FAQs
Everything you might want to know before reaching out.
If something isn't answered here, feel free to get in touch.
Do I have to be in crisis to start therapy?
No. And this is one of the most important things I want people to know. I often tell clients that therapy is like going to the gym, not the hospital. You don't have to be broken to benefit from it. Many of the people I work with are high-functioning, self-aware adults who simply want to live with more intention, understand themselves more deeply, or strengthen their relationships before small problems become bigger ones. Curiosity is enough to begin.
How much does couples counselling cost in Nanaimo?
Couples counselling is $185 for a 60-minute session. I also offer 90-minute and 2-hour appointments for couples who want more time to work through complex material. Longer sessions can be especially useful in the early stages of couples work or when navigating a significant rupture in the relationship.
How much does individual counselling cost?
Individual counselling is $165 for a 60-minute session. 90-minute appointments are also available if you would like more time.
Do you offer direct billing?
Yes. I can direct bill to Pacific Blue Cross and Sun Life. If you are covered under one of these providers, I can submit claims on your behalf so you don't have to pay upfront and wait for reimbursement.
My insurance isn't Pacific Blue Cross or Sun Life - can I still get reimbused?
Yes, in most cases. If you are covered through another provider, you would pay for your session at the time of service and then submit your receipt to your insurance company for reimbursement. Many extended health benefit plans in British Columbia provide coverage for counselling services delivered by a Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC). I recommend contacting your provider directly to confirm whether counselling is covered, the annual amount available, and whether a CCC designation qualifies.
What is the difference between couples counselling and sex therapy?
Couples counselling focuses on communication, emotional connection, conflict patterns, and relational dynamics. Sex therapy addresses intimacy, desire, and sexual concerns specifically - though in practice, the two are almost always connected. How a couple navigates physical closeness is rarely separate from how they navigate emotional safety and vulnerability. I integrate both into my work with couples, so you don't need to choose between them or arrive with a label for what you're dealing with. If sex is part of what feels stuck or disconnected, we can discuss it. Your receipt will just say Couples Counselling or Individual Counselling.
Do I have to want to come to therapy for it to work?
Not entirely. Many people arrive skeptical - especially for couples work, where one partner has often been more reluctant than the other. What matters more than enthusiasm is a willingness to show up and stay curious. I've seen real and lasting change happen with people who walked in doubtful. You don't have to be convinced it will work. You just have to be willing to try.
What issues do you help with?
I work with adults and couples navigating a wide range of concerns, including relationship difficulties, communication breakdown, affairs and betrayal, mismatched desire, sexual concerns, anxiety, grief, life transitions, attachment patterns, identity questions, and a quiet sense that something needs to change - even when it's hard to name exactly what. I also support clients with psychedelic integration and depth-oriented personal growth. If you're not sure whether what you're dealing with is something I work with, feel free to reach out and ask.
Do you offer couples counselling in Nanaimo, BC?
Yes. I offer in-person couples counselling at my office at 1801 Bowen Road, Unit 101, Nanaimo, BC. I also work with couples online via secure video for clients across British Columbia. My couples work draws on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Developmental Model, the Attachment Injury and Repair Model, and Sex Therapy - tailored to where you are and what your relationship needs.
Do you offer online therapy in British Columbia?
Yes. I offer online counselling via secure video for individuals and couples throughout BC. Online therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions and gives you the flexibility to access support from wherever you are. Many of my online clients appreciate the privacy and convenience of working from their own space.
What is psychedelic integration therapy?
Psychedelic integration therapy supports people before and after non-ordinary states of consciousness - whether from a ceremonial, clinical, or personal context. It does not involve the use of substances. The focus is on helping you process, understand, and meaningfully integrate whatever emerged: emotions, relational shifts, spiritual insights, or challenging material that hasn't fully settled. The goal is to ground insight into sustainable, embodied change rather than leaving the experience unprocessed or disconnected from daily life.
What are your credentials?
I hold a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology and am a Certified Canadian Counsellor - CCC#10001013 - with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). I have specialized training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Developmental Model of couples therapy, the Attachment Injury and Repair Model, Parts Therapy, Sex Therapy, and Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy and Integration. My background in clinical hypnotherapy, rooted in a Gestalt framework, also informs how I work.
Where is your office located?
My office is at 1801 Bowen Road, Unit 101, Nanaimo, BC. There is a parking lot connected to the building. I also offer online sessions via secure video for clients anywhere in British Columbia.
What days and hours do you work?
I work Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 11:00am to 6:30pm. Online booking is available through Jane App. You can see my current availability and book directly using the Book a Session Button at the bottom of this page. You can also send me an email to book a session that way - anna@annawalker.ca
How do I book a session?
You can book directly online using the Book a Session button at the top of any page or at the bottom of this one. If you have questions before booking, would like to connect first, or would like be book via e-mail, you're welcome to email me at anna@annawalker.ca. I'm happy to answer any questions that would help you feel more comfortable taking that first step.