Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pay?
You can pay by E-transfer or credit card or cash. Refuge Counselling does not accept debit card.
E-transfer to: beckymichaluk@gmail.com. No password is needed. Please send your payment immediately following your appointment, unless otherwise arranged. It may take up to two days for your payment to be reflected in your online Account.
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To pay with a credit card, login to your online account here, and under "My Account" there is an option to select "Credit Cards on File". Click on that, then select "Add New Card" button located at the top right hand corner of the page. I will charge your card immediately after our session unless otherwise arranged. Credit card payments are reflected immediately in your online account.
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What is the cancellation policy?
Refuge Counselling requires 24 hours cancellation notice. This is to ensure that there is time for another client to take your space. We will waive this fee in case of emergency or sickness. Please email as soon as you know you cannot make your appointment. If less than 24 hours notice is given then you will be charged for your full session fee. Thank-you for your understanding!
Is my counselling covered by insurance?
If you receive benefits through your employer (called an employee assistance plan or EAP), your insurance may cover all or some of your counselling. The only way to know for sure is to contact your provider and ask them how much is covered. Some plans cover only a few sessions, and only a portion. If you are unsure how to contact your provider, ask your workplace HR person. Employers often have a number they can call to ask provider questions about their benefits, or an online portal that you create an account for and can read your benefits package that way.
I do not direct-bill, meaning you are required to pay for your session upfront, and submit your invoice to your provider for reimbursement (often via an online portal). Most plans reimburse very quickly within days.
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Most plans want your counsellor to have a masters level degree and be a licensed or Registered Clinical Counsellor. I meet both of these requirements.
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Currently, mental health counselling is not covered by MSP.
Is In-person therapy better than online?
Online counselling does not detract in any way from the work we are doing. In fact, there are some additional therapeutic benefits! Being in the comfort of your own home can foster more inner focus, an added sense of safety and comfort, and can require less time and money on transportation.
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On the other hand, if you are seeking therapy because it gets you out into the world and/or you are looking to increase your social contact, then I do recommend seeking an in-person therapist.
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If you are unsure how online therapy will feel for you - I really invite you to try it at least once.
How many sessions will I need?
The timeframe for achieving successful, long lasting therapeutic change ranges from 6 months to 3 years at an average rate of 1-3 hours per week. This truth is often at odds with insurance coverage, and family income. I do my best to help people make as much change as possible given these constraints.
I have never been to counselling, what can I expect?
Counsellors do not give advice, or tell people what to do. A good counsellor will help you discover your true experience, facilitate your emotional processing, and to help you do your own healing work. In the beginning of each session, the client determines the topic of focus. The counsellor recommends an intervention, and obtainsinformed consent from the client to do the intervention. The "intervention" might be to just talk about the situation, or it might be an inner inquiry guided by the counsellor. There is never any pressure to give details, or talk about topics that the client does not want to address. The best therapy is gentle, and works within the zone of comfort and safety. At the end of the session, the counsellor and client might recap/chat about what they discovered or observed. Counsellors usually take brief notes during a counselling session to track what the goal is, what the intervention was, and any plans for next session.
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Counsellors are not licensed to formally diagnose. Counsellors do make assessments about what is happening psychologically, and often operate under the assumption that a client would meet the criteria for a diagnosis. For example. a counsellor will suggest specific therapeutic strategies and intervention based on the corresponding recommended treatment literature, or may use diagnostic assessments to help you and them better understand what may be happening for you.
Do counsellors diagnose?
How am I protected as a client?
As a client, you possess rights.
There are regulations in place through the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) as well as provincial and federal laws that require a counsellor to keep any and all of your information (including the fact that you are a client) strictly confidential,
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You have the right to receive professional and ethical counselling treatment. The BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) protects your rights, and you can file a complaint against any counsellor who you feel has acted in an unethical or unprofessional way. The BCACC ensures that clients have recourse, and counsellors are held accountable. As a BCACC member, I am obligated to follow their comprehensive Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. I take this commitment seriously and it is my goal is to always remain a BCACC member in good standing.