Online Therapy in British Columbia

Yes. Registered Psychotherapists (RPs) licensed with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) can legally provide virtual psychotherapy to clients living anywhere in British Columbia. This is permitted as long as the therapist adheres to CRPO’s professional standards and maintains the same ethical and privacy requirements as they would with Ontario-based clients.

At The Therapy Space, our therapists are trained and experienced in working with clients across Canada. Sessions take place through Jane App, a secure Canadian telehealth platform that complies with both provincial and federal privacy laws. Clients in BC can easily access professional care without needing to travel, face waitlists, or limit their options to local availability. This allows for continuity and flexibility, even if you move or travel within the province.

All therapists at The Therapy Space are Registered Psychotherapists (RPs) or Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying) with the CRPO, which governs the practice of psychotherapy in Ontario. This means that every therapist has completed a master’s degree in counselling, psychotherapy, or psychology, along with extensive supervised clinical training. Each therapist adheres to strict ethical guidelines and professional standards of care.

In addition to graduate-level training, many of our therapists hold advanced certifications in specialized modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness-Based or Somatic Therapy. This allows our team to offer integrative and individualized care for a wide range of client concerns.

Therapists at The Therapy Space also engage in ongoing professional development and supervision, ensuring that their work remains informed by current research, best practices, and culturally sensitive care. For clients in British Columbia, this provides confidence that your therapist is both well-trained and accountable to a professional regulatory body.

When an Ontario-registered psychotherapist provides therapy to a client living in British Columbia, they remain accountable to the CRPO. This means that all professional conduct, competence, consent, and confidentiality standards continue to apply. The therapist must follow Ontario’s regulations while ensuring that their practice also aligns with privacy expectations under British Columbia’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

At The Therapy Space, all therapists explain how online therapy works and ensure clients understand their rights regarding privacy and informed consent. Sessions are conducted through Jane App, a Canadian telehealth platform that meets PIPEDA (federal) and PHIPA (Ontario) privacy standards. These protections are consistent with or exceed those required under PIPA in British Columbia.

Therapists also inform clients of local BC supports, such as the Mental Health Support Line, Here2Talk, and regional crisis or community programs. This ensures that therapy remains ethical, safe, and well supported by provincial resources.

Working with an Ontario-registered therapist allows clients in British Columbia to access a larger network of experienced psychotherapists with diverse specializations. Many clients in rural or remote BC communities find that online therapy expands their options for finding someone who truly fits their needs and preferences.

Flexible scheduling: Online therapy allows you to book sessions at times that work best for you, including early mornings, evenings, or weekends. This flexibility makes therapy easier to maintain alongside work, school, or family commitments.

Continuity of care: You can continue working with the same therapist even if you move within BC or elsewhere in Canada. This stability supports a strong therapeutic relationship and consistent progress.

Reduced barriers: Without the need to commute or wait for local availability, clients can begin therapy sooner and maintain it more easily. This can make a significant difference for those seeking timely support.

Inclusive and personalized care: The Therapy Space values accessibility and diversity. Our therapists are trained to work with clients from various backgrounds, cultures, and identities, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, neurodivergent, and newcomer communities. You are matched with a therapist who understands your story and respects your individuality.

Yes. Studies consistently show that online therapy is just as effective as in-person sessions for most mental health concerns. Research demonstrates comparable outcomes for anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress-related issues. Many clients even find that they can open up more easily online because they are in a familiar and private environment.

At The Therapy Space, therapists adapt their work to the online format using interactive tools such as guided breathing, screen sharing, or mindfulness exercises. These techniques ensure that the therapeutic relationship and structure remain strong. Online sessions also provide greater consistency since factors like weather, transportation, or scheduling conflicts are less likely to interfere.

For clients across British Columbia, online therapy offers a flexible, confidential, and effective way to access professional support without compromising quality.

Therapists at The Therapy Space draw from a range of evidence-based modalities to meet each client’s needs. These include structured, skills-based approaches and deeper, insight-oriented methods that can be combined for holistic care.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Focuses on identifying and challenging unhelpful thought patterns that influence emotions and behaviours. Clients learn practical techniques to reframe negative thoughts, manage anxiety, and take small, consistent steps toward change.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Integrates mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation skills. It is especially effective for clients who experience strong emotions or struggle with impulsivity and relationship conflict. DBT promotes balance, acceptance, and long-term resilience.

Internal Family Systems (IFS): Helps clients explore and understand their inner world by identifying different parts of themselves. Each part carries specific emotions and roles. Through IFS, clients develop self-compassion, reduce inner conflict, and restore balance between protective and wounded parts.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): A structured and research-supported method for processing trauma and distressing memories. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, to help the brain integrate experiences and reduce emotional intensity.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages clients to accept difficult emotions while taking action toward their values. ACT builds psychological flexibility and helps individuals create a life aligned with what matters most to them, rather than trying to control or avoid pain.

Mindfulness-Based and Somatic Therapies: Focus on awareness of the body and the present moment. Mindfulness techniques increase emotional regulation, while somatic work helps release tension and support the nervous system. These approaches are particularly helpful for trauma, burnout, and chronic stress.

Our therapists often integrate multiple methods, allowing sessions to evolve with your goals. The result is a therapy process that feels structured yet responsive, combining skill-building, self-reflection, and emotional connection.

