Counselling for men, online across BC
For men who’ve been holding it together for a long time. Video or phone, camera optional, evenings and Saturdays, and a counsellor who won’t flinch.
You don’t have to be falling apart
A lot of men only think about counselling once the wheels have come off: a partner has found something, a job is on the line, or a doctor has said the word “drinking” out loud. You’re allowed to reach out before that, while you’re still holding it together, and even while part of you says you should be able to handle it alone.
Davis Wiggs founded Desert Solace, and many of the men he sees have spent years putting on a brave face. If that’s you, you’re in good company here.
What men bring to Davis
- Drinking, drugs, or a habit that’s quietly taking over. Davis has worked in addiction since his early days in unhoused and addiction communities. See addiction counselling.
- Porn and compulsive sexual behaviour. Davis trained as a sex addiction therapist. There’s no lecture and no judgment, just a plain look at what it’s doing for you and what it’s costing. See porn and sex addiction counselling.
- Betting, spending and hidden debt. Sports betting apps, online casinos, a line of credit nobody knows about. Davis holds an associate certification in financial disorders. See gambling and spending counselling.
- After an affair, or a relationship stuck on repeat. Davis works with couples using Emotion Focused Therapy, and with men on their own who want to understand how they got here. See couples counselling.
- Anger, grief, low mood and loneliness, usually alongside one of the above. You don’t need a label to book.
What a session with Davis is like
Davis is warm, and he’s direct. He’ll listen without judging the things you’ve struggled with or the choices you’ve made. He’ll also ask the tough question when you’re dodging something. If you want someone who’ll simply agree with you, he’s probably not your counsellor.
The first session is a conversation, not an interrogation. You don’t need it figured out, and you don’t have to tell your whole life story in one hour. He’ll ask what’s been happening, what’s got you through hard times before, and what you’d like to be different. From there the work gets practical: noticing what sets things off, trying something new, and being accountable without drowning in shame.
The practical side
- Times: Tuesday to Thursday evenings, and Saturday mornings and afternoons.
- Video or phone: take it from a parked truck at lunch, a home office, or a walk with headphones. Camera off is fine.
- Privacy: if you claim through benefits, your insurer sees that you had counselling, not what it was about. Your employer doesn’t hear from us.
- Cost: $145 for 60 minutes, with a sliding scale. Many benefit plans cover Davis’s sessions, and he can bill Pacific Blue Cross directly. Our fees and insurance page has the details, and our RTC guide has the question to ask your plan.
If you’d rather talk to a woman
That’s a fair preference. Madison Morrison genuinely enjoys working with men, especially around stress, burnout and big emotions. Chantelle Efird works with younger men on anxiety and ADHD, at a low fee.
If it’s urgent
If you’re thinking about suicide, call or text 9‑8‑8, any time. If you’re in danger, call 9‑1‑1. For gambling, Gambling Support BC is free and open 24/7 at 1‑888‑795‑6111. Our crisis page has more numbers.
Common questions
Do I have to talk about my feelings the whole time?
No. Plenty of sessions are about what you’re actually going to do differently this week. Feelings come up, but nobody will force them.
My partner told me to get help. Does that count?
Yes. A lot of men start that way. What matters is that you show up. Working out what you want is part of the work.
Will this show up at work?
Not from us. What you say stays private, with a few legal exceptions explained on our privacy page. If you claim through benefits, the claim shows counselling, not the reason.
How many sessions will I need?
There’s no set number. Most people meet every week or two to start, and you can stop whenever you choose. Davis’s aim isn’t to keep you in counselling forever.
Start before the wheels fall off
A free consultation with Davis is a short conversation, by video or phone. No pressure to book more.
Next you’ll pick a time in Jane, our secure booking system. It asks for your name, email and phone.
Not an emergency service. If you’re not safe right now, call or text 9‑8‑8.