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It depends on what’s going on and who it affects. Individual counselling is a good place to start when the concern is mostly yours: anxiety, low mood, stress, a life change or something you want to work through privately. Family counselling helps when the challenge sits between people: ongoing conflict, communication breakdowns, a big family change, or supporting a child or teen who is struggling.

Within sessions, I draw on a few well-established approaches and tailor them to you:

• Client-centred: a supportive, non-judgemental space where you set the direction.
• Solution-focused: building on what already works and setting clear, realistic goals.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): noticing the links between thoughts, feelings and actions, and practising new patterns.
• Rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT): recognising and changing unhelpful beliefs that fuel distress.

You don’t need to choose before we start. In a free consultation we can talk it through and decide together.

Because Waypoint is fully online, “near me” means anywhere in British Columbia or Saskatchewan: you can see a counsellor from home without a commute. Whoever you choose, a few things are worth checking:

• Credentials: look for a recognised professional designation, such as Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
• Experience with your concern and with your age group or family situation.
• Approach: how they work, and whether it sounds like a fit for you.
• Practical details: fees, insurance coverage, direct billing and availability.
• How it feels to talk with them. A good fit between client and counsellor is one of the strongest predictors of progress.

A free consultation is an easy, no-pressure way to find out whether we’re a good fit.

Look at the concerns a counsellor lists, then ask them directly about their experience with yours. I support youth, young adults, adults and families with concerns including:

• anxiety, depression, stress and burnout
• self-esteem and people-pleasing
• relationship challenges and family dynamics
• emotional regulation
• grief and major life transitions
• building healthy boundaries and communication skills

If your concern isn’t listed, please still ask. If I’m not the right fit, I’ll help you find someone who is.

I’m Crystal Hermann. I hold a Master of Education (M.Ed.) and am a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). I’ve worked in counselling for 6 years, after 15 years in education working with students of many ages, backgrounds, faiths and identities. I use client-centred, solution-focused, CBT and REBT approaches, and I carry professional liability insurance. Read more about me.

Yes. A free 15-minute video consultation lets you ask questions, share a little about what’s bringing you in, and get a sense of whether we’re a good fit, with no obligation to book. You can email me (I reply within 24 hours), or see my availability in Jane and book yourself in.

Before we meet, you’ll fill in a few short intake and consent forms online. Your first session is a 50-minute initial assessment. We’ll:

• go over confidentiality and how sessions work, and answer your questions
• talk about what’s bringing you in and how it’s affecting your life
• touch on relevant background, at a pace that feels comfortable
• start to name what you’d like to be different, and agree on next steps, including how often to meet

You don’t need to prepare anything or share more than you’re ready to. Many people find it a relief just to say things out loud.

Sessions are held online for people located in British Columbia and Saskatchewan. You’ll need to be in one of those provinces at the time of your session.

Sessions take place on Jane’s secure telehealth platform, the same system used for booking, intake forms and records. You’ll receive a link to join your session. All you need is a phone, tablet or computer with a stable internet connection, and a quiet, private space where you can speak freely.

A standard session is booked as one hour: 50 minutes of counselling time with you, plus 10 minutes of charting time, when I write your confidential clinical notes. Charting time is common practice for counsellors and is included in the session fee. Extended sessions work the same way: 80 minutes of counselling plus 10 minutes of charting.

Many people start with weekly or every-other-week sessions, then space them out as things improve. The number of sessions varies: some people feel a real difference after a handful of sessions focused on one goal, while others prefer longer-term support. Because my approach is solution-focused, we’ll check in on your progress regularly and adjust together, and you’re always free to pause or stop.

All fees are per session, in Canadian dollars:

• Free consultation (15 min): free
• Initial assessment (50 min): $160
• Individual: $80 (30 min), $160 (50 min) or $220 (80 min)
• Family: $180 (50 min) or $240 (80 min)

Payment is made securely through Jane, by e-transfer or any major credit card.

Many extended health plans cover counselling, but coverage varies. Ask your provider whether your plan covers a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), what your yearly maximum and per-session limit are, and whether you need a referral. Direct billing is available in some cases, depending on your provider; otherwise you’ll receive a receipt to submit for reimbursement. See full services & fees.

Please cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before your appointment.

• Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice, and missed appointments, are charged the full session fee.
• This fee isn’t covered by insurance, and it’s due before or at your next appointment.
• Exceptions may be made for emergencies or sudden illness.
• Repeated missed appointments or late cancellations may mean we need to end services.

If you’d like a session length other than the standard 50 minutes, just talk with me so we can schedule the time in advance.

No. Family counselling is flexible. Sometimes the whole family meets together; sometimes it’s one parent and a teen, a couple of siblings, or one family member on their own for part of the work. We’ll decide together who joins which sessions, based on your goals and what feels safe and helpful for everyone. Change can still happen even when not everyone is ready to take part.

In Canada, whether a young person can consent to counselling depends on their maturity and understanding, not just their age. This is often called the mature minor principle, and I consider it individually for each young person.

• If a youth can give informed consent, their consent may be enough on its own, subject to the law.
• If not, a parent or legal guardian gives consent, and I’ll still involve the young person in decisions wherever possible.
• In separated or complex family situations, I may ask for documents showing who has legal decision-making authority.

Young people need to know they can speak openly. Session details and personal disclosures aren’t routinely shared with parents or caregivers, even when a parent books or pays for sessions. Parents are still valued partners: with the right consent, I can share broad goals and progress, suggest ways to support your child at home, and hold sessions that bring youth and caregivers together.

For online sessions, youth should join from a quiet, private place, ideally on their own device, and no one should record or listen in without agreement. Parents may be asked to help with technology or emergency planning. Read the youth consent & confidentiality summary.

Yes. What you share in counselling is confidential and protected under Canadian privacy law and professional ethical standards. I won’t share your records or session details with family members, employers, schools, insurers or other professionals without your consent, except in a few situations required or permitted by law:

• a serious or imminent risk of harm to you or someone else
• child protection reporting requirements
• a court order or other legal requirement

Where possible, I’ll talk with you first and share only what’s necessary.

In family sessions, what’s shared stays within the session. At the start of family work we’ll agree how information is handled between family members, including anything someone shares one-on-one, so everyone knows what to expect. Read the privacy & confidentiality statement.