Why It’s Hard to Start Therapy—and How Texting & Virtual Options Make It Easier in BC
Therapy in BC should be accessible. To be partnered with your best-match BC counsellor, simply text 1-855-425-4310. With province-wide virtual therapy and in-person counselling in Chilliwack, Vancouver, Surrey, and the Okanagan, there is a simple way to get the support you need.
Have you been pondering starting therapy for weeks? Months? Even years? Many Canadians struggle to take the first step to get the support they need, held back by fear, stigma or even the simple logistics of starting therapy. Finding the right BC counsellor, figuring out insurance coverage and picking up the phone to actually book can feel daunting—and prevent many who would like to start therapy, from ever beginning.
At Vitality Collective, we believe therapy should meet you where you are. To make therapy more accessible in BC, you can now confidentially text Vitality Collective at 1‑855‑425‑4310 to be matched with your BC counsellor, ask questions and ultimately, take that first step for getting the support you need.
Why is starting therapy so hard?
Recognizing why it’s difficult to reach out for the support you need can make the process feel less overwhelming. Sometimes saying it out loud is the first time you’re admitting it to yourself. Texting makes that step a little easier. It’s direct, discreet, and connects you right to someone who’s there to help. For men and those working in high-stigma industries like agriculture and construction, it’s a safe, simple way to start the conversation and get support. For many the hesitation to start therapy usually comes down to a combination of emotional and practical barriers:
Fear and stigma: Worrying about being judged, perceived as “weak,” or labeled for seeking mental health support.
Uncertainty: Wondering if your struggles are “serious enough” or whether therapy will actually help.
Self-protection: Avoiding painful emotions, hoping challenges will pass on their own.
Logistics: Cost, scheduling, and access issues that make it hard to prioritize counselling.
Together, these barriers create a cycle: you know counselling could help, but reaching out feels too risky or complicated. Silence may feel safer in the moment , yet it often keeps you stuck and prolongs suffering. When you bring these barriers into the open instead of letting them sit in the background, it becomes easier to take that first step starting in-person or telehealth therapy in BC.
Why do most people not go to therapy?
Stigma remains one of the biggest reasons people put off therapy. Even with the growing conversation and normalization of mental health in recent years, many still worry about being judged—by peers, family, or even healthcare providers—and that fear can make it harder to seek support and counseling.
If that’s you, it can help to remember: seeking therapy is not a sign of weakness, it’s an act of strength. Talking about mental health is becoming increasingly common, and most people who’ve been through therapy view it as a positive, empowering choice. Addressing stigma starts with reframing therapy as what it truly is—a proactive step toward well-being, just like seeing a trainer for your physical health.
Others aren’t sure if what they’re going through is “normal” or “serious enough.” The truth is, therapy can benefit anyone. If you’re thinking about reaching out, your reasons are valid. You don’t need to compare your challenges to anyone else’s to justify getting support. If stigma or uncertainty is holding you back, start with a small step: send a confidential text, have a brief conversation with someone you trust, or simply ask a question instead of committing to a full session. Each step chips away at the barrier and reminds you that support is available, and that you deserve it.
Related Reading: Top 10 Reasons Why People Seek Therapy
We also know that many people wait, hoping to find the perfect therapist or the “right” time to start. But taking that first step—even just sending a text—is what matters most. We can help pair you with the best therapist for you.
Logistical Barriers to Therapy in BC
Beyond stigma, there are practical barriers that can prevent individuals from seeking therapy in BC.
Cost—According to this Canadian report, 54% of participants said cost was their biggest barrier to therapy.
Waitlists—Long delays can make symptoms worse.
Scheduling—Juggling work, school, or childcare can make appointments feel impossible.
Geography—For rural or remote communities, therapy may require long travel times (or simply not be available nearby).
At Vitality Collective, we’re actively working to reduce the barriers between you and the support you need with the goal of making therapy accessible for all BC residents. We know taking the first step can already feel difficult, which is why our approach is designed to adapt to you—not the other way around. Here’s how we address each barrier to therapy more accessible across British Columbia:
Waitlists—With our team of 30+ counsellors across four clinics (Kelowna, Chilliwack, Surrey and Vancouver) and virtual therapy available across BC, there is a best-match counsellor with immediate availability waiting to support you, no waitlist.
