Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. The ideal client is someone who is ready to take action. I work with clients who are prepared to put in the time and effort to make positive changes in their life.

Yes. Due to the remote nature, these services are not suitable for individuals under the age of 13. These services are also not suitable for individuals looking for a diagnosis, prescription medications or having plans of suicide.

No, counselling can be beneficial for anyone, even if there isn’t a specific issue. It can provide a safe space for self-reflection, personal development, and improving overall mental health.

The number of counselling sessions can vary widely based on individual needs, goals, and the nature of the concerns being addressed. Counselling is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and the duration of therapy depends on several factors.

Typically there are 3 types of therapy;

1. Short-Term Counselling: Some individuals may benefit from a brief, focused intervention to address a specific issue. Short-term counselling might involve just a few sessions, ranging from a handful to around 8-12 sessions.

2. Long-Term Counselling: For more complex or ongoing issues, individuals may engage in longer-term therapy. This could involve regular sessions over an extended period, spanning months or even years.

3. Open-Ended Counselling: In certain cases, counselling is open-ended, with no predetermined limit on the number of sessions. This approach allows individuals to explore and work through concerns at their own pace.

Weekly sessions are a common frequency for counselling, especially in the first month or two of therapy. This regular schedule aids in the exploration of concerns, breakdown of old habits, establishment of new patterns, and holding accountability over change.

As sessions progress, clients often opt for bi-weekly sessions as they begin to rely more on the tools learned.

In some cases, individuals may choose to have counselling sessions on a monthly basis. This might be appropriate for those working on more long-term goals or maintaining progress.

The number of sessions in life coaching can also vary widely, as it depends on individual goals, the complexity of the challenges being addressed, and the preferences of the client and coach.

Generally, life coaching is considered a more short-term and goal-focused process compared to traditional therapy. Some clients may find value in just a few sessions (e.g., 4-6 sessions) to work on a particular area of their life.

Life coaching sessions are typically scheduled weekly or bi-weekly, but the frequency can be adjusted based on the client’s needs and preferences.

Check-Ins: At the end of coaching sessions, clients sometimes opt for check-in sessions scheduled at their convenience. Check-ins are booked to re-assess progress, discuss challenges, overcome barriers, and/or refine goals. These check-ins help determine whether additional sessions are needed.

Each session is conducted via video or phone for 50 minutes. Sessions start off with an initial discovery of your concerns and goals. Homework is often provided at the end of sessions. Homework is expected to be completed as accurately as possible since your gains and next steps will depend on it. We will then focus on an important topic for the next 30-40 minutes of the session. We will end the session with a brief summary of what was discussed.

Each session will be conducted via telephone or online through a program called Owl Practice. These programs are HIA, PHIPA, and PIPEDA compliant to ensure confidentiality and protection of your private information. Before your first video session, you will receive a link via email to set up an account on Owl to access video sessions moving forward.

Counseling:

• Views mental health as an illness needing treatment.
• Professionals who have undergone years of clinical training and sought qualifications to treat mental health disorders and other concerns like stress, relationships, parenting etc.
• Focus may be the present moment or look into the past to discover the origin of a concern and additional experiences maintaining that concern.
• Counselling may also take a client-centered approach that allows clients to direct the focus of their sessions which may result in unpacking many additional concerns.
• Depending on the complexity of the presenting concern and unpacked/discovered concerns, sessions with a counselor can last for 6 months or more.
• Counsellors are regulated and require certification with regulating bodies.

Life Coaching:

• Views mental health concerns as disorganization due to a lack of goals and coping tools. 
• Takes an action-oriented holistic approach to provide intervention. That means a coach will look at all areas of your life causing or being impacted by your concern (ex. relationships, career, finances, etc).  
• Focuses on the present moment and future goals rather than delving into the past. 
• Uses a short-term approach that establishes actionable steps and tools to achieve those goals. 
• A coach does not diagnose, treat, or prescribe medications for mental health conditions. 
• A coach guides, inspires and supports you in creating the changes you desire.
• Coaching is unregulated and has no licensing body.

I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor (C.C.C) who is regulated by the Canadian Counselling Psychological Association (CCPA). The CCPA provides a national designation that evaluates and identifies Master’s and Doctoral level graduates as qualified to provide counseling services across Canada.

I also hold the Counselling Therapist (CT) title which is regulated through the The Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (ACTA).

Please note: Provinces are now in the works of developing their independent licensing processes for certain counselling titles. This change may affect your insurance as well as tax regulations. 

My C.C.C and C.T titles are recognized by insurers like Blue Cross, Equitable Life, Sunlife, Manulife, and Green Shield to name a few. However, coverage is dependent on your specific plan and whether you have counselling services selected. It is always wise to check with your insurer to make sure counselling services are reimbursable for you. If counselling services are not selected or your insurer does not cover certified counsellors, you can opt for a Health Spending Account to cover session fees.

I am also a Certified Professional Life Coach (CPLC). Life coaching is still an unregulated profession across Canada and the United States. Therefore, coaching services are often not covered by most insurance plans. You may want to speak to your insurer to find out if such services are covered in your plan or via a Health Spending Account.