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family Counselling in Victoria, Cowichan valley & Online across bc
Family counselling in Victoria & the Cowichan Valley, BC
Every family runs on its own set of patterns; some built on purpose, some built by accident, most a mix of both. Family counselling gives everyone in the household a structured, guided space to say what usually goes unsaid, and to hear each other without the conversation turning into the same argument on repeat.
At Strength in Heart, our counsellors work with families in person at our Victoria and Cowichan Valley offices, and online with families anywhere in BC. Most families start with a free 20-minute phone or video consultation so you can ask questions before booking a full session.
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Signs your family could benefit from counselling
Families usually don't book a first session because things are calm. It's typically one or more of these:
Conversations turn into arguments before anyone's said much of anything
A parent and teenager have stopped talking, or only talk through conflict
A divorce, remarriage, or new blended household has everyone adjusting to new roles
A death, illness, or other loss has changed how the family functions day to day
A child or teen's behaviour has shifted and nobody's sure why or what to do about it
Old resentments keep surfacing in new arguments
One member's mental health, addiction, or crisis is affecting everyone else in the house
None of these need to be "bad enough" before it's worth booking a session. Plenty of families come in simply wanting better tools before a smaller issue becomes a bigger one.
What to expect from your first family session
The consultation. A free 20-minute call with a counsellor to talk through what's going on, who'll be attending sessions, and whether it's a fit. This is also where you'll get a sense of whether family, couples, or individual sessions (or some combination) make the most sense for your situation.
The first session. Your counsellor will ask each person present how they see the situation, not to assign blame, but to get an honest picture of the dynamic from more than one angle. From there, they'll help the family set goals for what "better" would actually look like.
Ongoing sessions. Most families meet weekly or every other week. Your counsellor will draw on evidence-based approaches including CBT, DBT, and family systems work, adapted to your family's specific issues rather than run as a fixed program. How many sessions a family needs varies a lot: some come for a handful of sessions around a specific transition, others meet for months while working through something more entrenched.
Sessions run in person in Victoria and the Cowichan Valley, or by video for family members who can't be in the same room, whether that's because someone's out of town, in a different city, or simply more comfortable joining from home.
Family counselling rates
Family counselling sessions are $185 per one hour session. We offer direct billing to most major extended health plans, including Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, and Desjardins. If you have coverage, ask about direct billing when you book so you're not paying out of pocket and waiting on a reimbursement.
All Counsellors offer a free 20 minute virtual consultation
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Adria Lipsett, RCC
1 (50 min) Family Counselling Session - $185
In office (Victoria & Cowichan Valley) & online across BC.
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Brooke Fry, RSW
1 (50 min) Family Counselling Session - $185
In office (Victoria) & online across BC
Questions people often ask us about our Family therapy service
FAQ
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Many extended health plans cover sessions with a registered counsellor (RCC, RSW, or CCC), and we offer direct billing to most major providers. Coverage and session limits vary by plan, so it's worth checking with your provider or asking us when you book.
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No. Some sessions include the whole household, others are with a parent and one child, or with siblings, depending on what the family is working through. Your counsellor will work with you to figure out who should be in the room for each session.
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Couples counselling focuses on a romantic relationship. Family counselling includes any combination of family members, parents and children, siblings, blended or extended family, and looks at the dynamic across the whole system rather than one relationship within it.
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Yes. We offer virtual sessions for families anywhere in BC, including situations where family members are joining from different cities or households.
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It depends on what you're working through. Some families come in around a specific transition and finish in a handful of sessions; others meet for several months while addressing something longer-standing. Your counsellor will check in with you regularly about progress and how many more sessions make sense.
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That's common, and it's still worth booking. A counsellor can work with the family members who are willing to attend, and sessions often shift the dynamic enough that others become open to joining later.
Start with a free consultation
You don't need to have the right words for what's going on, or agreement from everyone in the house, to book a first call. A 20-minute consultation is a low-pressure way to ask questions and find out if family counselling is the right next step.
Book a Free Consultation | Get Matched with a Counsellor | Call or Text: 1 (888) 520-9151