Coverage depends on your extended health benefits plan. Many insurance providers in British Columbia reimburse sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist (RP), even if the therapist is located in another province. However, coverage details vary by plan. Some policies list Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) or Registered Social Workers (RSWs) specifically, while others include RPs.

The Therapy Space provides detailed invoices with the therapist’s name, credentials, and registration number so that you can submit them directly to your insurer. We encourage clients to check their benefits booklet or contact their insurance provider to confirm whether RPs are covered under their policy.

Even if insurance varies, online therapy often remains cost-effective since it saves travel time and provides greater flexibility for scheduling.

All therapists at The Therapy Space follow strict privacy and confidentiality standards. Sessions are conducted through Jane App, a secure Canadian telehealth platform that complies with PIPEDA, PHIPA, and BC’s PIPA legislation. This means that your data, communications, and session records remain encrypted and stored securely on Canadian servers.

Clients are also encouraged to create privacy on their end by using headphones, choosing a quiet space, and ensuring minimal interruptions. These practices help maintain the same level of confidentiality you would expect in a physical therapy office.

Therapists at The Therapy Space work with clients across British Columbia on a wide range of emotional, relational, and personal concerns. Each therapist brings experience, compassion, and a community-focused lens to help clients understand and navigate life’s challenges with care and perspective.

We support clients through the following areas of focus:

Emotional health and mood concerns:
Many clients seek therapy to address anxiety, stress, depression, or burnout. Our therapists help you explore the thoughts and habits that keep you feeling stuck, offering tools from approaches like CBT, ACT, and mindfulness to manage worry, calm the body, and build emotional resilience. We also work with anger, perfectionism, and motivation challenges that can make daily life feel overwhelming.

Trauma, safety, and recovery:
Our team provides trauma-informed care for clients healing from difficult experiences, whether from childhood, relationships, or major life events. Using approaches such as EMDR, IFS, and somatic therapy, we help you process trauma safely, regulate your nervous system, and rebuild a sense of trust and safety in yourself and others.

Relationships, family, and connection:
Therapy can help you navigate relationships of all kinds — romantic, family, or friendships. We support clients through break-ups, communication difficulties, boundary setting, codependency, or family-of-origin patterns that continue to affect the present. Sessions offer a space to reflect on what healthy connection means for you and to practice new ways of relating with confidence and care.

Identity, self-esteem, and belonging:
Our therapists offer affirming care for clients exploring identity, self-worth, or belonging. This includes work related to gender, sexuality, culture, or neurodivergence, as well as feelings of imposter syndrome or self-doubt. We serve diverse communities across BC, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, neurodivergent, and newcomer clients, ensuring therapy reflects and respects who you are.

Life transitions and grief:
Therapy can provide support through major life changes such as career shifts, loss, parenthood, or chronic illness. We help clients process grief, navigate uncertainty, and build coping strategies that bring balance and meaning back into daily life.

Whatever you are facing, therapy offers a place to slow down, gain insight, and develop tools that support lasting change. Our therapists work collaboratively, drawing on approaches that fit your needs, your pace, and your story.

At The Therapy Space, finding the right therapist is simple. You can browse detailed therapist profiles that include areas of focus, training, and therapeutic style. Each profile helps you get a sense of who the therapist is and how they work.

If you are unsure where to begin, our Get Matched feature allows you to answer a few questions about your preferences and goals. We then suggest therapists whose expertise aligns with your needs. You can also schedule a free consultation to ensure you feel comfortable before starting regular sessions.

We believe that therapy works best when you feel safe and understood. Our goal is to make finding that fit as easy and transparent as possible.

Your first session is a chance to get comfortable and begin building a connection with your therapist. There’s no pressure to have everything figured out and it’s simply a space to start being heard.

The session often begins with an overview of how therapy works, including confidentiality, privacy, and what you can expect from the process. Your therapist will invite you to share what brought you to therapy and what feels most important to focus on right now. Together, you’ll start to explore your goals and what support might look like for you.

Many clients describe their first session as a mix of curiosity and relief— curiosity about how therapy will unfold, and relief at finally having a safe space to speak openly. Your therapist may ask gentle questions to get a sense of your background, experiences, and what’s been feeling heavy or unclear.

There’s no right way to show up. You can take your time, pause when needed, and share only what feels comfortable. By the end of the session, you’ll likely have a clearer sense of how therapy can help and whether the fit feels right. It’s the beginning of a process built on trust, care, and collaboration.

At The Therapy Space, we believe therapy should feel human. Our work is grounded in authenticity, relationship, and care. We see therapy as a space where you can be met as you are — without pressure, without pretence — and where healing grows through understanding, trust, and compassion.

Our therapists bring specialized training in trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches, but we also bring presence. We know that techniques only go so far if the relationship doesn’t feel safe. That’s why we focus on building genuine connection, meeting you at your pace, and creating room for your story to unfold naturally.

We value the diversity of the people we work with. Our practice is inclusive and grounded in anti-oppressive principles, recognizing that healing looks different for everyone. Whether you are beginning therapy for the first time or returning after previous experiences, our intention is to offer a steady, thoughtful, and compassionate space for reflection and growth.