FAQ
Who attends counselling?
We all experience personal challenges or issues in our lives. We can deal with these times by talking to friends or family, or trying to deal with things ourselves. There are times, however, when issues are too much for us to manage on our own or cannot be resolved by support from our friends or family. At such times, seeking support and strategies from a professional such as a counsellor can be helpful. The best sort of person to help you with a psychological problem is one that will not judge you and who understands the different types of issues that we can encounter that may affect us emotionally, and in our day-to-day functioning.
How long does it take for counselling to "work"?
Many people who decide to seek out a counsellor have encountered a roadblock that is related to something intensely personal and they need help sorting it out. For some people, they can have a very specific problem which can be addressed rather quickly. For others, they may need to take more time to address issues that they have been struggling with for many years. Ultimately, understanding the problem and creating a roadmap with your therapist is the best way to determine how much time you wish to spend on counselling.
How do you decide what therapy to use for certain issues?
As each individual is unique, oftentimes a therapeutic plan may need to be customised to address your goals, needs and preferences. The work we do together is informed by values based living, developmental attachment & family systems theory, compassion focused and mindfulness practices and body based somatic practices. I also employ Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT) to ensure that we are on track with my approach, your goals and our sessions remain helpful and productive. I have additional training in Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for the treatment of trauma, depression anxiety and substance use.
What about confidentiality...can you keep what I tell you private?
Everything shared in a session is private and confidential. At the start of therapy we will go over an informed consent and outline any limits to confidentiality in our session. Should there be a circumstance where I need to reveal anything you have disclosed, for the safety of yourself or someone else, you will be informed throughout. If you require a letter to show you are attending therapy, I will provide it upon request.
Is virtual/online counselling a fit for me?
A growing body of research supports the idea that online therapy produces the same benefits as in person counselling.
For many people, access, travel time and convenience can make counselling online an accessible and rewarding experience. Meeting in a virtual space allows for flexibility and increased peace of mind when working in the comfort of ones own private home. If a client can not guarantee privacy, confidentiality or safety in their home then other options, such as phone or in-person therapy may be a better fit.
I work with a platform called Jane app. It is a HIPAA compliant with data in motion encrypted at the application layer using Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). It's free and easy to download an app or use on an internet browser. Please visit https://jane.app/guide/telehealth/getting-started-with-online-appointments for more information
What is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)?
I am a registered clinical counsellor (RCC) through the BCACC. In British Columbia a Registered Clinical Counsellor is certified by the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and ensures clinicians have a Masters Degree in the field as well as additional training in specific areas of practice, satisfy BCACC's clinical supervision requirements, and agree to uphold ethical standards of practice and best practice guidelines of BCACC. For more information visit www.bc-counsllors.org
Will counselling be covered by my health insurance?
I am registered with the BCACC as a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and many extended health benefit providers cover the cost of counselling by an RCC. Please refer to your health plan administrator or health benefit company to determine your coverage.
