Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question that is not answered on this page, feel free to contact me.

  • Rates per session type are as follows:

    $165 + GST for a 50 minute individual session
    $265 + GST for an 80 minute individual session
    $200 + GST for a 50 minute couple session
    $315 + GST for an 80 minute couple session

    The time required for each session goes well beyond the 50 or 80 minutes of contact that you and I will share. Case notes, treatment development & planning, research, and consultation requires a great deal of time to develop an appropriate understanding of your specific concerns, issues, and suitable treatment approach(es).

    All payments are made by e-transfer prior to the start of the session. After payment, a receipt is provided to the client with all necessary information, including: name, date, length of session, rate, total, and my professional registration license number. Credit cards can be accepted as payment on a case-by-case basis. I also ask that clients securely store a credit card on file in the unlikely case of unpaid session(s) or no show.

  • Online therapy is similar to in-person therapy, however it is conducted via face-to-face video call. Prior to your booked appointment, you will receive a link to enter your online appointment room. Simply click the link at the start of your appointment time to begin your appointment. Please ensure that during your session, you are in a quiet, private space absent of any distractions. To avoid any technical issues, please ensure that you have a strong internet connection.

  • Many insurance and extended benefit providers in British Columbia will cover part or all of the cost to see a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) under the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). Please contact your insurance or service provider for specific information on what type of coverage you are eligible for.

    I do not directly bill insurance and extended health companies. Following each session, you will be issued a receipt with all the necessary information to submit for reimbursement with your provider.

  • No, you do not need a referral from your doctor or anyone else to start therapy with me. Feel free to schedule a free phone consultation to see if we would be a good fit, or your first session.

  • Your booked session is a reserved appointment time that belongs just to you. Therefore, it is important that you attend all sessions that you schedule so as to avoid paying for a missed session.

    If you are unable to attend your session for any reason, please cancel via the online booking system, email, or voicemail at least 48 hours before your session and your payment will be refunded. If cancellation is received after this deadline, or you miss the appointment entirely, the entire amount of the session will be charged.

  • My education, training, and experience have qualified me to practice psychotherapy and counselling for individuals, couples, and families.

    I have obtained my Master of Science in Clinical Psychology at an accredited institution — a 2 year degree comprised of two year-long intensive, supervised practicum placements (totalling 800+ direct clinical therapy hours and 200+ clinical supervision hours), and intensive, relevant coursework on therapeutic practice, human psychology, relational and family systems, treatment planning & implementation, ethics, and more.

    I have also obtained my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology obtaining knowledge, coursework, and professional experiences on human behaviour, counselling theories and practice, human development, mental health, and more.

    I actively engage in professional development, training, and continued education opportunities to maintain and sharpen my skillset in my practice. Please see my About Me page to read about my additional training.

    I am currently actively registered with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, which provides professional standards for effective, ethical, and safe practice for clinical counsellors in British Columbia, Canada.

  • I work individually with young adults, adults, and couples.

    I welcome people of all racial-ethnic identities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and body sizes to my practice.

    Please visit my Specializations for more information about who I specialize in working with.

  • The first session is a chance for us to get to know each other a little bit. We will go at a pace you are comfortable with.

    Often, the first session will have a different “feel” to other counselling sessions. Part of the first session is —what I like to call — “setting the frame” of therapy. This consists of going over what you might expect in therapy with me, some of your rights as a client, and my responsibilities as your therapist. The first session may also provide an opportunity to review paperwork and important information about the therapy process.

    The first session may mainly provide you with an opportunity to share what has brought you into therapy, what concerns you are facing, and what your goals are. I understand that sometimes comfort and trust between a therapist and client takes some time to build, so you are not obligated to share anything you are not comfortable sharing. I also welcome you to ask me any questions that may make you feel more comfortable in embarking on this therapeutic journey together.

  • I believe that my clients are in the best decision to know what is best for their needs. There are many factors that go into this decision, including: how much traction and momentum you want to gain in this process, how deeply you want to go in therapy, the issue(s) you are facing, as well as time, energy, and financial resources.

    Most often, I see clients once a week or once every other week, but it is not uncommon to see clients twice a week or once every 3-4 weeks. Generally, the more sessions are spaced apart, the harder it may be to carry momentum in therapy; however, some clients may appreciate the spaciousness between sessions.

    Regardless of which frequency option you choose, research shows that consistent and regular therapy sessions often have the best outcomes.

    The choice for frequency is ultimately up to you and I will not pressure you to make a commitment that doesn’t feel right for you. If you are contemplating frequency of sessions, I welcome this conversation in therapy and we may come up with what feels right for you. Additionally, we may always adjust or experiment depending on the ebbs and flows of your life, or your level of need at any given time.

  • The length of therapy will depend on the issue(s) you bring into therapy.

    Typically, the first 1-3 sessions will be dedicated to establishing a picture of your main concerns, the factors that may be contributing to them, and your hopes or wishes for therapy. Further sessions will consist of addressing your concerns and deepening your process.

    I typically work with my clients in a long-term capacity, of around 6 months or longer. Research shows that one of the biggest factors contributing to therapeutic change is the alliance and relationship between the client and therapist. And like all deeply connective relationships, they take time, care, and consistency to grow. I am not a “quick fix” therapist because I do not believe that “quick fixes” offer my clients deep, lasting, sustainable change.

    However, you are not obligated to commit long-term therapy with me, particularly when you are first starting out. I encourage my clients to get a sense and feel of our work together, and I compassionately welcome conversations about what is or isn’t working for you.

    Therapy will end when you feel like your goals are met, or when the timing feels right for you.

  • Therapy can feel like a daunting step to take, particularly if you’ve never done therapy before, you’ve had a negative experience in therapy, or you’re looking into starting therapy with someone new. You may be confused and overwhelmed about where to start.

    I’m here to tell you: what you’re feeling is normal. You don’t have to know how to take the next step – simply finding yourself on this page demonstrates a glimmer of courage and hope that you’re ready for an important step in your healing journey.

    Booking a free phone consultation with me may help ease some of the burden. It may offer an opportunity to feel out our conversation, whether or not you feel safe and understood by me, learn a bit about how I might approach our potential work together, and ask me any questions related to therapy or how I practice.

    There is absolutely no obligation to schedule a session with me — in fact, I often encourage clients to take some time to reflect on how our conversation sat with them, or talk to a few therapists to see who feels most aligned and can support their needs best.