Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Therapists in British Columbia

View all cities in British Columbia

Abby Tait

Abby Tait

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Virtual

You might come to therapy feeling stuck in familiar patterns - ways of coping, thinking, or relating that once made sense but now feel hard to shift. You may be thoughtful and self-aware, yet find yourself overthinking, avoiding certain emotions, or feeling disconnected from who you are or where you’re headed. Questions about identity, values, and purpose often sit quietly underneath these experi…

Chantelle Vaz

Chantelle Vaz

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

I offer a warm and collaborative space where you can explore your experiences with curiosity and care. My approach is rooted in empathy and authenticity, supporting you in understanding your story, building self-compassion, and creating meaningful change. I draw from narrative, attachment, and emotion-focused therapies to meet your unique needs.

Debra (Debbie) Airth

Debra (Debbie) Airth

Registered Therapeutic Counsellor

Virtual

Come as you are. Let's begin from there. I support individuals and couples navigating grief, chronic illness, trauma, identity exploration, LGBTQ+ experiences, polyamory/ENM, and life transitions. My approach is warm, trauma-informed, and rooted in genuine human connection, helping you reconnect with your strengths and move forward with greater clarity and self-compassion.

Willow Burton

Willow Burton

Canadian Certified Counsellor

In-Person

With me, you'll learn how your brain and nervous system work, and what to do to work with your body, not against it. Together, we’ll look at your medications, health conditions, thoughts, and lifestyle to find the path to living your best life.

Emanuelito Tomas

Emanuelito Tomas

Registered Nurse (RN), Mental Health Therapist, CPMHN(C)

Virtual

With extensive experience in crisis intervention and suicide prevention, and national certification in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, I offer compassionate, evidence-based care.

Dr. Erinn Bailey-Sawatzky

Dr. Erinn Bailey-Sawatzky

Psy.D, MACP, R.C.C., R.T.C, C.T at Country Counselling Services Camrose Alberta

Virtual

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) Master of Arts Counselling Psychology (MACP) Registered Clinical Counsellor Registered Therapeutic Counsellor Counselling Therapist Offering individual and couples therapy, clinical counselling assessment, Insomnia treatment, Menopause support, ADHD and Autism Counselling, and more. For a full listing of services please visit WWW.COUNTRYCOUNSELLING.COM

Matty Davison

Matty Davison

RTCc

In-Person

Hi, I'm Matty Davison. I'm a counsellor based in North Vancouver. I offer in-person as well as virtual therapy for anyone in Canada. I also work with the VCH outreach team on the north shore, and am a Hospice Volunteer. I help adults with grief, parents with support, children and adolescents. And I help adults struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, and life transitions.

Alexandra Kozikova

Alexandra Kozikova

Registered Therapeutic Counsellor RTC

Virtual In-Person

I am a client-centered, trauma-informed counsellor who uses evidence-based approaches such as CBT, alongside mindfulness and relaxation techniques. With a compassionate and practical style shaped by both my professional and life experience, I support clients in understanding challenges, building skills, and creating lasting, meaningful change.

Jordanne Mulkewich

Jordanne Mulkewich

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

I help adults and teens navigate anxiety, OCD, phobias (including emetophobia), perfectionism, and overthinking. My approach is evidence-based but never one-size-fits-all. We’ll work collaboratively to understand what’s keeping you stuck and build the confidence to move toward the life you want—at a pace that feels manageable.

Alli Parker

Alli Parker

Registered Clinical Counsellor

In-Person

Do you feel like you are too much and not enough all at the same time? Do you hear the phrase ‘just love your body’ and you know deeply that there is more to that statement? Our society holds many messages about being acceptable and conforming while we just want to trust what’s right for us. My practice is here for people seeking to develop trusting and compassionate relationship with themselves.

Hoi Shuen (Kasey) Chung

Hoi Shuen (Kasey) Chung

Registered Social Worker (RSW)

Virtual

Hi, I am Kasey Chung, MSW, RSW. I offer virtual counselling for youth and adults in English, Cantonese, or Mandarin across British Columbia. Whether you're seeking a single session, short-term support, or longer-term counselling, I provide a safe and compassionate space to navigate personal growth and emotional distress, and help you access community resources and supports when needed.

Stacy Kirkbride

Stacy Kirkbride

Registered Psychotherapist, Recreation Therapist

Virtual

I offer compassionate support for those living with chronic illness, pain, and post-injury life challenges. I specialize in helping you navigate the emotional and mental hurdles these bring. My goal is to help you reclaim your sense of self, cope with grief and loss, and rebuild your life with resilience and purpose. You're not alone--I'm here to support you every step of the way.

Annie Szalkai

Annie Szalkai

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

I work with adults from diverse backgrounds, supporting those navigating anxiety, stress, and self-esteem challenges. My approach is client-centred and integrative, drawing from CBT, ACT, EFIT, Solution-Focused Therapy, and more to meet each person’s unique needs.

Katharine De Santos

Katharine De Santos

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

Healthy Minds Psychotherapy was founded in 2018 with the mission of providing psychotherapeutic care to individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering resilience in each person and our community as a whole.

