Suicidal Ideation Therapists in Victoria, BC
See all counsellors in Victoria
Kim Sholinder
Counsellor, MC, RCC
Verified
Verified
If you are experiencing anxiety, depression, addictions, mental health crises, and/or
suicidal ideation
/self-harm, and you're looking for support navigating these challenges, but you're afraid of regular talk therapy or had negative experiences in the past, I can promise you, I take a unique, person centered approach and prioritize client needs and wants from therapy. I want you to feel in charge of your counselling! I work with both adults, and children and youth and can help the family work together to meet you or your child's needs!

Darlene Mathews
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, BSW, MA, RCC, RSW
Verified
5 Endorsed
Verified
5 Endorsed
Vulnerability can make us feel very uncomfortable, but if we view it as a transition, into higher self-esteem/confidence & therefore more life resilience then it is much healthier to forge ahead to find a therapist who can support us. Finding the best fit in seeking a therapist is the most important step in relieving your stress. Many of us struggle with unhappiness, anxiety, depression,
suicide
ideation, sleep deprivation, separation, divorce, conflict resolution, trauma, relationship, and parenting issues, emotion regulation, communication and assertiveness, boundaries, personal development, caregiver burden and so much more

Sonya Boya
Counsellor, MSc, RCC
Verified
Verified
I am experienced working with people who may be
suicidal
, and/or self-injurying.
In my varied practice, I see youth and adults, addressing issues ranging from mental health concerns to life transitions. I use a client-centred approach, respecting that you are the expert in your own life. The therapeutic relationship we create allows you to explore your reality to the extent that you want to, in a trusting, calm and gentle environment. I draw from a number of different therapeutic styles, suited to you as a person, your worldview and your interests (talk, art, sandtray, play). I practice from an anti-oppressive, inclusive perspective, and also provide clinical supervision for counsellors.
Waitlist for new clients

Carli Kirby
Counsellor, MA, RCC
Verified
Verified
The effects of trauma are many, and can feel overwhelming and unbearable. If you are experiencing post-traumatic stress responses such as, anxiety, depression, unhealthy or abusive relationships, substance misuse, self-harm or
suicidal ideation
, you are not alone. Many mental health symptoms are automatic responses and attempts to cope with trauma. These adaptations don't always serve us in the best way. When trauma can't be processed in the moment, it is often held in the body and we can become "stuck". A Somatic approach to counselling may help you move forward and heal from the effects of trauma in an embodied way.

Shelley Schulberg
Counsellor, MA, RCC, SEP
Verified
5 Endorsed
Verified
5 Endorsed
I specialize in trauma work with children, youth, and adults, working to help individuals transform and resolve trauma symptoms and traumatic stress. I can help with low mood, depression, mood swings, anxiety and panic, anger, PTSD, self-harming behaviours,
suicidal ideation
, addictions, shame, early developmental attachment trauma, stress, relationship difficulties, communication problems, work-life balance, and life transitions. I am passionate about supporting and empowering people in their walk towards living their most fulfilling life. I draw upon a range of evidence based approaches and interventions which are tailored to fit your unique needs, wants, and goals.

Barbara Gilmore
Counsellor, RPC, MPCC
Verified
Verified
I focus on recognizing and managing changes in stress or mood such as anxiety, depression or
suicide
thoughts.
Overwhelm, stress, loss and change in our personal and professional lives; at work, at home, at play and in our relationships, is both common and very difficult to manage alone. As a registered counsellor, I meet with individuals and couples experiencing difficulties and needing assistance to understand and make meaning out of these new or continued important changes in life.

Jessica R Pfeffer
Counsellor, MEM, MACP, RCC, CCC
Verified
Verified
Trained in Recognizing and Responding to
Suicide
Risk.
I have a Master’s of Counselling Psychology and a Master of Environmental Management. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. I am passionate about working with children, youth and families, supporting them through their life pathways. My work builds on a lifetime committed to service, and working with non-profits, regional and provincial government in emergency management, conservation and environmental policy. I currently work as a clinician with individuals with eating disorders. My goal is to create a positive therapeutic environment where you feel safe, supported, and heard.

Dawn Rabey
Counsellor, PhD, CCC, RCC
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I work with individuals who are seeking long-term depth psychotherapy. I support deep inquiry and on-going discovery of who you are, whether the draw is to access more of your creative potential, or to shift long-standing patterns that no longer serve you. It is not about perfection, but rather wholeness, which includes all parts of the Self; it is about living a full life, not a perfect life. I work with severe childhood trauma, personality disorders, dissociation, self-harm, eating disorders,
suicidal ideation
, and spiritual awakening. I also work with clients who are on a dedicated spiritual path.

