Frequently asked questions
What Is Counselling?
Seeking counselling services may be embarrassing or overwhelming at first, but counselling is often used by many people as a regular part of their overall health care plan.
Counsellors work to have a strong and trusting relationship with their clients in order to build a strong basis for therapeutical goals to be achieved. Research indicates that strong therapeutic relationships between counsellor and client can lead to a greater positive outcome in therapy.
How Can Counselling Help?
Counselling can help to improve an individual's quality of life including any mental, emotional, and physical health challenges they may be facing. It is through counselling that one can gain a greater perspective of themselves, others, and the world around them in order to grow and lead a fulfilling life.
What Is A Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)?
An RCC is someone who is a registered member of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).
In order to obtain a BCACC membership, the counsellor must meet several requirements in areas of academia, clinical competency and professionalism. In terms of academia the counsellor must have at minimum a Master's degree in Counselling or another related field as well as a set amount of practicum and hours of supervision.
RCC's have made a commitment to practice counselling in an ethical manner following the BCACC's Code of Ethical Conduct.
If you have a question about your counsellor's training you should ask them as you have the right to know this.
Is Counselling Confidential?
Yes and your counsellor should take this seriously. It is one of the cornerstones of counselling and is imperative in securing a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship. There are, however, a few exceptions that are required by law, as follows:
If a client discloses information that suggests they may be at risk of harming themselves or another person, the counsellor would have to ensure safety of all parties involved and would have to take the necessary steps in order to do so.
If a client discloses information and there is reason for the counsellor to believe that a child (age 18 and under) requires protection, such as where a child has been or is likely to be physically, sexually or emotionally harmed, abused or exploited, the counsellor is legally bound to report the matter to appropriate authorities.
If there is reason to believe that a client is operating a motor vehicle in an unsafe fashion, as per the Motor Vehicle Act.
If the counsellor is ordered by court subpoena to release information to a third party, such as a lawyer.
In order to ensure accountable, ethical, and effective clinical service your counsellor regularly consults with a clinical Supervisor, and or clinical colleagues, to obtain clinical consultation. Identifying information will be kept to an absolute minimum during any such clinical consultation.
Insurance companies and other third-party payers may be given information that they request regarding services to clients.
Whenever it is safe and possible to do so, your counsellor should notify you of any situation that they are obliged to report.
When working with couples, if one should attend an individual session it is understood that the content of the individual session will be confidential from your partner.
“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.”
— John Green