FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHY CHOOSE A REGISTERED CLINICAL COUNSELLOR (RCC)?

RCC's hold a minimum of a Master's Degree and are registered with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). RCCs also voluntarily hold themselves to an ethical code of conduct and standards of practice.

For more information click here

ARE YOUR SERVICES COVERED BY ANY EXTENDED HEALTH PLANS?

Although BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) does not cover counselling fees, you or your partner may have coverage for Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) through your extended health benefits provider. Please check with your plan provider directly to see if you are covered.

I do not offer direct billing at this time but will provide a receipt for you to submit to your extended health plan provider.

ARE YOUR SERVICES COVERED BY ANY OTHER PROVIDERS?

Yes.

ICBC: Claimants are pre-approved for 12 sessions** with an RCC or CCC, and ICBC will cover up to $123/session.

**Within 12 weeks of the date of the accident causing the injury.

CVAP: If you have been a victim of a crime, you may be eligible for counselling support services through the Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP). South Okanagan Counseling is a CVAP approved provider.

EAP: South Okanagan Counselling is an affiliate counsellor with Morneau Shepell, HumanaCare, and the Government of Canada. Number of sessions are determined by your employer's plan.

First Nation's Health Authority: South Okanagan Counselling is an approved provider for the FNHA.

HOW LONG ARE COUNSELLING SESSIONS & WHAT IS THE COST?

Individual Counselling Sessions (50 minutes) - $150 incl. GST
Individual Counselling Sessions (75 minutes) - $190 incl. GST
Couples Initial Assessment (90 min) - $215 incl. GST
Couples Counselling (75 minutes) - $190 incl. GST

BCACC's recommended fee schedule.

WHAT ARE THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF SESSIONS NEEDED?

This is a difficult question to answer and varies greatly depending on the client's presenting problem and reasons for coming to therapy. 80% of individuals start to feel improvement after as little as one session, whereas other clients (specifically couples) will require longer-term support.

Usually, individuals will start with weekly sessions and then reduce to bi-weekly (or even monthly). There is, however, no "required" number of sessions. You have the right to decide how often and how long you wish to seek support, and you have the right to end services at any time.

IS EVERYTHING DISCUSSED WITH YOU CONFIDENTIAL?

Yes. Everything discussed during our sessions is kept 100% confidential. All documentation is kept in a secure, locked filing cabinet. No information will be disclosed without your informed, voluntary, and written consent.

The only exceptions to this would be if:

there risk of harm to yourself or someone else
there is suspicion or disclosure of abuse or neglect to a child, elderly individual, or other vulnerable person
there is a subpoena (court order), or by the order of a regulatory body
your insurance company is paying for some (or all) of your therapy, we may be obligated to disclose information to them. we will advise you of any such disclosure before making it.

However, even in cases where we are obligated to break confidentiality we work hard to collaborate with the client in how the reporting will take place. We offer our support in allowing the client the choice to self-report, report together, or have us report.

DO YOU OFFER FREE INITIAL CONSULTATIONS?

Yes. We offer every new client a no fee 15-minute phone consultation. This is a great opportunity to discuss your main reasons for seeking help, ask any questions you may have about the counselling process, and determine whether we may be a good fit for one another.

DO YOU OFFER SLIDING SCALE?

Yes. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to access counselling services and therefore offer a limited number of reduced fee spots. Please contact us to discuss sliding scale rates and availability.

FAQs: FAQ