Counselling & Psychotherapy Services in Vancouver
Counselling client profile
I work with adult individuals, 19+. My style of counselling and psychotherapy is best suited to those seeking to increase their self-awareness and self-understanding, decrease stress and confusion, improve decision-making, ability to connect with others, regulate their emotions and increase resilience to face life’s challenges with greater breath and grace.
I have worked with clients from diverse backgrounds, including:
- First Nations and other ethnic minorities
- those in recovery
- chronic health conditions
- LGBTQ+
- various religious denominations
- differing socio-economic status
I also know that no matter how many people I meet, your story will be unique. I will meet you exactly where you are at and with what you bring with you, honouring your story and your process and travelling with you through this healing journey at your pace.
Counselling approach
Life is hardly ever easy. But suffering can be lessened, especially with the help of another human being, trained to help you navigate life’s challenges and uncover your inner strengths.
My approach to therapy could be right for you if you are seeking better self-understanding, leading to new ways of responding to the world. I will work with you to help you untie your inner knots, reduce inner tension and confusion, and increase your capacity to cope with whatever life throws at you.
Our therapeutic work together will be two-prong. It is to help you:
- Look at the causes of your suffering and make sense of them so you can transform your habitual unhelpful reactions to thoughtful responses.
- Build up your inner resources so that when you face adversity, you are supported by your inner strength and self-compassion.
Often, such deep inner work results in the following positive outcomes:
- a calmer mind
- greater life satisfaction
- increased resilience
- more joy
- stronger and more meaningful relationships.
This approach to deep inner work is informed by neuroscience. My medical training enhances my understanding of the interplay among the mind, the brain and the body from the neuroscientific standpoint. In particular, we will look at what causes most distress for you and how your nervous system reacts to perceived danger, leading to persistent anger, fear and anxiety. We’ll work to bring awareness to the causes of those reactions and help you learn techniques for better self-regulation and self-compassion. As we explore your challenges, I’ll invite you to pay attention to how your nervous system reacts to your thoughts and feelings. You will learn how to read the signals from your body more effectively, improving self-regulation and increasing resilience.
Counselling modalities used
I tailor my approach to each client’s unique needs and preferred ways of receiving and processing information.
I often work with people who need to process their trauma. Trauma leaves us feelings unsafe even in safe environments. And when we feel unsafe, we struggle to establish trusting connections. We react to events and people – rather than respond – as if danger were still present. That means our nervous systems work overtime, at times leading to breakdowns in the body and our relationships.
That is why my main approach to therapy is trauma-informed. Other, related terms and modalities I use are somatic therapy, body-oriented therapy, sensory-motor psychotherapy. I also like to incorporate emotionally focused therapy (EFT) and therapy based on the Internal Family Systems Model (IFS). When appropriate, I use CBT techniques.
Many of the approaches require paying attention to the self – in particular, to the sensations that arise in the body in response to our thoughts and perceptions. Paying attention to what is, moment to moment, without needing to judge or change it, is being mindful. That is why a lot of the work we would do together would be mindfulness-based as well. As a result, you will develop a greater attunement with yourself and capacity to tolerate the most unpleasant experiences while connecting deeper to the positive experiences in your life.
Mindfulness also opens a path to self-acceptance and self-compassion – key elements of healing.
Throughout my training, including in the mindfulness and somatic practices, I developed a deep sense of empathy toward the suffering we all encounter in life. I offer a space of warmth and understanding, where you can feel heard, validated and equipped to change your life for the better. Don’t suffer in silence or alone. Begin your healing journey today.
Session format
Counselling/psychotherapy sessions are 50 minutes long. Counselling/psychotherapy sessions are offered in person, via a secure video link, and by telephone.
Cost of counselling/psychotherapy sessions
A 50-minute counselling session is $140.00 (CAD).
Payment
Payment for your counselling session can be made by cash, cheque or INTERAC e-Transfer. Payment is due as soon as the service has been rendered. To maximize counselling time, it is recommended that you take care of payment before the session begins. The receipt will be issued once the payment is received.
Cancelling a counselling session
You may cancel your session provided you’ve given a minimum 24-hour notice.
If you miss your counselling session without notice, you will be charged a full fee for the missed session.
If you have prepaid and are cancelling within the required time-frame of 24 hours, refund will be given. Alternatively, the payment can be used for your next counselling session, arrangements for which need to be made within a week of the cancelled session. There are no refunds for pre-paid sessions cancelled less than 24 hours prior to start time.
Insurance coverage
Unfortunately, access to counselling is not covered by MSP in BC.
Fortunately, with the latest push to recognize the importance of mental health in well-being of an individual and the society as a whole, more and more extended health insurance providers offer wider coverage for mental health professionals, including Registered Clinical Counsellors. For example, nurses in BC have coverage for RCCs. The BCTF included RCCs in its latest contract. I am registered with Lumino Health (Sun Life), Arete, Telus Health, HumanaCare (CloudMD), and Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) as an approved/SAP/EAP counsellor.
Many other extended health insurance plans, such as Pacific Blue Cross and Manulife, cover RCCs. Consult with your plan administrator to be sure. Some policies cover only therapists with certain designations. For example, some will only cover psychologists and/or social workers. Your paper or online booklet explaining your benefits would have that information.
Confidentiality in counselling
As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, I am bound by the Code of Ethics of the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. All information is kept strictly confidential and is released to third parties only with your consent.
There are, however, some exceptions to confidentiality. I am bound by law to disregard confidentiality and contact authorities if:
- You disclose that a minor is in danger (for example a child who is being abused physically and/or sexually);
- You indicate that you have clear and specific plans to harm yourself or another person;
- You indicate that you are endangering others with a communicable disease (e.g., practising unsafe sex while carrying HIV);
- You are impaired by drugs, alcohol or due to a medical condition AND you choose to drive a motor vehicle.
In addition, in BC, a counsellor and counsellor’s notes may be subpoenaed by the court.
On occasion, I may consult with my colleagues, who are also bound by confidentiality.
You will need to sign an Informed Consent form prior to your first session with me.
If the counselling session conducted via video, the client will need to sign a separate Online Therapy Informed Consent form.
If you have questions in regards to confidentiality, please do not hesitate to contact me for clarification.
Office hours and locations
I offer afternoon and evening sessions to accommodate those with regular working hours. My in-person office days are Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Location of the main counselling office in Vancouver:
212 – 2475 Bayswater Street (at West Broadway)
The office is located at the corner of Bayswater Street and West Broadway, one block west of Macdonald Street. It is easily accessible by transit (Buses 99, 09). Parking is available on side streets, including 2-hour free parking, Permit Only parking (free to those with a disability decal), meter parking, and parkade parking at the back of the building (at affordable rates).
Location of the secondary counselling office in Vancouver:
306 – 1687 West Broadway (at Pine)
The office is located at the corner of West Broadway and Pine St. It is easily accessible by transit (Bus 09). Parking is available on side streets, including 2-hour free parking, Permit Only parking (free to those with a disability decal), and meter parking (at affordable rates).
COVID-19 safety
The main counselling office is spacious enough to ensure a 2-metre distance between the client and the counsellor. If necessary, masks can be worn. I have masks available at the office at your request. The office has a HEPA filter.
The secondary counselling office is also spacious enough to ensure a 2-metre distance between the client and the counsellor. If necessary, masks can be worn. I have masks available at the office at your request. The office has a HEPA filter and windows that open, ensuring air circulation.
