2 min read
How to Know You’ve Found the Right Counsellor for Free Individual Counselling
Four signs of good communication to look for in individual counselling — so you know your free sessions are actually working for you.
Today we had the chance to talk with Adam Richards, a mental health counsellor based in Vancouver, BC, with experience living and working overseas in Taiwan, China, and Toronto. We talked about something that rarely comes up when people think about counselling: not which technique or modality a counsellor uses, but how they communicate — and how that alone can decide whether a session actually helps.
Key takeaways
- You can follow the pace. A good counsellor checks in on pace, not just content — you shouldn’t feel rushed or talked over. If you need a moment to think, that’s normal. And you’re always allowed to ask your counsellor to slow down or repeat something.
- Silence feels okay, not awkward. Pauses give you room to actually think, not just react. A counsellor who rushes to fill every silence may be managing their own discomfort rather than making space for yours.
- You feel heard, not just listened to. A good counsellor reflects back what you said before moving on, so nothing gets lost. You shouldn’t have to repeat something important more than once — and if a summary feels off, it’s always okay to correct it.
- Nothing gets lost in translation. Clear communication matters more than accent, background, or how someone speaks. A good counsellor checks that you understood, and welcomes it when you ask them to clarify too.
These aren’t abstract ideas — they’re what we look for in every volunteer counsellor at Free Counselling Society Canada. If a session doesn’t feel like this, it’s worth saying so; if you’re ready to experience it for yourself, free one-on-one counselling is available to anyone in Canada.
100% free · up to 12 sessions · we reach out within 5 days
Related: One‑on‑One Adult Counselling · See all conditions
Counselling FAQs
Your questions, answered.
Everything people usually ask us before their first session — in plain words.
Yes — every session, completely free. Our volunteers are never permitted to charge you anything: no fees, no “reduced rates”, no admin costs. It’s our founding mandate. If anyone ever asks you for payment, please tell us right away at TeamLead@FreeCounsellingCanada.ca.
Everyone in Canada. We see individuals, couples, and families of all backgrounds, political affiliations, genders, and sexual orientations. Our counsellors are trained to support every life stage — from children all the way through to seniors. We are feminist, antiracist, and LGBTQ+ allies.
A qualified volunteer counsellor. Every one of our volunteers is a Registered Psychotherapist (or Qualifying), a Practicum Student Intern, a Registered Clinical Counsellor, a Canadian Certified Counsellor, or a Registered Social Worker. All are interviewed, insured, hold a recent vulnerable‑sector police check, practice under their province’s professional regulations, and receive weekly clinical supervision — so the care you get is held to professional standards.
We offer counselling in 16+ languages. Our most‑requested include Farsi/Persian, Spanish, Punjabi, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hindi, Arabic, French, and Tagalog/Filipino — among many others. Tell us your preferred language on the request form and we’ll do our best to match you with a counsellor who speaks it.
We reach out within 5 days of your request. Once you’re matched, your counsellor phones you within 3 business days to arrange your first session — so keep an eye out for a call from a number you don’t recognize.
Up to 12 free sessions with your counsellor. You set the pace together — weekly or biweekly is common at first. If you need fewer, that’s completely fine too.
Most sessions happen by phone or video call — whichever feels more comfortable to you. We also offer free in‑person counselling at 30 Powerhouse St, Toronto ON and 445 Mountain Hwy, North Vancouver BC; just choose it on the request form.
Yes. Your information travels only over PIPEDA‑compliant email, and you only ever share what you’re comfortable sharing. Like all counselling in Canada, there are a few legal limits — such as an immediate risk of harm to you or someone else — and your counsellor will walk you through these in your first session.
That’s okay — a good fit matters. Email TeamLead@FreeCounsellingCanada.ca and we’ll arrange a re‑assignment, no questions asked.
No. Anyone in Canada can request counselling — no doctor’s referral, no diagnosis, no insurance, no health card needed. If you’re here and you’d like someone to talk to, that’s reason enough.