Policies

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (Membership No. 1954) with the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors. Here are the policies that guide my work with clients:

HOW I WORK:
  • As a member in good standing with the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors, I seek to comply with its Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. You may learn more about the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors at www.bc-counsellors.org.
  • My counselling approach is growth-oriented, goal-directed and strengths based.
  • My approach to counselling and teaching is strongly influenced by relational, communications, systems and experiential theories and therapeutic modalities.
  • I am collaborative and seek to build a positive and trusting relationship with each client in a welcoming office environment that is safe and confidential.
  • I regularly upgrade my professional knowledge and seek regular supervision with a suitably experienced colleague who is registered with the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
  • Counselling can provide the opportunity to work through and resolve a challenge or difficulty.
  • Resolving a challenge or difficulty can bring more peace and ease and improve how you feel about yourself. You may experience a better sense of what your relationships with others are all about. The focus is more on ‘being’ than just ‘doing’ differently or better.
  • Counselling involves some “work”. It isn’t just a conversation.
  • The experience of counselling can sometimes bring up feelings and memories you didn’t expect, or it might open up ideas or directions you hadn’t considered before. I will seek to ensure that you feel safe. There isn’t a ‘typical’ or ‘one-size-fits-all’ experience. Each of us is a unique human being.
  • Sometimes, a client will get what they need in one or two sessions. Other times, the work to resolve issues and challenges may take considerably longer and commitment is needed.
  • If at any time we have a disagreement that we cannot resolve, you have the option to contact the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors and access their complaints procedure.
  • When it comes time to finish counselling, we can talk about the experience of closure and if necessary, we can finish in stages.
APPOINTMENTS AND FEES:
  • Individuals or couples who are thinking of seeking counselling with me should contact me to arrange an initial consultation. This can be done by calling me at 604-908-0508 or completing the contact form here.
  • If you wish to make a referral for someone who may benefit from counselling, you are welcome to call me at 604-908-0508 or complete the contact form here.
  • Counselling sessions are scheduled for 50 minutes, or longer as agreed.
  • My counselling fees are set within the recommended fee range of the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors.  (Individuals, $135.00 plus 5% GST per 50 minutes; couples and families, $150.00 plus 5% GST per 50 minutes.) I am open to negotiating a fee consistent with a client’s financial circumstances.
  • Counselling fees are charged for sessions, telephone consultations, meetings with others (e.g. school), or related communications.
  • Payment for sessions can be made with electronic transfer, cash or a cheque, and I will provide a receipt.
  • Should you need to postpone or cancel an appointment, I ask for 48 (forty-eight) hours notice when possible.
COMMUNICATION:
  • I do not use social media for contact with clients.
  • I only use email and text for booking and re-scheduling appointments.
  • Anything of any therapeutic significance is to be discussed face-to-face or by telephone, as electronic modes of communication are not secure and cannot guarantee confidentiality.
CONFIDENTIALITY:
  • I will treat the content of our work as confidential unless:  (1) you request me to share information with a third party; (2) there is clear reason to believe that a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of abuse or neglect; or (3) any other clear legal requirement to share information.
  • All records of notes, letters or other communications on behalf of each client are kept in a locked filing cabinet in my office and only accessed by me.
  • When we are finished working together, I will save all records,  letters or communications pertaining to each client for a minimum of three years, or in the case of minors, three years after they reach the age of majority. To dispose of records, I shred them.