Frequently

Asked

Questions

We are uninvited settlers occupying the stolen, ancestral territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), Qayqayt, and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) peoples. Our relationship with these lands dictates our commitment to understanding the ongoing impacts of colonization and decolonizing our practices in and out of the counselling room.

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  • What does counselling do for me?

    Well, that depends on you! Our work varies depending on what's going on in your life. Most times, my clients find counselling to be a helpful space for gaining clarity, finding solutions to problems, and removing harmful narratives that keep you from achieving your goals and/or having great relationships.

  • How do I know if you're the right counsellor for me?

    To be honest, I might not be! Counsellors are like shoes, just because they're the right size, doesn't mean they fit. The best indicator of whether or not a counsellor is a good fit is how YOU feel when you talk to them. Do you feel heard, understood, and respected? Did we work on what you wanted to work on? Did the approach feel helpful to you? Are you experiencing positive change in your life? 



     

    If after our sessions you feel that we are not a good fit, let me know! I'm more than happy to support you in finding a counsellor who would be a better fit for you.

  • Is it really confidential?

    99.9% of the time, absolutely. Confidentiality is one of the most important principles in our profession.

     

    But there are exceptions. These exceptions are generally safety- or legally-related such as 1) when there is an immediate risk of harm to yourself or another person, 2) if a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of harm, or 3) a judge subpoenas our records. You can also request or consent to disclosure. 

     

    In addition, all the forms and session platforms we use (Zoom + Jane) are HIPAA compliant. That means your information is protected when using these platforms. Email communications however, are not end-to-end encrypted. So I'd recommend keeping confidential information out of email communications.

  • What's the difference between a counsellor, a social worker, and a psychologist?

    Registered Clinical Counsellors are trained in a variety of areas and at minimum, have a Masters degree and have passed an extensive practicum experience. Some counsellors even pursue extra, more specialized training to broaden their effectiveness. Social workers usually offer more practical support such as connecting you with housing, jobs, or other services, but some do decide to focus on therapeutic work. Finally, Psychologists holds either a PsyD or PhD. Because of the extra training, they are able to do assessments and support in obtaining a diagnosis.  

  • What happens at the first appointment?

    The first appointment is to get to know you and your situation better. Through the process, we get a better sense of what you're looking for and what best supports you. We also make sure you understand the process of therapy and what your rights are. Usually, by the end of the session, we'll have talked about a rough plan of how we can approach your goals. Sometimes folks feel anxious in the first session; the most important thing to remember is that you don't owe me your story - you can tell me as much or as little as you want and there's literally no way for you to do your first session "wrong"!

  • How long do I stay in counselling?

    That depends on many factors such as what your goals are, what you're hoping to get from therapy, and whether or not you and I are a good fit. Clients who work with me for personal growth reasons tend to continue their counselling relationship with me for a longer period of time when compared to folks who are looking to solve a specific problem.

  • How does online counselling work?

    Online counselling works very similarly to in-person counselling, except no travel time is required. To prepare for your online counselling sessions, make sure your device is charged, that you have access to the internet, and that you are in a quiet, secured place where you won't be interrupted. Clients who prefer integrating art into our work also tend to have their favorite art supplies nearby. 

  • Can I gift your sessions?

    Absolutely. Send us an email and we'll be happy to set something up for you. All gifted sessions must be used within 6 months of purchase. After 6 months, the monetary value of any unused sessions will be donated to charity. If your recipient decides our team is not a good fit, we'll refund the remaining sessions, no questions asked.  

  • Are you covered by my extended health benefits? What about other programs?

    Most universities and extended health providers cover counselling services rendered by a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC). Before booking your session, please check with your provider to confirm. 



     

    We also work with various EAPs and are FNHA approved. These programs cover most, if not all of your counselling costs. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

  • What are your payment options?

    We accept e-transfers to connect@venturouscounselling.com and credit card payments. We will issue you an invoice after our session and a PDF receipt when we receive payment. If our services are covered by your extended health benefits plan, you can submit this receipt to your provider for reimbursement.  

  • What's your cancellation policy?

    We have a standard 24-hour cancellation policy. That means if you need to cancel or reschedule your session, you need to give us at least 24-hours notice or the full fee of the session will be charged. When you book a session your time has been reserved for you, so it hasn’t been available to others. If you are late, you can still use the rest of your time of the session for the full fee.