ICBC counselling in Vancouver & Port Moody

1. Report your accident to ICBC (if you haven’t already) and get your claim number
2. Book a free 15-minute consultation with us to discuss your needs and match you with the right counsellor
3. Provide your ICBC claim number when booking your first session
4. We bill ICBC directly – no upfront costs for your first 12 sessions

ICBC covers up to $157 per counselling session for the first 12 pre-approved sessions. If your counsellor’s rate is higher than $157, you would be responsible for the difference. At Venturous, we work within ICBC’s coverage rates for these initial sessions, so there’s no out-of-pocket cost to you.

The 12 pre-approved counselling sessions must be used within the first 12 weeks (84 days) after your accident. This doesn’t mean you need to complete all 12 sessions within that timeframe – it means you need to start accessing counselling within those first 12 weeks to qualify for automatic pre-approval.

• A referral from your doctor or healthcare provider
• Approval from your ICBC recovery team
• Documentation of how the accident has impacted your mental health

We can work with your ICBC recovery team to request additional sessions based on your ongoing needs. Many people find that trauma recovery takes longer than 12 weeks, and that’s completely valid. We’ll provide the documentation and clinical rationale to support your request for continued care, and help you navigate this process.

No, you’re not required to use all 12 sessions. Some people find they get the support they need in fewer sessions, while others benefit from the full 12 and may need additional support beyond that. Your healing timeline is your own, and we’ll work with you to determine what feels right for your recovery.

No problem! ICBC counselling coverage works across BC, regardless of where your accident happened or where you live. We have offices in both Vancouver (62 West 4th Avenue) and Port Moody (101 Klahanie Drive), and we also offer virtual counselling sessions across BC. You can choose the location that’s most convenient for you or switch between locations as needed.

You can absolutely do ICBC counselling virtually! Our secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual platform makes it easy to access counselling from anywhere in BC. Many clients prefer virtual sessions for convenience, mobility challenges, or because they feel more comfortable in their own space. You can also switch between virtual and in-person sessions based on what feels best for your healing process.

• Traditional talk therapy for processing the accident and its impact
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for trauma processing
• Somatic therapy for releasing trauma stored in the body
• Nature-based therapy for nervous system regulation and grounding
• Expressive arts therapy for non-verbal processing

• Anxiety about driving or being in vehicles
• Depression or feeling disconnected from your life
• Sleep disturbances and nightmares
• Panic attacks or heightened stress responses
• Grief over losses (physical abilities, sense of safety, lifestyle changes)
• Relationship difficulties stemming from the accident

Yes! ICBC’s Enhanced Care covers everyone involved in the accident, including passengers, regardless of who was at fault. Each person involved can access their own 12 pre-approved counselling sessions. If your partner, child, or other family member was in the accident with you, they can each file their own claim and access counselling support.

ICBC counselling coverage applies to anyone injured in a motor vehicle accident in BC, regardless of whether you were driving, a passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist. If you were hit by a vehicle while walking or biking, you’re still eligible for the same counselling coverage under Enhanced Care.

During the first 12 weeks, ICBC is your primary coverage for accident-related counselling. After the initial 12 sessions, if you need ongoing support and ICBC doesn’t approve additional sessions, you may be able to use your extended health benefits for continued counselling. We can help you navigate this transition and work with both coverage sources to ensure continuous support.

We only share what’s required for billing and treatment planning. Your personal details and therapy content remain confidential. ICBC doesn’t get transcripts of our sessions or details about what you share. The same confidentiality standards that apply to all counselling apply to ICBC-funded sessions. If there’s anything we need to share, we’ll always check in with you first and collaborate with you in the process. If you have any concerns about this, feel free to chat with your therapist to work out something that feels comfortable for you.

That’s completely understandable. We can start wherever feels comfortable for you – maybe talking about how you’re sleeping, or what your daily life looks like now. You never have to share more than you’re ready to share. Building trust takes time, and we’ll move at your pace.

It’s up to you whether or not you think therapy might be supportive for your recovery process. That being said, you don’t need to have nightmares or panic attacks to deserve support. If something feels different about your life since the accident – even if you can’t put your finger on exactly what – that’s enough of a reason to reach out.

There’s no timeline for trauma recovery, and there’s nothing wrong with you. Our culture often pushes people to “move on” quickly, but healing happens at its own pace. Some people are affected for weeks, others for months or longer – all of this is normal. Your nervous system is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do to keep you safe.

Real life doesn’t pause for trauma recovery. If you’re dealing with work stress, relationship issues, financial pressures, or other challenges alongside processing the accident, we can work with all of it together. We understand that the accident doesn’t exist in isolation – it intersects with everything else happening in your life, and our approach accounts for that.

It’s okay to feel uncertain about therapy, especially if you’ve never done it before. We can talk about what’s working and what isn’t, and adjust our approach. You’re always free to try a different therapist or take a break if you need to. Therapy should feel helpful, and if it doesn’t, that’s important feedback we want to hear.

Your therapy appointments are private medical appointments. You don’t have to tell your employer why you’re taking time off, just that you have a medical appointment. We can also offer virtual sessions or flexible scheduling to make it easier – we have evening and weekend appointments available.