Anxiety Counselling in Vancouver — Anxiety Therapy with a Registered Clinical Counsellor - Dr. Samuel

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Anxiety counselling in Vancouver that treats the pattern, not just the symptom

Talk to Samuel directly. No receptionist, no intake forms. Call 604-721-0604 · Text what is going on · Book a free 20-minute call. In-person in downtown Vancouver or by video across BC; evenings available.

Anxiety is common, under-treated, and treatable

The proportion of Canadians aged 15 and older with generalized anxiety disorder doubled from 2012 to 2022 (Statistics Canada, 2023). The Canadian clinical practice guidelines state: “Anxiety and related disorders are among the most common mental disorders, with lifetime prevalence reportedly as high as 31%” (Katzman et al., 2014, p. S1). Unfortunately, anxiety disorders are under-diagnosed and under-treated” (Katzman et al., 2014, p. 1). The same guideline notes that these disorders are “frequently comorbid with other psychiatric and medical conditions” (Katzman et al., 2014, p. 1), which is why a careful first assessment matters more than a quick label.

The numbers in Canada have moved sharply. Statistics Canada reports that “the proportion of Canadians aged 15 years and older with a generalized anxiety disorder doubled from 2012 to 2022, from 2.6% to 5.2%” (Statistics Canada, 2023, para. 3), and that “about half (48.8%) reported that they had talked to a health professional about their mental health in the previous year” (Statistics Canada, 2023, para. 10). Counselling was the single most common form of care received, and also the one people most often reported as an unmet need (Statistics Canada, 2023).

What anxiety counselling in Vancouver looks like here

Session one. The first session maps what the anxiety does: the thoughts it produces, the situations it avoids, the body sensations it runs on, and what it has cost you. Panic, generalized worry, social anxiety, health anxiety and specific phobias are handled differently, so the assessment is specific.

The core of treatment is cognitive behavioural therapy, which a meta-analysis of 41 placebo-controlled trials described as a moderately efficacious treatment for anxiety disorders compared with placebo (Carpenter et al., 2018). A meta-analysis of 41 placebo-controlled trials found “moderate placebo-controlled effects of CBT on target disorder symptoms (Hedges’ g = 0.56), and small to moderate effects on other anxiety symptoms (Hedges’ g = 0.38), depression (Hedges’ g = 0.31), and quality of life (Hedges’ g = 0.30)” (Carpenter et al., 2018, p. 502). The same review found that “interventions primarily using exposure strategies had larger effect sizes than those using cognitive or cognitive and behavioral techniques, though this difference did not reach significance” (Carpenter et al., 2018, p. 502). Where anxiety grew out of early experiences or runs through a relationship, Samuel adds Internal Family Systems or schema-focused work; neurofeedback is available as an add-on for people whose nervous system stays on high alert between sessions.

The evidence on lasting change. Gains from CBT hold. A systematic review in JAMA Psychiatry concluded that “cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety-related disorders is associated with improved outcomes compared with control conditions until 12 months after treatment completion” (van Dis et al., 2020, p. 265), with effects that “were small to medium for generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder, large for PTSD” (van Dis et al., 2020, p. 265).

Common reasons people come

Panic attacks and fear of the next one; worry that will not switch off at night; social anxiety that limits work or dating; health anxiety; driving anxiety after a crash (ICBC-funded sessions are available on the ICBC counselling page); anxiety that sits on top of ADHD, depression or a difficult relationship. Where trauma is the driver, see trauma therapy and EMDR.

Your anxiety counsellor

Samuel Ezzatilord, PhD, RCC, CCC, LMCC, is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (BCACC #23405) and Canadian Certified Counsellor with more than 25 years of clinical experience. His doctorate is in health sciences and his master’s is in counselling psychology, so physiology, sleep and medication questions are part of the conversation rather than referred elsewhere. The guideline authors’ own conclusion sets the standard he works to: “Optimal management requires a good understanding of the efficacy and side effect profiles of pharmacological and psychological treatments” (Katzman et al., 2014, p. 1).

