Virtual Counselling

Need to talk? Connect virtually for free with a Youth Counsellor.

Young person in a virtual meeting with an Addictions Counsellor.

What Is Virtual Counselling?

Talk With a Youth Counsellor.

Through Crossing Bridges, if you’re 12-24 years old, you can access free, confidential, one-to-one virtual counselling sessions with a professional and qualified counsellor in a way that works best for you – phone, online with video, online with voice only.

During virtual counselling sessions, you can ask questions or discuss your concerns about addiction, substance use, behavioural addictions, and/or mental health struggles, including addressing the impacts that addiction and substance use can have on mental health.

How Do I Get Started?

What You Can Expect.

Your first meeting will be a 30-minute session with one of our counsellors. The purpose of this meeting is to:

  • Describe what you’re experiencing, what concerns you have, and how we can help
  • Share some basic information about yourself with the counsellor
  • Learn what kind of supports and resources are available based on your needs
  • Decide if this is the right support for you

Virtual counselling is completely voluntary. If you decide you want to continue with counselling, the counsellor will talk to you about scheduling another session.

Young person booking a virtual counselling meeting on their cell phone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

If you’re 12–24 years old and looking for support, strategies, or someone to talk to about your own substance use, addiction, or mental health concerns, or if you’re dealing with a family member who may be experiencing mental health, substance use, or addiction struggles, you can connect virtually with one of our qualified Youth Counsellors.

Please note Crossing Bridges does not provide virtual counselling to adults looking for support with their own addiction or substance use concerns. You can find information about addiction and substance use services for adults on our Information for Parents and Adult Supports page.

All virtual counselling provided through Crossing Bridges is free.

The number of counselling sessions you book with your Counsellor will be based on your goals and needs. You will work together with your counsellor to discuss your goals and create a plan that is tailored to you.

You will be connected with a Youth Counsellor based on your needs, fit, and counsellor availability. All of our counsellors are qualified professionals who will customize your support plan based on your individual needs, strengths, and goals. You also have the option to access a different counsellor if you find your current counsellor is not a good fit for you.

The first session will be about 30 minutes. During this meeting, you can:

  • Describe what you’re experiencing, what concerns you have, and how we can help
  • Share some basic information about yourself with the counsellor
  • Learn what kind of supports and resources are available based on your needs
  • Ask questions you might have about addiction or substance use and/or mental health
  • Decide if this is the right support for you
  • Schedule a virtual counselling appointment if you wish to proceed

You can talk about any concerns or questions you have about:

  • Substance use (e.g. drugs, alcohol)
  • Behavioural addictions (e.g. gambling, gaming, technology use, Internet use, etc.)
  • Impacts of substance use or addiction on mental health (e.g. anxiety, depression, emotional well-being)

If there’s something else you’d like to talk about that we can’t help you with, we’ll make sure to connect you with the right person, which may include connecting you with other organizations.

All information you share when you book a meeting and any information you share with our Youth Counsellors is safe and protected. Your counsellor will review confidentiality and limits of confidentiality with you in your first session. We also use secure virtual video conferencing services for virtual meetings and comply with regulations outlined in the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA).

You have the right to request to view the information contained in your file at anytime. Crossing Bridges staff are all expected to protect your information and will not release your information to a third party without your consent. You have the right to refuse to share information with third parties. However, there are some special situations where your information will not be kept completely confidential (e.g. if you are at significant risk of harm to yourself or others). Please see the Privacy Policy for more information.

Our Youth Counsellors specialize in supporting young people with addiction, substance use, and/or mental health struggles, including addressing the impacts that addiction and substance use can have on mental health.

We also know that addiction and substance use can affect other areas of a young person’s life (e.g. housing, work, school, basic needs, etc.) and will refer or connect you with the most appropriate supports and resources to address your needs.