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Best Addiction Counselors in Oak Bay, BC (2026)

28 addiction counselors ranked by RP ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Best overall in Oak Bay: Home Based Recovery Victoria Addiction Treatment & Mental Health Counselling, RP Score 79/100; 5.0★ from 21 Google reviews; open 7 days a week.

  2. 24

    Most-reviewed: Compass Health, 131 Google reviews at 3.9★, the most of 28 ranked; ranked #24.

Rankings can't be bought. Psychologists can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank

28 Oak Bay addiction counselors are ranked here by RP Score, from eight published factors. 10 open Saturdays and 9 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.3★ across 28 rated practices.

Most of this list also appears on the Addiction counselors in Victoria ranking. See Addiction counselors in Victoria

Top 10 addiction counselors in Oak Bay at a glance

Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.

Top 10 addiction counselors in Oak Bay at a glance
RankBusinessRP ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursBest for
1Home Based Recovery Victoria Addiction Treatment & Mental Health Counselling795.0★ (21)Victoria, 2 km awaySat · Sun · EveningsOverall
2Michael Walsh Addiction Specialist Victoria794.9★ (85)Victoria, 2 km awaySat · Sun · Evenings—
3Sobering Centre744.6★ (9)Victoria, 4 km awaySat · Sun · Evenings—
4Specialty Services II703.5★ (43)Port Angeles, 39 km awaySat · Sun · Evenings—
5Sunshine Coast Health Centre674.8★ (5)Victoria, 5 km away——
6Gobind Wellness645.0★ (61)Surrey, 77 km awaySat · Sun · Evenings—
7AVI Health and Community Services634.8★ (34)Victoria, 5 km awaySat · Sun · Evenings—
8The Salvation Army Victoria ARC623.2★ (27)Victoria, 5 km awaySat · Sun · Evenings—
9Homewood Ravensview603.6★ (55)North Saanich, 22 km awaySat · Sun · Evenings—
10Tsow-Tun-Le-Lum Society583.6★ (11)Duncan, 45 km away——

The 28 best addiction counselors in Oak Bay, ranked

Ordered by RP Score, a 0–100 score from eight published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.

Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.

Scores below: based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected. Hatched segments mark factors we don't have yet.

  1. Ranked #1 in Oak Bay

    #1 Home Based Recovery Victoria Addiction Treatment & Mental Health Counselling

    Based in Victoria, 2 km away

    79/100RP Score

    Ranked #1 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Alcoholism treatment program”, 5.0★ from 21 Google reviews.

    • 5.0★ from 21 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 12 AM–12 AM
    Address
    3066 Shelbourne St Ste 255, Victoria, BC V8R 6T9
    View profile for Home Based Recovery Victoria Addiction Treatment & Mental Health Counselling(778) 700-2830

  3. #3 Sobering Centre

    Based in Victoria, 4 km away

    74/100RP Score

    Ranked #3 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Addiction treatment center”, 4.6★ from 9 Google reviews.

    • 4.6★ from 9 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 3 PM–12 AM
    Address
    1125 Pembroke St, Victoria, BC V8T 1J3
    View profile for Sobering Centre(250) 213-4441

  4. #4 Specialty Services II

    Based in Port Angeles, 39 km away

    70/100RP Score

    Ranked #4 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Addiction treatment center”, 3.5★ from 43 Google reviews.

    • 3.5★ from 43 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 12 AM–12 AM
    Address
    825 E 5th St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
    View profile for Specialty Services II(360) 477-4790

  6. #6 Gobind Wellness

    Based in Surrey, 77 km away

    64/100RP Score

    Ranked #6 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Alcoholism treatment program”, 5.0★ from 61 Google reviews.

    • 5.0★ from 61 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 8 AM–9 PM
    Address
    15300 Croydon Dr #300, Surrey, BC V3Z 0Z5
    View profile for Gobind Wellness(778) 868-0468

  9. #9 Homewood Ravensview

    Based in North Saanich, 22 km away

    60/100RP Score

    Ranked #9 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.6★ from 55 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mental health service”.

