Frequently Asked Questions

We encourage you to select a counsellor who specializes in your primary concern. All of our counsellors have years of experience working with a variety of therapies and treatment goals, and your counsellor will be able to assess and discuss which therapy would be best for you throughout your sessions. Our professional therapists each have a host of therapeutic tools needed to facilitate change in your life, and are happy to discuss your expectations during your first session.

No preparation is needed for the first session. The therapist will invite you to sit wherever you feel comfortable in our counselling office or the therapist will orient you to the online counselling video application provided. The therapist will review the counselling process (confidentiality, therapist background, what brings you to counselling) and the therapist will address any questions that may come up for you at that time.

Often people worry that they may have too much or too little to talk about. Our therapy is collaborative; your therapist will work with you to prioritize your concerns, to make the best use of your time and ensure your therapy is continuously tailored to your needs.

We hold confidentiality to the highest regard within our practice. Everything that is said before, during, and after session will not be communicated to anyone without your written consent. We will not disclose your affiliation with our practice in any way without your written consent. Any written client identifying information will be encrypted and stored behind two locks when unattended. All online sessions are encrypted and password coded. There are four limits to confidentiality where we are bound to disclose information:

• When there is an imminent risk of you physically harming yourself or others
• When there is a suspicion or disclosure of neglect/abuse involving a vulnerable person or child
• When a client’s records are subpoenaed by court order
• When there is a medical emergency in office, we will contact emergency services on your behalf should you be unable to respond.

In most extended benefits plans, clinical counselling may be covered. Talk to your provider for the amount of sessions and percentage covered. If you’re a survivor of crime, you may qualify for CVAP counselling.

Follow link for details or enquire with our therapists for further support: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/bcs-criminal-justice-system/if-you-are-a-victim-of-a-crime/victim-of-crime/cvap-forms

If you’ve had an ICBC claim in the last 12 weeks, you may qualify for counselling coverage for  up to 12 sessions. See here for details: https://www.icbc.com/partners/health-services/Pages/Clinical-counsellors.aspx

To allow for other clients to schedule into our busy time slots, we ask that you contact us as soon as possible when you are unable to make a session. We offer online/phone counselling should you prefer or be unable to attend session in person. If you are unable to make an appointment within 48 hours notice, the full session fee will be charged to ensure fairness for you, your therapist, and other clients.

We completely understand. Finding a counsellor can be stressful, in addition to everything going on in life. Call or fill out our contact form at your earliest convenience and we can schedule a free 15 minute consultation session to further support you with your goals.

Give us a call at 778-899-3802 and we would be happy to send you a referral form and guide you through the referral process.

Clinical counsellors/psychotherapists use clinical therapies grounded in mental health principles with empirically based assessments and therapeutic techniques to aid clients in achieving insight into existing challenges, gain new skills and capacities, and earn emotional freedom from historical issues. Typical concerns treated range from grief, addictions, relationships, career, trauma, identity, sex, depression, and anxiety. They are regulated by professional organizations (BCACC or CCPA), where a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree is required, and fees of $120-$180 are indorsed. Clinical Counsellors are designated provincially as Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) or nationally as Canadian Clinical Counsellor (CCC).  Most extended health care benefit plans provide coverage for sessions.

In addition to clinical therapy, Registered Psychologists (R.Psych) are specifically trained and qualified in the development, research, and administration of specialized psychological tests, as well as conducting psychological research.  Provincially, they are regulated by the BC College of Psychologists, who require a PhD or a PsyD and indorse fees of $150-220 per hour. Most extended health care plans provide coverage for sessions.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors specializing in severe psychiatric disorders and medications to support mental illness. Psychiatrists attend medical school, are regulated by the Canadian Psychiatric Association and indorsed to charge $200-500 an hour and are usually covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP).

Life coaches work with people to help them achieve goals, overcome obstacles, and make changes or shifts in their lives. They are currently unregulated, have no minimum level of formal education required, and use life experience to guide them in their work. Rates per hour vary.

The term “Therapist” is used interchangeably for all of the above.