Online couples counselling practice

Couples paying privately, often partly reimbursed by employer extended health benefits, plus some engaged couples seeking pre-marriage sessions.

A fee per session, often with a package for an initial assessment. Income depends on how many client hours you book each week and your cancellation policy.

• Active listening and calm presence
• Training in couples therapy methods
• Clear boundaries and record keeping
• Comfort with video tools

• Titles like psychotherapist, psychologist or counsellor are protected in some provinces, check your provincial regulator before advertising
• You are usually expected to be registered where the client is located, check the rules before seeing clients in other provinces
• Professional liability insurance and privacy law for health records in your province
• Check with the CRA whether your services are GST/HST exempt, and whether insurers recognise your designation
• Not suitable for couples facing abuse or crisis, know when and where to refer

Startup costs are typically estimated around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your technology, insurance and marketing. Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many couples you see each week and the session fees you set.

Titles like psychotherapist, psychologist or counsellor are protected in some provinces, so check your provincial regulator before advertising. Also check where you must be registered when clients are in other provinces, professional liability insurance, privacy law, and GST/HST treatment with the CRA.

Estimates start at around 8 hours a week. Online work is not suitable for couples facing abuse or crisis, so know when and where to refer them, and keep clear boundaries and secure records.