Frequently asked questions

How common is anxiety in Canada right now?

More common than ten years ago. Statistics Canada reports that “in 2022, more than 5 million people in Canada met the diagnostic criteria for a mood, anxiety or substance use disorder, with the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders increasing substantially over the previous 10 years” (Statistics Canada, 2023, para. 1).

Does counselling for anxiety actually work?

Yes, with moderate effects that persist. Carpenter et al. (2018) concluded that “CBT is a moderately efficacious treatment for anxiety disorders when compared to placebo” (p. 502), and van Dis et al. (2020) found improvements held “until 12 months after treatment completion” (p. 265).

How many sessions does anxiety counselling take?

It depends on the type of anxiety and how long it has been running; the first free 20-minute call gives you a realistic estimate for your situation. Research trials typically test structured courses of CBT and report follow-up at “1 to 6 months, 6 to 12 months, and 12 months or more after treatment completion” (van Dis et al., 2020, p. 265).

Will I have to face the things I’m afraid of?

Gradually, and with a plan you agree to. Exposure-based work is used because “interventions primarily using exposure strategies had larger effect sizes than those using cognitive or cognitive and behavioral techniques” (Carpenter et al., 2018, p. 502). Nothing is forced; the pace is set together.

Can I do anxiety therapy without medication?

Many people do. The Canadian guidelines rate both “pharmacological and psychological treatments” (Katzman et al., 2014, p. 1) and recommend choosing by efficacy and side-effect profile. Samuel does not prescribe; if medication is relevant he coordinates with your family doctor.

Is anxiety counselling covered by insurance in BC?

Fees and expenses are covered by ICBC, CVAP, FNHA, IFHP, RCMP, VAC, and most other insurers, and direct billing is available. Most extended-health plans reimburse Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) sessions; check your plan’s counselling line.

Can anxiety counselling be done online?

Yes. Sessions are offered in person in downtown Vancouver and by secure video anywhere in BC. The evidence base for CBT covers multiple delivery formats; what matters most is a structured approach and enough sessions (Carpenter et al., 2018; van Dis et al., 2020).

What if my anxiety comes with low mood too?

That is common and is assessed from the start. CBT for anxiety also produced “small to moderate effects on … depression (Hedges’ g = 0.31)” (Carpenter et al., 2018, p. 502). See also depression counselling.

What happens when you call

The first conversation is a free 20-minute phone call with Samuel Ezzatilord, PhD, RCC, CCC, LMCC (RCC #23405). You describe what is going on; he tells you plainly whether what he offers fits and what a first session would involve. Sessions are available in English and Farsi, in person at Suite 1300, 1500 West Georgia St, Vancouver, or by secure video anywhere in BC. Fees and expenses are covered by ICBC, CVAP, FNHA, IFHP, RCMP, VAC, and most other insurers, and direct billing is available.

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References

Carpenter, J. K., Andrews, L. A., Witcraft, S. M., Powers, M. B., Smits, J. A. J., & Hofmann, S. G. (2018). Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and related disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Depression and Anxiety, 35(6), 502–514. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22728

Katzman, M. A., Bleau, P., Blier, P., Chokka, P., Kjernisted, K., Van Ameringen, M., & the Canadian Anxiety Guidelines Initiative Group. (2014). Canadian clinical practice guidelines for the management of anxiety, posttraumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorders. BMC Psychiatry, 14(Suppl 1), S1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-14-S1-S1

Statistics Canada. (2023, September 22). Study: Mental disorders and access to mental health care. The Daily. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/230922/dq230922b-eng.htm

van Dis, E. A. M., van Veen, S. C., Hagenaars, M. A., Batelaan, N. M., Bockting, C. L. H., van den Heuvel, R. M., Cuijpers, P., & Engelhard, I. M. (2020). Long-term outcomes of cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety-related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(3), 265–273. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.3986