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A practical guide from Wellspring Counselling & Psychotherapy
You might know what you want to change and still find that three therapist profiles sound equally promising. Start with a recent moment you wish had gone differently. It gives you something specific to look for in a profile and something to ask about when you meet.
Look for a counsellor who has worked with the difficulty you’re facing and whose way of working makes sense to you. If you’re open to video sessions, your search can extend beyond your town. Explore Wellspring’s counsellors and select the province or territory where you’ll be during appointments.
Start with what you want help with
You do not need a diagnosis or a complete explanation of your concerns to begin exploring counselling. A few examples from daily life can help: situations that keep troubling you, patterns in relationships, or changes you would like to make.
When reading a profile, look for experience relevant to your concerns and the people the counsellor works with. Individual, couples, family and youth counselling involve different needs; check that the clinician offers the type of appointment you are seeking.
Check qualifications and relevant experience
Look for the clinician’s full name, professional designation, education and stated areas of practice. Wellspring profiles identify each clinician’s designation; these may include Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) or Registered Psychotherapist (RP).
You can check current RCC registration through BCACC’s RCC Register and RP registration through CRPO’s status-check resources. Match the person’s name and designation to the profile you are considering. Ask about experience with concerns like yours and any additional training relevant to a particular approach.
Compare approaches and working styles
Areas of practice describe the concerns a counsellor lists. Therapeutic approaches describe methods they may use. Wellspring clinicians offer different approaches, including CBT, EMDR and CorMorphosis™ Psychotherapy, according to the individual profile.
Suppose you go quiet during tense conversations. Later, the words come easily. You could ask a therapist, “If I brought that moment into a session, what would we actually do?” Listen for whether their answer speaks to the part you find hardest.
For example, in individual counselling with Alistair Gordon, an experiential conversation might mean slowing down that moment together, noticing what you felt just before you went quiet, and trying out the words you wanted to say. You can ask another counsellor the same question. Their answer can help you decide whose way of working you would like to try.
Should I see a counsellor online or in person?
Imagine you’ve found a counsellor with experience in the exact problem you want help with, but their office is several hours away. An online consultation lets you meet them, explain what you’re hoping to change, and get a feel for talking together. Notice whether you have enough privacy to speak freely at home and whether you feel comfortable on camera. If being in the same room helps you open up, that matters too.
Wellspring offers online counselling across British Columbia. Elsewhere in Canada, check which counsellors can see you in your province or territory, including online options in Ontario. For in-person sessions, select counsellors meet by appointment in Vancouver.
Understand fees and insurance coverage
Wellspring’s fees page currently lists individual 50-minute counselling appointments at $140–$200. Fees for couples, family and specialized services depend on the clinician, service and appointment length. Check the exact rate and duration in the booking system before choosing an appointment.
Confirm your benefits coverage for the individual clinician’s designation with your insurer. Direct billing is not offered; official receipts are issued following payment. Review the fees and policies page, including the 48-hour cancellation and rescheduling policy, before booking.
Use the free consultation to explore fit
A free 15-minute consultation is a short introduction to discuss fit and practical questions. Regular counselling appointments are separate, paid sessions.
Useful questions include:
- Do you work with concerns and goals like mine?
- How would you approach our first few appointments?
- How do you balance practical work, reflection and emotional exploration?
- How would we review progress and adjust the plan?
- What appointment formats, fees and availability apply to your service?
Our free consultation checklist can help you prepare. Choose what is most relevant to you; the conversation can help you decide whether to proceed.
Explore Wellspring’s team and resources
Wellspring was founded in 2016 by Alistair Gordon, MA, RCC, a UBC Adjunct Professor, published author and developer of CorMorphosis™ Psychotherapy. The practice brings together clinicians with different backgrounds, approaches and areas of focus.
The manual team finder lets you compare profiles, photographs and working styles, with filters for location, counselling type, area of focus, language, approach and counsellor gender. Optional Wellspring AI matching is another way to explore preferences; discuss suitability directly with the counsellor.
You can also explore our free self-help articles and video library for information and reflection while considering your next step.
Common questions about choosing a counsellor
How will I know if a counsellor is a good fit for me?
After the consultation, ask yourself: Did they understand what I want help with? Could they explain how we might work on it? Did I feel comfortable saying what I need? You can revisit those questions after your first few sessions, when you’ve had a chance to try working together.
Can I choose a counsellor for a particular concern?
Use the team finder’s area-of-focus filter, then read each matching profile. You can also explore our guides to trauma counselling, ADHD counselling and substance use counselling, or the BC couples-counselling shortlist. A consultation is a chance to ask about the clinician’s relevant experience.
What if I am unsure where to begin?
Start with a few examples of what you would like help with. Browse the team or contact Wellspring for help finding the appropriate route. You can ask questions about the process before choosing a regular appointment.
