Counselling FAQs

To qualify as a Registered Clinical Counsellor in BC, a counsellor needs to have completed an accredited master’s degree in counselling. All our therapists are either already RCCs, or are students in their practicum year of an MA program. Additionally, all counsellors on our team are eager lifelong learners, engaged in professional development to further our skills and help our clients more effectively.

Confidentiality is at the heart of effective counselling. Your counsellor will take very seriously the importance of this. There are a few unusual situations in which confidentiality may be broken, and your counsellor will discuss these with you in your first session.

If you are working with a student therapist, your sessions are still confidential, though your therapist’s supervisor will be privy to some information about you as well. We endeavour to do this in a way that still preserves as much privacy as possible, and of course the supervisor is also bound to the highest standards of confidentiality.

There is no single answer to this question. Sometimes people start to feel better quite quickly, and sometimes deep transformation happens suddenly. More often, however, deep change takes time. It took your whole life to get you to where you are now, and it will take a while to begin to notice change. In short: you are welcome to come for a few sessions, and you may also find that counselling is something worth investing in for the long-term.

Existing clients are able to access online booking through this link: https://bodymindcounselling.janeapp.com

New and prospective clients are requested to use the form on the Contact page to set up an initial consultation.

During a free consultation call, you will have a chance to talk about what you are hoping to work on in counselling, and you will also have the chance to ask any questions you have of your prospective therapist.

Deeper than that, this is a time for you to try to get a sense of whether you will be able to feel safe enough with this person to work with them. The feeling of a fit between therapist and client is important, so please trust how you feel.

If it is not the right fit for you, or if the therapist feels they are not the right person to help you at this time, we will offer other referrals, if desired.

You are always welcome to contact your therapist by email between sessions. If your therapist chooses to share their cell number with clients, please be aware that text messages are best used for scheduling and logistics, rather than for sharing any personal material. If you need to reach your therapist quickly for some reason, you can leave a message at 250-999-9349 and it will be passed on to them.

Unfortunately, even at multi-disciplinary clinics that are able to direct bill for things like massage therapy, counsellors is not approved for this. You will need to pay out of pocket and then submit your receipt for reimbursement.

Many, but not all, extended benefits plans in BC cover the services of a Registered Clinical Counsellor. Please check your plan specifically, because sometimes they cover Registered Psychologists and Social Workers, but not RCCs. Unfortunately, MSP does not cover private practice counselling services at all.

Somatic psychotherapy is sometimes also called “body-oriented” psychotherapy. Traditionally, psychotherapy ignored the body, focusing instead on trying to understand what is happening in the client’s head. Somatic therapists, however, recognize that for every feeling, belief or idea, something is happening as well in your body.

Working somatically means we are curious about what is happening in your body, and in your nervous system, and about what this might teach us about what is going on for you.

Many people either completely ignore their bodies, or feel like it is “the enemy”. The amazing thing is that over time, and with the right support, you can learn to be friends with your body again. Your body can become a safe home that is with you all the time.

Yes we do! Priority is given to students who are explicitly interested in AEDP and other relational/emotional/experiential approaches, and who come from an explicitly anti-oppressive perspective in their work. QT/BIPOC folks, and members of other minoritized groups are encouraged to apply. Find out more and learn how to apply here.

If you are a master’s level registered therapist with additional training in a somatic and/or relational approach (AEDP, Sensorimotor, TIST, Somatic Attachment, IFS, etc) and a commitment to affirmative, inclusive and anti-oppressive practice, please get in touch! Bodymind Counselling is a small but growing group and would be happy to discuss this possibility with you.