Scheduling—We understand that many of us struggle to find a spare minute, let alone a spare hour to commit to ourselves. Our therapists help entrepreneurs, moms and individuals juggling busy schedules to carve out time for their therapy sessions. Whether it be through virtual therapy sessions or one of our four convenient locations across BC, our BC therapists will meet you where you’re at.
Cost—Vitality Collective offers transparent rates, sliding scale therapy, direct billing partners with dozens of insurance providers, including Pacific Blue Cross, support through the Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) and Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) and maybe most importantly, guidance from our administration team to navigate it all. For those looking for low-cost therapy in Kelowna, low-cost therapy in Vancouver, low-cost therapy in Chilliwack or low-cost therapy in Surrey, Vitality Collective is dedicated to working with you to ensure the support you need is accessible. Click here to start.
Geography—If seeing a therapist in Kelowna, Vancouver, Surrey or Chilliwack is not convenient for you, we offer virtual therapy across BC with real connection.
Communication your way—Starting therapy should be simple and on your terms. You can choose how you’d like to get in touch: fill out our new client inquiry form, call our administrative team at 778-545-4310, text ‘therapy’ to our team at 855-425-4310, or email our team at info@vitalitycollective.ca Not ready to connect, but have a question? We may have answered it here.
What’s the first step of starting therapy?
What if starting therapy was as simple as sending one text? Would you be more likely to take the first step to getting the support you need? Our BC therapists are just a text away. Text ‘therapy’ to 855-425-4310 and our administrative team will help you navigate the first steps. This no pressure option of communication allows you to ask the questions you may have, learn about our BC counsellors, fees, direct billing, etc., with absolutely no commitment.
If taking the first step toward therapy feels overwhelming, remember, you don’t have to dive in all at once. Small, low-pressure actions can make the process feel safer and more approachable. At Vitality Collective, we understand filling out a new client inquiry form isn’t for everyone, that calling our administrative team can feel impossible and forget about drafting an email that you’ll actually hit send on. Our text ‘therapy’ option allows you to take that hardest step towards starting therapy whenever and wherever you are. The simple act of reaching out can interrupt avoidance and open a door.
Still not ready to text for therapy? We all need to move at our own pace. Misinformation remains one of the biggest reasons individuals avoid therapy—start by learning about what mental health care can do. Our blog is written by us, specifically for you. There dozens of articles that range from type of therapy to what to expect, but here are the ones we recommend starting with:
What to Expect From Your First Therapy Session
Why Counselling is Worth the Investment
Debunking Top 5 Online Therapy Myths
Counselling Fees, Direct Billing, & FAQs
Top 7 Things Your Therapist Wants You to Know
Find The Right Therapist in BC | Text Therapy in BC
Our diverse collective of BC counsellors is rooted in one commonality: personal experience. Each one of our counsellors understands what it's like to sit in the client seat. Each one of them knows, the first time you sit down is the hardest, but what waits for you on the other side of that first session is more clarity, comfort and self-compassion.
Starting therapy takes courage. It means sharing your story with someone new, which for most of us, can bring up questions like:
Will I be understood?
Will I feel safe?
What if it doesn’t go well?
You can always find reasons to put off starting therapy—fear, doubt, cost, scheduling. But there’s one reason to start therapy that you should ignore: you are worth it.
At Vitality Collective, we believe therapy should be accessible, compassionate, and tailored to you. Our team includes counsellors who specialize in supporting individual adults, youth, couples and relationships, and families through challenges such as anxiety and panic, depression and mood, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, and major life transitions.
Every member of our team is committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment where you can feel seen and supported. Grounded in trauma-informed care and guided by evidence-based approaches such as CBT, EMDR, somatic therapy, and mindfulness-based therapy, we take a best-match approach—pairing you with the counsellor whose expertise and style align with your goals. Our mission is simple: to help you take meaningful steps toward healing and self-understanding, while building a community that is better equipped to connect, care, and thrive together.
At Vitality Collective, we’re here when you’re ready. Text ‘therapy’ to our team at 855-425-4310, or complete our New Client Inquiry Form. Whether you’re in Kelowna, Vancouver, Surrey, Chilliwack or prefer virtual therapy sessions in the comfort of your own home across BC, we’ll meet you where you are.
