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MORE INFORMATION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CLINIC INFORMATION
Hoysum Counselling
343-801-3091
Virtual clinical counselling in Vancouver, BC (and elsewhere, online!)
Offering convenient, accessible, and timely counselling support when and where you need it most, Hoysum Counselling is a private practice, meaning all therapeutic services are provided by me, Kim Wong - a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the
BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.
What can I expect from the consultation process?
Whether you reach out via phone or email, we will schedule a free 15 – 20 minutes consultation to discuss your therapeutic goals and objectives, as well as answer any questions you may have. This initial meeting gives us the chance to confirm whether we feel comfortable working together and is a crucial first step to determine compatibility and suitability in the therapeutic process.
Have a specific question in mind?
Feel free to ask! Reach out to me directly through this contact form.
Use the navigation menu at the top of this site to explore specific pages about the clinic, the services provided, and who I am as a human and as a counsellor.
PRIVACY & CONFIDENTIALITY
What is privacy and confidentiality in the context of counselling?
Privacy and confidentiality are cornerstones of the therapeutic process, as counsellors have both legal and ethical obligations towards their clients to protect any information shared. This means that anything said within a counselling session is protected under privacy laws, and nothing can be shared with any other persons without a client's express permission and informed consent. Simultaneously, there are specific limitations to privacy and confidentiality in counselling, which exist to protect the safety and wellbeing of clients and society in general. This occurs when one or more of the following conditions are met: - A serious and/or imminent risk of harm is present towards any persons - A duty to warn of an immediate threat of violence is necessitated - A risk of abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation towards vulnerable persons is present - A court order or subpoena Outside of the above listed limitations to privacy and confidentiality, all client information is protected at all times.
What security measures are undertaken to safeguard my information online?
Counselling sessions are conducted via a specialized, allied health video-hosting platform, ensuring ongoing compliance with the provincial Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) in British Columbia, the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in Canada, as well as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States. Utilizing industry standard encryption and SSL (Secured Sockets Layers) certificates, client confidentiality is safeguarded, as the protection of transmitted information is maintained through a secure and reliable connection. Client records and file administration strictly adhere to the rules and regulations of the above stated acts, with the utmost care and attention paid to ensure that client confidentiality and privacy are consistently protected.
How does privacy and confidentiality differ in a virtual setting?
In a virtual therapy session, every measure is taken to protect your privacy and confidentiality, just as in a traditional therapeutic setting. The difference arises when considering the physical environment of the client during a virtual session. To best preserve privacy and confidentiality during online counselling, it is recommended that clients choose a location that is safe, private, and secure, and where you can speak openly and freely without fear of being overheard.
FEES &
INSURANCE
How much does counselling cost?
Hoysum Counselling believes in fairness and transparency in pricing, with the fee schedule as follows: Individual Counselling - $160/50 minute session Couples Counselling - $185/50 minute session ADHD Coaching - $160/50 minute session Workshops – variable depending on identified needs Session fees are due upon completion of the scheduled session, payable by credit card or e-transfer. That being said, I do not believe that cost should ever be the only prohibitive factor in access to therapeutic services. Further to the above stated session rates, a limited number of sliding-scale spots are available upon request, with allocation based on demonstrated need, as well as existing counsellor capacity.
What about MSP?
Private counselling services are not covered under British Columbia's (BC) Medical Services Plan (MSP), meaning session fees at Hoysum Counselling are not covered by the public healthcare system. Under MSP, you are qualified to receive public mental health care through your local health authority, including access to psychiatric care and other supports as determined necessary.
Visit HealthLinkBC for a list of available mental health resources in BC and Vancouver Coastal Health to access services in Vancouver.
What if I have extended health benefits/private insurance?
Coverage through private insurance and extended healthcare benefits varies depending on the plan. While most insurance companies recognize and provide insurance coverage for psychotherapy or counselling with Registered Clinical Counsellors, reimbursement for services will depend on the extent of coverage provided by your individual/company insurance policy. Reach out to your provider prior to starting therapy to confirm whether your insurance coverage is sufficient. Hoysum Counselling operates on a fee for service schedule, with payment remitted after each session by the client. Direct billing to insurance providers is not available at this time. Receipts are auto-generated and emailed, which can then be utilized for insurance reimbursement purposes, as applicable.
