FAQ

Here are answers to your commonly asked questions

You don’t have to be in a crisis to benefit from counselling. Counselling can certainly help with emotional regulation and easing of distress, but in fact, sometimes it is easier to see new perspectives and gain insight during calmer periods. Clinical counselling is helpful for issues that have been stewing in the background and affecting your work, relationships, health, behaviour or mood, as well as for resolving conflict and communication issues, and can help in preparing for or recovering from a big life transition. Perhaps you are ready to process some past trauma that continues to hang around, or perhaps you are seeking clarity or insight into certain behaviours.

Still unsure? Book a consultation to see if counselling feels like it would be helpful for you.

It’s normal to feel a bit apprehensive and hesitant about seeing a new counsellor for the first time, so we will take some time to get settled and comfortable with each other, while also going over what is most important or urgent for you.

The first session will be a little bit different in that we will go over the counselling process, review consent and confidentiality and take some time to connect and feel safe, before gathering an understanding of your goals and background. I will be guiding the conversation more at the beginning, making space for any questions that you have, and from there we can collaboratively decide what to dig into and explore.

As we get deeper into the relationship and healing processes, we will work together, with you being the expert of your lived experience and I recommending a therapeutic direction. Depending on the situation, I may provide tools or resources, ask questions that work towards increased insight or clarity, suggest some work to do in between sessions, and/or hold space for where you’re at with your emotions.

You may not see results right away. Sometimes there is resistance to going in a certain direction and that may need to be explored, or day to day distress may lead the healing process along a non-linear path. Also, the emotions and ideas uncovered in therapy can take a while to mesh with our real-world situations, or to become integrated with other views and values.

This is a difficult question to answer because each person’s therapeutic journey is unique, and our work together depends on several factors. Sometimes issues that seem to be cut-and-dried on the surface can be connected to deep, lifelong experiences while in other cases a key insight or critical tool may feel complete.

I believe that healing is not linear and that we come up to the same situations multiple times with new perspectives and new knowledge – allowing us to go a little bit deeper each time. However, sometimes it is necessary to take a pause for these learnings to integrate.

If you have a constraint on the number of sessions available, please let me know when we meet so we can take that into account.

Yes, I currently have availability both in-person and online. You can book a complementary consultation directly, or email me to discuss.

Individual sessions are $142 + GST for a 50-minute session, whether online or in person.

Relationship counselling (>1 adults) sessions are $167 + GST for a 50-minute session, whether online or in person.

Sliding scale sessions are available to those in need – contact me for details.

Most benefits packages accept treatment from Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) but check with your insurance company to be certain.

Yes, in fact I recommend it. A free, 20-minute consultation is available to any potential clients, to answer any questions and determine if we are a good fit.

Each time slot is reserved just for you and time is taken to prepare for your session. As such, I ask that you provide 24 hours’ notice for any cancellations or changes to the appointment. 

For any changes made to scheduling with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missing the appointment entirely, there is a charge 50% of the session fee. Multiple late cancels and missed appointments will result in increased charges and / or discontinuation of services.

It is difficult to do a full therapy session in limited time, so please do everything possible to be on time and ready for the session. If you are running late, call or text to let me know. 

For in-person sessions, once you have arrived, we can use the remaining time left in the hour.

For online sessions, I will wait for 15 minutes and send an email to see if you are coming. After 15 minutes, I will disconnect and it will be considered a no-show.

Yes, everything we discuss together, and any information exchanged between us is confidential, not only while we are working together, but always. There are a few exceptions to this, however – I am required by law to report any suspected harm to a child, yourself, or others, and to submit my records in the event of a court subpoena. In order to keep my skills current and offer the best possible healing, I attend professional supervision where your situation may be discussed – however in these instances, no identifying information will be shared.

Yes, in person sessions are held at Local Health Integrative #210-2285 Clark Drive, Vancouver. Click here to see the schedule.

Yes, online sessions are held through the Jane web platform from my confidential office space. You will be sent a link to the session in advance. Please ensure that you are in a quiet and confidential space and have all the equipment you need charged and ready to go.

I am a member of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and adhere to the strict code of ethics and guidelines outlined by this regulatory body – it governs my practice and provides clients with third-party accountability. See here for details.  

Radiant Life Counselling is active on social media for the purpose of sharing professional content related to therapeutic issues and business logistics – you are welcome to follow those accounts. However, as the counselling relationship is strictly professional, I will not follow clients, nor will I accept requests on my personal social media accounts.

In order to protect your confidentiality, I will not approach you or acknowledge you if we see each other in a public setting. If you wish to greet me or introduce me to people you are with, that is your choice, and I will follow suit.

I chose the name Radiant Life Counselling because of the moment in working with clients when the things they have been working on connect…they gain a bit of insight, they feel confident in themselves again, or find some ease from the things that have been distressing them, and they glow. Happiness is an emotion, not an end state, and it is impossible to achieve permanently, but I hope in my work to be able to help clients reconnect with that inner radiance.

Any Other Questions?

Please contact me if you have any additional questions. I look forward to hearing from you.