Maya Awad

Maya Awad

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MACP, ADHD-SP, HBSc (she, her)

Virtual

Accepting NEW clients - Are you feeling overwhelmed or like you’re carrying a lot on your own? Feel like you're doing everything you’re “supposed to do,” but something still doesn’t feel right? Have a desire to better understand your thoughts, emotions, or patterns, work on building confidence or self-esteem, or find support for your relationship?

Mackenzie Fournier

Mackenzie Fournier

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

Hi, I’m Mackenzie! I’m a Psychotherapist who loves keeping therapy real, down-to-earth, and practical. I help people untangle patterns around anxiety, food, and self-trust using tools grounded in science. In sessions, I bring my authentic self—you can expect a mix of support, guidance, and maybe a little humour when it feels right—so we can tackle challenges together without the extra pressure.

Helen Beynon

Helen Beynon

Registered Clinical Counsellor, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner

Virtual In-Person Waitlist for new clients

I help thoughtful women transform “never enough” into calm confidence. If you look successful on the outside yet secretly wrestle with self-doubt, people-pleasing, or exhaustion from trying to keep it all together, you’re not alone. You don't have to stay stuck - together we’ll turn survival patterns into sustainable self-trust so you can enjoy relationships, work, and your own company.

Emma Hartley

Emma Hartley

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MACP, BA (she, her)

Virtual

Are you looking for a therapist that knows what it's like to feel lost or overwhelmed and how to find your footing again? Noticing yourself feeling more anxious, "just tired", and craving a space to slow down and reconnect with a sense of meaning or purpose? Trying to make sense of shifts in mood, questioning careers, exploring relationships, parenting and identity, or a major life transition?

Yuka Oshimi

Yuka Oshimi

MC, RCC, ADHD-CCSP, DCP(c)

Virtual

AuDHD Registered Clinical Counsellor and doctoral candidate offering neurodivergent-affirming, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed counselling for adults across BC and Canada. POC-founded practice with lived Third Culture Kid experience. Areas include but are not limited to ADHD, autism, AuDHD, anxiety, depression, and workplace and school challenges.

Emma Laughlan

Emma Laughlan

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Virtual

I work with children (10+), teens, and adults who feel anxious, overwhelmed, or exhausted by the pressure to get everything “right.” You may be stuck in overthinking, people‑pleasing, panic symptoms, health anxiety, or relationship patterns that leave you doubting yourself. On the outside, you might appear high‑achieving and capable. Inside, you feel tense, self‑critical, or never quite enough.

How do therapists in British Columbia compare?

Number of therapists listed

34

Average years in practice

5.6 Years

Currently accepting new clients

97 %

Therapists in British Columbia who prioritize treating:

82% Anxiety
44% Relationship Issues
44% Depression
41% ADHD
35% Trauma and PTSD
32% Stress
29% Self Esteem
29% Grief

How therapists see their clients

18% In Person & Online
74% Online Only
9% In Person Only

Top therapy approaches used in British Columbia:

100% Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
85% Cognitive Behavioural (CBT)
62% Trauma Focused
59% Internal Family Systems (IFS)
53% Dialectical Behaviour (DBT)
53% Strength-Based
50% Narrative
50% Attachment-based

Frequently Asked Questions About Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

ACT (pronounced as the word "act") is a modern, evidence-based form of CBT that focuses on psychological flexibility — the ability to be present with difficult thoughts and feelings without letting them dictate your behaviour, and to take action aligned with your values even in the presence of discomfort. Rather than trying to eliminate negative thoughts or feelings, ACT teaches you to change your relationship with them so they have less control over your life.

How is ACT different from traditional CBT?

Traditional CBT aims to identify and change unhelpful thoughts — replacing distorted thinking with more balanced thinking. ACT takes a different approach: rather than changing the content of your thoughts, it changes your relationship to them through defusion (learning to observe thoughts rather than being fused with them) and acceptance (making room for difficult feelings rather than fighting them). ACT also places significant emphasis on values clarification and committed action toward what matters most to you.

What conditions does ACT treat?

ACT has a strong evidence base across a wide range of conditions including anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, substance use, eating disorders, PTSD, and workplace stress. It is particularly well-suited for people who have already tried to "think their way out" of mental health struggles without lasting success, and for chronic conditions where eliminating distress is not possible but improving quality of life is. ACT is also widely used for general personal growth and resilience building.

What does an ACT session involve?

ACT sessions use a combination of experiential exercises, metaphors, mindfulness practices, and values exploration. Common exercises include defusion techniques (creating distance from unhelpful thoughts, such as noticing "I'm having the thought that..."), acceptance practices (making room for difficult feelings without struggling against them), and values clarification (identifying what matters most and what you want your life to stand for). ACT is experiential rather than lecture-based — the work happens through doing, not just discussing.

How many ACT sessions are typically needed?

ACT is often delivered over 8–16 sessions for specific conditions, though it can be shorter or longer depending on the complexity of the presentation. Many people find ACT principles continue to deepen and benefit them long after formal therapy ends because the approach provides a general framework for living — not just a set of techniques for a specific problem. Between-session practice of ACT skills in daily life is an important part of the process.