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Faqs

Questions about counselling in Nanaimo

(Online)

Short answers to the most-asked questions.

A no-cost fit check. Next steps if it feels right.
Serving Nanaimo, Parksville, and Qualicum Beach — online.

You’ll leave your first sessions with 1–2 tools for tonight and a simple plan for the week.

Serving Nanaimo, Parksville, and Qualicum Beach — online.

You’ll leave your first sessions with 1–2 tools for tonight and a simple plan for the week.

Quick answers (so you can decide fast)Question icon

How much does counselling cost in Nanaimo? Is it covered?

$175 / full 60 minutes.

Many plans reimburse Registered Social Worker (RSW) counselling; check your plan for “Registered Social Worker” or “RSW.” You’ll get detailed receipts you can submit for reimbursement. MSP generally doesn’t cover private counselling.

Do you offer online counselling? Is it private?

Yes. I work online only.

Sessions are on a simple, secure video platform. No recordings. Camera-off is okay on hard days — we can still do solid work by voice.

I follow PIPEDA/PIPA requirements, use a secure Canadian platform, and, with your consent, can coordinate with your physician when helpful.

What happens in the first session?

We’ll slow things down and get clear on three things:

  • What’s hardest right now (days, evenings, sleep, alcohol, work).
  • What “a bit better” would look like in the next few weeks.
  • One small plan you can start this week.

You’ll leave the first session with a short written plan and what we’ll do next. After sessions, I send a brief follow-up email so the plan is easy to keep.

If you’d like to start smaller, you can book a 30-minute consult first.

No-cost fit check. Next steps if it feels right.
Email me three lines; I’ll reply today
What’s included in $175 / 60 minutes?

You get a full 60-minute session, a clear plan you can use that week, and a short follow-up email so it’s easy to remember and actually do. I work in a practical way—steady the hardest part first, then map the pattern underneath so the change holds. The fee also reflects senior-level experience and the extra time and follow-through built into each session.

How quickly will I feel a difference?

Many people notice a small shift within 1–3 sessions — a clearer plan, one less fraught part of the day, or a bit more steadiness in evenings or sleep.

We won’t fix everything at once, but we will start with one piece that matters this week.

Do I need a diagnosis, referral, or EAP approval?

No. You can book directly as long as you’re 18+.

If you have benefits through work (EAP or extended health), I can provide receipts for “Registered Social Worker (RSW)” and you can check how your plan works. If a referral is needed for coverage, your family physician can often provide it.

You don’t need a diagnosis or label in order to get help.

Will we get to the root — or just manage symptoms?

Both.

First we steady the hardest part of your day (for example, sleep, evenings, work spillover, or drinking) so your days feel more manageable — without overhauling everything at once.

If you want, we’ll also look at the older pattern underneath — how you learned to stay safe or “good,” and how that shows up now (people-pleasing, overworking, withdrawing, self-attack, using alcohol to cope). We work one small piece at a time so change lasts, without reliving everything at once.

How do I pick among Nanaimo counsellors?

There’s no single “best” counsellor — there’s a best fit for you. A few things to look for:

  • Training and registration. Are they licensed (for example, RSW with BCCSW) and clear about their background?
  • Who they help. Do they regularly work with stress, anxiety, burnout, and alcohol in adults?
  • How they work. Can they describe, in plain English, what happens in sessions?
  • Access and feel. Can you get a consult this week? Does their website feel calm and understandable?

If you’d like, you can use our consult to see how it feels to work together — and I’ll tell you honestly if I don’t think I’m the right person for what you need.

How is this different from a large clinic?

I’m a one-person practice, not a clinic. That means:

  • You speak to me, you see me — no handoffs or intake maze.
  • You don’t have to retell your story to multiple people.
  • We can keep the plan steady over time, instead of switching between therapists.

Larger clinics can be a good fit for some people (for example, if you prefer a group setting or want a range of options under one roof). This practice is for people who prefer a direct, consistent relationship with one therapist.

Do you see couples or families?

I work with adults 18+ in individual counselling.

You’re welcome to bring in relationship stress, family patterns, or parenting worries — we can absolutely work on those. Sometimes, with your consent, it can help to invite a partner or family member in for part of a session, but you would remain my client and the focus stays on your work.

If you’re looking for full couples or family therapy, I can suggest some questions to ask when you’re looking for a couples specialist.

What if I’ve tried therapy before, or I’m not sure it’s “bad enough”?

Both are very common.

If you’ve tried therapy before, we can start by talking about what helped, what didn’t, and what you’re hoping will be different this time. We’ll be practical and honest about that.

If you’re not sure it’s “bad enough,” a consult can still be useful. If you’re worried enough to be reading this, it’s okay to talk. We can map what’s happening, look at what’s at stake, and decide together whether now is the right time to work on it.

Can you coordinate with my family physician or other supports?

If we both think it would help, yes — with your written consent.

With your permission, I can share a brief summary or plan with your family physician or other supports so everyone is working from the same page. You’ll know what’s being shared and why.

Without your consent, I don’t share information, except in the rare situations where I’m required to by law or professional ethics (for example, serious and imminent safety concerns). We can talk this through clearly before anything is shared.