Registered Clinical Counsellors are professional counsellors who are registered with and accountable to the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). The BCACC meets the strictest academic and professional qualification standards and all RCC’s are required to adhere to the Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards of Clinical Practice. All RCC’s have also fulfilled the Association’s rigourous requirements with respect to education, supervision, and clinical experience. For more information feel free to visit the BCACC website here.
Everyday people from all walks of life go to counselling and of course, there’s no doubt that it takes courage, and it may be just what you need to get things back on track.
It can be a little intimidating for people to seek counselling. It’s normal and makes sense to not be totally sure. Feel free to give me a call and we can chat for a couple of minutes – It’s important that you feel comfortable with the counsellor you’ll be working with.
For many people, there is still the stigma that there has to be something abnormal about you to come for counselling. Normal, everyday people go to counselling, and it’s often just our perceptions about ourselves that make us feel abnormal. This too is normal!
No, you do not need a referral from your family doctor, or anyone else, to come and see me. You can contact me directly at 604-653-1283 to schedule an appointment.
Yes, as a Registered Clinical Counsellor I am required to keep everything that is discussed in counselling in the strictest of confidence, unless you give me voluntary written consent to do otherwise. There are 3 exceptions to this rule:
- If your counsellor feels that you are a serious danger to yourself or others.
- If your counsellor, or your counselling file is officially subpoenaed in a court case.
- If there is information shared about current child or elder abuse.
Our session rates for counselling range from $150-$300 for a 50 minute session. Longer sessions are available upon request. Payment is due in full at the beginning of each session. You can pay by cash, cheque, e-transfer or paypal.
*Although counselling fees are not covered under the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP), you may likely be covered by you or your partner’s extended health benefit plan through work. Visits to a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) are often included under those plans. Refer to your plan manual for details or call the insurer and they’ll be able to assist you.
In my experience, people often begin to feel some relief after the first session. It can be incredibly healing to finally have a safe space to talk openly about your concerns and feel genuinely heard. As everyone is unique and has different goals, there is no prescribed time frame or number of sessions.
For specific concerns clients often come for 6 – 10 sessions, and for more complex issues such as seeking significant change in lifelong challenges, patterns, or beliefs, or working through things like trauma or significant loss it will take until you feel you no longer need counselling. The counselling process is a journey which, although without a set time frame for completion, is often characterized by significant and long-lasting personal growth, peace, and healing.
Although benefiting from therapy is highly likely, there are also some potential risks. The therapeutic process may bring up past and painful memories, may evoke strong feelings or reactions, and may change how you understand yourself or relate to others (which can be initially painful). Sometimes things even feel worse before they feel better. You can always, ALWAYS talk about anything you are going through with me.
A full 48 hours must be given for the cancellation of all appointments. If not, the full session fee will be charged. There is a high demand for services, especially at certain times of day and your session is reserved exclusively for you.
Absolutely. The truth is, we only have control over ourselves and can only change our thoughts, our actions, and our reactions. Many clients have reported significant improvements in their relationships with others including their intimate partners, their family members, their friends, as well as with their work colleagues from coming in for individual sessions.