In many cases, counselling is covered by workplace or extended health benefits. To confirm this for yourself, please review your benefit program handbook. Counselling is usually listed under “paramedical” services, much like massage therapy and chiropractors. You will want to confirm both that your benefits cover counselling, but also what kind of counselling you have coverage for. Please refer to the FAQ section “what do all of the letters behind a counsellors name mean” for more information about the various kinds of counsellors out there!

Yes! All of our counsellors at Clarity Okanagan offer sliding scale options, with some offering limited pro-bono sessions as well. These spaces are limited with most of our counsellors and often times come with a waitlist.

We do also have intern counsellors, who offer sessions for lower costs than fully licensed counsellors. These are students who are in the final semesters of their masters degree programs and are learning their therapeutic skills in a practical setting under the carful supervision of a highly trained and experienced counsellor.

There are many terms in the professional counsellor world. Here are common titles and the difference between them:

Counsellors/therapists provide talk therapy for emotional and mental wellness.

• Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC), are connected to the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).
• Registered Social Workers (RSW), are licensed with the BC College of Social Workers (BCCSW).
• Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC) are connected to the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).

Psychologists can diagnose and provide therapy.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication and diagnose mental health conditions.

You are likely to also see letters which speak directly to the level of training a counsellor has. Some common ones include:

• MSW (Masters degree in Social Work)
• MA (Masters of Arts degree, usually in Counselling if they are in the role of counsellor)
• MACP (Master of Counselling Psychology)
• DCP (Doctorate in Counselling and Psychotherapy)

Unlike friends or family, counsellors are trained to listen without judgment, offer evidence-based strategies, and maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Counselling can support a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, grief, relationship issues, identity exploration, and life transitions.

Each counsellor profile on our site will review the topics each counsellor works with most. For a full overview of which topics are most commonly worked with at Clarity Okanagan, check out our Counselling Page.

Confidentiality is a core part of counselling. There are a few exceptions to this, however. If we are made aware that someones safety is at risk (your own, someone else’s, or an animal) we are ethically required to make this known to the appropriate sources. Additionally, confidentially can be broken we are legally compelled to provide information via subpoena.

Weekly or bi-weekly sessions are common, but frequency can be adjusted based on your needs, availability, and goals.

It’s important to feel safe and supported. If the fit doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to speak up or explore working with a different counsellor. You are welcome to explore this with your counsellor directly, or reach out to our main admin line ([email protected]) to discuss other options.