Counselling Support Wherever You Are: How Telehealth Helps Rural Students and Families Thrive 

As we prepare for winter in British Columbia, many of us notice changes in our routines and habits. The days grow shorter, the weather turns colder, and our minds and bodies signal to us to start slowing down. With slick roads making travel more difficult, feelings of isolation can be compounded for those who already face barriers to accessing counselling services, such as families and students living in rural or remote communities. 

This is where telehealth counselling becomes a vital resource. 

What is Telehealth? 

Telehealth refers to a broad category of health services and information delivered remotely through video calls, phone calls, and messaging applications.  

Why does Telehealth Matter?

In-person counselling can be challenging to access for those in smaller towns or remote areas of the province. With community resources being limited, access to services often involves long drives, unpredictable road conditions, and time off from school or work. When the rain, snow, and early darkness of winter set in, these barriers can feel even more daunting. For many, the effort required just to make it to an appointment can add stress on top of the challenges that brought them to counselling in the first place. 

Telehealth counselling can help close that gap. By connecting with a counsellor online or on the phone, students and families can receive the support they need from the comfort of their homes. 

How can Telehealth Help Students and Families?

Students: For students in rural BC communities, balancing school, extracurricular activities, and family responsibilities can be extremely demanding. When mental health concerns arise, timely support can make a big difference. Telehealth allows students to schedule appointments with more flexibility, reducing disruptions to their education and making it easier to fit counselling into their busy lives. 
 

Families: For families, the convenience of telehealth can mean that parents no longer need to take extra time off work or pull their children out of school to see a counsellor. Instead, they can join sessions together from the comfort and safety of their living room, helping foster a supportive environment in which counselling and discussions surrounding mental health become a normal part of family life. 

What Other Barriers does Telehealth Help Break Down?

Confidentiality: In small towns or rural communities, mental health-related stigma can prevent people from seeking counselling, fearing running into people they know at the counselling clinic. 

Comfort & Safety: Children and youth may feel more comfortable opening up to a counsellor from the safety and familiarity of their own home. 
 

Sick Days and Cancellations: Families with young children are all too familiar with sicknesses that often lead to cancelled appointments. Telehealth offers the option to meet with a counsellor without the risk of spreading illness on those days when you’re feeling well enough to talk but not healthy enough to leave home. 

What do I need to know before trying Telehealth Counselling?

Check out tips from HealthLinkBC for advice and more information.

How can OK Clinical Therapy Group Help?

At OK Clinical, we’re committed to ensuring counselling is accessible to all. With 9 clinic locations across BC and telehealth services available province-wide, we’re here to support you wherever you are. Whether you live in a busy city or a quiet rural community, telehealth makes it possible to receive quality care that fits your life. 

As this season brings new challenges, know that support is only a click away. Our highly trained, master’s-level counsellors are available with flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, for in-person, online, or phone appointments. 

Call or text us at 250-718-9291, and we’ll help get you connected with the counsellor who feels like the best fit for you or your family. 

Written by: Noa Dagan

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