Yes, as per the Ethical Code of Conduct for Registered Clinical Counsellors, the information you share with your counsellor is kept strictly confidential and only shared with your written or verbal consent.

The limits to confidentiality where counsellors are required by ethical and/or legal duty to disclose information to the appropriate authorities include: if you are in danger of seriously hurting yourself or someone else, when there has been a disclosure of or reason to believe abuse/neglect of a vulnerable person (i.e. child/minor, senior, person with a disability), or a subpoena by court order.

As our community is small, in some cases, we may see each other in a public setting (i.e. grocery store, community event) and it’s important to know I will not say hello or approach you as your privacy is important.

Please note confidentiality cannot be guaranteed through electronic communication tools, that while I take all necessary and legal precautions for privacy and confidentiality, electronic communication such as email, text, and video calls is not secure.

I require at least 24 hours notice for cancellation or rescheduling of an appointment to avoid being charged for the session. If you are sick or when needed, we can move to a virtual or phone session.

Individual adult sessions are $150/50 minutes and child/youth sessions are $160/50 minutes as per the standard recommendation of British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. Payment is due at the end of each session by e-transfer or credit card. An itemized receipt will be provided.

This fee covers the cost of the session, reminder calls or texts, materials used in session, research and preparation time, and operating costs. Additionally, as I am committed to providing ethical and effective treatment, I seek clinical supervision, professional education through workshops and trainings, and annual professional certification.

Some employers offer extended benefits or EAP (Employment Assistance Program). I recommend you contact your benefit provider prior to our first session to confirm Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) is included in your coverage. At this time, I only direct bill to Pacific Blue Cross, however, an itemized receipt with my RCC license number (#20834) will be provided and can be submitted to your extended health provider for re-imbursement.

I offer limited reduced rate spots for those without benefits/insurance or if the cost is a barrier to receiving counselling. Please contact me to find out more.

I am currently not enrolled with other funding sources (i.e. ICBC, First Nations Health Authority, Crime Victim Assistance Program).

After our free 15 - minute initial consultation, if we’ve both agreed we’re a good fit, we will book your first session. I will send you an email confirmation and provide you with a short intake form to complete prior to your first appointment (this form provides basic contact information and a brief overview of your concerns, history, and goals).

At the beginning of your first session, I will orient you to confidentiality and policies.

Then, we will review what brought you to counseling and a little about your history in order to get an understanding of your situation and concerns. The first session can feel very overwhelming and I’ll do my best to gather the important information in a way that doesn’t feel like an interview.

In the first few sessions, we’ll gain an understanding of your goals and hope for counselling and together we will decide the pace and treatment approaches best suited for you.

Therapy looks a little different for each person based on their situation and goals.

For some, it’s beneficial to unpack the past (i.e. family dynamics, childhood traumas/experiences, regrets). For others, it may involve finding strategies and insight to manage the present (i.e. stressors, responsibilities, identity, self-image). And other times, sessions may focus on the future.

We may practice in session some mindfulness or distress tolerance skills, collaboratively agree on ‘homework’ to enhance any reflections or skills to practice during the week.

It’s important that the pace and therapy approaches are relevant and suited to you, so I will check in with you on how the session and rapport are for you. I encourage you to let me know if there is something different you need from the session.

Do you feel discouraged about not making progress in therapy? Do you feel tired and overwhelmed after sessions, as if you need to hurry to your next task? Or did you have a breakthrough in a session but can’t recall it later?

If you or someone you know is in immediate risk of suicide or serious medical attention, call 911 and/or attend to the nearest Hospital Emergency Room.

Crisis Support For Adults:

Crisis Centre BC Chat and Lines

24/7 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

*New 9-8-8 More Information about 9-8-8

Crisis Support for Children and Youth:

Kids Help Phone

Youth In BC Chat

Short Term Assessment Response Treatment