Vancouver Therapy Collective: Who we are and what our mission is
Mental health care can be expensive and difficult to access, particularly when traditional counselling fees become a barrier to people who struggle to afford them. At the Vancouver Therapy Collective (VTC), we believe finances should never stand in the way of getting the support that people need. As a result, we’ve designed our practice around the goal of making therapy both affordable and high-quality—providing a sliding-scale approach that meets each person’s financial needs.
How It Began
VTC was founded by Dr. Christopher Brown, who saw two critical gaps in Vancouver’s mental health scene. First, he noticed the urgent need for affordable therapy in a city where the cost of living already places strain on many individuals. Second, he observed that there were limited numbers of practicum spots available to students. To address both issues, Dr. Brown created a space that would bring together people in need of accessible counselling and advanced-level student therapists keen to develop real-world skills and experience.
Who We Are
Our current team consists of two practicum students—soon to grow—who provide counselling under the supervision of Dr. Brown. In addition, we have two volunteer students assisting with client intakes to streamline the process and promote our visibility in Vancouver. By blending the skill sets of future therapists with oversight from a dedicated supervisor, we ensure both compassionate care for clients and robust training for emerging professionals.
Our Approach
Each student counsellor has their own area of specialty and training background. This diverse offering allows us to tailor therapy to a range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, and more. We also encourage our student therapists to pursue advanced training in specific approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, or trauma-informed practices. As a result, our clients have access to multiple modalities without the burden of steep fees. In addition, student counsellors gather critical experience and gain the ability to develop their interests.
Why Sliding Scale Matters
We determine session prices by basing them on a percentage of each client’s monthly income. This ensures that therapy fees stay manageable and equitable. By operating this way, we’re able to keep therapy sessions as low as possible while still providing a supportive learning environment for student therapists.
What We Offer Practicum Students
Our practicum model is designed to give student counsellors meaningful, hands-on experience. Under Dr. Brown’s close supervision, they learn to apply theory in real time, hone communication skills, and develop a deep sense of empathy. This on-the-ground training helps produce more confident, capable counsellors who are fully prepared to lead their own practices in the future.
Looking Ahead
In the coming years, we aim to expand our team of practicum students and welcome new associates—fully trained counsellors who are just starting their careers. This growth will help us serve a wider range of clients and introduce more diversity in therapeutic approaches. We also plan to bring additional supervisors on board, ensuring our students receive top-tier guidance. Eventually, we hope to define new training modalities that enhance the experience for both clients and therapists alike and this way we can help create a lasting impact on the mental health community of Vancouver.
