Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I begin?

If you are considering counselling, you are welcome to start with a free 20-minute phone consultation. This gives us an opportunity to briefly discuss what brings you to counselling, answer any questions you may have, and consider whether working together may be a good fit.

If you decide to proceed, I will provide you with the Intake and Consent Forms to complete before your first counselling session. You can then schedule an appointment for in-person or online counselling.

How do I know if we are a good match?

Finding a counsellor who is a good fit is important. The free 20-minute phone consultation gives you an opportunity to ask questions, tell me briefly about what you would like help with, and learn more about how I work.

A good fit depends on several things, including your needs and goals, my experience and approach, and whether you feel comfortable working with me. If I believe that your needs are outside my areas of practice or that another professional may be better suited to help you, I will let you know and, when possible, help you consider other options.

Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)

Counselling / Psychotherapy
Yes

Diagnosis
No

Medication
Cannot prescribe

Registered Clinical Counsellors primarily provide counselling and psychotherapy. They assess clients as part of the counselling process, but do not provide psychological or medical diagnoses or prescribe medication.

Psychologist

Counselling / Psychotherapy
Yes

Diagnosis
Yes

Medication
Cannot prescribe

Psychologists can provide counselling and psychotherapy as well as psychological assessment, testing, and diagnosis. Depending on their area of practice, some focus more on assessment, while others provide ongoing psychotherapy.

Psychiatrist

Counselling / Psychotherapy
Yes

Diagnosis
Yes

Medication
Can prescribe

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. They assess and diagnose mental health conditions and can prescribe medication. Some also provide psychotherapy, although their practice may focus more on psychiatric assessment and medical treatment.

What can I expect from the first counselling session?

The first counselling session gives us more time to understand what brings you to counselling and what you would like to work on. I may ask about your current concerns, relevant experiences and relationships, and other areas of your life that may help us understand your situation.

We will also discuss your goals and begin considering how counselling may be helpful. You are welcome to ask questions, and you do not need to share everything at once. We can work at a pace that feels appropriate for you.

How often should I come to counselling, and how many sessions will I need?

The frequency and number of counselling sessions depend on your concerns, goals, circumstances, and the progress we make together. Some clients come for a few sessions to work on a specific concern, while others continue for several months or longer to work on more complex or longstanding issues.

We can review your needs and goals along the way and adjust the frequency and duration of counselling as needed.

Do you offer in-person, online, or phone counselling?

Yes. I offer both in-person and online counselling. Both can be effective, and the best format depends on your needs, circumstances, and preferences.

When possible, I generally encourage meeting in person, particularly during the initial stages of counselling. Meeting face-to-face can make it easier to connect naturally and allows us to communicate through more than words alone. Online counselling can be a good option when convenience, travel, location, health, or other circumstances make meeting in person more difficult.

Phone counselling may also be available for established clients when appropriate. I generally recommend that we first meet in person or by video so that we can establish our counselling relationship before switching to phone sessions.

Can I come to counselling if my partner or family member doesn't want to participate?

Yes. Counselling can still be helpful even if your partner or family member does not want to participate. We can explore the relationship or family concerns from your perspective, understand the patterns that may be contributing to the difficulties, and consider changes you can make in how you respond and relate to others.

You cannot control whether another person changes, but changes in how you understand and respond to a relationship can sometimes influence how you interact with each other. Individual counselling can also help you clarify your own needs, choices, and boundaries within the relationship. Learn more about relationship counselling for individuals.

Will my extended health insurance cover counselling?

Many extended health insurance plans provide coverage for counselling services, but coverage varies by plan. Please contact your insurance provider in advance to confirm whether your plan covers services provided by a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) or Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), as well as any limits or requirements that may apply.

I do not direct bill extended health insurance plans. You will need to pay for your counselling session and submit the receipt to your insurance provider for reimbursement.

Does ICBC cover counselling?

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, ICBC may cover counselling as part of your recovery. ICBC currently provides up to 12 pre-approved counselling sessions during the first 12 weeks after a crash, without requiring a doctor's referral or prior approval from ICBC.

I am a member of the ICBC Recovery Network and can bill ICBC directly for approved counselling services. You will need an ICBC claim number to get started. If you require counselling beyond the initial 12-week period, additional sessions may be available with approval from ICBC.