Anxiety & Depression Counselling in Surrey & Across BC
At Soothing Souls Counselling, anxiety and depression therapy combines Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) strategies with practical somatic grounding skills and compassionate pacing. Sessions are conducted 100% virtually across British Columbia to help you break free from catastrophic worry spirals, unfreeze from emotional numbness, and rebuild steady daily stability.
Is This Support Right for You?
You might resonate with this counselling focus if you are navigating:
- Persistent worry, catastrophic 'what-if' thinking, or constant mental churning
- Physical sensations of anxiety such as racing heart, chest tightness, shallow breathing, or restlessness
- Feeling emotionally flat, numb, unmotivated, or disconnected from activities you once enjoyed
- Perfectionism, harsh inner criticism, and fear of making mistakes or letting others down
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep due to repetitive evening thoughts
- Exhaustion from masking panic or depression while attempting to appear functional at work or home
Understanding the Loop of Chronic Worry and Low Mood
Living with high-functioning anxiety or persistent depression is exhausting. On the outside, you may appear to be managing daily responsibilities, but internally you may be expending immense energy managing dread, self-doubt, or profound exhaustion.
In our virtual practice, we do not treat anxiety as a personal defect or weakness. Frequently, anxiety begins as a protective response — your mind and body attempting to anticipate every possible problem to keep you safe. However, when this response becomes chronically activated, it disrupts sleep, strains relationships, and leaves you feeling detached from your own life.
How We Work Together in Therapy
Rather than offering superficial advice or toxic positivity, therapy provides a structured, gentle environment to understand what your mind and body are experiencing:
- Cognitive Awareness Without Judgment: We learn to recognize unhelpful thought traps — catastrophizing, black-and-white thinking, and harsh self-blame — without fighting your thoughts.
- Somatic Pacing & Self-Soothing: We introduce body-based grounding exercises (sensory orienting, rhythmic breathing, and progressive release) that many clients find calming when anxiety feels physical.
- Gentle Behavioral Activation: When depression creates paralysis, we break daily tasks into tiny, manageable micro-steps to gradually restore momentum and agency.
- Root Cause Exploration: We explore the deeper origins of your stress — whether rooted in family expectations, perfectionism, boundary difficulties, or unresolved life transitions.
What Virtual Sessions Look Like
Sessions are 50 minutes in length and conducted over secure, confidential video from the comfort of your own home. There is no commute, parking stress, or waiting room anxiety. You are welcome to bring a cup of tea, a warm blanket, or whatever helps you feel comfortable and grounded during our time together.
Fees, Extended Health & Direct Billing
Clinical sessions are $160. Most British Columbia extended health insurance plans cover sessions with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC).
We provide direct billing for participating extended health plans via TELUS eClaims and Provider Connect (e.g. Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Canada Life, Manulife), as well as direct billing for eligible ICBC Enhanced Care claims. Official receipts containing Rimsha Qureshi's BCACC registration (#29320) are issued immediately following every session for seamless submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you approach anxiety and depression together in counselling?
Anxiety and depression frequently co-occur as two sides of an overloaded nervous system. Chronic anxiety can exhaust your emotional reserves until you slip into depressive withdrawal or numbness. In our sessions, we address both: calming acute worry loops with cognitive reframing and grounding skills, while gently reactivating gentle motivation and self-compassion to counter depressive heaviness.
What modalities do you use during anxiety and depression therapy?
We draw primarily from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to identify cognitive distortions, practical nervous system pacing to soothe physical tension, Acceptance and Commitment strategies, and mindfulness practices. We tailor these tools collaboratively to what feels manageable for you.
Can breathing and grounding exercises stop a panic attack?
While breathing techniques are not an instant cure-all, many individuals find that structured practices such as the physiological sigh or box breathing provide a reliable somatic anchor during spikes of acute panic. These exercises offer practical coping skills to help you ride out intense sensations without feeling completely overwhelmed.
How long does anxiety and depression counselling typically take?
Therapeutic duration varies based on your personal goals and history. Some clients experience helpful clarity and practical coping tools within 6 to 10 sessions, while others benefit from longer-term supportive work. We regularly review progress together so you remain in control of your journey.
Does extended health insurance cover these sessions in BC?
Yes. Most extended health plans in British Columbia cover services provided by a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC). We direct-bill participating providers through TELUS eClaims and Provider Connect (including Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Canada Life, and Manulife). Official receipts are provided immediately for any plan requiring personal submission.
Related Clinical Services
Individual experiences with counselling vary and outcomes cannot be guaranteed.