FAQ's: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is everything I say confidential in counselling?
Everything said in sessions is confidential with the following exceptions:
1. Everyone is required by legislation to report suspected or known cases of child abuse in British Columbia, Canada.
2. Professionals may be required to notify the appropriate authorities if a client makes serious, credible threats to harm themselves or any other person.
3. The courts can subpoena information in certain legal situations.
If any of these three situations were to occur, the need to break confidentiality would be discussed with you, if possible, before doing so.
You are responsible to maintain confidentiality for your part of the therapeutic relationship. This might mean beginning to practice things like finding a confidential place to connect through Telehealth (phone or video); keeping email and text messages to a minimum and for the purpose of setting appointment times; thinking before you talk with friends and family about what you are working on in therapy.
It is the confidentiality factor in a therapeutic relationship which creates the safe environment in which to explore. Both you and I are responsible for allowing the work to remain private at least until it is fully realized.
Q: What is your theoretical orientation?
Eclectic. I draw on elements from the humanistic (Rogers, Adler), cognitive/behavioral (CBT), psychodynamic (Jung), and transpersonal psychology (Groth) schools of thought depending on the situation and client(s) that I am dealing with.
Q: What is art therapy?
Art therapy is a way of working with the creative process of art making in healing on a physical, mental and/or emotional level. Engaging in a creative process can be inherently therapeutic. The images produced are often helpful in communicating emotions and experiences. No artistic skill is required to participate in art therapy.
Q: What professional associations do you belong to?
RCSW #03781 - Registered Clinical Social Worker British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW) Canada
Registered counsellor (#1732) with The Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (ACTA) Canada
BCATR #0024R - Registered art therapist with British Columbia Art Therapy Association (BCATA) Canada
RCAT #9433517 - Registered with Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA) Canada
ATR-BC #92-118 Board Certified Registered art therapist with American Art Therapy Association (AATA) USA
ATCS #92-118 Art Therapy Certified Supervisor with Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) USA
Q: What insurance information do I need?
The cost of counselling varies depending on whether you have insurance and the type of insurance you have. Always call your Human Resources and ask if you have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and if so, call the number. You can ask if I am a practitioner with them and request me specifically if you wish.
Also ask your Human Resources if you are covered under your extended medical for counselling. If you have extended benefits for counselling call the Insurance company or look online to find out if it covers a Registered Clinical Social Worker (RCSW or RSW), how much it covers per year, if it is a calendar year or fiscal year, and what the maximum is that they cover per session. This will give you a good idea of your coverage.
Q: What are the fees for service?
Fees vary depending on how they are being paid. Contact us for more information specific to your situation.
Fees may be paid privately, through employers, through government programs (for example, Residential Historical Treatment Program (RHAP), Deaf and Hard of Hearing Well Being Program (WBP), Psychological Assessment and Short Term Services (PASTS), through Employee Assistance Programs (for example, Lifeworks, Homewood, Humanicare, Arete, Aspiria, Family Services Employee Assistance Program), Wello, Gfit, through insurance companies and your extended benefits (for example Canada Life, Sunlife, Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) and/or through First Nations Health Authority.
Counselling begins at the first meeting. Payment happens at the end of each session.
Cash, cheques, e-transfers and credit card payment is available.
