FAQs

When provided by a trained and regulated mental health professional, counselling provides an opportunity for you to explore a variety of concerns, such as past or current difficulties, life dissatisfaction, and distressing thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Counselling also facilitates understanding and self-awareness, promotes growth and change, and improves functioning and relationships with others. Counselling is not prescriptive; rather, the relationship between you and the mental health professional is collaborative in nature.

Yes! Many studies have shown that counselling is effective in treating a variety of psychological difficulties, is an effective alternative to anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications, may produce long-term improvements, and reduces the need for medical services. Research has also shown that people with emotional and interpersonal difficulties who sought counselling do better than those who did not seek counselling. Click here for more information on the effectiveness of psychological treatment.

Typically, the difference between a psychologist and a counsellor/therapist is the amount of schooling, licensure, and expected regulations.

In British Columbia, a psychologist is required to have a PhD within an area of psychology (e.g., counselling psychology, clinical psychology, neuropsychology) and must be registered with a regulatory body (i.e., The College of Health and Care Professionals of BC). The College requires psychologists to uphold continued competency on a yearly basis (e.g., annual professional development, consultation), carry liability insurance, and maintain professional and ethical practices. Services provided by psychologists are typically covered by most extended health care benefits.

There are no legislative restrictions on who can call themselves a counsellor. Counsellors are not required to be registered with a regulatory body. There is a voluntary organization called the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors that requires a minimum of a master’s degree in a helping profession.

The number of sessions needed depends on the severity, complexity, and duration of the problem for which you are seeking help, as well as your personal motivation for dealing with these difficulties. For some issues, a person may begin to see symptom relief and improvement within seven or eight counselling sessions while other issues may require more sessions. People tend to make more progress when they have the continuity of weekly counselling sessions. However, individual circumstances vary. Some people attend counselling biweekly; others attend monthly.

In therapy, I work on the “50-minute hour,” meaning that I meet with clients for 50 minutes and 10 minutes are reserved for note taking and preparation. Please visit the Rates + Insurance page for current rates. The fee is collected at the beginning of each session and is payable by Visa, MasterCard, or e-transfer. I do not accept cash, cheques, debit, Visa debit, or American Express. An official receipt with my College of Health and Care Professionals of BC registration number will be issued to you.

No, counselling services provided by psychologists are not covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP) of British Columbia. Only physicians and psychiatrists are covered by MSP.

To determine if you have coverage for a psychologist, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Review your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. Some helpful questions you can ask them include:

• Do my extended health benefits cover services with a psychologist?
• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
• What is the amount of coverage per year?
• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

You may also want to see if you also have coverage under a parent’s or spouse’s/common-law partner’s plan.

Yes, fees for counselling and therapy services are tax deductible as a medical expense. Please speak with your accountant for more information.

I provide direct billing only for government employees through Veterans Affairs Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Armed Forces, and Delta Police Department. For other plans, payment is required at the beginning of your session and a receipt will be provided for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

No. I work with WorkSafeBC’s Critical Incident Response Program. This is a separate division from WorkSafeBC and referrals are made internally.

Yes. I have been providing telephone and videoconferencing sessions since 2012 to individuals living in BC. Most appointments are conducted either by telephone or videoconferencing. The videoconferencing program I use is Jane App.

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, I require 48 hours’ notice by telephone or email. All phone calls and emails are date- and time-stamped to my business hours. The regular session fee will apply to missed appointments without sufficient notification. Clients are required to pay for missed appointments prior to scheduling subsequent appointments.

Please visit the contact page for my business hours.

I am located in British Columbia, Canada, and provide psychological assessment and counselling treatment sessions to British Columbia residents. I offer a limited number of in-person psychological counselling treatment sessions each month. My practice is primarily telehealth (telephone and videoconferencing).