Counselling-Specific Questions
There are a few things that set me apart, making me the best choice depending on your circumstances.
- My 25 years as a nurse and my applied background in psychology mean that I know health and illness, depression, stress, and anxiety, whether pertaining to your health or that of a family member, like few other counsellors.
- I am intimately experienced in death from my years in the hospital. I have been there with the dying person and their family members on countless occasions. I have also had unexpected, traumatic deaths in my own family. I know loss of every kind - whether it be your partner, your pet, your job, or your routine.
- I have a philosophy background in addition to nursing and psychology, making my approach extremely well-rounded.
Read more about my philosophical background elsewhere here in the FAQ.
Read more about my healthcare background on my About page.
I am a Doctoral Candidate in Psychology [which means that I am almost done my Doctorate (PsyD). I have been going to school while working full-time as a Counsellor!]. I have degrees in both Psychology (Hons. BA) and Nursing (BScN, MSN), and I have therefore spent decades caring for clients’ mental and physical health (and I therefore also understand how one impacts the other).
I have professional training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Radically-Open Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (RO-DBT), Rational-Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), Family-Based Therapy (specific to eating disorders), Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury, Crisis Response and Trauma Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Behavioural Modification, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Person-Centered Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Existential Therapy, Schema Therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT).
I have also been a nurse researcher and educator, with mental wellness components in both positions. I have volunteered on a suicide helpline and in an in-patient psychiatric ward, as well as several other opportunities. I currently also volunteer with Kids Help Phone.
I am a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC) with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT).
I am pleased to offer advanced mental health assessments. Sometimes, people do not want to see a psychiatrist, or they do not want to wait to see one, but they do think they have a mental health disorder. Family doctors can often prescribe medications for mental health disorders, but most doctors only book appointments in 15-minute increments, making it hard to find the time to talk to them about these concerns.
My doctoral work has prepared me to do advanced assessments and prepare detailed reports to facilitate your conversations with your family doctor in the event that you think a discussion with them about medication would be helpful.
My assessments include those for anxiety, depression and bipolar depression, OCD and OCPD, PTSD, BPD, substance use, eating disorders, and ADHD. If I have not mentioned something you are curious about, please ask.
**I will not be providing an official diagnosis because I am not yet registered as a psychologist in BC. I am also not licensed to do full psychoeducational assessments at this time, and I do not do full ASD assessments. Instead, my report would include those caveats but say that you are reporting symptoms that sound to me like a particular disorder, complete with DSM codes, for your family doctor to more quickly review.
The cost of these assessments is based on $175/hr and billed in 15-minute increments for the time it takes to do the assessment and report preparation.
Each session is $175. This is in keeping with industry standards commensurate with my experience.
There is no tax on counselling.
My services are covered by most group insurance benefits plans, and I accept direct biling for dozens of extended health benefits carriers.
I can offer sliding scale for those in financial need who do not have group benefits. Please inquire.
Please note that my advanced assessments take longer than one session and are pro-rated on an hourly basis (for example, if the assessment takes 1.5 hours, the fee would be $175 x 1.5 = $262.50). Please see the previous FAQ item for more information on assessments.
Yes!! Most group insurance plans cover counselling by RTC (Registered Therapeutic Counsellor).
Please contact me if you would like to do a pre-determination.
I can do DIRECT BILLING for dozens of extended health benefits plans.
Note: I cannot do direct billing for SunLife at this time.
I am not yet a registered psychologist in the province of BC, so I cannot diagnose disorders or do full psychoeducational assessments. I can, however, do an extensive assessment and provide a report to help you talk to your family doctor, saving you time in your appointment with them. See more in the above FAQ about advanced assessments.
I am currently not accepting family counselling requests.
I also do not work with people who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or other schizoid disorders.
Not unless you want to! (Have you watched The Good Place? I would definitely be friends with Chidi, but we don't have to have conversations like he did.)
One of the differentiators that sets me apart from other counsellors is that I have PhD education, during which time I studied the deeper philosophical underpinnings of healthcare, science, evidence, and caring.
What does that mean for my services?
That means that I can relate to you and be empathetic regardless of your background and outlook on life.
What this looks like in practice is that I might ask you different questions to understand your perspective, how you make meaning of your life, and how you understand your experiences.
Can you explain your philosophy to me?
Sure! I am a Moderate Realist Constructivist who practices from a Phenomenological perspective. Simple, right? Seriously though, what it means is that I see things as mostly tangible and real, but what really matters to you is your lived experience and how even the very process of us talking together changes each of our lives. We co-create meaning in our lives, and I discuss relationships and life through that lens.
End of Life Doula-Specific Questions
I am unique in my services as an End of Life Doula in the Tri-Cities and Vancouver Lower Mainland region for the following reasons:
- I was a nurse for over 20 years, so I intimately empathize with your/your loved one's medical status. I can help demystify the terminology and communicate with your healthcare team on a level that is different than most End of Life Doulas. Please note, however, that when I am with you, I am not working with you as a nurse. My role is strictly as an End of Life Doula.
- I am intimately experienced in death from all my years in the hospital. I have participated in withdrawing life-support treatment from my patients. I have been there to support dying individuals and their families when infants, children, and adults of all ages have died, both with expected deaths and traumatic or unexpected deaths. I have also had unexpected, traumatic deaths in my family.
- I have a philosophy background in addition to nursing and psychology, making my approach extremely well-rounded. Read more about my philosophical background under the Counselling-Specific FAQ.
I have completed the Douglas College program in End of Life Doula care as well as a program in End of Life Global Challenges and Innovations from the University of Glasgow.
Additionally, I have completed local training courses in Advance Care Planning and Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment.
These courses and certifications also build on my training and practical work in death and dying as a nurse and in psychology.
Please see my package rates here if you are inquiring specifically about Advance Care Planning. I am not currently taking clients for End of Life Transition care.
Unfortunately, End of Life Doula services are not covered by extended health plans as of yet. Please feel free to join us in advocating for this coverage with your local government.
First and foremost, I am there to serve you and your family as you need. But there are certain caveats to keep in mind.
I am not working with you as a medical professional, and therefore I do not administer medications, do vital signs, or anything else that is the protected role of a nurse, doctor, respiratory therapist, or other licensed healthcare provider. Having been a nurse, I clearly understand what I can and cannot do in my unique role, and I will make this clear to you, your family, and your team.
I do not charge for any physical interactions with the decedent after death has occurred. What this means is that if, for example, the family asks me to help wash and reclothe you after your death, this is not part of my paid work, but I may do so voluntarily.
My Scope of Practice is clearly established and regulated by the End of Life Doula Association of Canada. I adhere strictly to these regulations and ethics.
While there are several things I can do to facilitate your planning and journey, I can't do it all!
I have a long list of colleagues with whom I work and I can definitely support you in finding and working with someone that meets your needs and fits with your faith, values, and needs. I do not push towards any particular provider. I merely provide a list and can facilitate connections and conversations, depending on how involved you would like me to be.