Frequently Asked Questions
What does a typical first session look like?
The first session is the opportunity for you and your Counsellor to get to know each other and explore what brings you at this time.
It can be helpful to schedule an initial free consultation to get a sense for what a session will be like.
You may feel nervous before your first session and often this will decrease significantly by the second session.
At your first session, your Counsellor will go over confidentiality, and the limits of confidentiality, and answer any questions you might have.
Overall our style is both collaborative and experiential, meaning we may invite you to pay attention to what is going on for you in the present moment. This can include exploring feelings and body sensations and what they have to tell us. The reason for this approach is that it creates sustained healing and growth. Also it gets you in touch with what feels genuine to you in the moment and in your path forward.
How long will therapy take?
The length of time is tied to what you choose as your goals in therapy.
Deep work often requires more time and commitment than a single or a few sessions. Old habit patterns that are no longer serving us did not develop overnight, and thus they often won’t disappear overnight. Usually they require building a sense of safety to dive in, and then a period of doing the inner work required, and the final stage of integrating those changes into your daily life so you are not falling back into old patterns.
When this inner stability is established, our work is fully completed. Sometimes another pattern might emerge down the road that you would like to shift and that can often happen more quickly, as the safety has already been built and there is familiarity with the inner domain.
How much does a session cost?
All fees are based on the guidelines of the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and the British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCASW).
The hourly rate for individual counselling is $140-150, depending on the rate of your Counsellor. Rates are subject to GST for Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC).
Please see our booking page for a detailed listing of fees, including rates for couples sessions.
Is it possible to get some portion of the fee covered through my extended health plan?
Many, but not all extended health providers, cover a certain amount of sessions with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) or Registered Social Worker (RSW). If you have extended health coverage, please ensure that there is coverage for the designation of your Counsellor, so that there are no surprises when you submit your claim. You will be provided with a receipt following each session that you can submit to your insurer.
Can I claim the cost as a Medical Expense on my income tax?
Yes, your fees can be claimed as a medical expense on your income tax. Receipts will state that you have received Social Work Services or Registered Clinical Counselling Services.
Do you have a cancellation policy?
Yes we require at least 24 hours notice to cancel an appointment. Without this notice, you will be responsible for the full session fee.
I have done yoga or meditation practice and worked on myself, but even so I find myself stuck in my life. Can you help?
Yes. It can be very hard to find ourselves stuck when we have been dedicated to our personal growth and wellness.
We support you in using this stuck-ness as an opportunity and challenge to assist you in moving back into the flow of life.
What kind of Soul Work have you (Counsellors) done in your life?
In addition to our therapy training, we bring a long-term engagement in spiritual and awareness wisdom practices.
We bring an amalgamation of our learning to you. This learning is rooted in the Buddhist tradition (meditation practices for deepening inner awareness), as well as the Western Baul Tradition (practice is not separate from daily living: integrating the inner with the outer). Advaita or non-duality is another area of practice that informs our work (similar to the work of Byron Katie or Eckhart Tolle).
We have walked through many challenges ourselves, and had teachers to guide us through the doorway to emerge on the other side. We hold that space for you.
Can I call you to talk about whether we would be a fit to work together?
Yes. We offer no-obligation consultation call, which you can do by phone or video, in order to explore the fit, and to discuss the possibility of working together towards the changes you are seeking. This is also an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the counselling process and the Counsellor’s training and experience.
We would be honoured to meet you.
Book your free consultation here.