FAQ

I work with an extensive range of clients with different ages child, youth, college-age students and adult, men, women, and non-binary; people who are single, coupled, or in polyamorous relationships; members of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

Therapy and counselling are meaningful investments in both your present wellbeing and your future. People seek counselling for many different reasons. You may notice significant emotional distress such as persistent worry, anger, sadness, or overwhelm. You may be facing an important life decision, or experiencing difficulties in your personal, romantic, professional, or interpersonal relationships.

At times, the support of friends and family may feel helpful and sufficient. However, there are moments when this support is not enough, and you may feel the need for professional guidance. If this resonates with you, it may be the right time to reach out and begin your counselling journey with professional support.

The length and frequency of therapy sessions depend on several factors, including your needs, goals, and the type of counselling you choose.

• Individual counselling sessions typically last 50 to 60 minutes, depending on the client and presenting concerns.

• Couples, relationship, and family therapy sessions are usually 60 minutes or longer, as needed.

At the beginning of therapy, sessions are most often scheduled weekly or bi-weekly to build momentum and support meaningful progress. As therapy progresses and your goals are being met, sessions may become less frequent. After completing active therapy, some clients choose to attend occasional “booster sessions” for continued support.

You may attend sessions in person at the office or virtually online, based on your preference and convenience. The choice is entirely yours.

The length of counselling and psychotherapy depends on your individual needs, goals, and the concerns you wish to address. Some people benefit from short-term therapy (1–6 sessions) focused on a specific issue, while others choose longer-term therapy for deeper or more complex concerns.

The process is always collaborative and guided by you. Together, we regularly review your progress and adjust the pace as needed. You are always in control of your therapy—you may choose to continue, pause, or end sessions at any time, and you are welcome to return whenever you feel the need for additional support.

I need a minimum of 24 hours notice in order for you to avoid paying for a scheduled session.

Yes, I offer short as well as long counselling services.

I have had clients that they been my clients for years, but it does not mean that they are seeing me every week or even every month. Generally, clients initiate to see a clinician for the first time on a weekly basis or every other week depends on the issue(s). However, if you feel you are professionally connected to your therapist and counsellor, it can be a good idea to see them based on your new situations, challenges and transitions in your life. Seeing the same clinician will help you to save your time and money as the clinician knew you in advance. This is the point that people starters with short services then they may choose the same clinician for the long term. So, if you felt that you are professionally connected to me, do not hesitate to choose me for your long counselling services to see me for different and difficult situations of your life.

It is most helpful to be an active participant in the process. This involves sharing your thoughts, feelings, expectations, goals and experiences, asking questions, being thoughtful, and committing to sessions.

There are two different ways to receive my services. In person and virtually. When you are scheduling by yourself, you can choose virtual service. If this is the case, you have easily access to the meeting link from your profile.

I feel very strongly about confidentiality. Whatever you share with me stays between you and me. Not only I have no desire to share but also, legally and ethically, I am prohibited from sharing with a few exceptions. In other words, ethically and legally I am required to break confidentiality in the following conditions:

• You are going to act on plans to seriously hurt others or hurt yourself

• Situations involving child abuse and dependent adult abuse

• If you report past or ongoing sexual abuse by any health professional people (e.g., another clinical counsellor, psychologist, physician, nurse, dentist, chiropractor)

• a subpoena by the court

Usually, most extended benefits plans cover clinical counselling services. However, it can be a good idea to talk to your provider for more details such as the amount of sessions and percentage they cover. If your plan does not cover Registered Clinical Counsellors (R.C.C.), but only covers Registered Psychologists, you can make a request to your employer that they adjust your plan. This easy adjustment will be of no cost to your employer but will increase your benefit.

Further, if you’re a survivor of crime, you may qualify for CVAP counselling. I am here to assist you and welcome you as a CVAP client.

Follow link for details 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, you may be eligible for therapy coverage. I am pleased to accept ICBC clients.

For details about ICBC, please follow the link below:

https://www.icbc.com/partners/health-services/Pages/Clinical-counsellors.aspx

Whether in my downtown Vancouver office, in my Tri-Cities office (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody), or virtually. I am happy to provide you with professional counselling services.

Clinical counselling services are not covered under your Medical Service Plan of B.C. (MSP).

Usually after each session you will receive an invoice to make your payment. After you made the payment, you will receive the final receipt to submit to your insurance company. Kindly be informed that all your relevant invoices and bills are accessible at your profile as well.

Regarding the payment, you may make the payment with different methods including cash, debit cards, Interac E-Transfer, and cheque. You can also submit your credit Card info to withdraw the amount automatically after each session.