Wondering About the Process?
Here are your questions, answered.
How We Begin Together: A 3-step Process
1
Book a Free Consultation
Start with a free 15 to 20-minute phone consult. This is a chance for us to connect, answer any questions you have, and see if it feels like a good fit to work together.
2
Schedule Your Intake Session
Next, we’ll meet for a full 50-minute intake session online or in-person in the office. This gives us space to go over the details, explore your hopes for therapy, and get to know each other in a more grounded way.
3
Begin the Journey Together
After your intake, we’ll move into regular sessions — either online, in the office with Parker, or outdoors through walk-and-talk therapy. We can figure out together what feels best for you.
FAQs
Therapy with Parker
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Of course! While Parker usually joins me for in-person and walk-and-talk sessions, many clients love seeing him during virtual sessions too. He’s often curled up beside me but don’t be surprised if he pops into view for a quick hello or lets out a perfectly timed snore. Even through a screen, his goofy, calming presence can offer a little comfort, connection, and sometimes a good laugh too.
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Not at all. Every person is different, and I deeply respect that. Some clients feel most supported by being outside in nature or having Parker nearby. Others prefer the comfort and privacy of a traditional indoor session, or a blend of both. Many people also choose teletherapy from their own home or outdoor space because that is where they feel most comfortable doing this work. It also makes it possible for us to connect even if you don’t live on the Sunshine Coast.
Therapy is your space, and we will always explore together what feels most helpful for you. Nothing is required, and everything is guided by your needs and preferences.
If you would prefer to work WITHOUT Parker, I recommend booking on Wednesdays for in-person sessions (his rest day) or choosing virtual sessions. If those options don’t fit, please reach out and I will do my best to find a time that works for both of us.
If we do meet in the office, please keep in mind that Parker is usually around other days, so I can’t guarantee you won’t leave with a little dog hair on your clothes.
If you want more specific info about walk-and-talk, virtual, office-based, or kayak sessions, feel free to visit the Services page. -
Great question. Therapy dogs and service dogs are very different in their roles and training.
A service dog is specially trained to assist one person with a specific disability. They perform tasks like guiding someone with low vision, alerting a person with epilepsy before a seizure, or helping with mobility. Service dogs are protected under accessibility laws and can accompany their person into public spaces.
A therapy dog, like Parker, is trained to offer emotional support and comfort in settings such as counselling offices, schools, or hospitals. Therapy dogs always work alongside a handler (in this case, me) to support others. They do not have the same public access rights as service dogs, but they can play a powerful role in relational and emotional healing.
Although Parker has his American Kennel Club – Canine Good Neighbour Certification, along with extensive training and volunteer experience as a therapy dog, he is not a PADS or service dog. The biggest thing to recognize is that while Parker is “at work” in sessions, he still shows up as his natural self—an affectionate golden retriever. He is never forced to participate, and his involvement is always guided by his comfort and yours.
It’s also important to know that animal-assisted therapy is not currently regulated in Canada. There is no national government certification process. A few therapy dogs are trained through service dog organizations such as PADS, but these placements are usually designated for schools or social service facilities. To ensure safe and ethical practice, I follow the evolving best practices outlined by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, engage in ongoing training and supervision, and maintain professional insurance that specifically covers animal-assisted therapy.
If you’re curious about how Parker might support you in therapy, I’m always happy to talk more.
How Therapy Works & My Policies
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I offer a few different options depending on what feels best for you. We can meet virtually through secure video sessions from the comfort of your home. For in-person sessions, I have a cozy office space available in Sechelt, BC (5477 Wharf Ave).
I also offer walk-and-talk therapy sessions outdoors in nature, and during the warmer months, I provide limited kayak therapy sessions on the water.
We’ll decide together what setting feels safest and most supportive for your healing journey.
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Sessions are typically 50 minutes long. Many clients begin with weekly or biweekly sessions, depending on their needs and goals. We’ll work together to find a rhythm that feels supportive and sustainable for you. I often say it takes around four to five sessions to begin building a strong working relationship, and from there, we can better shape our approach together.
For those looking for deeper or more spacious work, I also offer extended 75-minute sessions. During the spring, summer, and early fall months, I offer a limited number of 2 hr kayak therapy sessions, which include about 90 minutes on the water and time for grounding before and after.
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I currently work with individuals aged 14 and older. If you’re unsure whether we’re a good fit, I’m happy to offer a consult where we can explore your needs and see how I might support you — or help connect you with someone who can.
In some cases, I may work with young people as young as 12, depending on their needs and circumstances. -
If you need to reschedule, please reach out as soon as possible or use your Jane account to make changes. Depending on availability, a new appointment may not always be possible within the next week (or two).
I have a 24-hour cancellation policy. This means I ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Because your appointment time is reserved specifically for you, late cancellations or missed sessions without sufficient notice will be charged the full session fee.
I appreciate your understanding, as this policy helps me keep my practice consistent and fair for all clients.
