FAQs

You likely have many questions or don't know what questions to ask. Here are a few common questions. If we haven't answered what's on your mind or if more come to mind, please reach out and we would love to speak with you!

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WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN MY FIRST COUNSELLING SESSION?

A first session is about building comfort, connection, and understanding. A first session is just a good conversation where your counsellor can start to get to know you and what life looks and feels like for you. We collaborate together to define what you would like to get out of your experience with counselling.

IS EVERYTHING WE TALK ABOUT IN COUNSELLING CONFIDENTIAL?

Confidentiality is a very important aspect of counselling that we take very, very seriously. Privacy and confidentiality are a standard of practice and a key tenet of our code of ethics. Yes, everything we talk about is confidential. Confidentiality includes all communication and session notes. There are some very rare and specific situations where confidentiality may have to be broken, but those situations will be clearly discussed in the first session.

HOW DO I KNOW IF A COUNSELLOR IS A GOOD FIT FOR ME?

We believe that finding a good fit in a counsellor is fundamental to your experience in counselling. You will know you’ve found a good fit when you are feeling heard and understood, when you have a comfort level that helps you to feel safe sharing and exploring.

Counsellors are people too, and we each have different life experiences, personalities, approaches and strengths. Finding a fit is primarily about the sense you get from the counsellor.

Every counsellor at Peak Experience Counselling offers a free 15-minute consultation call so you can start to get a feel for fit. You are welcome to have consultation calls with more than one counsellor, so you get to know different approaches and personalities.

HOW CAN I FIND A COUNSELLOR WHO OFFERS SESSIONS THAT ALIGN WITH MY SCHEDULE?

We have 13 counsellors in our group who offer sessions on different days and times in a week. Part of finding that good match is finding a counsellor who offers sessions when it works for you. Reach out and we can help you connect with someone whose offerings match your availability.

WHAT IF MY COUNSELLOR DOESN'T FEEL LIKE THE RIGHT FIT?

If you try a session and something doesn’t quite feel like a fit, that is not a problem! This can happen, and we know it’s no one’s fault. Some things to consider in this situation are: first, ask whether there is anything you would like to request of your counsellor. Maybe you would like to focus more on a particular area or leave with certain tools. We welcome feedback! Secondly, if you’re just not feeling it, reach out, and we can match you with someone else. Feelings will not be hurt 😊

WHAT IF I FEEL NERVOUS OR ANXIOUS TO START COUNSELLING?

It is absolutely normal to feel nervous going into your first session!

Talking to someone you don’t yet know about some very personal parts of your life can start off feeling quite scary. We know this. This is why we are conscious of making your first visit feel as safe as possible. As we said, it’s just a good conversation.

If there are things you don’t feel comfortable talking about right away, that is understandable, and we would never push you to discuss anything you are not comfortable discussing. With built trust and comfort, we will get to those conversations that feel more vulnerable.

Before you know it, you’ll be coming in, kicking off your shoes, grabbing a cup of tea and a blanket and looking forward to talking.

HOW LONG WILL I NEED TO GO TO COUNSELLING?

You cannot fail counselling! Your counsellor will likely have recommendations for the frequency of sessions. However, this is your journey. Some people have a handful of sessions to work through something in particular, and some make counselling an ongoing regular support in life. Mental health can be similar to physical health; regular practice means more strength and benefits.

WHAT IF I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT?

Counsellors are professional conversationalists, and nothing to talk about does not intimidate us! We, by nature and training, are a curious kind of animal. We will happily and with non-judgmental curiosity explore alongside you.

WHAT IF I WANT TO STOP COMING TO COUNSELLING?

That is absolutely your choice. This process is yours, and you are welcome to dissolve it when it feels right for you. It can be helpful to have this conversation with your counsellor, so the two of you have a chance to conclude in a helpful way.

If you do decide to step away from counselling, please know that you are always welcome back. It is usual that one piece of the work concludes, but down the road, when something challenging or new pops up in life, and you’d like to work through it, we are still here for you.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF THERAPY IS WORKING?

Therapy is partially what happens in the therapy room and largely what happens outside of the room. Change comes from what gets translated into our day-to-day life, into our awareness and into the tiny shifts we make. Therapy is “working” when there is translation starting to happen. It is most often the little shifts that matter. Big shifts can and do happen, but most of us have meaningful change in what at first feels like quite small ways. Be patient and observant.

WHERE CAN I FIND LGBTQ+ AFFIRMING COUNSELLING?

