Online counselling takes place through secure video appointments with your counsellor.

You'll be able to see and talk with your counsellor much like you would during an in-person session, without needing to travel to an office.

Your sessions may involve the same kinds of conversations, therapeutic approaches, skills, exercises, and reflection that you might experience in person.

The difference is simply that you're connecting from your own space.

It can.

A counselling relationship isn't created by being in the same physical room. It's created through connection, trust, listening, curiosity, and the work you do together.

Your counsellor will still get to know you, notice patterns, ask questions, offer perspectives, and work with you toward the things that matter to you.

Some people are surprised by how quickly online counselling starts to feel natural.

For many people, online counselling makes accessing support easier.

You don't have to commute to an appointment, find parking, or build travel time into your day.

It can also make counselling more accessible if you:

• Live outside a major urban centre

• Have a busy work or school schedule

• Have caregiving responsibilities

• Travel frequently

• Prefer being in your own environment

• Feel more comfortable talking from home

• Want more flexibility when choosing a counsellor

For some people, the flexibility of online counselling makes it easier to actually keep counselling part of their life.

You don't necessarily need to be at home.

As long as you have a private space where you can talk without being overheard or interrupted, you may be able to attend from another location.

Some people use a private room at work, a parked car, or another space where they can have some privacy.

The important part is having enough privacy to feel comfortable speaking openly.

If you're attending from a shared home, headphones can also help create a greater sense of privacy.

You don't need a complicated setup.

You'll generally need:

• A device with a camera and microphone

• A reliable internet connection

• A private space where you can talk

• Headphones if they help with privacy or sound

• Enough time before your appointment to get settled

Your counsellor will provide information about how to join your appointment and what to expect before your first session.

You don't need to be particularly good with technology.

Technology occasionally has a mind of its own.

If your connection drops or something isn't working properly, your counsellor will have a plan for how to reconnect or communicate with you.

We'll talk about the practical details of your appointments so you know what to do if something goes wrong.

A technical glitch doesn't have to derail your counselling session.

Online counselling works well for many people, but it isn't necessarily the best option for everyone.

It may be a good fit if you value flexibility, prefer your own environment, or simply don't want to travel to appointments.

There may also be situations where another type of support or a different setting would be more appropriate.

We'll talk with you about what you're looking for and whether online counselling makes sense for your circumstances.

Online counselling can be an option for adolescents and teens, depending on their age, circumstances, needs, and ability to participate privately.

Creating a private and comfortable space can be particularly important for younger clients.

We may talk with parents or caregivers about practical arrangements while also considering the young person's need for privacy and independence.

We'll work with the family to make the setup as comfortable and appropriate as possible

Sholinder Counselling Collective provides online counselling to clients across Canada, subject to the counsellor's ability to practise in the jurisdiction where the client is located.

Because professional and legal requirements can vary between provinces and territories, we'll confirm that your counsellor is able to provide services where you are located before your first appointment.

You don't necessarily need to live near one of our counsellors to work with them.

If you regularly travel or spend time in different provinces or territories, let your counsellor know.

Counselling is subject to professional and legal requirements that can depend on where you are physically located at the time of a session.

We'll help you understand what is possible before arranging appointments from another location.

We take privacy and confidentiality seriously.

Your counsellor will explain how confidentiality works, including its limits, as part of the informed consent process.

We also use systems and procedures designed to protect your information and maintain appropriate privacy when counselling takes place online.

You can learn more about how we handle your information on our Privacy & Confidentiality page.

You don't need to know what you're doing.

Your counsellor will guide you through the practical side of joining your appointment, and you can ask questions at any point.

It may feel a little unusual at first.

Then, for many people, it simply becomes a conversation with their counsellor that happens to take place through a screen.