Real Life Counselling • Richmond Hill, Ontario

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

You shouldn’t have to add another trip down Yonge Street or another hour on the 404 to talk to the right therapist. We provide secure online counselling for Richmond Hill and York Region, matched to what you’re actually navigating, often within a week.

✓ Online anywhere in Richmond Hill & York Region✓ CRPO-registered in Ontario✓ Physician referrals welcome

WHY ONLINE COUNSELLING WORKS FOR RICHMOND HILL

The pace of life in Richmond Hill is exactly what online therapy was built for.

  • Commuters on the GO line or the 404 who don’t have another hour to give
  • Parents balancing school runs, activities, and aging parents
  • Healthcare workers at Mackenzie Health on shifting schedules
  • Professionals working hybrid between home and downtown Toronto
  • Couples who’d rather talk from their own living room
  • Patients referred by their family doctor

A PRACTICE, NOT A SOLO ACT

Founder-led. Team-delivered. Ontario-registered.

Real Life Counselling was founded in 2009 by Ashley Kreze, a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and a Registered Clinical Counsellor in BC, with more than 17 years of clinical experience.

When you reach out, we match you with the therapist on our team whose approach, experience, and personality fit what you’re navigating, not just whoever has the next opening. Every Ontario client is served under CRPO registration, to Ontario clinical standards.

Founded 2009RP (Ontario) & RCC (BC) leadershipPersonalized therapist matchingFeatured in Forbes, EmpowHer
Online counselling for Richmond Hill and York Region, Ontario

What we help Richmond Hill clients work through

Real life rarely fits a single label. These are the most common reasons people in Richmond Hill and York Region reach out, and if yours isn’t here, that doesn’t mean we can’t help.

Anxiety

The kind that wakes you at 3 a.m. The kind that hums in the background of every conversation. 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 techniques.

Parenting & family pressure

The mental load, the schedules, the expectations, including the quiet pressure in high-achieving households, and the sandwich years of raising kids while supporting aging parents.

Life transitions

A move, a separation, a new baby, a career change, settling into a new country or community. The work of becoming someone new.

Grief & loss

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

Workplace & career

Difficult workplaces, leaving a role, returning from leave, and the pressures you can’t bring to HR.

How to start counselling in Richmond Hill

No referral required. No waiting room. No drive down Yonge.

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 the kind of fit you need. Most Richmond Hill clients begin within a week of reaching out.

3

Start sessions from home

50-minute sessions over secure, encrypted video. From your living room, your home office, or anywhere private. Evening and weekend appointments available.

Areas we serve

Richmond Hill, York Region, and everywhere in between.

Because sessions are online, location inside Ontario isn’t a barrier. Common neighbourhoods and communities our Richmond Hill clients come from:

Mill Pond
Oak Ridges
Bayview Hill
Jefferson
Richvale
South Richvale
Langstaff
Crosby
Harding
Elgin Mills
Rouge Woods
Doncrest
Westbrook
Observatory
Lake Wilcox
Yonge & 16th
Gormley
North Richvale

Honest answers to Richmond Hill client questions

Is your therapist actually registered in Ontario?
Yes. Ashley Kreze, the founder of Real Life Counselling, is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). All Ontario counselling is delivered under CRPO registration and compliant with Ontario clinical standards.
My doctor referred me. What do I do?
Welcome, physician referrals from Richmond Hill and York Region clinics are a common way clients find us. Simply fill out the Start Counselling form and mention your doctor or clinic in the intake. We’ll take it from there, and with your consent we can coordinate with your physician so your care stays connected.
Can I see someone in Richmond Hill in person?
No, we work entirely online, and that’s deliberate. Online therapy removes the barriers Richmond Hill clients mention most: Yonge Street and 404 traffic, parking, fitting appointments between the commute and the kids’ schedules, and taking time away from work or caregiving. Consistency is what makes therapy work, and online sessions make consistency easy.
I’d prefer a therapist who understands my cultural background. Can you accommodate that?
We take fit seriously, and that includes cultural context. Richmond Hill is one of Canada’s most diverse communities, and our matching process considers what matters to you in a therapist, including cultural understanding, values, and communication style. Tell us what fit means for you in the intake form and we’ll match accordingly, honestly, including telling you if we’re not the right home for what you need.
Are sessions covered by my insurance?
Most extended health benefit plans in Ontario cover sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist (RP). We provide receipts you can submit for reimbursement. Common plans include Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, Desjardins, and Blue Cross. Check your plan for “Registered Psychotherapist” or “psychotherapy” coverage, or ask us during your intake and we’ll help you confirm.
How much does counselling cost?
Standard private-pay rates for Registered Psychotherapist sessions in Ontario. We’re transparent about pricing, ask during your free 15-minute consultation and we’ll walk you through it, including how to make the most of your extended health benefits.
Can my partner and I do couples therapy 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 rooms, or one of you still downtown. We recommend quiet, private spaces and headphones for confidentiality.
How quickly can I start?
Most Richmond Hill clients begin within a week of reaching out, sometimes within a few days. Our small clinical team means we can usually match you quickly. If you’re in crisis, please use the Get Help Now resources or call or text 988.

Ready when you are, Richmond Hill.

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