Credentials and Coverage
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Great question, and yes, therapy designations in BC (and Canada) are confusing! You’re not alone in wondering about this. Even we therapists feel it too.
I currently hold the Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) designation and am in the process of obtaining my Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) designation here in British Columbia. These applications can take up to 6–8 months to process. Both CCC and RCC require a Master’s degree in counselling, counselling psychology, or clinical psychology (or a related field). They also require applicants to complete hundreds of supervised clinical hours, provide multiple professional references, and commit to ongoing professional development. The CCC is a Canada-wide designation overseen by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), while the RCC is a provincial designation through the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).
Because BC does not yet regulate counselling as a profession, many counsellors here hold designations through professional associations. The RCC is the most commonly seen in BC, while others may hold RTC (Registered Therapeutic Counsellor) or RPC (Registered Professional Counsellor). These titles differ in their training pathways and requirements.
For example:
RTC applicants must hold a certificate or diploma that includes a minimum of 500 education hours, or a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in counselling or a related field from a recognized or accredited school.
RPC applicants follow a similar diploma or degree-based pathway, but with different requirements for supervised practice and direct client hours.
While neither path is “better or worse,” it can be helpful for you as a client to understand the differences. These details may impact insurance coverage or simply provide transparency around your therapist’s training and credentials.
You may also come across RSWs (Registered Social Workers), who are regulated by the BC College of Social Workers. Many RSWs have clinical training in counselling and psychotherapy, and their regulation ensures consistent practice standards and accountability.
And in regulated provinces like Ontario, you’ll see the designation RP (Registered Psychotherapist). This title is overseen by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Anyone practicing psychotherapy there must be registered with the CRPO, which means clients are fully protected by a government-regulated college.
The exciting news is that BC is moving toward regulation of counselling and psychotherapy. This means counsellors will eventually register with a provincial college, similar to nurses, teachers, or psychologists. Regulation brings greater protection for clients, clearer standards for training and practice, and a unified system of accountability.
The field is in transition, and regulation will soon make things much simpler. In the meantime, I’m always happy to answer questions about my training, designations, or approach to therapy so you can feel informed and comfortable.
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Many extended health plans provide coverage for sessions with a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC). Once I am fully registered with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) as a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), you may also have coverage under that designation.
Because coverage varies between providers and plans, it’s always best to check directly with your insurance provider to confirm what’s included. I provide detailed receipts that you can submit for reimbursement, but please note that I do not offer direct billing to insurance companies.
Fees & Accessibility
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I know therapy can be expensive, especially for those without insurance coverage. In Canada, most medical care is publicly funded, so the direct cost of mental health services can come as a surprise.
Therapy fees reflect more than the time spent in the room. Most Master-level therapists complete seven or more years of education and supervised training, and continue investing in ongoing professional development, supervision, and regulation to offer safe, effective care. Fees also help cover office overhead, insurance, licensing, secure clinic management software, and the significant amount of unpaid work involved in running a practice, such as administration, scheduling, documentation, marketing, and free consultations.
A sustainable fee also supports ethical practice. While many people think of an eight-hour workday as eight clients, most therapists cannot safely or sustainably see eight people back-to-back. Quality care requires emotional regulation, grounding, and time between sessions. Lower fees would require filling every hour to stay afloat, which leads to burnout and decreases the quality of support clients receive.
In my practice, your fee also helps support Parker’s ongoing training and care as a therapy dog. This includes specialized programs, certifications, and ensuring he can safely and compassionately be part of the therapeutic environment.
Keeping my fees stable also allows me to give back through community partnerships, low-cost offerings when possible, and volunteer work. A financially healthy practice creates space for generosity and sustainable care.
On a broader level, I believe mental health care should be funded in the same way physical health care is. As a society, we often say we value mental health, yet our systems do not reflect that. Many of us in the field continue advocating for expanded public coverage so that high-quality, ethical care can be accessible for everyone.
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Yes. I offer a limited number of lower-cost spots for clients who would otherwise be unable to access therapy. These spots are reserved for those experiencing financial barriers.
I believe therapy should be as accessible as possible, and I know that cost can feel like a significant barrier. If my full rate is out of reach, you are welcome to contact me to explore whether a reduced-fee spot is available. If I am full, I am also glad to discuss what might be possible for your situation or help connect you with lower-cost community resources.
It is also important to name that running a therapy practice includes many ongoing costs, such as supervision, insurance, office space, training, licensing fees, and the time spent outside of sessions to support each client’s care. Like many therapists, I follow my provincial fee guidelines to help sustain my practice so that I can continue offering high-quality, ethical care. I also advocate for more public funding for mental health so that accessibility does not fall solely on clients or clinicians.
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I do not offer direct billing at this time. However, I provide detailed receipts that you can submit to your extended health benefits provider for reimbursement. Every plan is different, so it's a good idea to check with your provider to see what types of therapists and services are covered under your plan.
