Stress Therapy Vancouver
Counselling for Chronic Stress & Burnout
Stress is everywhere—but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to live with. Maybe your days feel like a constant rush. Your mind won’t stop spinning. Or you’re feeling irritable, tense, or drained even when nothing major is “wrong.” Over time, stress can chip away at your sleep, focus, mood, and overall wellbeing.
You don’t have to stay stuck in survival mode. At ARC, we offer therapy to help you slow down, reconnect with yourself, and create a more grounded, sustainable path forward.
Is stress running the show?
You might look “fine” on the outside, but inside, you’re stretched thin. Whether it’s work demands, family responsibilities, financial pressure, or just the weight of the world, chronic stress makes everything feel harder to manage.
Here are some signs stress may be affecting you:
- Constant worry or racing thoughts
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Irritability or emotional outbursts
- Muscle tension, headaches, or trouble sleeping
- Feeling overwhelmed by tasks that used to feel easy
- Snapping at people you care about—or withdrawing completely
- Feeling on edge, restless, or never able to fully relax
- Using distractions, food, or substances to cope
How therapy can help with stress
Therapy is a chance to pause and understand what’s really going on beneath the surface. We’ll help you get curious about your stress—not just manage it, but work with it in a more sustainable, self-respecting way.
Your ARC therapist will help you:
- Identify your unique stress triggers and coping patterns
- Learn tools to regulate your nervous system and reduce reactivity
- Shift unhelpful thought patterns that add to overwhelm
- Reconnect with your boundaries, values, and priorities
- Develop more compassionate self-talk and stress-reduction habits
- Build a life that feels more grounded—even when things get busy
Let’s tackle stress together
You don’t have to keep powering through or waiting for things to “settle down.” Therapy can help you take control of how you relate to stress—so you can feel more anchored, clear, and resilient, no matter what life brings.
At ARC, we offer therapy to help you find relief from stress, reclaim your energy, and feel more peace in your everyday life. Reach out today for your free 30-minute consultation.
Meet Our Vancouver Therapists
Tianna Bobariu
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
Amenda Kumar
Registered Social Worker (RSW)
Kristen Rattray
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
Kiana Maeda
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
Jack Wong
Registered Social Worker (RSW)
Danielle Simpson
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
Elise Millett
Registered Social Worker (RSW)
Lilian Wang
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
Getting The Help You Need is Easy
Reach Out
Fill out our easy contact form. All we need is your basic info, and a few words about what brings you to therapy.
Free Consultation
We’ll reach out to schedule your complimentary consultation. We’ll discuss your goals, questions, and make sure we’re the right fit.
Start Therapy
Feeling ready? We’ll book your first session and create a personalized plan to help you live the life you deserve.
What to Expect in Stress Therapy
Creating a Calm Space
We begin by creating a grounded, supportive space where you don’t need to hold it all together. You’ll be able to talk through what’s been weighing on you—without judgment or urgency.
Understanding Your Stress Response
You’ll learn how your body and mind respond to stress, and where your unique triggers come from. Understanding your patterns helps you build insight and more choice in the moment.
Practicing Regulation Tools
We’ll introduce evidence-based techniques like grounding, breathwork, and reframing thoughts that can help calm your system. You’ll practice these in-session and explore what works for you.
Exploring Internal Pressure
Stress isn’t just about what’s happening around you—it’s also about how you relate to it. Together, we’ll explore patterns like perfectionism, people-pleasing, or high self-expectations that may be fueling chronic tension.
Strengthening Boundaries & Self-Trust
As therapy progresses, you’ll work on setting limits, communicating clearly, and saying no without guilt. You’ll begin to notice where your energy goes—and how to protect it.
Building a More Sustainable Life
In later sessions, we’ll help you clarify your values and build habits that support your mental and emotional wellbeing. You’ll create a life that feels more manageable, meaningful, and truly supportive of who you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my stress is “bad enough” for therapy?
Stress doesn’t have to be extreme to deserve attention. If it’s interfering with your sleep, relationships, health, work, or general sense of wellbeing, therapy can help. You don’t have to be falling apart to benefit. Stress is valid at any level—and reaching out for support is a strong and self-respecting choice.
What kinds of therapy help with stress?
At ARC, we draw from evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and mindfulness-based strategies. We tailor therapy to your unique experience—whether you need tools for immediate relief, deeper emotional processing, or long-term resilience building.
Can stress therapy help with physical symptoms like tension or headaches?
Yes. Stress often shows up in the body—tight muscles, headaches, fatigue, digestive issues, and disrupted sleep are all common signs. Therapy can help you learn regulation strategies that calm the nervous system, reduce physical tension, and build a healthier relationship with your body over time.
Is stress the same thing as anxiety?
They’re related, but not identical. Stress is usually a response to an external pressure—like work demands or life changes—and often eases once the situation resolves. Anxiety tends to be more internal, persistent, and rooted in fear or anticipation, even when there’s no immediate threat. Therapy can help with both, and your therapist will help you sort through what’s happening beneath the surface.
How is therapy for stress different from therapy for burnout?
Stress therapy focuses on managing the pressures of daily life and building healthy coping tools. Burnout therapy usually addresses more chronic, severe exhaustion—often after prolonged stress has depleted your emotional and physical resources. If you’re unsure which fits, we’ll help you assess where you are and what kind of support makes the most sense.
How long does therapy for stress usually take?
It depends on your goals, history, and current needs. Many clients find that learning new tools and strategies in the first few sessions makes a big difference. Others choose to continue longer-term to shift ingrained patterns and build lasting resilience. There’s no set timeline—it’s about what feels right and sustainable for you.
Is therapy covered by insurance?
Yes. Most extended health plans cover counselling with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC). We’ll provide a detailed receipt you can submit for reimbursement—many clients receive reimbursement within a few business days.
What if I’m too busy to fit therapy in?
That’s a common concern—and often a signal that it’s time to prioritize yourself. We offer flexible evening and weekend sessions, both virtual and in-person, to make it easier to fit therapy into your life. Support should work for you, not add to your stress.
I’m worried therapy will just add to my to-do list.
That’s a valid fear, especially when you already feel stretched thin. Therapy isn’t meant to feel like another obligation. It’s about carving out a little space just for you—somewhere you can slow down, feel seen, and take a break from everything else.
A Message of Support from Our Director
Hi, I’m Kelsey, the Clinical Director here at ARC. I want to start by saying something that doesn’t get said enough – it’s okay to need support.
If you’re reading this, you might be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply not yourself. At ARC, we understand how deeply personal it is to reach out for help. That’s why we’re so intentional about the care we offer. Every therapist on our team is here because they lead with heart, they know their stuff, and they truly care about helping people feel better.
We also know that feeling safe in therapy means feeling seen and respected. That’s why we’re committed to creating an inclusive space – one that honours your identity, your culture, and your lived experience.
My role is to make sure your experience here is thoughtful, safe, and meaningful – from your very first point of contact to the support you receive in therapy. If you’re unsure about where to start, I encourage you to reach out for a free consultation. I’ll personally take the time to read your request and match you with one of the therapists on our team.
You’ve already taken the first step by being here. When you’re feeling ready, take the next step by reaching out – and we’ll walk the rest of the way together.
Take the next step towards feeling better today
Location
470 Granville St, #922
Vancouver, BC, V6C 1V5
Our Hours
Mon – Fri: 09:00 – 21:30
Sat – Sun: 09:00 – 20:30