Registered Clinical Counsellor Fees
Phone or outdoor counselling sessions are available for individual adults, who are BC residents, and are the same rates as in-person counselling and must be prepaid by Square, PayPal or by an Interac e-transfer prior to your appointment time.
After we scheduled an appointment, I will send you a link with payments options. For the missed appointments or cancellation policy, please see below. Special Considerations - Outdoor Sessions The biggest limitation of being outdoors, of course, is not being able to guarantee 100% privacy. It is also spring, which means sudden changes in weather. Depending on the topics you would like to discuss and unexpected shifts in weather, therefore, we may need to alternate between phone and outdoor sessions. Special Considerations - Phone Sessions For safety reasons, and in the unlikely event of an emergency, please inform me of your specific location at the beginning of each phone session. In the event that we become disconnected, I will call you back immediately. If I am not able to reach you after, please check your email for further instructions. Requirements Phone counselling is a service available only for those who have good reception or a landline, as dropped calls will have a detrimental effect on your session. Similar to an in-person session, please turn off any additional devices to ensure you get the most out of your time by minimizing distractions. Privacy For the duration of your phone call, ensure that you have access to a quiet, private space with no distractions. If you live with others, ideally this is a space where you can close the door. Limitations Even though research has demonstrated that phone therapy is effective, it may feel like a bit of an adjustment at first. Occasionally, for different reasons, it can be challenging to hear someone 100% clearly on the phone (e.g., accidentally speaking away from the mic). We also do not see each other's non-verbal cues. To communicate with each other effectively, therefore, we may need to occasionally ask each other for clarity. Please let me know, at any time, if you have any concerns.
Payment is accepted by cash, cheque, credit card or Interact e-transfer and is payable before or at each session:
Paying by credit card? Payments can be made via PayPal (in advance of the session) or Square (in advance or at the beginning of the session). Paying by e-transfer? Payments must be made in advance of your session. Contact me to book an appointment and receive a link for online payment options. New Client Packages
New Client Package Rate Conditions: Packages must be prepaid and are non-refundable. All sessions must be used within one year. Please note that extended health benefit plans do not allow you to claim for prepaid sessions. If you purchase a starter package and want to claim the cost through your workplace extended health plan, I will divide the cost of the package by the number of sessions and write you separate receipts for the date of each session. For example, if you purchase a package for $450 I will write you 3 separate receipts for $150. Each receipt will be issued on the date of each session. Third Party Coverage
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, it is possible that you have coverage, but in most cases I cannot bill the insurance provider directly. The Medical Services Plan (MSP) in British Columbia does not cover the cost of counselling services, however, since I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) many extended health plans do. If you have out-of-province insurance coverage, you may need to check with your provider about coverage for a RCC, which is a designation only in British Columbia. Please check with your provider whether a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) is covered under your plan before booking an appointment. Many college and university student health plans will provide some coverage, you may want to check out StudentCare. Note, if your plan provides coverage, you will pay for the cost of your session and then you submit your receipt to your extended health care provider for reimbursement. Cancellation or Missed Appointment PolicyClients - 24 hours notice or 50% cancellation fee
Please provide at least 24 hours notice to cancel an appointment. For cancellations with less than 24hours notice, you will be billed 50% of the cost of your appointment (e.g., $70 for a 50-minute individual session). This also applies to same-day bookings which are subsequently cancelled. Feel free to call and leave a voice message if you are running late so I know to wait for you. Please note, however, if you arrive late you will still be charged the full fee and we will need to end at our session at the scheduled time. "No shows" or clients who miss an entire scheduled appointment are billed for the full cost of their session (i.e., $140 for a 50-minute individual session). All payments are due on the same day of the scheduled appointment. Note, late cancellations and missed appointments may not be covered as part of your plan, check with your insurance provider. There is a range of valid reasons for missing or cancelling an appointment on short notice. In an effort to be consistent, however, cancellation fees will only be waived in the event of a medical emergency requiring urgent professional treatment, a death in the family, or a natural disaster. Counsellor - If I miss our appointment, your next session is free. Thank you
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Not everyone is a suitable candidate for phone counselling.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, mania, psychosis, are actively self-harming or are engaging in other behaviour that compromises your safety, I am not able to provide phone counselling. Note crisis options listed below, such as 1-800-SUICIDE which is a 24/7 service available to help all BC residents. 
Not sure?
Contact me to schedule a free 20 min phone consultation.
As noted on the counselling page, as a trauma therapist with social justice principles, I strive to provide accessible services for clients who are queer (LGBTQ2S+) and/or of any gender identity or expression, and/or who are Indigenous, Black, or People of Colour or folks of mixed ancestry. I also offer services on a sliding scale, connect to be added to the wait-list.
New to counselling?
In the beginning of our first session we will need to complete the intake form and I will give you a receipt for your payment. We will spend a few minutes discussing the form and confidentiality. I will tell you a about my practice and answer any additional questions you may have. Crisis
If you are in crisis and need immediate assistance, please contact one or several of the following, depending on where you live and your circumstances:
Additional Resources
I am not set up to provide crisis intervention and response to the public. If you require counselling support on an urgent basis, I encourage you to search for a counsellor with more availability. Don't give up!Counselling can help you face challenging situations or feel more confident, balanced, or satisfied with your life and relationships. Most importantly, you can learn how to make these positive changes last.
Navigating the system to find services, however, can sometimes be discouraging. Don't give up. There are many online resources that can help you connect with someone who feels right for you. For example, visit Counselling BC or BCACC. |
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