Counselling Questions and Therapy FAQs

Please note, fees are in accordance with the BCACC 2024 recommended fee schedule for experienced Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) offering specialized therapy services, such as EMDR therapy. Psychotherapy for RCCs in BC is deemed GST-exempt by the Canadian Revenue Agency; as a result, my fees do not charge or include tax.

• 60-minute session: $165 – Ideal for EMDR preparation, follow-up work, general counselling, and ongoing trauma therapy.

• 90-minute session: $240 – Intake sessions require this extended time to support us to review history, explore goals, and create a therapeutic plan together to best support you moving forward. Extended EMDR sessions allow for deeper exploration and accelerated processing, often reducing the overall number of sessions needed.

• 2-hour EMDR intensive session: $330 - Perfect for addressing complex or recent traumatic events in a single, extended session. Please reach out for a consultation surrounding this service and process.

• 15-minute phone consultation: Complimentary (free) – A chance to explore how therapy might benefit you and discuss your goals.

Longer sessions provide significant benefits, especially for trauma-focused therapy and EMDR. They provide:

• Deeper processing: Ample time to fully address and reprocess complex trauma.

• Completion of therapeutic cycles: Avoid pausing during critical moments of trauma work, leaving you feeling grounded and settled.

• Enhanced progress: Many clients experience faster and more meaningful healing during extended sessions.

A complimentary 15-minute phone consultation allows you to:

• Ask questions about our therapeutic approach.

• Discuss scheduling and therapy goals.

• Explore if it is a supportive therapeutic fit for you.

I recommend to begin with the pre-consultation form and phone consultation. Intake and informed consent forms will be sent after the phone consultation and/or before first session. Please fill these out as detailed as you are comfortable with. The benefit of doing so is they help establish a strong therapeutic foundation.

Two-hour EMDR intensive sessions are effective for processing recent traumatic events, such as:

• Traumatic loss of a loved one.

• Motor vehicle or other transportation accidents.

• Workplace traumatic incidents (such as distressing call for first responders or occupational betrayals).

• Mountain, wilderness, or sports traumas.

• Natural disasters.

• Witnessing traumatic events.

• Childhood or adult violent experiences.

• Interpersonal violence experiences.

• Traumatic physical injury and/or medical intervention.

These intensives are beneficial for first responders or individuals dealing with recent single-event traumas. Intensive sessions can also be supportive to those who have frozen or stuck memories from childhood impacting them in the present. We can discuss the benefits and process during your consultation or intake session.

Both in-person and online therapy options are available, and we can discuss which format feels best for you during your intake session.

• In-person sessions: Great for clients who feel more comfortable in a dedicated therapy space.

• Online sessions: Flexible and convenient, allowing you to remain in a familiar environment while accessing trauma-focused care, including EMDR.

I use secure video conferencing platforms to ensure your privacy and comfort.

Sessions can be switched to virtual online format at any time for any reason, which includes illness, injury, or preference. Please do not hesitate to switch the format of your session at any time in advance to the session.

Direct billing and third-party funding may be available for clients with eligible insurance or first responder benefits. These include:

• Extended health insurance that covers counselling and critical incident response services (e.g., Telus Health, Green Shield, Medavie Blue Cross, Pacific Blue Cross, Veterans Affairs, and WorkSafeBC)

• First responder benefits, as I am an approved provider for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), WorkSafeBC Critical Incident Response (CIR), BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) Critical Incident Stress Management programs

• Fire service benefit programs often provide proactive and generous counselling coverage for firefighters and their families, typically allowing them to work with a provider of their choice. First Responder Health offers a national database of occupationally aware trained clinicians to support members in finding a qualified therapist — I am a listed clinician on this network. Depending on the insurance provider, direct billing may or may not be available.

• Community funding initiatives, such as the charitable organization Tantalus Wellspring Society, which support access and funding to trauma-informed therapy.

If you are unsure about your eligibility, I would be happy to assist you in exploring available options and accessing possible supports.

Booking a session is simple and convenient:

• Use my online booking system to select a time that works for your schedule.

• Contact me directly to discuss your needs, goals, and any questions you may have before scheduling.

During your intake session, we will develop a personalized therapeutic plan tailored to your goals and determine the session length and format that best supports your journey.

Therapy is most effective when a consistent, trusting relationship is developed between the client and therapist. Weekly or bi-weekly sessions are recommended to provide structure and support as you work toward your goals.

During your intake 90-minute session, we will collaborate to create a treatment plan tailored to your needs, lifestyle, availability, and financial ability or insurance coverage.

For EMDR, typically 6-12 sessions are required to process difficult experiences. Extended 90-minute sessions, or 2-hour sessions, act as accelerated processing often requiring less sessions and offer significant change in a short period of time. Sessions are best when scheduled weekly or bi-weekly.