    • 3.6★ from 55 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 12 AM–12 AM
    Address
    1515 McTavish Rd, North Saanich, BC V8L 5T3
    View profile for Homewood Ravensview(866) 203-1793

  10. #10 Tsow-Tun-Le-Lum Society

    Based in Duncan, 45 km away

    58/100RP Score

    Ranked #10 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Addiction treatment center”, 3.6★ from 11 Google reviews.

    • 3.6★ from 11 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–12 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    2850 Miller Rd, Duncan, BC V9L 6V6
    View profile for Tsow-Tun-Le-Lum Society(250) 390-3123

  11. #11 CARES Clinic

    Based in Victoria, 4 km away

    54/100RP Score

    Ranked #11 because of its Google rating and proximity: 4.2★ from 9 Google reviews, 4 km from Oak Bay.

    • 4.2★ from 9 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    1119 Pembroke St, Victoria, BC V8T 1J3
    View profile for CARES Clinic(250) 519-3485

  12. #12 Catholic Community Services

    Based in Mount Vernon, 71 km away

    54/100RP Score

    Ranked #12 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Addiction treatment center”, 3.5★ from 15 Google reviews.

    • 3.5★ from 15 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–5 PM · Fri 8:30 AM–4 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    614 Peterson Rd Ste 200, Burlington, WA 98233
    View profile for Catholic Community Services(360) 757-0131

  24. #24 Compass Health

    Based in Bellingham, 74 km away

    43/100RP Score

    Ranked #24 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.9★ from 131 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Non-profit organization”.

    • 3.9★ from 131 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    3645 E McLeod Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226
    View profile for Compass Health(360) 676-2220

How we ranked Oak Bay addiction counselors

We scored 28 Oak Bay addiction counselors on eight factors, weighted as shown. A practice is ranked when its specialty is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.

Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Sponsored businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.

Read the full method: formula, sources and exclusions

RP Score factors and weights
FactorWeightComputed fromIn Oak Bay data
Reputation25%Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back itMeasured
Review volume5%Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed practice on the listMeasured
Recency5%Share of Google reviews from the last 12 monthsNot yet collected
Availability10%Weekly open hours, Saturday, Sunday, and round-the-clock or same-day availabilityMeasured
Specialty focus25%How clearly the practice does this specialty (its Google category and name)Measured
Proximity15%Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it isMeasured
Claimed profile10%The practice has claimed its Ranked Psychologists profile (free or paid earn the same)Measured
Partnered5%The practice links to Ranked Psychologists from its own website with our badge, checked periodicallyMeasured

How to choose an addiction counselor

  1. Check the license with the state or provincial board that issued it; most boards publish a free online lookup.
  2. Make sure addiction counseling is a regular part of their work, and ask what approach they use and why.
  3. Ask which credential the counselor holds (for example a state addiction counselor certification, LPC or LCSW).
  4. Ask whether they work with a physician if medication for addiction treatment is part of your plan.
  5. Ask about fees, insurance and the cancellation policy before the first session. In the US, if you are uninsured or paying yourself, you can ask for a good faith estimate of expected charges.
  6. Check practical fit: in-person or online sessions, evening times, and how soon they have an opening.
  7. After a few sessions, ask yourself whether you feel heard. Changing to a different provider is common and fine.

Questions to ask an addiction counselor

  • Are you accepting new clients, and how soon could I start?
  • Which license do you hold, and in which state or province?
  • How much of your work is addiction counseling?
  • Do you offer individual sessions, groups or an intensive outpatient program?
  • What do you charge per session, and do you take my insurance or provide a superbill?
  • Do you offer online sessions?
  • What is your cancellation policy?
  • What do you keep confidential, and when would you have to share information?

