Questions & Answers
How long will I have to wait for an appointment?
Ashley Phillips and Erin Johnson are currently not accepting new clients. Davina Huey and Gagandeep Baidwan have availability 1-2 weeks out.
If you experiencing a crisis, please do one of the following:
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Contact Crisis Centre at https://crisiscentre.bc.ca/ or 1.800.784.2433
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Visit your nearest emergency room
Is my counselling covered by insurance?
Counselling may be covered by extended health care plans. Please check with your insurance provider about coverage of counselling services. We have therapists with the RCC (Registered Clinical Counsellor), and CCC (Certified Canadian Counsellor) designations.
If counselling is not covered by a Certified Canadian Counsellor, it is usually a simple process to have this added to your plan. We am happy to help you navigate this.
What credentials do the Kelowna EMDR Clinic therapists have?
Ashley Phillips and Davina Huey are Canadian Certified Counsellors (C.C.C.) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), Erin Johnson is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (R.C.C.) and Gagan Baidwan is a Registered Social Worker (R.S.W). These designations require that they have a Master’s level education in counselling along with an extensive supervised practicum.
Our therapists are in good standing with the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) or the BC College of Social Workers (BCCSW).
How much does it cost?
Hourly session fees are based in alignment with standard counselling rates in the province of British Columbia. Fees are payable at the beginning of each appointment by E-transfer, cash, Visa, and Mastercard. Rates vary between counsellors
As of January 1, 2022 the rates are:
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$140 + gst per 50 minute individual therapy session
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$210 + gst per 80 minute individual therapy session
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$140 + gst per hour for letters, forms, & clinical service, including legal services
Our online booking system, Jane, will ask for your credit card information for your file for ease of payment and to reduce touch points due to COVID 19. Should you prefer to pay through E-transfer or cash, no problem! We will happily accept those forms of payment and your credit card will not be charged.
How long are appointments?
Counselling appointments are 50 minutes long. Our therapists value your time and will make every effort to see you right on schedule. We ask for you to be on time as well as this helps to create an effective counselling relationship. There are also opportunities for 80 minute counselling appointments if you feel this is a better fit for you.
What can I expect?
In the first session, your therapist will go over a few things including:
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What you can expect in the counselling process
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The limits of confidentiality
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Review policies on cancellation, lateness, and social media
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Emergency contact information
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Review your background, such as your general life story, family background, and current relationships
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By the end of the first or second session, they will share how they see you moving forward in a therapeutic relationship.
What if counselling is not working?
Counselling may bring up uncomfortable feelings and give you the feeling that you are “moving backwards”. This is a very normal part of the counselling process and actually helps us to move forward in our lives. Many of our clients tell us how they have been able to make great changes in their lives by sitting with the uncomfortable feelings, although it was not pleasant at the time.
It is really important you feel absolutely comfortable with your counsellor. If you feel you’re not “connecting” with them – that is okay. We strongly encourage you to talk to them about this so they can explore what is not working for you. We will also provide resources on who may be a better fit for you.
How many appointments will I need?
The number of sessions is dependent on your needs and goals for counselling. The range can be from 6 – 20 sessions. Each session is 50 minutes long. Our therapists usually see clients every week or every other week depending on the nature of their needs. The time may lengthen in between sessions as you become more confident around your reasons for coming to counselling.
Do I need a referral?
You do not.
Is our conversation private?
Our therapists will treat your conversations with the utmost care and respect. There are a few instances when they cannot promise our conversations are just between the two of you. That includes:
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If the courts send us a subpoena for notes and/or to testify in a court of law
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If you make a threat to seriously hurt yourself or someone else, they are obligated to report this to appropriate personnel, such as the police
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If they believe a child is being abused or neglected, or has been in the past, they are obligated to report this to the appropriate personnel, such as the Ministry of Children and Family Development
We hold confidentiality as extremely important. If you and your therapist happen to see each other outside of the office in your day-to-day lives, they will not acknowledge you to respect your privacy. You are welcome to say hello to them and they will say hello back!
What happens if I can’t make our appointment?
As of June 1, 2021, you need to cancel 2 business days in advance. Otherwise, you will be charged for the full session fee. Your session time has been reserved especially for you, at your request.
