I am able to engage and connect in a very authentic way in our Online sessions. I actually feel like I can be more open and vulnerable, leading to more self-awareness and growth.
Frequently Asked Questions (& Answers) About Counselling
We can appreciate where you are and the questions you may have when considering counselling. We hope this can answer some of your questions, but please feel free to contact us with any as well.
Do you offer Online Therapy and In-Person Therapy?
Yes, we offer flexible online and phone counselling throughout British Columbia, and in-person counselling in Kelowna, British Columbia. Our offices are located at 1855 Kirschner Road, suite 370.
- In-Person, In-Office Therapy
- Online Therapy (with video)
- Phone Therapy (without video)
- Walk & Talk Therapy
- Couples Therapy
- Sports Performance
- EMDR Therapy
- In-Person, In-Office Counselling
- with Laura
- with Shenaya: contact [email protected]
- with Barb
- including Individual Counselling, Family Counselling, Couples Counselling, Clinical Supervision, and Sports Counselling.
- Online Counselling
- with Laura
- with Shenaya
- with Barb
- including Individual Counselling, Family Counselling, Couples Counselling, Clinical Supervision, and Sports Counselling.
- including 30-minute sessions
- Phone Counselling
- with Laura
- with Shenaya
- with Barb
- including 30 minute sessions
- EMDR Therapy
- Couples Counselling
- Online Couples Counselling
- with Barb
- with Shenaya
- Walk & Talk Therapy
Are you taking new clients?
Yes! We are a team of like-minded therapists, so you can can find the right fit with your therapist and schedule. Meet us, See our availability, and Book an Appointment here.
What is your availability?
- The right fit with your therapist, and your schedule, are so important. We offer a variety of online, phone, and in-office therapy availability from mornings, afternoons, evenings, and some weekends. See our booking site, www.alivecounselling.janeapp.com under each therapist, Laura, Shenaya, or Barb and their specific schedules and offerings to find the right fit for you. If you have questions or need help, please contact us and we are happy to help! We all offer free consultations as well.
- Do you have availability on the weekends and evenings? (Yes).
- 30 minute therapy sessions are also available for those with a time or financial constraint.
- Online Counselling
- Phone Counselling
- In-Person, In-Office Counselling
- Couples Counselling
- Online Couples Counselling
- with Barb
- with Shenaya
-
- In-Office Couples Counselling in Kelowna, British Columbia
- Walk & Talk Therapy
Meet us, See our availability, and Book a Consultation or Appointment here.
See Barb’s Availability and Book an Appointment Here:
Add yourself to Barb’s Cancellation here
See Shenaya’s Availability and Book in Here
See Laura’s Availability and Book in Here
How do I get started?
Meet us, See our availability, and Book an Appointment here.
Click on the Contact button here to book in for an Online Counselling appointment to get started or fill out the form/email us to answer any questions, or schedule a free 10 minute consultation by emailing any of us directly.
You can view our availability and book directly in on our booking link http://www.alivecounselling.janeappcom. You can also fill out the Contact form Once you reach out, we will answer any questions you have. Upon booking, you will also be able to fill out the Intake and Consent Form directly online where you state some information (name, date of birth, etc. like at a doctor’s office) and “reason for counselling”, which is all confidential. You can share in as much or as little detail as you feel comfortable; that is what our first session is for and we will help facilitate that. Other areas of confidentiality are also covered here. You are able to review and sign the information surrounding counselling such as confidentiality, cost & coverage, as well as the 24-hour cancellation policy. We will review this together in our session as well.
What are counselling sessions like, especially the first one? What will I even talk about?
The first session is mostly to get to know each other and establish connection and trust as those are the most significant factors in the therapy process for success. The majority of therapists are skilled in techniques to help you, but the most important factor is that you feel comfortable and safe enough to open up and have a good connection with your therapist. As humans, we are created for connection. Healing does not happen in isolation or on our own. It happens in connection. And the safe connection in therapy can be one of the most healing relationships. I know it was for me, and we aim to be that for you.
For most people, they can feel nervous before the first counselling session. This is completely normal! We try to make you feel as welcome and comfortable as possible in a very relational and non-judgemental way.
Some people think
What will I talk about?” or
“How will I even start talking?”
Not to worry; we will often ask organic and guided questions to help you feel comfortable and open up to what you feel comfortable with (no pressure, and go at your own pace).
We also provide resources, reflection and journal prompts, apps, readings, podcasts, books, and other exercises between sessions to help you practice and continue growing. Our goal is to empower you with practical tools to enhance your life so that they fit into your real life and real relationships.
Meet us, See our availability, and Book a Consultation or Appointment here.
How much do your services cost?
As per the fee recommendation for registered clinical counsellors in British Columbia are found on our governing body, British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) ‘s website here.
What is the cost to see a Registered Clinical Counsellor?
BCACC recommends the following fee ranges:
Individual therapy (in person or online per 50 minute session) – $135.00 – $150.00
Couples | Family therapy (in person or online per 50 minute session) – $150.00 – $175.00
This scale should be used as a guideline only. Costs will vary per counsellor. Please verify rates with your counsellor directly.
Will a Registered Clinical Counsellor be covered under my extended health plan?
Every plan is different. Contact your plan provider before your first session to ensure that your plan covers the Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) designation.
Will Registered Clinical Counsellors charge a sliding fee scale?
It is up to the counsellor if they wish to use a sliding fee scale. Please verify this with them directly.
