Online Therapy & Counselling Across Nova Scotia

Most adults across Nova Scotia are offered a first appointment the same week or the following week — often sooner than public psychiatry or community-counselling waits, which the province reports can run from a few weeks to several months depending on your zone. If your concern feels urgent but isn't an emergency, let us know at booking and we'll try to prioritize you. If you're in crisis, please use the crisis resources instead of waiting.

Yes. Our Canadian-licensed doctors can prescribe antidepressants such as SSRIs (like sertraline or escitalopram) and SNRIs (like venlafaxine) when they are clinically appropriate, and monitor your dose and side effects over follow-up visits. Prescriptions go to any Nova Scotia pharmacy you choose. We do not prescribe controlled substances online — no benzodiazepines and no ADHD stimulants — because those require in-person assessment and ongoing monitoring.

No referral is needed. You can book directly online, which is one of the advantages of virtual care over the traditional route through your family doctor or the provincial intake line. That said, we're happy to coordinate with your family physician or nurse practitioner if you'd like your care connected, and we can point you to public options such as Nova Scotia Health's intake line (1-855-922-1122) when those are a better fit for you.

Yes. Sessions are held by encrypted video, and your information is handled under Canada's PIPEDA privacy law and Nova Scotia's Personal Health Information Act. What you share stays between you and your provider, with the standard legal exceptions every clinician follows — mainly when there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else. You can join from any private spot in the province, whether that's home in Bedford or a quiet room in Sydney.

Coverage depends on the service and your situation. Counselling with a registered therapist is generally a private, paid service and is often reimbursable through workplace or student health-benefit plans — many Nova Scotia employers and universities include mental-health coverage, so it's worth checking your plan first. Some physician services may be insured. We'll be transparent about any fees before you book, so there are no surprises.

For many people, yes. Trauma-focused approaches such as CBT and EMDR can be delivered effectively over secure video, and being in your own safe space can make difficult work feel more manageable. Your provider will move at your pace and check what's helping. That said, some situations — including complex trauma or active safety concerns — are better served in person, and we'll say so honestly and help you find the right level of care.

Please don't wait for an appointment. TelePlus Care isn't an emergency service. If you're thinking about suicide or can't stay safe, call or text 9-8-8 (the Suicide Crisis Helpline, free and 24/7 across Canada), or call Nova Scotia's Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line at 1-888-429-8167, also 24/7. If you're in immediate danger, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. These services are here for you around the clock.

You'll work with qualified professionals: counselling is provided by registered therapists and counsellors, and medication questions are handled by Canadian-licensed physicians. Clinical content on this page was medically reviewed by Dr. Maher Jerudi, MD. If your needs call for a psychiatrist or an in-person assessment, we'll tell you and help arrange an appropriate referral rather than stretching beyond what virtual care can safely and responsibly offer.

Mental Health Counselling Online is a private $80 CAD service and is not billed to MSI. Extended-health reimbursement varies by plan and provider credentials, so confirm before booking.

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