Frequently Asked Questions

  • A Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) is a member of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and is a qualified professional. An RCC has obtained a master's level education in an accredited counselling program, has met the 100 hours of clinical supervision requirements, has a clear criminal record check, has professional liability insurance, and has agreed to the scope of practice, code of ethical conduct, and constitution and bylaws of the association. In BC, the term ‘counsellor’ is an unregulated term, therefore anyone can call themselves a counsellor regardless of training or education. For more information https://bcacc.ca

  • Yes. As spaces are limited, please book a consultation to ensure that your concerns are within the scope of my practice and that we are a good fit.

  • A consultation is a time for you to meet me before you commit to a whole session. It is an opportunity to ask any questions or to address uncertainties before we commence working together. To prepare, you may wish to make a list of questions and uncertainties that you would like to address. You may also consider what qualities you are hoping for in a counsellor, and ask about those as well.

  • Not necessarily. The number of sessions will vary dependent on the concerns you are addressing, your goals, and financial resources. Some people find it helpful to talk to a counsellor for two or three sessions, gather some feedback and mental health tools, and go forth without continuing a counselling relationship. Others require more frequent support and in-depth discussion, and they tend to book frequent sessions over a longer period of time. Finally, others benefit from having a counsellor to meet with once every month or two as an act of self-care and mental health maintenance. What counselling looks like for you is your unique preference.

  • The counsellor-client relationship is one of the most important predictors of positive outcomes in counselling. My greatest wish for you is that you work with someone whom you feel comfortable and aligned with. If that person is not me, please advocate for yourself. There will be no hard feelings and I will happily assist you with referrals. The counselling journey is about YOU!

  • During the first session we will start by reviewing standard confidentiality and informed consent agreements. It is important that you understand what to expect from me as a counsellor. After we have completed the paperwork, we will talk about what brings you to counselling. I will ask you lots of questions so that I get a more complete picture of what is going on for you. We might discuss some tools you can use to help start making a change, and we will end with a check in to see how you felt about the session. First sessions can sometimes feel awkward because we are just getting to know each other. If this has been your experience with counselling, take heart! It does get better!

  • Depending on your needs, goals, and unique preferences, what we actually DO in counselling can and will likely vary. Example of activities include, but are not limited to, classic talk therapy - question and answer, reflecting, brainstorming, breath work, guided meditations, worksheets, mindfulness exercises, somatic sensing, skills practice, silence, simple art, role-plays, mind mapping, writing, prayer, crying, and laughing.

  • No. I am qualified to work with clients experiencing a range of issues. Please see my list of specialized areas of clinical focus. If you book a free consultation, we can discuss if my scope of practice fits your needs.

  • Counsellors have a legal duty to keep what you share in therapy confidential, unless you consent to disclosure. This includes not sharing information on your identity, status, and attendance. Counsellors may also share anonymized information with a supervisor to receive feedback on their approach as a therapist.

    Confidentiality when it comes to RCC’s is not just a standard enforced by the BCACC, it can be enforced in court. The duty of confidentiality has three exceptions in which a counsellor is obligated by law to report. These exceptions are:

    • Mandatory reporting of suspected abuse of a child, or vulnerable person

    • Mandatory reporting of a risk of imminent serious harm to self or others

    • When subpoenaed by a Canadian court of law

    If you have any further questions about confidentiality please ask in session.

  • I protect confidentiality and information security in a number of ways:

    I use a private, password protected computer and work in a private office.

    Any written documentation is secured in a locked cabinet.

    I use a secure online platform called JANE for scheduling sessions, storing client information, and facilitating video sessions.

  • I do not offer direct billing. A detailed receipt will be provided upon payment of the session that includes my RCC registration number which you may submit to your insurance provider. Please verify with your provider if they cover Registered Clinical Counselling.

  • The JANE app makes booking sessions simple. If you are a new client, you will be able to book a free 20-minute consultation. If you are an existing client, you will be able to log into your JANE portal to book your session. BOOK HERE

“Loving yourself is the only foundation for wholeness, health, and joy.  So fall in love with yourself! It’s not narcissistic.  Once you begin to heal, what you discover will not be the new you, but the real you.  The you that was there all along, beautiful, born with love and joy.” - Dr. Edith Eger