Counselling in Victoria, BC
Counselling at your pace, indoors or on the trail.
Counselling for adults living with anxiety, work stress and burnout. Meet online from anywhere in BC, in a quiet office near Fernwood, or walking the flat paths of Beacon Hill Park.
- Days
- Tuesday to Friday
- Who
- Adults 18 and over
- Session
- 50 minutes, $150
Who I work with
For adults carrying more than they can put down.
You don't need a diagnosis or a crisis to start. Many people come because they're coping on paper and running on empty underneath.
- Anxiety
- Racing thoughts at 3 a.m., a tight chest before meetings, putting off the calls you keep meaning to make. We look at what sets it off and practise ways to settle your body as well as your mind.
- Work stress
- Long hours, a difficult manager, a restructure, or a job that has quietly grown into two jobs. We sort out what is yours to change and what isn't.
- Burnout
- When a weekend off doesn't touch it any more. Flat, short-tempered, far away from things you used to enjoy. We work out how you got here and how to pace the weeks ahead.
Who I don't see
- Children and teens
I see adults 18 and over. For younger people, a family doctor or school counsellor can point you to youth services.
- Couples and families
I see people one at a time. If you're looking for couples counselling, ask and I'll suggest colleagues who offer it.
- Crisis or urgent care
I don't offer crisis support or same-day sessions. In crisis? Call or text 9-8-8 (Suicide Crisis Helpline) or call 911.
Three ways to meet
Choose the room that suits the week.
It's the same counselling in each place. You can switch between them whenever you like, and many people mix all three.
-
Online video · anywhere in BC
From your own space
We meet on an encrypted video call while you sit somewhere private: a spare room, your parked car, the end of a quiet dock. It's the easiest choice on a full day or if you live outside Victoria.
- Length
- 50 minutes
- Fee
- $150
- You need
- A private spot and headphones
-
Office · near Fernwood
A quiet room with a door
Comfortable chairs, a big window, a kettle and a box of tissues. Some people like the routine of going somewhere, closing the door, and leaving it all in the room afterwards.
- Length
- 50 minutes
- Fee
- $150
- Access
- One flight of stairs, no elevator
-
Walk-and-talk · Beacon Hill Park and Gonzales
Side by side on the trail
We walk a flat loop at your pace, on paved and gravel paths with benches along the way. Talking side by side, without facing each other, makes some conversations easier to begin.
- Length
- 60 minutes
- Fee
- $165
- Weather
- Light rain is fine; storms move us indoors
A first session
What the first hour is like
Nothing to prepare, and nothing you have to say. If you go quiet, that's fine too.
Before we meet
A free 15-minute call to check that what you're dealing with is something I work with, and to choose online, the office or a walk. I then email a short consent form to read in your own time.
The first few minutes
We go over privacy: what I write down, who can see it, and the few times the law asks me to share something. Then how to reach me between sessions about scheduling.
Most of the hour
You tell me what's been going on, in whatever order it comes out. I'll ask about sleep, work and what you've already tried. You don't have to tell me everything at once.
Before you leave
We talk about what you'd like from counselling and how often to meet. There's no pressure to book a second session on the spot.
Fees
Fees, in Canadian dollars
| Session | Fee |
|---|---|
| First call15 minutes, by phone or video, to see if we're a good fit | Free |
| Individual session50 minutes, online or at the office | $150 |
| Walk-and-talk60 minutes, with time to reach a quiet stretch of path | $165 |
| Sliding-scale sessionAny format, four spots held each week | $90 to $120 |
About
One counsellor, working on her own
I'm M.B. I see adults only, during the day, four days a week, and I keep my caseload small so I'm never rushing from one person to the next.
Most people who find me are capable, tired, and a little annoyed that the things that used to help have stopped working. We start with what's happening now: your sleep, your workload, what your body does when the inbox opens. Then, at your pace, we look at the patterns underneath.
- Practical. We try small, specific changes between sessions, only if you want to.
- Body as well as mind. Breath, posture and movement are part of the conversation, which is one reason I like walking.
- Plain talk. No jargon, and you can always ask why I'm suggesting something.
- Your call. You decide what we talk about and how often we meet.
M.B., counsellor
Questions
Common questions
Something else on your mind? Ask on the first call, or email hello@birchline.example.
What happens if it rains on a walk-and-talk day?
Victoria drizzle is part of the deal: bring a hood and we walk. If the forecast shows heavy rain, strong wind or wildfire smoke, I text you by 8 a.m. and we meet by video or at the office at the same time, for the regular $150 fee.
How private is a session outdoors?
Before the first walk we agree on a plan. I never greet you first if we meet someone you know; you decide whether to stop. We pick quieter loops at quieter times of day, keep our voices low, and have a simple signal for pausing a topic when people come close.
I don't take notes on the path. I write brief notes afterwards, kept the same way as office notes.
Do I need to be fit to walk and talk?
No. The paths are flat, you set the pace, and we can sit on a bench for part of the hour. It isn't exercise; walking is just the backdrop.
Can I switch between online, the office and walking?
Yes, from week to week. Let me know when you book, and the fee follows the format you choose.
Will my extended health plan pay for this?
I give you a receipt after each session to send to your plan, if it covers counselling. Coverage depends on your plan, so please check with your provider before we start. I can't confirm it for you.
Do you offer evening or weekend sessions?
No. Sessions run Tuesday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific time, with the last one starting at 3:30.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed. You can ask for a first call yourself.
What if I need help right now?
This practice isn't set up for crisis care. In crisis? Call or text 9-8-8 (Suicide Crisis Helpline) or call 911.
Get in touch
Ask for a free first call
Leave your name, how to reach you, and when suits. A first call is 15 minutes and free, and there's no obligation to book anything after it.
Prefer to talk? Call or text (555) 555-0140, or email hello@birchline.example.
What happens next
M.B. reads requests Tuesday to Friday and gets back to you the way you choose, usually by the next working day, to find a time for the call.
This website and this form are not therapy or crisis care, and sending a request does not start a therapist-client relationship. Please don't share personal or health details here; we can talk about what brings you on the first call.
In crisis? Call or text 9-8-8 (Suicide Crisis Helpline) or call 911.