Cost & Coverage at Alive Counselling
There are various sessions and therapist options to fit best with your situation, schedule and budget. All are listed in detail on our books site, www.AliveCounselling.JaneApp.com
Payment can be made via etransfer to [email protected] prior to the session. We do have a credit card option, but do have to charge the 3.5% processing fee. We also accept cash
- In-Person In-Office Therapy:
- For Laura: $140 (including GST)
- For Barb: $175 (including GST)
- Individual Online Therapy is $125 + 5% GST = $131.25 /50-60 minute session
- For Barb: $150 (including GST)
- Individual Online Therapy 30-minute session = $75
- Walk & Talk Therapy: $150/hour
- For Barb: $150 + tax = $157
- Couples Therapy or Family Therapy: $150/hour
- For Barb: $175
- Lunch & Learns or Speaking Events are tailored to your unique event and time. Please contact [email protected] for details.
What methods of payment do you accept?
Currently as all counselling is online. We accept e-transfer prior to the session. When in office, we accept e-transfer, credit or debit cards, and cash. Payment is made prior to the session.
- In-Person In-Office Therapy:
- For Laura: $140 (including GST)
- For Barb: $175 (including GST)
- Individual Online Therapy is $125 + 5% GST = $131.25 /session
- For Barb: $150 (including GST)
- Individual Online Therapy 30-minute session = $75
- EMDR Therapy: $190 (GST included)
- Walk & Talk Therapy: $150/hour
- For Barb: $150 + tax = $157
- Couples Therapy or Family Therapy: $150/hour
- For Barb: $175
Payment can be made via e-transfer prior to the session to [email protected] and you will get an emailed receipt.
Do you take insurance?
While we do not direct bill for extended benefit plans, many insurance plans provide mental health coverage. You pay for the session and submit the receipt with my license number for reimbursement. I am registered with many insurance companies like Green Shield or Pacific Blue Cross, so the reimbursement time is quite quick and the process is quite conveniently done through their app or website.
If you are unsure if your benefits cover counselling with a “Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)”or “Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC)” I recommend calling your insurance company directly. Important questions to ask are, “What are my mental health benefits and amount?” and “Do you cover counselling with a Registered Clinical Counsellor?”
If you do not have coverage or have used all of your coverage, many clients still pay out of pocket. You will never regret investing in yourself!
I do work with specific third party organizations that I will direct bill to such as
- ICBC
- Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP), and
- Doctors of BC Physician Health Program for physicians, residents, and medical school students.
- Metis Nation British Columbia (MNBC)
Clients are responsible to cover the remaining amounts.
How does scheduling work?
Meet us, See our availability, and Book an Appointment here.
You can view our availability and book in directly. During our initial session we will discuss your reason for counselling and goals for counselling to determine the frequency and duration. Ultimately, it is up to you and personalized to you and your unique needs. Especially initially, many clients seeking counselling for anxiety, stress, depression, performance or relational issues will want to meet weekly or biweekly to gain traction and momentum in their new skills. This will not always be the case and will get to a point of a longer duration between appointments until you are at a stable and thriving place to no longer require them. However, you are always welcome to return at any point in your life and for check-ins. We highly recommend that weekly standing appointments be booked on a monthly basis to maintain consistency. We do offer weekend counselling appointments and evening counselling appointments.
How does Online Counselling work?
See the post on Online Counselling here. For Online Counselling you will be emailed a secure link for our online session. This is in congruence with Canadian Healthcare and patient privacy laws. You simply click on the link and begin. It does work best in Google Chrome on a browser, or by downloading the Jane app on your phone. All information on this is in the Intake section once you book an appointment as well.
Meet us, See our availability, and Book an Appointment here.
What is your cancellation policy?
Your session is reserved specifically for you. If you are not able to keep your appointment, we require a 24-hour notice. If this is not possible, you will be charged the regular session fee. Sickness and emergencies are exempted at our discretion.
Is counselling right for me?
Absolutely. We all have “stuff” and can benefit from counselling. We work with all types of people and “stuff.” We are affirming of all backgrounds, lifestyles, religions, and people. Nobody is perfect; everybody is welcome. You are welcome here. We primarily work with men and women who are generally high-functioning and looking for help in areas such as relational difficulties, stress, anxiety, depression, and performance issues (sport, work, confidence).
If you are thinking to yourself “I want more for myself and my life and I don’t know where to start” you’re in the right place!
The right fit is the most important part of therapy. Meet us, See our availability, and Book an Appointment here.
How often should I be in therapy and how long does therapy last?
This is unique to you and your unique situation and goals. The length of time varies greatly between clients and what issues they are working through. The goal is to get you to a place where you are stable, empowered and consistently applying these tools to be who you were created to be and come more alive in these areas. For most anxiety, stress, or depression situations, an average of approximately 6-8 sessions is often recommended to really form new ways of thinking and coping through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). However, this may be more or may be less depending on your unique situation and goals. For trauma work, this may be longer understandably.
You are always welcome back at any time and for check-ins.
Therapy is so personal and personalized to you. We will work with you to personalize your therapy experience, frequency, and duration.
How does confidentiality work?
This is covered extensively in the Intake and Consent form and within our first session. In accordance with healthcare patient privacy laws, all information shared within our session is strictly confidential unless you give written consent for us to share information with a third party. Other exceptions to break confidentiality are if we become aware that there is imminent harm to you or someone else, or if there is any instance of unreported child or elder abuse.
Team Approach
As per my background of athletics, we value a team approach. Therefore, we are happy to work with your medical doctor, naturopath, physiotherapist, chiropractor, and other practitioners to ensure the best possible team care for you with and only if you give your consent. You do not have to. Especially if you are considering medication, we are happy to work closely with your medical professional (naturopath, family doctor, or psychiatrist, etc).
