
Stressed at UVic or Camosun?
Talk to a counsellor five minutes from campus who understands
Stress builds fast. Exams, low motivation, friendship and relationship problems, homesickness, trouble focusing, pressure to be perfect. It adds up. If any of this sounds familiar, you're not alone. These are common struggles for college and university students, and they can be hard to carry on your own.
At Harbour Family Counselling, we work with students every day. You choose who you want to talk to, pick a time that fits, and spend a full hour focusing on what matters to you. We listen, ask good questions, and help you find your next step. Many students leave feeling clearer, more settled, and ready to face the week.
Meet our Counsellors
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Darcy Harbour, B.Ed, MA, RCC
Darcy helps mature and returning students adjust to academic life, manage stress, and rebuild trust in themselves. She offers calm, thoughtful support for handling big emotions, strengthening relationships, and finding steadiness through times of change, challenge, and growth, both in school and in everyday life.
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Maria Butler, BA, B.Ed, MA, RCC
Many students come in feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck. Maria offers calm, practical support for managing stress, staying focused, and handling the pressure that comes with student life. She also helps students explore career direction, clarify goals, and feel more confident about what comes next.
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Talita Nell, B.Sc, MA, RCC
Many students come to Victoria feeling out of place or far from home. Talita offers warm, steady support to help you adjust, build confidence, and feel more connected. She works with anxiety, homesickness, cultural stress, and identity, creating space to reflect and feel understood as you settle into a new chapter.
The Advantage of Off-Campus Counselling
Campus clinics do valuable work, but their structure is designed for volume, not flexibility. Choosing Harbour Family Counselling gives you benefits that a busy university centre simply cannot match.
Faster access. Book today and usually be seen within three days, instead of waiting two to four weeks for a campus slot that opens early each morning.
Longer sessions. Spend a full 50 minutes with your counsellor rather than the 30–45 minutes typical on campus. More time means deeper work and less rush.
Evenings and weekends. When midterms run late or you head home for a break, our night and Saturday appointments keep support within reach. Campus offices close by late afternoon and do not open on weekends.
Your choice of counsellor. Browse our counsellor profiles, and pick the person who feels right to you. No triage desk decides for you, and you can stay with the same counsellor every visit.
Greater privacy. Your records stay off the university network, so no one on campus touches them. For students concerned about stigma or program confidentiality, that separation offers peace of mind.
Peaceful setting. Meet face to face in our garden office, surrounded by nature and away from the noise of campus. It’s a calm, private space that feels different from an institutional setting. You can also switch to secure video sessions when that’s more convenient for you.
Covered by your student plan. UVSS and CCSS benefits reimburse up to 80 percent of our fee, letting you combine longer, flexible sessions with the affordability of your health coverage. Your parents may also have benefits that cover sessions off-campus. (you can find more information about rates and insurance below)
Off-campus counselling lets you control the when, where, and who of your care, while still taking advantage of the health benefits you already pay for. If you are ready for support that fits your schedule and your life, book a session below and get started this week.
Just Minutes from Campus, Easy to Get to, Easy to Feel at Home
Harbour Family Counselling
3922 Cedar Hill Cross Road
Victoria, BC V8P 2N6
(250) 882-6717
We’re a short bike ride from UVic and close to bus routes students take. There is free parking and we’ll keep your bike secure. Our office is quiet, private, and welcoming.

Questions about Rates and Insurance
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We offer a fixed, transparent rate for all clients, including students that ranges from $155 to $170, depending on the counsellor you choose.
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If you are under 25 (or whatever age your parent’s plan specifies) and listed as a dependent, you can usually claim counselling fees through that employer-sponsored extended health plan. Many workplace plans cover Registered Clinical Counsellors at 80–100 percent up to an annual dollar limit.
Some benefits providers allow for direct billing. If your yours do not, you will need to pay for each session before submitting the reciept to the benefits provider for reimbursment.
You can safely save your credit card in your booking profile on Janeapp and payment will be processed automatically. We also accept cash, cheque, and e-transfer.
