Olga Balabukha, M.D., PhD.
Personal Psychotherapy
in Victoria, BC
and beyond
Helping you find inner balance and calm
Offline and online sessions
available in English, Ukrainian, and Russian
Steady, compassionate psychotherapy
for times of deep change
for times of deep change
Support for emotional overwhelm, anxiety, trauma, and life transitions —
offered with care, experience, and respect.
You don’t have to have everything figured out to begin.
Find balance in change. Find yourself supported.
Begin Your Therapeutic Journey offered with care, experience, and respect.
You don’t have to have everything figured out to begin.
Find balance in change. Find yourself supported.
When life feels heavy
or unclear
or unclear
You may be feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, disconnected from yourself, or uncertain about the future.
Therapy can offer a steady space to pause, reflect, and begin restoring inner balance and clarity.
Therapy can offer a steady space to pause, reflect, and begin restoring inner balance and clarity.
| Olga Balabukha, M.D., PhD. I am an internationally trained psychotherapist from Ukraine with over 25 years of experience supporting people through emotional distress, life transitions, and trauma. I offer a calm and compassionate presence, creating a space where you can feel heard and safe. I believe change is possible even in the most difficult situations when a person is ready to grow and is supported by a steady, experienced therapist. For me, psychotherapy is about walking alongside you with honesty and care. Now living in Victoria, BC, I understand the challenges of adapting to a new country and times of uncertainty. I work gently to help people reconnect with inner balance, dignity, and meaning. I value honesty, gentleness, and respect in the therapeutic relationship. I work under ongoing clinical supervision and follow professional ethical standards consistent with counselling practice in British Columbia. |
Why Clients Work With Me
I bring a unique combination of medical training and long-term psychotherapy experience. I worked for over 25 years as a physician-psychotherapist and spent 10 years teaching psychotherapy to physicians and consulting on complex cases referred by medical specialists. My lived experience of major life changes, including immigration, also informs my work—helping me support clients with steadiness, respect, and deep empathy.
I bring a unique combination of medical training and long-term psychotherapy experience. I worked for over 25 years as a physician-psychotherapist and spent 10 years teaching psychotherapy to physicians and consulting on complex cases referred by medical specialists. My lived experience of major life changes, including immigration, also informs my work—helping me support clients with steadiness, respect, and deep empathy.
My Approach
I believe meaningful change becomes possible when a person is willing to engage in the process and is supported by a steady, experienced, and caring therapist.
I believe meaningful change becomes possible when a person is willing to engage in the process and is supported by a steady, experienced, and caring therapist.
I use a range of well-established, evidence-based therapeutic approaches to help people manage stress, trauma, and emotional difficulties.
Depending on your needs, I may draw on:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Systemic family psychotherapy
Somatic (body-based) psychotherapy
EMDR
Clinical hypnosis
These approaches support emotional balance, body awareness, and deeper understanding of your experiences. I carefully choose and combine methods to match your goals, your pace, and what feels right for you.
Depending on your needs, I may draw on:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Systemic family psychotherapy
Somatic (body-based) psychotherapy
EMDR
Clinical hypnosis
These approaches support emotional balance, body awareness, and deeper understanding of your experiences. I carefully choose and combine methods to match your goals, your pace, and what feels right for you.
Who I Work With
I work with adults, teenagers, and seniors experiencing:
You do not need to be in crisis to begin therapy.
- emotional overwhelm and chronic stress
- the impact of past or ongoing trauma
- major life transitions, loss, or identity changes
- challenges related to immigration, adaptation, or feeling uprooted
- a desire for deeper self-understanding and lasting change
You do not need to be in crisis to begin therapy.
Practical Information
120-3066 Shelbourne St., Victoria, BC
The length of th first introductory consultation - 30 minutes.
This gives us a chance to connect, ask questions, and see whether working together feels right.
The duration of the next sessions is 50 minutes.
This gives us a chance to connect, ask questions, and see whether working together feels right.
The duration of the next sessions is 50 minutes.
The first consultation is free.
The fee for a standard 50-minute psychotherapy session is $70–$120, depending on individual circumstances. Fees are discussed openly and adjusted with care to support accessibility whenever possible.
For those who may not be able to afford private-practice rates, I also work one day a week with Hagg Wellness, a community organization that offers sessions on a sliding scale of $25–$75.
A sliding scale means the fee is adjusted based on your financial situation, so that therapy can remain accessible and fair.
The fee for a standard 50-minute psychotherapy session is $70–$120, depending on individual circumstances. Fees are discussed openly and adjusted with care to support accessibility whenever possible.
For those who may not be able to afford private-practice rates, I also work one day a week with Hagg Wellness, a community organization that offers sessions on a sliding scale of $25–$75.
A sliding scale means the fee is adjusted based on your financial situation, so that therapy can remain accessible and fair.
Online sessions are conducted via Zoom, ensuring complete security with encripted communication channels
Clients' Reflections
“A calm, respectful, and supportive therapeutic space.”
— Ann Y.
“I felt understood and not judged.”
— Arthur F.
Olga’s guidance heled me find clarity and confidence
— Andy S.
"Life feels easier and more manageable now. I’ve made friends, and I feel more hopeful about the future."
— Chris M.
“I found a steady and supportive space to reflect, slow down, and make sense of what I was going through.”
— Alex A.
— Ann Y.
“I felt understood and not judged.”
— Arthur F.
Olga’s guidance heled me find clarity and confidence
— Andy S.
"Life feels easier and more manageable now. I’ve made friends, and I feel more hopeful about the future."
— Chris M.
“I found a steady and supportive space to reflect, slow down, and make sense of what I was going through.”
— Alex A.
FAQ
No. Many people begin therapy when they feel emotionally overwhelmed, stuck, or simply want greater clarity and self-understanding.
Yes. I offer both in-person sessions in Victoria, BC and online sessions, depending on your needs and preferences.
The first session is a confidential space to talk about what brings you to therapy, ask questions, and see whether this approach feels right for you.
The length of therapy varies. Some people come for short-term support, receiving as few as 2 to 10 sessions, while others choose longer-term, deeper work, which they can continue for many months.
Yes. I offer reduced and flexible fees and discuss them openly to help make therapy accessible.
I work in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.
Begin in a Safe, Supportive Space
If you are considering therapy, I invite you to take the first step.
A confidential initial consultation can help you explore whether this work feels right for you.
First consultation is free (30 minutes)
If you are considering therapy, you are welcome to take the first step.
Reaching out does not commit you to anything.
The first step is simply a confidential conversation to see whether working together feels right for you.
All communication is confidential and handled with care and respect.
Reaching out does not commit you to anything.
The first step is simply a confidential conversation to see whether working together feels right for you.
All communication is confidential and handled with care and respect.
Please leave your contact details, and I will respond personally to arrange our first meeting.
