Frequently Asked Questions
DO I HAVE COVERAGE?
Many people have coverage to see a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) or a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) through their health plan. Please contact or search your individual plan to clarify this. We do not provide direct billing at this point because all plans are so unique when it comes to providing counselling. However, you will receive an official receipt following your session that you can use for reimubursement or tax purposes.
FEES
Sessions are 50 minutes long and $150.00 before GST for individual sessions and $170.00 before GST for couples/family sessions. We follow the fee schedule recommended by the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. If you do not have coverage and cost is a big concern for you, please reach out via our contact form to discuss this further. Some of our counsellors may offer a sliding scale or we can also provide suggestions of other resources, help you understand your benefits and what is covered, or provide referrals to community/public counselling if desired.
"Why is counselling so expensive?" answered below
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GO TO COUNSELLING & FOR HOW LONG?
Some people attend counselling very short term or for just a few sessions and some need it longer/more ongoing. At the beginning, it's typical for people to come once a week or once every two weeks and often people will taper off and attend less as life begins to feel more manageable or as they work on practicing tools and strategies introduced in counselling. It is completely up to the client how much they want to attend and for how long. There is never pressure for clients to rebook or return a certain amount of times. Most therapists understand that clients need to find the best fit for them, so if that is not here, we want to support clients to find the best service for their needs.
HOW CONFIDENTIAL IS COUNSELLING & HOW MUCH SHOULD I SHARE?
Counselling is completely confidential. What you share with your therapist stays with them alone. The 3 exceptions to this include if your therapist is concerned for your safety, if they are worried about someone else in immediate danger (for instance, a child), or if they are subpoenaed by a court of law. When counsellors consult on cases for professional support, they protect client's names and any identifying information. Counselling is a judgement free zone, so your counsellor will work hard to ensure you feel safe/accepted as you are.
You can share as little or as much as you want. We will honor the pace you feel comfortable working at.
DO YOU ONLY OFFER COUNSELLING FOR WOMEN?
Kootenay Women's Counselling & Wellness was born out of owner (Emily Popoff's) passion for supporting women's mental health. As a company and team of therapists, we recognize the importance of addressing the unique needs and experiences of women and those who identify as women. However, as our business has grown, we have had the privilege of welcoming several amazing therapists to our team who are competent in men's mental health, mental health for individuals in the LGTBQIA2S+ community, and youth mental health. We also offer couples and family counselling.
We believe in providing inclusive and comprehensive support to individuals of all genders, sexual orientations, and relationship dynamics. Our team is dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming space for everyone seeking counselling services. We also see teenagers aged 14 and above, although the availability may vary depending on the specific practitioner.
Our goal is to ensure that each person who walks through our doors receives the professional help they need, regardless of their background or circumstances. If you have any specific concerns or preferences regarding the therapist you would like to work with, please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
WHY IS COUNSELLING SO EXPENSIVE?
Counselling with a Registered Clinical Counsellor or Canadian Certified Counsellor is a valuable investment in your mental health and well-being. The cost of counselling reflects the extensive clinical training, education (average 7-9 years), and ongoing professional development required for a therapist to provide evidence-based and ethical counselling services. Additionally, the cost of running a private practice, including registration/licensing, office space, administrative costs, and insurance, contributes to the overall expense. Often when clients ask this question, they are really struggling with investing in their mental health and prioritizing it because many people wouldn't think twice about spending over $100 for a physiotherapy, or acupuncture, or chiropractic appointment. We can really empathize with the place this question comes from and can reassure you of the effectiveness and efficacy of counselling when working with a trained therapist. This is certainly why it's all the more important to ask questions, understand the process, and find the best fit for you.
If you struggle to afford counselling and don't have benefits, we offer a sliding scale. Please inquire about this.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED THERAPY?
We believe counselling is for everyone. This applies to those who are really struggling with something specific, and to those who just want to grow and learn more about themselves. Maybe you have struggled with anxiety on and off for years and always wondered if it could help. Maybe you just want to learn how to better communicate with your spouse. Or maybe you have experienced something that has shaken you to your core. Counselling can be specific for certain things (ex- strategies for anxiety, building tolerance, coping better), or it can be general (maybe you've noticed a difficult theme for you).
WILL MY SESSION BE IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL?
You can choose what kind of appointment you want to book and who you want to book with given they have space. Some of our counsellors offer in-person counselling in Cranbrook, others offer virtual counselling from anywhere in B.C. Sometimes virtual counselling allows you to get in more quickly with someone in our practice. We offer in-person if you are able to meet in Cranbrook, and virtual if you would like to do counselling from the comfort of your home or find it more convenient. Each of our counsellors has different offerings and availability for in-person vs virtual counselling. When you book through Jane, you will select your appointment type and you can see which counsellors are available for what you are looking for.