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Richmond Counselling

Real Life Counselling > Richmond Counselling

Real Life Counselling • Richmond, BC

Online counselling in Richmond — therapy that fits your life, not your commute.

You shouldn't have to drive across the Lower Mainland to find a therapist who actually fits. We provide secure online counselling for Richmond clients — no traffic on Knight Street, no parking at the office, no waiting weeks for the right match.

✓ Online from anywhere in Richmond ✓ RCC-registered in BC ✓ Most extended health plans accepted

WHY ONLINE COUNSELLING WORKS FOR RICHMOND

The realities of Richmond life are exactly what online therapy was built for.

  • YVR shift workers — early mornings and red-eyes
  • Healthcare workers at Richmond Hospital
  • Tech and trades commuting in and out
  • Multicultural families seeking discreet support
  • Newcomers who want a therapist who speaks their experience
  • Anyone who'd rather not sit in a waiting room

MEET YOUR THERAPIST

Founder-led, BC-registered, 17+ years of clinical work.

I'm Ashley Kreze — a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario. I founded Real Life Counselling in 2009 because I wanted therapy that actually fit people's lives — not the version that fits in a clinic schedule.

I work with Richmond clients online from across BC. You'll see me, hear me, work directly with me — or be matched with one of the associates on our small clinical team who fits what you're navigating.

RCC (BC) #6042 RP (Ontario) #007123 17+ years clinical experience Featured in Forbes, EmpowHer

"My job isn't to give you advice. It's to help you find clarity, build tools, and feel less alone in what you're carrying. The how varies. The goal doesn't."

— Ashley Kreze, RCC, RP

What we help Richmond clients work through

Real life rarely fits a single label. These are the most common reasons people in Richmond reach out — but if yours isn't here, that doesn't mean we can't help.

Anxiety

The kind that wakes you up at 3 a.m. The kind that runs in the background of every meeting. The kind nobody else sees.

Burnout & stress

You're doing fine on paper. In your body, you're not. Therapy for the high-functioning version of running on empty.

Depression

Whether it's the weight that won't lift, or the numbness that crept in slowly — there's a path back.

Couples & relationships

Communication patterns, recurring fights, drifting apart, repairing after a rupture. Couples work that goes beyond the techniques.

Life transitions

A move, a career change, a divorce, an empty nest, a new baby, a death. The work of becoming someone new.

Workplace & career

Toxic workplaces, leaving a job, returning from leave, the politics that don't show up on LinkedIn. We work with professionals who can't bring this to HR.

Grief & loss

A person, a relationship, a version of yourself. Grief isn't linear and it doesn't go on a timeline.

Cultural & family pressure

The expectations of family, culture, faith, and community that don't always match who you actually are. Quiet work, often.

How to start counselling in Richmond

No referral. No waiting room. No driving across the city.

1

Reach out — tell us what's going on

Fill out a short intake form. A few sentences is plenty. We'll review it and reach back within one business day to set up a free 15-minute consultation.

2

Get matched with the right therapist

We match you with a therapist based on what you're navigating and what kind of fit you need. Most Richmond clients begin within a week of reaching out.

3

Start sessions from home

50-minute sessions over secure encrypted video. From your couch, your home office, your car between meetings. Evening and weekend appointments available.

Areas we serve

Richmond and the surrounding Lower Mainland.

Because sessions are online, location inside BC isn't a barrier. Common neighbourhoods our Richmond clients come from:

Steveston
Brighouse
Broadmoor
Seafair
Thompson
Hamilton
South Arm
Riverdale
Westwind
Saunders
East Cambie
Bridgeport
McLennan
Lansdowne
Garden City
Sea Island
Burkeville
City Centre

Honest answers to Richmond client questions

Is your therapist actually based in BC?
Yes. Ashley Kreze, the founder, is a Registered Clinical Counsellor in BC (RCC, BCACC #6042) and lives in BC. All BC-based counselling is delivered under her BC registration, which means it's regulated by the BC College and compliant with BC clinical standards.
Can I see someone in Richmond in person?
No — we work entirely online. This is deliberate. Online therapy removes the biggest barriers Richmond clients tell us about: traffic on Knight Street and Highway 99, parking downtown, taking time off work, and finding a therapist in your specific area. Most clients find online therapy more effective than in-person once they try it — the convenience means they actually show up consistently, which is what makes therapy work.
Are sessions covered by my insurance?
Most extended health benefit plans in BC cover sessions with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC). We provide receipts you can submit for reimbursement. Common plans that cover RCC sessions include Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, and Equitable Life. Check your specific plan for "Registered Clinical Counsellor" or "RCC" coverage — or ask us during your intake and we'll help you confirm.
How much does counselling cost?
Standard private-pay rates for RCC sessions in BC. We're transparent about pricing — ask during your free 15-minute consultation and we'll walk you through it, including how to maximize your extended health benefits. We don't offer sliding scale, but most extended health plans cover all or most of the session cost.
Do you work with multicultural clients and newcomers to Canada?
Yes. Richmond is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Canada, and many of our clients are navigating cultural pressure, family expectations, immigration stress, or being the first in their family to seek therapy. We're trauma-informed and culturally aware. We don't impose a Western framework on what wellness should look like — we work with the actual life you have.
Is online therapy as good as in-person?
For most people, yes — and research consistently supports it. Online therapy has been shown to be as effective as in-person for the vast majority of presenting issues, including anxiety, depression, couples work, and trauma. The therapeutic relationship — which is the strongest predictor of outcomes — translates fully through video. What changes is the format, not the depth.
Can my partner and I do couples therapy together from different locations?
Yes. One of the practical advantages of online couples therapy is that both partners can log in from wherever they are — same home, different cities, one at the office and one at home. We do recommend joining from quiet, private spaces with headphones for confidentiality.
How quickly can I start?
Most Richmond clients begin within a week of reaching out. Sometimes within a few days. We don't have the months-long waitlists that some larger clinics do — our small clinical team means we can usually match you to a therapist quickly. If you're in crisis, please use the Get Help Now resources or call 988.
What if I'm not sure online therapy is right for me?
That's what the free 15-minute consultation is for. You can talk to us, ask questions, see what it feels like over video, and decide. There's no obligation to book a session afterward. Most people who were uncertain about online therapy find it works better than they expected once they try it.

Ready when you are, Richmond.

The longest part of starting therapy is usually the part before you reach out. Once you do, it gets easier.