Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a registered clinical counsellor and a registered social worker?

Registered Social Workers (RSW) are governed by the BC College of Social Workers as a regulating body. Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) are members of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. These two bodies regulate and manage their constituency differently. You can find information about the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice I am bound to follow here.

Can I use my extended health benefits to see you?

Yes, a lot of providers cover social worker visits and my invoices will clearly state all the information you need to submit a claim. Please confirm with your provider before booking if this is a requirement for you.

Do I need to sign some paperwork before I see you?

Yes, I will send along the intake forms when you book a consultation. They’re online through JaneApp and relatively simple.

Some of the questions delve into your previous experiences with counselling services. You can answer these as thoroughly or not as you feel comfortable with and we can speak about anything you think is pertinent for me to know in our consultation.

Do you offer sliding scale?

I do; if my fees are prohibitive, please reach out. I consider people who are at the low end of the scale outlined below to be entitled to ask for sliding scale services. If you are questioning whether you are low income enough to ask about this, follow these guidelines:

  • top end of the scale: you have enough income to comfortably meet your basic needs, you take vacations or time off annually, you have health benefits, you own a home or rent a property that is higher end, you have debt but it doesn’t prevent you from buying what you want as you are able to pay it down easily.

  • middle of the scale: you have to budget but meet your basic needs without much strain, you take vacations with intention and budgeting, you have health benefits, you rent and are a bit stressed about the housing crisis, you thrift to save money, you have some debt and have to make an effort to make payments that reduce it but this feels manageable.

  • lower end of the scale: you are consistently stressed about meeting your basic needs, you have debt and this takes up resources that prohibit meeting your basic needs, you have very limited if any health benefits, your housing is unstable and run down, you are unemployed or underemployed, you access government assistance, you can’t afford to take time off or vacation, you struggle to save money,

If you have any questions, please reach out.

Do you offer consultation services?

Yes; I have built and delivered programs for 2SLGBTQIA+ people, neurodivergent people, and for people who use drugs. I am available to consult with nonprofit agencies and charities about inclusive services for these populations. Please reach out.

What are the limits to confidentiality?

Your confidentiality is of utmost importance to me. Here is a list of exceptions:

  • I am obliged to respond to subpoena from court when my notes are requested, and write my notes with your safety and protection in this possibility in mind.

  • I have a duty to report abuse by a professional in my college that has been reported to me.

  • I have a duty to report any abuse dynamics towards minors, like any person does in BC.

  • Aside from these legal obligations, I prefer to make agreements with clients who may need more direct intervention for their safety so they have informed consent from the start regarding wellness checks and the like.

What will happen if I see you in a public setting?

If we run into each other in a public setting, like a show or a party or even on the street, I will not approach you as that would compromise your ability to choose to break confidentiality. If you would like to approach me, I would be happy for you to do that, but you will need to initiate this as I am bound by my code of ethics to protect your confidentiality. If we are introduced to each other by a mutual friend (this happens!), I will pretend we are meeting for the first time as there is no way for me to get your consent to reveal we know each other without breaking your confidentiality. This can be awkward at times, and I hope you understand that it is to preserve your choice and agency in the situation. Even if we discuss this in session and you tell me you are comfortable with me approaching you, I still will not initiate this because I have no way of knowing if anyone is around that you wouldn’t be comfortable with knowing that we work together. If you have any questions or preferences about this, we can discuss it in a consultation.