Frequently asked questions
The things people ask before they get in touch
If what you want to know isn’t here, ask us. It probably belongs on this page.
Can you help? Have you worked with someone like me?
Almost certainly, and if we haven’t, we’ll say so rather than take the booking. Between us the team works with anxiety, low mood, trauma, ADHD and executive function, autism, couples and family conflict, parenting, grief, burnout, and a long tail of things that don’t have a tidy name. What matters more than the label is whether the person you’d be sitting with has met something like it before. So describe it in your own words when you get in touch, and we’ll tell you honestly who fits, including when that’s someone outside our practice.
Is something wrong with me?
It’s the question almost everyone arrives with, and the honest answer is usually no. What you’re describing generally makes sense once we understand where it came from. Patterns that look like something being wrong with you are, more often, something that once worked and has outlived its usefulness. That’s a far more workable starting point than a verdict about who you are.
Do I need a referral to see a counsellor?
No. You can see a counsellor in British Columbia without a doctor’s referral. Some extended health plans ask for one before they reimburse, so it’s worth checking your own plan, but you don’t need one to get started with us.
How do I book? Why can’t I just pick a time?
New clients start with a short enquiry rather than booking a slot directly. It means we can match you with the clinician best suited to what’s going on (including telling you honestly if that’s someone outside our practice) and send your paperwork before you meet anyone. We reply within one business day, and you book your consultation yourself from there. Existing clients book straight into Jane as usual.
What happens in the free consultation?
It’s a conversation about fit, not a therapy session. You describe what’s going on, we explain how we work, you ask whatever you want to ask, and together you decide whether to go ahead. There’s no cost and no obligation to book afterward. It’s 30 minutes with our licensed team, and 60 with an Incourage Institute intern.
Why do I have to fill in forms before the consultation?
So the first conversation isn’t spent on admin. Your consent form and intake questionnaire are sent the moment you book, and they need to be complete before you meet anyone here: intake coordinator, clinician, or intern. It’s a practice-wide rule rather than a per-clinician preference.
What does it cost?
Individual sessions are $185 for 60 minutes with our registered and certified counsellors, and $200 with Nelson, our clinical director. The initial consultation is free. Through Incourage Institute, sessions with a supervised graduate intern are $50, $25 on sliding scale, or pro bono where there’s financial need.
Is counselling covered by my extended health plan?
Often, but not always. Check your plan specifically for “Registered Clinical Counsellor”. Some plans list only psychologists, and some require a physician’s referral before reimbursing. We provide receipts with the registration details insurers ask for. Our Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) is covered by many plans but not all, so check for “Canadian Certified Counsellor” too. Sessions with Incourage Institute interns usually aren’t covered; ask us and we’ll be straight with you about it.
Do you charge GST?
No. Counselling provided by a Registered Clinical Counsellor is exempt from GST in Canada.
Can I do sessions online?
Yes. Sessions are available in person at our Burnaby office and online to anyone located in British Columbia. Some of our team work virtually only. It’s noted on each person’s profile.
How often will I come, and for how long?
Weekly to start is typical, moving to every other week as things steady. Some people come for six or eight sessions with a specific focus; others stay longer. We review it with you rather than leaving it open-ended, and you can stop whenever you want.
What if my therapist isn’t the right fit?
Say so, to them, or to us. Fit matters more than almost anything else in therapy, and a clinician who takes that personally isn’t doing the job. We’ll help you move to someone else here, or elsewhere if that’s the better answer.
Who will know I’m coming here?
Nobody, unless you tell them. We can’t confirm that you’re a client (not to a family member, a doctor, or the person who referred you) without your written consent. The limited legal exceptions to confidentiality are reviewed with you at the start of your first session, before you share anything.
What’s the difference between your licensed team and Incourage Institute?
Our clinical team are fully registered or certified, independently practising clinicians. Incourage Institute interns are graduate counselling students completing supervised practicum hours, working from a treatment plan set by a licensed clinician, with 90 minutes of individual supervision every week. The fees are lower, and every intern’s work is reviewed by a licensed clinician each week.
What if I need to cancel?
We ask for 24 hours’ notice to change or cancel a session, and inside that window the session is charged. There’s one exception: if you’re unwell, or caring for a dependent family member who is, there’s no charge. Just tell us. You can cancel yourself in Jane, or email info@incouragecounselling.ca.
What if I’m in crisis?
Please don’t wait for an appointment. Call or text 9-8-8 (Suicide Crisis Helpline, 24/7), call the BC Mental Health Support Line at 310-6789, or call 9-1-1 in an emergency. We’re a counselling practice, not a crisis service.
Ready when you are.
Tell us a little about what’s going on. We’ll suggest who on our team is the best fit and book your free consultation with you.
Takes about two minutes · We reply within one business day · No obligation to book
Current client? Book your next session in Jane →