If you also have UVSS or CCSS coverage, you can coordinate benefits: claim first through the plan that covers the higher percentage, then submit the remaining balance to the second plan until your fees are fully or partly paid. Check the details of each plan for specific percentages, annual caps, and any referral requirements.
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The UVSS plan reimburses 80 percent of each counselling session, up to a combined maximum of $800 per policy year for all mental-health practitioners, including Registered Clinical Counsellors. You pay the full fee at your appointment, then upload the receipt to Studentcare / Pacific Blue Cross and the refund is usually deposited to your bank account within a week. Most students end up paying about $30 on a $150 session.
If you have extended health benefits through a parent’s plan or your own, we’ll provide detailed receipts to help with reimbursement. We're always happy to walk you through what your insurance might cover so there are no surprises. Just ask, we're here to help.
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Camosun students receive 80 percent reimbursement, capped at $50 per visit and $500 per benefit year for counselling with a licensed practitioner. After each appointment you submit the receipt through the Gallivan “myStudentPlan” portal or mobile app and the insurer sends the eligible amount back to you. Once the annual $500 limit is reached, you would pay any further sessions out of pocket (or claim through another plan, if you have one).
Common Questions Students Ask Us
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Yes. Your privacy is fully respected. We won’t share anything you say with your parents, professors, or anyone else without your written consent, unless there’s a serious safety concern.
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Yes, absolutely. We work with students from all over the world and offer culturally sensitive support.
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We know your schedule can be full and unpredictable, so we offer you the flexibility of both in-person and online sessions.
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Yes, we offer secure video sessions for students living anywhere in BC (and other eligible areas).
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If you're feeling unsure about your major, future career, or what comes after graduation, you're not alone. Career counselling offers a supportive space to explore your interests, strengths, and values. Whether you're choosing courses, planning for co-op, or feeling stuck in a program, we’ll help you sort through your options and build confidence in your next steps. It’s all about finding a path that fits you and reflects who you are.
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Our counsellors use gentle, evidence-based approaches that are especially helpful for young adults. We may draw from:
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
CBT offers practical tools to manage anxiety, shift self-critical thoughts, and build healthier thinking and coping habits.DBT Skills (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy)
These skills provide step-by-step strategies for managing strong emotions, communicating more clearly, and handling tough situations.IFS (Internal Family Systems)
This approach helps you explore different parts of yourself and build a stronger sense of calm, clarity, and self-acceptance.Narrative Therapy
Narrative Therapy helps you explore the stories you carry and gently shift how you see yourself and your past.Mindfulness
Mindfulness helps you stay present and centred, especially during stressful moments like exams or challenging conversations.Compassion-Focused Therapy
Compassion-Focused Therapy helps you approach yourself with kindness, ease self-criticism, and build emotional strength.Strengths-Based Counselling
This approach helps you build on your natural strengths, offering encouragement and clarity when things feel overwhelming.Solution-Focused Therapy
A practical, future-oriented approach that focuses on what’s already working and helps you set clear, achievable goals.We'll always work at your pace, and your comfort and goals are our top priority.m description
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Not at all. We welcome students who just want to talk through everyday stress, find direction, or get support with small but important things.
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If you feel unsafe or need urgent help outside our hours, call the Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1-888-494-3888 or go to the nearest emergency department.
What to Expect When We Meet
Your first session is a gentle conversation. We'll ask what’s been going on, what you're hoping for, and what kind of support feels helpful. You don’t need to have it all figured out. We’ll take it one step at a time, together.
Most sessions are 50 minutes long. Some students come in just a few times, others stay longer. It’s entirely up to you.
Booking is Simple and Flexible
You can book online, by phone, or by email, whatever feels easiest. And if your schedule shifts mid-semester, we’re happy to reschedule. Life happens. We get it.
We do our best to offer appointments within a few days, especially around stressful times like exams. You can check each counsellor’s availability in the booking calendar.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
If you’re struggling, or just want someone to talk to, please do reach out. We’re close by, we’re easy to talk to, and we care about what you're going through.
Ready to take the first step?
Book a session now or Contact us. When you’re ready.