Real Life Counselling • Victoria, BC

Online counselling in Victoria, therapy that fits island life, not a waiting list.

You shouldn’t have to fight Douglas Street traffic or hunt for parking downtown to talk to the right therapist, and you shouldn’t have to wait months either. We provide secure online counselling for Victoria and Greater Victoria, matched to what you’re actually navigating, often within a week.

✓ Online anywhere in Victoria & Greater Victoria✓ RCC-registered in BC✓ Physician referrals welcome

WHY ONLINE COUNSELLING WORKS FOR VICTORIA

The rhythms of life in BC’s capital are exactly what online therapy was built for.

  • Provincial government employees carrying demanding files
  • Healthcare workers at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General on shifting schedules
  • UVic and Camosun students and staff
  • Retirees and semi-retired residents who want support without the drive
  • 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. BC-registered.

Real Life Counselling was founded in 2009 by Ashley Kreze, a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, 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 BC client is served under BC registration, to BC clinical standards.

Founded 2009RCC (BC) & RP (Ontario) leadershipPersonalized therapist matchingFeatured in Forbes, EmpowHer
Online counselling for Victoria and Greater Victoria, BC

What we help Victoria clients work through

Real life rarely fits a single label. These are the most common reasons people in Victoria and Greater Victoria 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.

Life transitions

A move, a separation, a new baby, a health scare, a death. The work of becoming someone new.

Retirement & later-life change

Identity after career, downsizing, caregiving for a partner or aging parents, and the quieter question of what this chapter is for.

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, public-service pressure, leaving a role, returning from leave, and the things you can’t bring to HR.

How to start counselling in Victoria

No referral required. No waiting room. No drive.

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 Victoria 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

Victoria, and communities across Greater Victoria.

Because sessions are online, location inside BC isn’t a barrier. Common neighbourhoods and municipalities our Greater Victoria clients come from:

James Bay
Fairfield
Fernwood
Vic West
Rockland
Hillside Quadra
Oak Bay
Esquimalt
Saanich
Gordon Head
Cadboro Bay
Cordova Bay
Langford
Colwood
View Royal
Central Saanich
Sidney
Sooke

Honest answers to Victoria 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 BC registration and compliant with BC clinical standards.
My doctor referred me. What do I do?
Welcome, physician referrals from Victoria and Greater Victoria 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 Victoria in person?
No, we work entirely online, and that’s deliberate. Online therapy removes the barriers Victoria clients mention most: downtown parking, crossing the region from the West Shore, mobility and health considerations, and taking time away from work or caregiving. It also means no months-long local waiting list. Consistency is what makes therapy work, and online sessions make consistency easy.
I’m not comfortable with technology. Can online therapy still work for me?
Yes. If you can click a link, you can attend a session, there’s nothing to install and it works on a computer, tablet, or phone. We’re happy to do a short practice connection before your first session so the technology feels like a non-issue. Many of our older Victoria clients were skeptical at first and found it far easier than expected.
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 include Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, and Equitable Life. Check your 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 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 different cities. We recommend quiet, private spaces and headphones for confidentiality.
How quickly can I start?
Most Victoria 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, Victoria.

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