How do I decide which counsellor to see?

Review therapists' bios for experience, specialties and availability. Use the 'Match with a Counsellor' form if unsure; many counsellors offer a short free consult to check fit.

Are the sessions covered by extended benefits or health care?

Yes—many extended health plans cover Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) or equivalent. Clients pay upfront and receive an official receipt for reimbursement. Check your plan for details.

What is your cancellation policy?

Clients must provide at least 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule without being charged. Cancellations with less than 48 hours' notice are subject to full session fee. Switching between in-person and virtual is not penalized when possible.

Rates vary by therapist and service. Typical fees range from CAD $150–$190 for a 50-minute individual session. Check the counsellor's profile for exact rates.

How many sessions does it take before I start to feel better?

It depends on the issue and goals. At the first session the counsellor will discuss recommended frequency and likely duration. Many clients notice some relief after 4–6 sessions, though individual experience varies.

Who does Open Space Counselling see?

Open Space Counselling works with individuals, couples and families across life stages, and identifies as feminist, antiracist and LGBTQ+ ally. They provide services for people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, perinatal concerns, relationship issues, and life transitions.

Amy O'Brian (She/Her)

Registered Clinical Counsellor, MA, RCC

Accepting New Clients

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I love that therapy is a unique relationship built on curiosity and care. As a therapist, without the pressure and expectations inherent to most other relationships, I can help you explore what it is you really want from life, and how you want to “show up.” Witnessing someone shift their perspective to see a problem in a new light is a rare and extraordinary gift.

I help people who struggle with self-criticism and self-doubt locate the origins of those beliefs while exploring more compassionate perspectives so they can better see their worth and their strengths. In modern reality, it can feel like we’re failing when we struggle with challenging circumstances or relationships, and many of my clients have shared their frustration at not being able to find happiness. I help my clients accept difficult emotions and life’s challenges, while still working towards a life that is more aligned with their values.

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What You Can Expect When Working With Amy

My clients have said they feel safe and comfortable talking to me, even after one or two sessions. Together, we will explore your stories, motivations, and fears so that we can better understand your current struggles and choices. Using person-centred therapy, I help clients notice and challenge thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours that may be holding them back, so that they have greater capacity for connection and a strengthened tolerance for life’s bumps and bruises.

I am not a big talker, but I like to share well-considered observations and offer possible connections to clients in an effort to shift their perspectives or shed light on certain patterns in their lives. When a client comes back and says they have been thinking about our last conversation, or that the last session helped them in some way, it is the greatest reward imaginable. The fact that people feel comfortable enough to tell me things they have never told anyone else is a great privilege, and I take it very seriously.

Amy's Experience & Training

In my previous career as a journalist, my favourite assignments were those that allowed me space and time to sit in deep conversation with people. I loved skipping the small talk and diving into people’s stories, particularly when they were shared with vulnerability. I loved asking questions and teasing out the meaningful pieces of someone’s narrative. What I didn’t love was exiting the conversation abruptly to meet a deadline – often while knowing the person I’d interviewed needed far more support, empathy, and respect. I wanted to hear more and help more, so I returned to school in my 40s and completed my Masters in Counselling Psychology.

Becoming a counsellor was a big leap, but it is one I am so glad I took when I did. My academic training was valuable, but I believe my life experience – with all its ups and downs – has been my greatest education.

More About Amy

I consider myself adaptable and fairly easy-going, which makes sense for a middle child. I am introverted, but love few things more than a meaty conversation with a good friend. Occasionally, I am lucky enough to pair one of those satisfying conversations with a long stomp in the lush forests of the North Shore, which makes me so very happy. If energy strikes, I might even run through the trails, gleefully navigating roots and rocks while I channel my inner 12-year-old. I also love being at home, listening to an eclectic range of music at high volume while I try a new gluten-free bread recipe, or reading on the couch next to my sweet mutt. (Fun fact: I was a music critic for a while. Not as fun as you might think.)

I have two amazing teens – one of whom also likes to run in the woods. Being a parent to them and watching them develop their own interests and identities has taught me so much about empathy, compassion …. and frustration! My relationships with my husband and my kids are not always easy – they require heavy doses of compromise and communication – but they have offered so many lessons that have served me well as a counsellor.