tablet.
Is online counselling covered by insurance in BC?
Most extended health plans that cover in-person counselling cover online sessions the same way. Coverage specifics vary by plan, so it's worth checking directly.
Can I switch between online and in-person sessions?
Yes, many clients move between the two depending on scheduling or what's convenient that week.
Where in BC do you offer online counselling?
We offer online sessions across the province, alongside in-person appointments in Kelowna.
What if my internet connection is unreliable?
Most sessions can shift to phone temporarily if needed, so a connection issue doesn't have to interrupt the session entirely.
Is my privacy protected the same way as an in-person session?
Yes. Confidentiality and record-keeping standards are the same regardless of session format.