You can find a safe and accepting environment at Peak Experience Counselling. Definitely. Our space is a safe space for everyone in our community. We intend to have every person who walks through our door or enters our virtual space feel safe to be their full, authentic self.

WHAT IF I'M FEELING UNSURE ABOUT TALKING ABOUT CULTURALLY SENSITIVE TOPICS?

We engage with in every session with absolute humility, respect, safety, and curiosity. We will not pretend to know about your experience or tell you what it should be. We will listen very, very carefully to understand what it feels like to walk in your shoes and guide you to explore what feels right according to your lived experiences and values.

WHAT IF I CAN'T AFFORD COUNSELLING?

One of our greatest values is helping provide affordable options for counselling. Most of our counsellors are able to offer sliding scale rates for those on limited income without extended medical benefits to help.

We also do an excellent job of working with the most experienced and capable intern counsellors. These sessions are offered at greatly reduced rates.

We are happy to help connect you with other funding options, and you can check some of these out here LOW COST OPTIONS

CAN PEAK EXPERIENCE COUNSELLING HELP ME WITH MY ANXIETY?

Absolutely. We can help. Anxiety, depression, burn out, overwhelm are big emotional experiences that we are very familiar with and can help. Reach out and we can help match you with a counsellor that fits best as far as approach, personality and scheduling.

I AM COPING WITH TRAUMA. CAN COUNSELLING HELP ME?

Yes, we have many counsellors on our team trained and experienced in working specifically with trauma whether that is relational trauma or a life event or a recurring experience. A traumatic experience overwhelms our system, and our usual ways of coping with stress simply don't work. This leaves our system doing its best to protect us and survive, but with that comes a state of unrest that leaves us exhausted and overwhelmed. We can help restore a state of calm.

CAN PEAK EXPERIENCE COUNSELLING HELP ME WITH MY LOSS AND GRIEF?

Yes, loss and grief are something we all have to navigate in life. We may have a very painful or complicated loss of a person (or animal) in our lives, loss of career, loss of health, loss of home, loss of sense of self. Loss and the grieving of loss can be a lonely path and we understand this. Being able to talk and process loss helps move through it in a way that we can some acceptance and eventually some peace.

WHAT IF I'M IN CRISIS OR NEED EMERGENCY SUPPORT? CAN PEAK EXPERIENCE COUNSELLING HELP?

As private practice counsellors, we are not usually available outside of sessions for emergencies. 9-8-8 is the emergency crisis line in BC. If you are at imminent risk, please go directly to the emergency room or call 9-1-1.

Private practice counselling is a fit for everyone. Still, if we feel we aren’t the absolute best fit and that more or different supports would be a better fit, then, ethically, we will recommend other options.

Please reach out if you are feeling overwhelmed and we would be happy to help direct you to support that feels like the right fit.

HOW CAN I ACCESS ONLINE COUNSELLING IN BC?

We all offer online options for counselling for those living throughout BC. Many people find that being able to do sessions from home offers a sense of comfort. In your own space, you may be able to relax into sessions and feel the comfort of your own surroundings. Online counselling also offers ease of access for many busy people.

HOW CAN COUNSELLING HELP WITH STRESS OR ANGER MANAGEMENT?

Stress (for some, resulting in a build-up of emotion and being expressed in anger) is a manageable state. Counselling helps not only build an understanding of the stress, including past, present and future aspects, but also helps expand coping with stress, so that we actually feel more in control, more grounded and can operate from a clear, calm, confident place.

ARE PRIVATE PRACTICE COUNSELLING SERVICES COVERED BY INSURANCE?

Counselling offered by Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs), Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC Lily Dias) or Registered Social Workers (Kelsey Wright) is often covered through extended medical plans. Please check with your medical plan to see if you are covered. A receipt with your counsellor's registration number will be provided for reimbursement. Direct billing for counselling is an option through some insurance providers.

SOME PRACTICAL NEED TO KNOWS:

We are located in The Galleries Building at 41105 Tantalus Road, Unit 122. Our space is situated on the front side of the building near the north end.
Parking is available at the back of the building in visitor spaces, as well as on the street in front. Additionally, there is an off-street bike rack right outside our front door, and a bus stop is conveniently located around the corner.
Session lengths vary depending on the type of session and the therapist, typically ranging from 50 to 90 minutes.
Fees also differ based on the therapist and the type of session.
Please note our cancellation policy: we require 48 hours' notice. If we are unable to fill your appointment time, we will charge for any late cancellations or missed appointments.