FAQ | Intentions Counselling & Consulting

Many workplace benefits packages or health insurance policies do cover the services of a Registered Clinical counsellor; however, it is important to check with your provider to find out what your plan covers, as every plan is different. While we do not directly bill your extended health, we do provide you with an insurance friendly receipt that includes all the information about our counsellors, the services provided, and the amount paid. You can then submit this to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Counselling is for everyone. Many fear reaching out because they don’t want to be judged for what is causing them distress. Alternatively, many feel that nothing will be able to help them. While these are normal reactions, we can assure you that nothing is too small if it is bothering you. Similarly, nothing is too large, as counsellors are trained for many types of trauma, and if they are not, they can recommend someone who is. We provide a confidential, non-judgemental atmosphere for you to explore anything that is causing you distress.

Length of a therapeutic relationship will differ greatly from person-to-person. Sometimes only a few sessions are needed and, in some cases, a therapeutic relationship lasts many years. If you have access to a limited number of sessions and want to inquire about whether it is the right choice for you, please see the next question.

As well, typically, most clients prefer to have sessions once per week.

A typical session usually consists of a quick review of what was worked on last session, and any updates that have occurred between sessions. Then we will reference current goals, and if the circumstances are right (there is nothing more pressing to work on), then we can begin to work towards them with various tools and techniques. Some techniques are more ‘formal’ with a distinct beginning and end, whereas others are less ‘formal’ and involve various techniques. For more about the techniques we use, click here.

The first session is a little different. During the first session, we discuss current concerns, goals, and techniques that we may use in subsequent sessions to support you in achieving your goals.

During this time of crisis, more and more counsellors are moving their practices to a remote setting. This can be confusing for individuals, who are used to having in-person resources available. Rest assured that telehealth counselling (phone or video) has been given a good report over the last decade.

Teletherapy is similar to traditional therapy in that you can seek out a therapist for a single session to manage a single problem or challenge, or for regular meetings that address long-term concerns. Attesting to its diverse application, teletherapy is beneficial for a range of people, as well. Many adults, children, couples, families, and various ethnic groups find it useful.

Beyond convenience and inclusivity, teletherapy is reliable for treatment and assessment. You don’t need to go through tough times alone. Online counselling is proven support and effective therapy. The uncertainty of our time requires all the resources possible. To learn more, visit our Remote Counselling page or Psychology today's Blog on In-Person vs. Remote Counselling.

The main difference is, of course, that your child and the counsellor will not be in the same physical space. Art and play are still very possible, but instead of playing with the same game, or working on the same project, your child and the counsellor will be doing separate projects. For example, we may ask that a parent gives their child colouring/drawing utensils for a remote session. In this case, we would also bring my colouring/drawing utensils to the session, and your child and the counsellor would work on our projects through the screen as we talk. We might ask your child to draw various images that represent them or their challenges and then show them to us. To build rapport and connection, we would make a similar image to share with your child.

From what we have found, children are very receptive to online therapy. More often than not, we find that children are sometimes even more comfortable speaking to someone over a screen. We have done both in-person and video session with children, and what we have noticed is that children are often less shy over video and more willing to talk.

To learn more, reach out today.

Therapist - A broad term that covers many helping and healing professions.

Counsellor - An unregulated term in B.C., therefore technically anyone can refer to themselves as a “counsellor”. However, there are regulating bodies, such as the BCACC (British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors), that only allow members with a Masters degree and specific numbers of clinical hours to be members. Those registered with BCACC have the RCC (Registered Clinical Counsellor) designation. Counsellors have in-depth knowledge of diagnosis, medications, and treatments, but cannot make formal diagnoses or prescribe medication.

Social Worker or RSW - Social workers can hold a bachelors or masters degree in social work. Those with a masters degree can become an RSW (Registered social worker) if they meet the criteria.

Psychologist - Someone with a PhD (doctorate degree) in psychology. They can assess for mental health conditions, but cannot prescribe medication.

Psychiatrist - Someone with a PhD in medicine (medical doctor) who specializes in mental health. They can assess, diagnose, as well as provide prescription medication.

Psychotherapist - A general term for any of the above. Sometimes, this is specifically identifying someone who uses the psychoanalytic (Freudian) approaches.