EMDR therapy follows a 8-phase framework and is unable to be completed within a few sessions (exceptions are for critical incidents or recent traumatic events). As EMDR creates nervous system and neurological change, having consistent support throughout the process is essential to support your growth and enhance processing, which results in a reduction of distress and unwanted nervous system responses. Safety, containment, and grounding are focused on at the end of each session.

For clients attending regularly, I encourage booking 3–4 sessions in advance to ensure you have the time and space needed.

Scheduling options vary based on individual circumstances:

• Consistent time and day: Many clients find it helpful to reserve the same day and time each week for therapy.

• Flexible schedule: For shift workers or those with varying schedules, we can adjust session timing to align with your work and family commitments. Advanced booking is recommended to secure times that work best for you.

For individuals processing a single recent traumatic event or working through complex childhood trauma, longer and extended sessions with shorter intervals between appointments may help reduce distress and support faster healing.

I often work with clients on the following concerns:

• Trauma healing: Processing past or recent traumatic memories through EMDR therapy to reduce trauma responses (for both adults and youth).

• Occupational stress: Managing trauma or stress related to first responder roles and other high-stress professions.

• Grief and loss: Supporting clients through the loss of loved ones, pets, or significant life changes.

• Mental health challenges: Addressing anxiety, depression, emotional overwhelm, anger, and nervous system regulation.

• elf-worth and identity: Navigating negative self-beliefs and fostering personal growth.

• Family dynamics: Resolving conflicts, repairing attachment ruptures, and addressing unresolved family of origin issues.

• Neurodiversity support: Helping clients understand and navigate ADHD or other neurodivergent experiences.

• Relationship challenges: Working on trust, communication, and boundaries.

• Parenting and attachment: Providing support for parents to foster strong, healthy bonds with their children.

• Alcohol andSubstance use: Exploring how substance use impacts relationships, employment, and self-identity.

• Personal growth: Building skills in grounding, self-care, mindfulness, and emotional regulation.

These challenges are approached through a trauma-informed lens, prioritizing your goals and values.

I ask for at minimum of 24 hours notice for rescheduling or canceling sessions.

• You can notify me via email, phone/text, or the online booking system.

• Sessions canceled within 24 hours or missed will be charged the full session rate, as the time is reserved specifically for you.

This policy ensures I can provide consistent care for all my clients while managing scheduling effectively.

If you are feeling unwell, please let me know as soon as possible.

• Clients are encouraged to cancel or reschedule their session in advance if they develop symptoms prior to 24 hours of their session time. If it is within 24 hours of session, I ask clients to still inform me of illness.

• Sessions can also be switched to an online format (via Zoom or phone) to maintain consistency in care or if a client is ill and unable to attend in-person.

As your therapist, I prioritize your health and the well-being of all my clients. If I am unwell, I will provide notice to reschedule or move the session online.

Many health benefit plans cover counselling services. Before your first session, please contact your provider to confirm your plan’s coverage for services with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC).

• I am able to direct bill for insurance providers under Telus Health (e.g., Canada Life, Manulife, Greenshield), to WorkSafeBC, Veterans Affairs, BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) network, and to certain charitable organizations (Tantalus Wellspring Society).

• For other providers, clients are asked to pay upfront and submit an invoice for reimbursement. I will provide a detailed invoice after each session to support this process.

Knowing your coverage in advance helps us create a therapy plan that aligns with both your financial needs and therapeutic goals.

Attachment forms the foundation of our relationships and mental health. Early attachment experiences shape our behaviors, emotions, and interactions throughout life, creating a blueprint for how we connect with others.

Through a trauma-informed lens, all behavior has meaning, often rooted in past attachment experiences. Understanding your attachment style allows us to compassionately examine and adapt patterns or responses that may no longer serve you.

A secure therapeutic relationship built on authenticity, transparency, and care is essential to fostering healing and growth.

In therapy, we may explore:

• How attachment styles influence your current relationships.

• Family dynamics and how past experiences affect your mental health.

• Rebuilding trust and creating secure, meaningful connections.

By addressing attachment, therapy provides a pathway for adapting behaviors and responses, helping you heal and build stronger relationships. All of my work is deeply based in exploring attachment, family systems, and intergenerational patterns.

Your privacy is my priority. What we discuss in therapy remains confidential unless there is a legal or ethical obligation to disclose information.

Exceptions to confidentiality include:

1. If a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of harm or neglect.

2. If there is an imminent risk of harm to yourself or someone else.

3. If records are required by a court order.

4. In supervision, where identifying details are not disclosed, ensuring quality care.

We will discuss confidentiality in detail during your intake session so you feel safe and supported throughout our work together.

If you’re interested in additional community or online mental health resources, I encourage you to visit my Resources page for recommendations.