Anxiety counselling in Abbotsford and Chilliwack

Anxiety is very treatable, and you can see a counsellor in Chilliwack or Abbotsford without a referral.

Anxiety counselling at The Healing Oak

Anxiety is the body's alarm system stuck in the on position: worry that won't settle, a racing heart at 3 a.m., steering around the places and people that set it off. It is also one of the most treatable things a counsellor sees.

Whether yours shows up as constant worry, panic attacks or quietly avoiding things, our counsellors in Chilliwack and Abbotsford, and a registered psychologist in Chilliwack, work with exactly this. You don't need a referral, a diagnosis or a crisis to book. And because each practitioner here runs their own practice, you choose who you see.

Common signs of anxiety

  • Worry that is hard to switch off, or racing thoughts at night
  • Panic attacks, with a pounding heart, shortness of breath, sweating or trembling
  • Avoiding situations, conversations or places because of how they make you feel
  • Trouble sleeping, concentrating or relaxing
  • Muscle tension, headaches or an upset stomach
  • Feeling on edge, irritable or worn out most of the time

Anxiety often travels with depression, trauma or stress and burnout. If several of these signs sound familiar, that is reason enough to talk to someone.

Which approach fits your anxiety

Most counsellors here combine approaches. Start with the one that sounds most like you:

  • Your mind jumps to the worst case. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), the most studied talk therapy for anxiety, helps you catch those thoughts, test them, and practise new habits.
  • You're exhausted from fighting your thoughts. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) teaches you to let anxious thoughts pass without obeying them, so you can get on with what matters to you.
  • It traces back to something that happened. EMDR can help when anxiety is tied to difficult past experiences or trauma.
  • Emotions hit hard and fast. Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) teaches practical skills for intense feelings and distress.
  • You feel it in your body first. Somatic and mindfulness-based approaches work with the tight chest and the shallow breath, and help settle the nervous system.

Each counsellor's profile lists the approaches they use. Start with the one that sounds like you.

What it costs, and what insurance covers

Each practitioner here runs their own practice and sets their own fees, so ask the person you choose for their rate before your first session.

MSP doesn't cover counselling or psychology in private practice, but many extended health plans do. Before you book, check three things with your plan:

  • whether it covers counselling, psychology, or both
  • which credentials it accepts: some plans take Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) and psychologists, but not Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC)
  • how much it covers each year

Credentials are listed beside every practitioner on this page. Some practitioners bill insurers directly, and some bill ICBC, WorkSafeBC, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) or Veterans Affairs Canada. Each profile lists who they bill.

How to start

  1. Pick someone at either clinic, or start with the approach that sounded like you.
  2. Book or send a message from their profile, so you can start without making a phone call. If you'd rather talk, call Chilliwack at (604) 846-2999 or Abbotsford at (604) 850-9097.
  3. Come as you are. Your first session is mostly about getting to know you: what you're noticing, how long it has been going on, and what you'd like to change. You decide what to share, and when.

Parking is free at both clinics.

If you need help right now

If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8, Canada's suicide crisis helpline, at any hour. You can also call the Fraser Health Crisis Line at 604-951-8855 or 1-877-820-7444, 24 hours a day. In an emergency, call 9-1-1.

Anxiety counsellors

8 counsellors and a psychologist work with anxiety.

Chilliwack

Abbotsford

Alongside counselling

Some people pair counselling with body-based care. These practitioners list anxiety among their areas of focus, and their work sits alongside counselling rather than replacing it.

Chilliwack

Abbotsford

Frequently Asked Questions

Does counselling work for anxiety?

Yes, for most people. Anxiety is one of the most treatable conditions counsellors work with, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has more research behind it for anxiety than any other talk therapy. It works best when you attend regularly and practise the skills between sessions.

Is my anxiety bad enough to see someone?

You don't need a diagnosis or a crisis. If anxiety is getting in the way of your sleep, work, relationships or everyday choices for more than a few weeks, that is reason enough, and counsellors regularly see people whose anxiety looks fine from the outside.

What kind of therapist is best for anxiety?

Look for someone who works with anxiety and uses an evidence-based approach such as CBT, ACT or EMDR. Counsellors and psychologists both treat anxiety, and fit matters as much as the title: feeling comfortable with the person you see is one of the strongest predictors of how well counselling works.

Do I need a referral to see a counsellor for anxiety?

No. In BC you can book directly with a counsellor or psychologist. A referral only matters if your insurance plan requires one, so it is worth checking your plan.

Is anxiety counselling covered by MSP?

No. MSP does not cover counselling or psychology sessions in private practice. Many extended health plans do, up to an annual limit, and ICBC or WorkSafeBC may cover counselling connected to a car accident or a workplace injury.

How much does an anxiety counsellor cost?

Each practitioner here runs their own practice and sets their own fees, so ask the counsellor or psychologist you choose for their rate. If you have extended health benefits, check which credentials your plan covers before you book.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on you and your goals. Structured approaches such as CBT often produce meaningful improvement within 8 to 12 sessions, and your counsellor can outline a rough plan after your first appointment or two.

Should I see a counsellor or a psychologist for anxiety?

Both treat anxiety with the same evidence-based approaches. A psychologist can also provide a formal assessment and diagnosis, which some people need for work, school or insurance. For most people looking for help with anxiety, a counsellor is a practical place to start.

What if I don't click with my counsellor?

Tell them, or choose someone else. Fit matters, and because each practitioner here runs their own practice, switching is simply booking with someone new.

Can anxiety come from a physical problem?

Sometimes. Thyroid problems, some medications, and a lot of caffeine or alcohol can all cause anxiety-like symptoms. If your symptoms are new or mostly physical, see your family doctor as well as a counsellor.

Related

Treatment available at The Healing Oak - Multidisciplinary Health & Wellness Clinic in Chilliwack & Abbotsford, BC