Counselling FAQs
What are the fees for counselling?
Please view our Counselling Rates page here for more information: Counselling Rates
How do I know that I’ll get the right counsellor?
The cornerstone to effective counselling is a trusting and respectful professional relationship. When seeking a counsellor, look for one who has training and expertise with your specific issue. Our counsellor’s provide an initial 15 min free consult to ensure that they are the right “fit” for you. Fit is important in therapeutic relationships, because it is helpful to be able to speak with your counsellor openly and honestly. It is also an opportunity to ensure that the counsellor has experience that matches your needs (i.e. they’ve worked with someone of your age, and have dealt with problems of a similar nature). You may ask the counsellor questions about their experience, training, and registration. Also, not all counsellors have the same registration, so if you’re hoping to get coverage of fees from an extended health plan, you will need to ensure that you have a professional whose credentials (i.e. RCC, CCC, RSW) match those outlined in your specific health plan.
What if I am not sure about working with a counsellor after our free 15 minute consult?
Not to worry – we won’t take it personally! At Hollyburn, we just want what’s best for our clients. If you are feeling like you haven’t connected with a counsellor or that your counsellor might not be the best “fit” for you, simply email email hidden; JavaScript is required or call 604-968-8211 and our intake coordinator will refer you to another counsellor – no problem at all!
How long will it take until I start to see improvement?
Each person’s circumstances are different. Rates of change and progress through therapy depends on many factors. It’s difficult to determine length of service for a given problem. One consideration is the question of how long you’ve been living with the problem in your life. Problems that have persisted for years will require longer courses of therapy. Your counsellor will help you monitor and assess progress. If you don’t feel you’re making headway after several weeks of counselling, be sure to ask your counsellor to discuss this and consider whether a referral to another service or professional may be necessary. Research in marital therapy indicates that couples experience up to 6 years of conflict before accessing couples therapy. For this reason, couples therapy often requires a longer commitment for better results.
Is a counsellor the same as a psychologist or a psychiatrist?
The short answer is no. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor. They focus on serving individuals with a specific, often diagnosable mental health issue. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication that may be necessary to help manage mental health symptoms. It’s common for people to see a psychiatrist for medical treatment of a mental health condition or disorder while receiving talk therapy from a counsellor or psychologist.
Psychologists in BC hold a PhD and typically charge higher rates due to their higher credentials and wider scope of practice that includes formal testing and assessment to help categorize mental, cognitive, and emotional capacity and functioning. Many are also engaged in private practice or public programs where they provide talk therapy services.
Counsellors have both academic and professional training in engaging in therapeutic processes aimed at enhancing specific social, emotional and relational functioning for their clients. Counsellors are focused on finding solutions to a client’s identified problem and are trained in a variety of therapeutic methods and models that promote changes to thinking, emotional regulation, and behaviour. Counsellors with the highest qualifications in BC hold memberships with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (RCC) or the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCC) or the BC College of Social Workers (RSW).
Who do I contact to provide feedback on the services that I have received or to share a concern that I have?
Please contact the Director of Counselling Services, Lissy Snowden, anytime by email at: email hidden; JavaScript is required or phone: 604-987-8211 ex. 5002.