Anxiety
Anxiety Counselling
Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people reach out, and it is treatable. It can show up as a racing mind, trouble sleeping, a body that stays braced for something, or worry that won't switch off — and for many First Nations people it doesn't sit apart from everything else it's tangled with. Our counsellors work with anxiety in a way that holds that whole picture, at a pace you set. They are FNHA-registered and bill FNHA directly, and sessions run by video or phone anywhere in British Columbia, or in person in Chilliwack.
- Culturally safe, trauma-informed counsellors
- Our counsellors are FNHA-registered, and we bill FNHA directly
- By video or phone anywhere in BC, or in person in Chilliwack
What this is
Anxiety is the body and mind bracing for a threat — useful when there’s a real one, exhausting when it won’t stand down. It can look like constant worry, a short fuse, trouble sleeping, avoiding things you used to manage, or a physical restlessness that never quite settles. None of that means something is wrong with you, and none of it is permanent.
Counselling helps by working with the nervous system, not just the thoughts. Our counsellors are trauma-informed and culturally safe, and they understand that for many First Nations people, anxiety doesn’t live in a vacuum — it can be woven through grief, history, and the weight of carrying a lot for the people around you.
Who it’s for
- First Nations people in British Columbia, on or off reserve.
- Anyone whose worry, sleep, or sense of being “on” all the time is wearing them down.
- People who want a counsellor who won’t need the cultural context explained first.
If anxiety is showing up alongside low mood, grief, or trauma, that’s okay — you don’t have to separate it out before reaching out. We’ll start where you are.
Our approach
We practise culturally safe, trauma-informed care: the work moves at your pace, you decide what’s talked about, and nothing is required of you that you haven’t agreed to. Our counsellors are FNHA-registered and bill FNHA directly, so for eligible members the counselling itself may be covered — we’ll help you check your eligibility before you book.
Getting started
Send us a message or call. Tell us a little about what’s going on and whether you’d rather meet by video, phone, or in person in Chilliwack, and we’ll help you check your eligibility and match you with a counsellor.
FAQ
Common questions
What does anxiety counselling actually involve?
It starts with understanding what your anxiety is doing and where it shows up — in your thoughts, your body, your sleep, your relationships. From there, a counsellor works with you on practical ways to settle the nervous system and respond to worry differently, at a pace you set. You don't have to arrive with it all figured out; that's what the first sessions are for.
Is anxiety counselling covered by FNHA?
For eligible First Nations members in BC, FNHA's mental-health benefit may cover counselling sessions. Our counsellors are FNHA-registered and we bill FNHA directly, so eligible members pay nothing out of pocket. We'll help you check your eligibility before you book anything.
How is this different from seeing any counsellor for anxiety?
Our counsellors are Indigenous-led and culturally safe — they understand that anxiety can be tied to intergenerational and community experiences without you having to explain that first. You're not being asked to leave part of your story at the door, or to educate the person in front of you.
Can I do this by video, from home?
Yes. We deliver counselling by video or phone anywhere in British Columbia, and many people find it easier to do this work from a space they already feel safe in. If you'd rather be in person, our Chilliwack centre on Stó:lō territory is open to you.
What if my anxiety comes with something else, like low mood or past trauma?
That's common, and you don't need to sort out which is which before reaching out. The same counsellor can work with anxiety alongside low mood, grief, or trauma — we'll follow what matters most to you rather than treating one piece in isolation.
Get started
Book your first session
Tell us a little about what you’re looking for. We’ll help you check your eligibility, match you with a counsellor, and book your first session.
Call us at +1 604-983-4974 or fill out the form, and a representative will reach out.