Sophia M Van Vuuren
Psychologist, MA, RPsych
Verified
Verified
Children and Teens present more with anxiety, depression, cutting or anger outbursts, which needs to be addressed before they slip into a self-destructive
suicidal
spiral.
Psychotherapy is the confidential process where you can get insight from an experienced registered Psychologist in understanding how life-stressors can interfere with your thinking patterns, feelings, beliefs, needs, behaviour and relationships. Prolonged exposure to stress, unhappiness, conflict, trauma, abuse or problematic relationships can lead to anxiety, depression, grief, anger or other behavioural problems. Brain research clearly indicated that early psychological intervention can prevent mental and physical illnesses. Clients now have the opportunity to be proactive and learn the skills on how to protect their mental health, restore their competence and happiness and develop a strong sense of well-being and resiliency.

Debbie Leung
Psychologist, PhD, RPsych
Verified
Verified
I am a Registered Psychologist and director of Wise Mind Centre, a Vancouver-based service that provides primarily cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and comprehensive dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to adolescents and adult clients and their loved ones. I work with clients who struggle with a variety of psychological problems, including anxiety, OCD, stress, depression, substance use, life transitions, parenting difficulties, self-harm behavior,
suicidal
ideations, PTSD, interpersonal difficulties, emotion regulation difficulties, and borderline personality disorder. My service could be offered in both English and Chinese.
Waitlist for new clients

Michelle McElroy
Counsellor, MA:CP, RCC, d-VATI
Verified
Verified
Children, youth and young adults, who are dealing with past or present trauma with symptoms that include anxiety, depression, sleep problems, disorder eating, aggression or mood swings.
15 Second Videos
Kim Sholinder
Darlene Mathews
Barbara Gilmore
Fairfield Psychology
Elise Gilchrist
Pamela Richardson
Katie Chater
Heartwood Family Wellness
Scott Cameron
Amelia Lowe
Sarah Lambert
Jonathan Watters
Roxy Humphrey Counselling
Taryn Smith
Kathryn Sandberg
Anja Hess
Thomas Goenczi
Anna Johnston
Gosia Cicha
David Denis
Jim Kragtwyk
Kyla Bodenham
Darcie Clarke
Tawny Beaulieu
Doug Hilton
Juliana Herlaar
Strength Counselling Services
Jennifer Meikle
Nicole Alexander
Timothy J Pare
Madeleine Hopwood
South Island Counselling
Melanie Wagner-Collins Counselling
MxN Men's Therapy Network
Kelly@TulaWellnessCentre
Robin Jacobs
Monica Hinton Therapist Clinical Supervisor
Tricia Wallace at Boundless Heart Counselling
Hayley Barlow
Michelle Church
Ward Murray Counselling
Amani Counselling Services
Laura Mayne
Chloe McKinley
Sandra Wallace Anxiety Coach
Sacred Sessions Counselling
Aron Buky-Tompa
Janice Selbie
Jeremy Williams
Waitlist for new clients

Chiron Centre for Mental Health & Trauma Inc
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
From a very young age, I knew my purpose was to help others. I’ve dedicated my life to fighting social injustices, learning therapeutic modalities, and holding space. Between my formal education & training, and my lived experiences, I offer a unique perspective as a wounded healer and witness to support you on your journey. I strive to provide quality, professional, evidence-based clinical services to individuals who are living with complex mental health concerns, while offering collaborative trauma-informed counselling services through the lens of attachment theory.

Sarah Montes Counselling
Counsellor, BscN, MACP, CCC, RCC
Verified
Verified
Hello! I am Sarah and I live and work on the homelands of the Hul’qumi’num People. I am a trauma therapist and primarily use Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and EMDR to work with individuals on their path to a healthy and integrated life. After working in physical and mental health professions for more than 15 years, I shifted to private practice mental health counselling as a means of helping clients enhance their resilience and coping skills. I aim to ensure a non-judgemental environment and welcome all clients, offering a safe place to tell your story. You are not alone.

Simon Russell
Counsellor, MEd, RCC
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
I provide individual counselling to adolescents and adults who are facing depression, anxiety, trauma, anger, relationship, and identity issues. I am currently a therapist with the Men's Trauma Centre in Victoria BC, I have almost a decade of experience working in youth outreach positions and I have extensive experience counselling university students.

