Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is counselling?
A: Counselling is primarily a talking therapy, and it is an opportunity to spend time with a trained professional who can help you to identify, clarify, and address issues that are important to you. Some aspects of counselling are like having a really satisfying conversation with a good friend: you share wisdom, feel understood, and are soothed. Other aspects of counselling are very different: counsellors are committed to your support, they do not have an agenda, they keep your information private, they can help you to manage any risks to your safety, and they teach specific techniques. In particular I want to demystify the idea that counselling is about figuring out 'what's wrong with you' and fixing it; it's instead about self-exploration, honouring the person that you are and coming to an authentic place of choices.
Q: What is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)?
A: A Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) is the designation of members of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). The BCACC is a regulatory association which awards membership to counsellors who have a Master's level (or equivalent) education and significant clinical training. A defining feature of an RCC is that we are accountable to a Code of Professional Ethics.
Q: How do I know if I am picking the right counsellor for me?
A: Firstly, I advise choosing a counsellor who is registered with an established governing body, such as the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) or the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Next, check the counsellor's website and paper publications for information about whether they specialize in any particular issues you may be experiencing. If you prefer a specific counselling approach, this information is usually available as well. Beyond these criteria, sometimes finding the right fit requires a phone call or meeting the counsellor in person. It may take meeting more than one counsellor before you find the right one. Don't be afraid to ask questions! If you or I don't feel that I am the ideal person to treat you, I will recommend someone who is.
Q: What happens with the information I discuss with my counsellor?
A: By law, all information discussed and/or recorded in counselling is considered confidential and remains exclusively between counsellor and client(s). There are a few specific situations where information must be disclosed to a third party. These situations are rare, and are discussed in detail during our first session.
Q: Will my insurance cover my sessions?
A: Some insurance companies cover therapy with a Registered Clinical Counsellor. Consult with your insurance provider.
Q: What if I have witnessed or survived a crime? Can I get my sessions covered?
A: In BC, people who witness or fall victim to crime after 1972, may be eligible to have a large portion of their session paid for by the Ministry of Justice. I have been approved to charge the Ministry in such circumstances. Find out more about the program and contact me for additional information on how to use your benefits.
Do you have other questions? Contact Anna here
A: Counselling is primarily a talking therapy, and it is an opportunity to spend time with a trained professional who can help you to identify, clarify, and address issues that are important to you. Some aspects of counselling are like having a really satisfying conversation with a good friend: you share wisdom, feel understood, and are soothed. Other aspects of counselling are very different: counsellors are committed to your support, they do not have an agenda, they keep your information private, they can help you to manage any risks to your safety, and they teach specific techniques. In particular I want to demystify the idea that counselling is about figuring out 'what's wrong with you' and fixing it; it's instead about self-exploration, honouring the person that you are and coming to an authentic place of choices.
Q: What is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)?
A: A Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) is the designation of members of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). The BCACC is a regulatory association which awards membership to counsellors who have a Master's level (or equivalent) education and significant clinical training. A defining feature of an RCC is that we are accountable to a Code of Professional Ethics.
Q: How do I know if I am picking the right counsellor for me?
A: Firstly, I advise choosing a counsellor who is registered with an established governing body, such as the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) or the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Next, check the counsellor's website and paper publications for information about whether they specialize in any particular issues you may be experiencing. If you prefer a specific counselling approach, this information is usually available as well. Beyond these criteria, sometimes finding the right fit requires a phone call or meeting the counsellor in person. It may take meeting more than one counsellor before you find the right one. Don't be afraid to ask questions! If you or I don't feel that I am the ideal person to treat you, I will recommend someone who is.
Q: What happens with the information I discuss with my counsellor?
A: By law, all information discussed and/or recorded in counselling is considered confidential and remains exclusively between counsellor and client(s). There are a few specific situations where information must be disclosed to a third party. These situations are rare, and are discussed in detail during our first session.
Q: Will my insurance cover my sessions?
A: Some insurance companies cover therapy with a Registered Clinical Counsellor. Consult with your insurance provider.
Q: What if I have witnessed or survived a crime? Can I get my sessions covered?
A: In BC, people who witness or fall victim to crime after 1972, may be eligible to have a large portion of their session paid for by the Ministry of Justice. I have been approved to charge the Ministry in such circumstances. Find out more about the program and contact me for additional information on how to use your benefits.
Do you have other questions? Contact Anna here