WHAT?
What is counselling?
To put it very simply, counselling involves you talking about your life in order to gain better understanding, perspective, and direction. By helping you navigate through the specific biological, psychological, social, spiritual, cultural, and/or environmental conditions and factors that can make life challenging, counselling helps you to contextualize your experiences and gain clarity in meaning from your life. The specifics of what is highlighted in counselling will inherently change from person to person and will differ with individual therapeutic goals and objectives. At Hoysum Counselling, therapeutic services typically resemble traditional 'talk therapy', with additional somatic, expressive, and integrative strategies interwoven as applicable.
What is online counselling? (and while we're at it, what is virtual therapy/ telehealth services?)
Several different terms are used interchangeably to describe online counselling, including virtual therapy, telehealth services, and/or remote counselling. What these terms all translate to is the provision of therapeutic services via a secure, online, video-platform, allowing counselling sessions to be hosted remotely. This allows for greater ease in communication and connection, with the only requirements to access services being a stable, high-speed internet connection and privacy in your chosen location. While telephone sessions are also available upon request for returning clients, Hoysum Counselling prioritizes the use of video sessions to account for the ways in which body language and facial expressions contribute meaning in communication.
Is there a difference between in-person vs virtual therapy?
Besides the obvious difference of physically showing up to your session in-person vs online, there are no differences in efficacy or therapeutic outcomes between the two modes of service delivery. Depending on your personal preference and comfort levels, both traditional and virtual therapy can work well to address your therapeutic needs, with ease in access and improved flexibility often considered a bonus for virtual therapy.
WHERE?
Where does counselling take place if it is online?
In the busyness of our day-to-day lives, it can sometimes be difficult to find the time, energy, and resources to support our pursuit of wellbeing. Hoysum Counselling seeks to alleviate some of these challenges, offering online counselling services wherever it is most convenient for you. Whether your chosen location is your living room sofa, your office conference room, or the passenger seat of your parked car, Hoysum Counselling aims to increase flexibility in support by meeting you wherever you are at (literally).
Where is the 'best' place for a session?
An ideal location for virtual therapy is anywhere that offers you privacy so that you can speak freely and openly about whatever is going on for you, without worry that you will be interrupted or overheard. This location will ideally offer you some sense of comfort and ease, as well as provide you with enough quiet to be able to actively contemplate, reflect, and engage. Finally, ensuring access to stable, high-speed internet is essential, regardless of whether this is through a private Wi-Fi connection or through cellular data.
WHEN?
When are services available?
We understand that therapeutic needs are not always going to fit neatly into a standard ‘9 am – 5 pm’ work week. That is why at Hoysum Counselling, I provide convenience in scheduling that functions with your schedule, offering virtual therapy sessions throughout the week. Evening and weekend sessions are available to accommodate even the most unpredictable or hectic lifestyles, offering you the support and flexibility you need to carve out space and time that is just for you. Whenever possible, last minute requests for sessions are accommodated, with the understanding that supportive care is both adaptive and responsive.
How soon can I see a therapist?
As soon as you reach out, a free 20-minutes consultation will be scheduled to provide you with an overview of what to expect from therapeutic services at Hoysum Counselling, as well as to answer any questions you may have. We always attempt to arrange a consultation for within 1-3 days of your initial contact, with the hope to provide you with session availability within 1-2 weeks. Should a longer wait time be required and/or if availability is by waitlist only, you’ll be the first to know, as this information is updated regularly and consistently on this website.
When is the best time for counselling?
When thinking about the best time for counselling, the short answer is that there is no ‘best’ time. There is only the time you’re willing, and able, to set aside for you. Think about counselling as time that you have intentionally carved out just for you, with the knowing that you’re doing what you can to prioritize your own well-being. There will be inevitable interruptions, delays, and unforeseen tasks. Rest assured that in understanding the demands of everyday life, I will always try my best to accommodate and support unexpected changes to scheduling, with a late cancellation/re-scheduling policy of 48 hours' notice.
Phone
343-801-3091
kimwongcounselling
@gmail.com
Address
Virtual Office in
Vancouver, Canada
Contact Form
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