Terms explained

PhD / PsyD
Doctoral degrees in psychology. A PhD usually has a stronger research focus, a PsyD a stronger clinical focus; both can lead to a psychologist license.
Licensed psychologist
A person licensed by a state or provincial psychology board to practice psychology. The title is protected by law.
Psychological associate
In some states and provinces, a master’s-level practitioner licensed or registered by the psychology board, often with supervision requirements.
LPC / LMHC / LCPC
US licenses for professional or mental health counselors (the name differs by state). They provide counseling and therapy.
LCSW
Licensed clinical social worker: a master’s-level social worker licensed to provide therapy.
LMFT
Licensed marriage and family therapist: licensed to treat individuals, couples and families with a focus on relationships.
RP / RCC
Registered psychotherapist (Ontario) and registered clinical counsellor (British Columbia): Canadian titles for licensed therapy providers.
PSYPACT
An interstate agreement that lets psychologists licensed in a member state provide telepsychology to clients in other member states once they hold the required authorization.
Telehealth
Sessions held by secure video or phone instead of in person. The provider generally needs to be licensed where the client is located.
CBT
Cognitive behavioral therapy: a structured talk therapy that works on the links between thoughts, feelings and behavior.
DBT
Dialectical behavior therapy: a form of CBT that teaches skills for managing intense emotions and relationships.
ERP
Exposure and response prevention: a form of CBT used for OCD.

Addiction counselors in Oak Bay: frequently asked questions

Who is the best addiction counselor in Oak Bay?

By RP Score, the highest-ranked addiction counselor in Oak Bay, BC is Home Based Recovery Victoria Addiction Treatment & Mental Health Counselling with an RP Score of 79/100. It has 5.0★ from 21 Google reviews. It is open 7 days a week. Michael Walsh Addiction Specialist Victoria (#2) and Sobering Centre (#3) follow. We ranked 28 addiction counselors on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many addiction counselors are there in Oak Bay?

RankedPsychologists ranks 28 addiction counselors serving Oak Bay, BC. Counts are as of November 2026.

What should I do if I need help right now?

In crisis or thinking about suicide? Call or text 988 (US and Canada), any time. In an emergency, call 911. This site cannot help in an emergency.

Which addiction counselors in Oak Bay work on weekends?

10 of 28 ranked addiction counselors post Saturday hours and 9 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Home Based Recovery Victoria Addiction Treatment & Mental Health Counselling (#1), Michael Walsh Addiction Specialist Victoria (#2) and Sobering Centre (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many practices also offer evening or online sessions by appointment.

What Google rating do Oak Bay addiction counselors have?

The median Google rating among 28 rated addiction counselors in Oak Bay is 4.3★, with a median of 17 reviews. Compass Health has the most, 131 reviews, and ranks #24. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.

How does RankedPsychologists rank addiction counselors?

Each addiction counselor gets a 0–100 RP Score from eight published factors, led by reputation (25%), specialty focus (25%), proximity (15%) and availability (10%). A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only practices with a confirmed specialty and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.

Do addiction counselors outside Oak Bay count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 80 km of the Oak Bay city centre, our service radius for addiction counselors. Each listing shows where the practice is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 15% of the RP Score, so a nearby practice gets a small edge.

Can addiction counselors pay to rank higher on RankedPsychologists?

No. The RP Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured practices may appear above the list, labelled Sponsored and showing their honest rank.

How are addiction counselors in Oak Bay ranked?

Each practice gets an RP Score from 0 to 100 from 8 published factors, including its Google rating, how clearly it focuses on addiction counseling and how close it is. Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank. The score does not measure treatment outcomes.

What is the difference between outpatient addiction counseling and rehab?

Outpatient counseling means regular sessions while you live at home and keep working; intensive outpatient programs meet several times a week. Residential rehab and medical detox happen in a facility. Withdrawal from alcohol and some drugs can be medically dangerous, so speak to a doctor before stopping if you drink or use heavily every day.

Can I see an addiction counselor online?

Often, yes. Licensing generally follows where you are during the session, so the provider needs to be licensed or authorized there. In the US, psychologists in PSYPACT member states can offer telepsychology to clients in other member states; counselors and social workers have their own rules. In Canada, ask whether the provider is registered in your province.

What if I need help right now?

Do not wait for a consultation. Call or text 988 (US and Canada) if you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, at any time. In an emergency, call 911.

Update log for Oak Bay

  1. November 2026: RP Scores recalculated for 28 addiction counselors serving Oak Bay.

More addiction counselors and Oak Bay pages