Fairfield Psychology
Psychologist, MC, RPsych
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
NEW: Accepting new clients for Psychology and Counselling services. Fairfield Psychology provides community-based psychology and counselling sessions in the Greater Victoria area. Our Registered Psychologist (Patricia Miller, MA, RPsych 2741) is currently accepting new adult and teen (12+) clients for sessions (individual, couples, family) as well as assessments and mediation. Our Clinical Counsellors are also accepting new adult individual clients for in-person or online sessions. Weekday and evening appointments are available.
Not accepting new clients

Elise Gilchrist
Counsellor, RCC, MA, BA
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I provide counselling services to children, youth, adults, and families. I specialize in anxiety, ADHD, depression, family counselling, relationship issues, and nature-connection. Typically, the clients I see want to improve their mental health and relationships, and they are looking for new ways to manage life's many challenges. I am a counsellor who is culturally sensitive, LGBTQIA2S+ friendly, and FNHA registered.

Tyler Fong
Counsellor, BA, MA, CCC
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Currently accepting new clients. Are you having difficulties managing stress, processing your thoughts and emotions, or wanting to improve your mental health and adjust to challenging life experiences. I provide a welcoming, non-judgmental, and confidential environment for you to explore and process your experiences. My experiences have taught me that it can be easy to fall into cycles that keep us stuck while our lives continue to move forward. From this, we can utilize your strengths, set goals, and build resiliency to help facilitate healthy mechanisms to break these vicious cycles and develop tools to help you move forward.

Nina Kimmons
Counsellor, MA
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
My areas of passion are working with 2SLGBTQIA clients, alternative sexual/romantic relationship identities & dynamics (ex. ethically non-monogamy, polyamory, kink, swinging, BDSM, open relationships, sex work, etc.), sex & intimacy, consent & boundaries, religious trauma, chronic pain/illness, neurodiversity, and life transitions. I draw from both education and lived experience to provide deeper insight into supporting you from an open-minded, trauma-informed, sex-positive, and affirming framework. The journey of healing and growth can be messy, challenging, and heart-breaking while also beautifully majestic and worth every effort.
Victoria, BC V9A
& Online

Sylvia O Raju
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, RSW
Verified
Verified
Does your life feel out of balance? Do you struggle to slow down? Are anger or sadness too present in your life? Is your child or teen struggling and you just don’t know how to help them? You are not alone. With 20 years of mental health counselling experience, I can confidently offer you a safe, and supportive space in which to explore and work through challenges. Sometimes we all hold on to issues longer than we need too - but in the context of a healthy therapeutic relationship, it is amazing how much healing can take place. When you feel ready, please reach out.

Invictus Clinical Counselling
Psychiatric Nurse, RPN
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Welcome to our group practice. We are here to help you build a life worth living. We believe in meeting you where you are at and helping you identify what is keeping you stuck in order to help you feel better. We are truly interested in your experiences and want to help you change your experiences.
See more therapy options for
Suicidal Ideation Counsellors
How does therapy for suicidal ideation work?
Stress, depression, anxiety, or upsetting circumstances can give rise to suicidal thinking. Therapy can address the events at the core of an individual’s suffering. Understanding why a person may be suicidal can help the therapist and the patient discover alternative methods of coping. A person with suicidal ideation may be mired in catastrophic thinking, and treatment like cognitive behavioural therapy is a good choice for breaking such patterns. In addition, treatment such as acceptance and commitment therapy can help a person manage their distress through better emotion regulation.
Which therapies are best for suicidal ideation?
Specific approaches used by professionals include cognitive behavioural, dialectical behaviour, psychodynamic, acceptance and commitment therapies, among others. Cognitive behavioural and dialectical behaviour therapies are two widely used therapies that can help individuals with painful thoughts and past traumas. These therapies help an individual tolerate distress, regulate emotions, and not act on dangerous urges.
Are there specific medications to be combined with therapy?
The use of medication for suicidal thoughts must be aligned with the underlying cause; conditions such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis may be at the root of suicidal ideation. A psychiatrist may prescribe medications for symptoms, which may include antipsychotics such as aripiprazole or antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
How often and how long are therapy sessions for suicidal ideation?
As with any type of therapy, sessions depend on the individual. Patients may see improvement within 15 to 20 sessions, at an average of 50 minutes per session, while others may opt for 20 to 30 sessions over, perhaps, a six-month period. Still other patients, especially those with co-occurring conditions like major depression and anxiety, may need to continue sessions for up to 12 to 18 months. In some cases, residential treatment may be recommended for an individual who is judged to be at high risk of self-harm.