Practical, down-to-earth counselling for stress, burnout, anxiety, life transitions, and the realities of high-pressure work.
Industry-informed therapist Fernie, BC, Sam Usher provides practical support for stress, burnout, high-pressure work environments, and nervous-system regulation. Sometimes people avoid therapy because they picture sitting in an office being analyzed or not knowing what they’re supposed to say. That’s not how I approach counselling. Sessions feel more like an honest conversation than a clinical experience.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before showing up. You don’t need the “right” words, and you don’t need to pretend things are fine when they’re not. Whether you’re dealing with stress, burnout, relationship challenges, anxiety, life transitions, or just feeling off and disconnected, this is a space where you can slow things down and talk openly about what’s actually going on.
Based in Fernie, BC, and supporting clients throughout the Elk Valley, Williams Lake, and across British Columbia, I provide practical counselling for adults who are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply carrying more than they should. My goal is to create a space where you can show up exactly as you are, slow things down, make sense of what's going on, and leave with practical tools you can use in your everyday life.
Many of the people I work with are used to being the ones who keep going.
Whether we meet outdoors or virutally, sessions are designed to feel more like an honest conversation than a clinical experience.
You can book a free 15-minute consultation to see if we're a fit.
Does a traditional therapy room just not feel like the right fit for you?
Backcountry Counselling & Wellness is a nature-based offering of Sam Usher Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Wilderness-based sessions available.
I support people across the Elk Valley, including Sparwood, Elkford, and Fernie, and Williams Lake BC, who don’t always see themselves reflected in traditional counselling spaces. That includes folks working in industry, shift work, outdoor careers, and other high-pressure jobs where sometimes the usual therapy model just doesn’t quite fit.
Stress, burnout & overwhelm
Anxiety
Workplace stress, culture & high-pressure environments
Life transitions and identity shifts
ADHD
Post-critical incident stress
Injury recovery + returning to work
Many clients come from industries where people are used to pushing through stress without realizing how much they’ve been carrying.
That pattern often shows up first in sleep — I've written about why a toxic workplace keeps your nervous system on alert.
My approach is person-centered, grounded, and practical.
I want therapy to feel real and useful, not overly clinical or detached. My goal is to create a space where people can talk openly, feel understood, and build tools they can actually use in everyday life.
At times I can be direct when it’s helpful, while always moving at your pace.
When I'm not Counselling....
You can usually find me outside. I'm a black coffee lover, a self-proclaimed comedian, and someone who's always planning the next adventure. Whether I'm skiing, biking, hiking, or spending time on the water, being outdoors is where I recharge. I'm also known to bring a questionable amount of Mini Eggs on adventures and to maintain full-throttle Leafs optimism—which might honestly be one of my greatest emotional endurance skills.
Taking the first step toward counselling can sometimes feel uncertain.
The goal is to make the process simple, supportive, and comfortable from the beginning.
If you’re curious about working together, booking a consultation
is a simple first step.
Session Fees:
Virtual Counselling: $165 / session
Walk-and-Talk Counselling: $175 / session
If you’re interested in working together, fill out the form
below to request a consultation. I’ll get back to you shortly to
arrange a time to connect.
Every counselling journey is unique. Read what clients have shared about their experiences working through challenges, building confidence, and creating positive changes in their lives.
It’s therapy that happens outdoors instead of in a traditional office. We might walk side-by-side on a local trail, sit by the river, or find a quiet place to pause. The conversation is still the focus, but the environment tends to help people feel more at ease, less “on the spot,” and often more open.
A lot of people find that sitting face-to-face in a room can feel intense or even a bit unnatural. Being outside can take some of that pressure off. There’s something about movement, fresh air, and not needing constant eye contact that helps conversations flow more naturally.
Not at all. This isn’t about hiking hard or pushing limits. We go at your pace, choose accessible locations, and adjust based on what feels comfortable for you that day.
We live in Fernie, so we work with the seasons—but we also stay flexible. If weather or conditions aren’t ideal, we can shift to a virtual session or reschedule. Your safety and comfort come first.
Yes—with some real-world considerations. We choose quieter routes and can pause or shift topics if we pass others. I’ll go over this with you beforehand so you feel fully informed and comfortable.
Stress, burnout, anxiety, life transitions, and feeling overwhelmed are all areas where this format can be especially helpful. It can also support nervous system regulation in a way that sitting still sometimes doesn’t.
Most of the time, it simply looks like we’re out for a walk. And if someone does recognize you, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Choosing to invest in your mental health is something to be proud of. It means you’re willing to show up for yourself, do the work, and take a meaningful step forward. Therapy doesn’t have to stay hidden behind closed doors—it can happen out in the open, in spaces that are already grounding and naturally healing.
Comfortable clothing, appropriate footwear, and anything you’d normally bring for a walk. I’ll send location details ahead of time so you know what to expect.
Absolutely. You can choose what works best for you—virtual, outdoors, or a mix of both.
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Copyright © 2026 Sam Usher Counselling & Psychotherapy. | All Right Reserved
Copyright © 2026 Sam Usher Counselling & Psychotherapy. | All Right Reserved
Copyright © 2026 Sam Usher Counselling & Psychotherapy. | All Right Reserved
