Counselling FAQ’s
How I do choose between one-on-one counselling and group therapy?
Only you will know what is right for you at this point in your life. Participating in either individual counselling or group therapy will significantly help you to develop the calm mind, resilient spirit and renewed sense of wellbeing that we all seek. Sometimes, it can be helpful to combine the two options in order to reinforce and strengthen your resolve to make the necessary changes to get the life you want.
How do I know if I need counselling?
You do not have to wait until you have a “serious problem” or feel like you can no longer cope to start seeing a professional counsellor. In fact, it is much better to take a proactive approach to your own wellbeing and seek out help before things get out of control. A counsellor can collaborate with you to bring about the meaningful change that you desire and help you to move on from your current difficulties much more quickly than you can do on your own.
How much does counselling cost?
Counselling is not covered by your BC Care Card so there is a fee. Because the MDABC is a non-profit organization, we are pleased to be able to offer counselling at affordable rates which are far below the BCMA guidelines.
Fee for one-on-one counselling session with a fully certified counsellor: $95/ 50 min
Fee for one-on-one counselling session with an intern: $50/hour
Fee for couples or family counselling session with a fully certified counsellor: $105/ 50 min
What should I expect from the first session?
Your counsellor will probably ask brief, clarifying questions and make interpretive comments to gain an understanding of your situation.
They may also ask typical assessment questions about your symptoms, medication(s), past counselling, or drug and alcohol use.
The counsellor will help you establish specific goals, and identify possible strategies for making change.
What will my counsellor expect from me?
It is up to you to determine what you want out of the counselling experience.
You need to be an active participant, honest about yourself and ready to fully participate in the sessions.
It is expected that you will work collaboratively with your counsellor to establish goals and tasks for therapy, and that you be willing to work towards those goals by completing mutually agreed upon tasks.
You cannot attend sessions while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If it becomes apparent that your judgment is impacted by drugs or alcohol, your counsellor may end the current session and ask you to come back.
What qualifications do the counsellors have?
All our counsellors are highly experienced and well-trained generalists who are committed to their own professional development. All of our Certified counsellors have a minimum of a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counselling and they are all Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) or Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCC). Our intern counsellors are Master and Doctorate level students from Adler University. We encourage you to read the bios and watch the videos of our therapists before your session.
What techniques will my counsellor use?
Our counsellors use many different types of therapies. They have training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Process-orientated therapy, Solution Focused therapy (SFT), Positive Psychology and Mindfulness-based approaches.
If there is a particular therapy that you have researched and you would like to explore, your counsellor would be happy to discuss it with you.
How long will I need to be in counselling?
The length of therapy really depends on each individual’s need and the complexity of the presenting difficulties.
Individual sessions are usually scheduled once every week, or once every two weeks but you and your counsellor may decide to meet more or less frequently depending on your individual needs.
Can my counsellor prescribe medication for me?
No, counsellors are not medical practitioners so they cannot prescribe any medication.