Counselling FAQ

What is counselling and how does it work?    

 

Counselling is a process of addressing, uncovering and understanding why we feel the way we do - and what to do about it. Counselling is rooted in psychology and evidence-based methods and helps clients understand themselves, their relationships and feelings better. With better understanding usually comes an increased sense of meaning, better mood, improved symptoms, improved decision making, improved self-confidence and better connections with self and others. Through counselling we also learn tools for managing symptoms, reactions and worries. In this process, we also find hope and healing from past trauma and challenging life situations. Ultimately, when we feel understood - we understand ourselves better and can navigate any difficulties better, too.

 

    

How do I know if I need counselling?    

 

Usually clients come to counselling through two routes - an immediate or an ongoing process. Immediate needs often mean that a client is going through a challenge, change, loss or a hardship in the moment and needs support and care to navigate it. Ongoing needs relate to non-critical needs and reflections, such as healing, integrating past experiences, improving mood, dealing with anxiety, finding stability and improving symptoms in depression, stress, mood disorders. You don’t need to have a diagnosis to come to counselling - in fact, any natural human emotions are welcome in counselling. Here we make sense of what you feel and why, and navigate towards feeling better, with supportive methods, tools and compassion.

    

Is counselling confidential?      

 

Counselling is absolutely confidential and you are protected by the client-counsellor confidentiality once you sign a confidentiality and informed consent agreement. I will guide you through the limits and meaning of confidentiality in our first session. What client-counsellor confidentiality means is that everything we talk about in session is confidential except for these four major circumstances.

1. If I find out that the client is intending to hurt themselves or another person, I will have to break confidentiality - this is my duty to protect and my duty to warn.

2. If I find out that a minor or an elderly person is getting hurt right now, I have to take action to protect this minor/elderly/vulnerable person. Very important - this does not apply to an abuse that a client endured in their childhood or abuse they witnessed or caused in the past.

3. If there is ever a court case and a client is involved, my session notes can be subpoenaed and presented in court and I will have to abide.

4. If the client is seen through ICBC coverage or another provider, the insurance provider might request access to information such as symptoms, progress, changes and reports. In this case, I have to submit the information from my notes and any requested reports to the insurance provider.

In all other cases, you are protected by confidentiality - anything you share with your counsellors, stays with your counsellor.

 

How long does counselling usually take?        

 

Each counselling session is usually about 55 minutes long, whether it is an in person session or online. In terms of treatment duration, it varies greatly based on the situation. Some clients come in for a short term relief, support, solutions or clarity. Some clients are regular clients with sessions monthly or bi-weekly. Depending on the needs and the situation, the optimal duration can be discussed. Usually, the more acute the symptoms are, the more often clients choose to come in. There is no limit of frequency and no expectations on how often you need to see your counsellor. 

 

What happens in the first counselling session?    

 

In our first sessions we will get to know each other a little bit. I will tell you more about how I work and about my approach. I believe that counselling is primarily a communication between two human beings. It is a type of safe and compassionate communication that helps you feel seen, heard and understood. In the first session we usually also discuss the limits and the process of confidentiality, your rights and your goals, also your hopes and little bit of your background as well. We will not unpack painful traumas or find an immediate solutions in the first session. But we will aim to create a framework for working together, a space where you can find understanding, tools and empowerment to grow, heal and be your happiest self.    

 

Do I need a diagnosis to start counselling?        

 

You do not need to have any diagnosis to start counselling. 

 

What is a difference between a counsellor, psychologist and psychiatrist?

 

A certified or registered counsellor (like myself) is someone who has a Master’s level degree in Psychology or Counselling Psychology and is registered with a provincial or national professional association. I am registered with Canada-wide national association - Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). I am licensed to provide mental health counselling services to clients in provinces across Canada, including BC. Counsellors are equipped to learn and help with variety of mental health symptoms including anxiety, trauma, PTSD, depression, OCD, bi-polar disorder, borderline personality disorder, addictions, disordered eating, intrusive thoughts, worry, guilt, stress, overwhelm, relationship challenges and more.

 

A psychologist is a registered practitioner who holds a Doctor’s level degree in Psychology. In addition to dealing with mental health challenges and symptoms, psychologists can also provide assessment and diagnosis for mental health conditions. Unlike us, counsellors, who can not diagnose.

 

A psychiatrist is a medical doctors who specializes in treatment of mental health conditions. A psychiatrist can diagnose conditions as well as prescribe medications if needed - something that we as counsellors are not authorized to do. Psychiatrists are also equipped to work with complex pathologies and conditions such as schizophrenia or psychosis.

 

 

 

Is counselling covered by insurance?        

 

Counselling is usually covered by an insurance plan that includes Clinical Counselling.  Please ensure that your plan covers services of Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC). If you have coverage through your insurance provider, you will still pay for the sessions directly to me and I will provide the detailed receipt that you can then submit to your insurance for reimbursement, if applicable.

 

Can counselling help even if I’ve tried it before and it didn’t work?        

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Just like as people we are all different, the counsellors are all different too. You might click better with one person than the other - similarly, it applies to therapy too. If you have tried counselling before and it did not cause the desired results, it might be a matter of a “fit” with your therapist. If you don’t feel understood or supported in your goals, it can be hard to make a change or create progress. Different counsellors might offer different approaches or tools. Just like finding a good connection in your personal life takes time, sometimes it is a matter of finding the right therapeutic connection with a counsellor, too. That is why in my practice I offer a free over the phone initial consultation so that you can get an idea of who I am as a therapist and see if we are a good fit. Research suggests that finding the right fit and having a strong therapeutic alliance (feel supported, seen and understood) in counselling accounts for better outcomes in therapy.

 

How often should I attend counselling sessions?        

You can attend counselling sessions as often as you need - depending on what is going on and how much support you need at the moment. This is a very personal choice and we can discuss your preferences when we talk. There is no specific expectation to attend at any certain intervals. Usually, regular counselling support can create meaningful change and yield results, but sporadic and as-needed support is also important. If you are coming in through ICBC coverage, I do recommend consistent visits at least in the beginning. If you are recovering from an MVA accident and your symptoms are present, it is recommended that you attend on a regular basis weekly or bi-weekly to achieve improvement and stabilize or relieve our symptoms. 

 

Is counselling only for crisis situations?        

 

Counselling is not just for crisis situations. Counselling can be a space for ongoing support, reflection and personal growth. You don’t need to be in crisis to come in and talk to a therapist. 

 

Similarly, if you are in an acute crisis, it might not necessarily mean that counselling support is the right fit for the situation. Counselling is a great resource for healing from trauma, loss, getting help with adjusting to changes, or navigating anxiety, stress, PTSD or depression. However, counselling is not the right resource for an emergency. If you are in crisis or in danger, or if that applies to someone in your care, then please call 911 or go to your nearest hospital.

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Here are a few additional resources for crisis and mental health emergency: 

• 9-8-8 (call or text)
  National Suicide Crisis Helpline / Ligne d’aide en cas de crise de suicide

• 310-6789
  BC Mental Health & Crisis Response / no area code needed

• 1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433
  BC Suicide Prevention and Intervention Line

• 604-872-3311
  Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line