FAQs

People generally seek counselling when they are experiencing stress related to life transitions, challenging circumstances, or relationship conflicts.  This can lead to symptoms of anxiety and depression where professional support can be beneficial.

People often seek counselling when they want to make a change in their life, and a counsellor can help facilitate that change. Having time to explore issues in depth and determine realistic goals can help improve the stressful circumstances that prompted the initial need for counselling.

We strive to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment where people feel safe in exploring their struggles. Our well-educated counsellors have a wide range of experiences, but if your presenting issues are outside our areas of competence, we will do our best to refer you to an appropriate resource in the community.

The counselling process is unique to individual circumstances and need, which determines the length. There are many factors when helping clients set reasonable goals, such as financial constraints and time restrictions. Often sessions are more frequent in the beginning, especially if there is a crisis, with less frequent sessions to allow more time for integration of new skills, and the application of new strategies.

The fee varies depending on the therapist, length of session and type of treatment. Many extended health plans cover counselling, so be sure to check with your plan provider to know if there are specific requirements for coverage. We have counsellors who are approved to work with Crime Victims Assistance Program, ICBC, and the First Nations Health Authority. Please contact us by phone or email for more details on fees and extended health coverage.

Registered counsellors or therapists belong to a professional association where they have met the academic and clinical practice requirement for membership. They are accountable to the Association’s Code of Ethics and Best Practice Guideline.

Registered counsellors have letters behind their names to indicate membership in a professional Association:

• RCC – Registered Clinical Counsellor
• CCC – Canadian Certified Counsellor
• RSW – Registered Social Worker
• P. Psych – Registered Psychologist

Our office and restrooms are fully accessible and we are centrally located on a number of major bus routes. There is also free 2-hour parking on View Street and paid parking at the back of the building.

Our clinical team offers a diverse range of therapeutic approaches which includes:

• Family Systems theory
• Narrative and Solution-focused therapy
• Mindfulness-Based practices
• Cognitive and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
• Gottman Method of Couples Therapy
• Developmental Model for working with Couples
• Somatic Transformation
• Play-based approaches

Please visit Our Counsellors page for information on the approaches offered by individual therapists or contact us directly.