Answers to Most Commonly Asked Questions:
What happens after I book a consultation?
Our clinicians like to speak to you before they book a session so that they can make sure that they are a good fit for you and/or your family. During this phone consultation, they will ask you some questions regarding your current concerns and they will have the opportunity to tell you a bit more about themselves and Nova Mental Health. You can then decide if you would like to book a session with someone from our team.
How Much do Sessions Cost and Are They Covered by Insurance?
- Psychologist fee is $225 for the 50 minute session
- Doctoral level Registered Clinical Counsellor fee is $160 (plus GST) for the 50 minute session
- Registered Clinical Counsellor fee is $150 (plus GST) for the 50 minute session
Charges for travel time (e.g., travel to a school for an observation) or other services (e.g., third party consultations, school observations, phone conversations) are prorated on the same schedule fee.
These fees are set in accordance with the College of Psychologists of BC and the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.
In regards to insurance coverage, many extended health care plans pay all or a portion of the costs of seeing a Registered Psychologist or a Registered Clinical Counsellor. You will need to check your benefits coverage or speak with your insurance company to find out about your specific coverage.
Do I need a Referral?
You do not need a referral to see a psychologist or a registered clinical counsellor. You can contact the clinic directly. However, referrals from physicians or school are welcome.
Some extended insurance plans may require a referral before they reimburse expenses. Thus, you may want to check the specifics of your extended insurance plan prior to booking an appointment.
Some extended insurance plans may require a referral before they reimburse expenses. Thus, you may want to check the specifics of your extended insurance plan prior to booking an appointment.
What Does Therapy look LIke?
Children:
Clinicians typically meet only with the parent(s) or caregivers at the first session, so that they can openly speak about concerns and they can gather background information. During the second session, they will focus on gaining your child's trust and setting goals for us to work on. The following sessions will be aimed at helping your child develop skills and strategies to manage concerns. You and your child will be asked to practice these skills and strategies between sessions.
Clinicians involve parent(s) and caregivers in sessions as much as possible as you can help support your child to practice new skills and strategies. They also help parents find new ways to engage with their child through parenting consultations. Their goal is to strengthen relationships and to provide parents with knowledge and skills, so that they can support their children through the struggles they face.
Parent(s) and caregivers will be asked to complete an intake form to provide the clinician with information regarding your concerns, family psychiatric history, developmental milestones, your child's strengths, etc.
Youth:
Clinicians typically meet with parent(s), caregivers, and youth at the beginning of our first session. They use this time to explain and gain informed consent and discuss current concerns. They will then meet with your teen to gather background information, build trust, and set goals. They generally meet with parent(s) and caregivers to gather further background information at a later time. During the following sessions, they will help your teen gain skills and strategies. Although they attempt to involve parents as much as possible, youth may require a certain degree of privacy in therapy. Thus, parent involvement will depend on a number of factors.
Parent(s) and caregivers will be asked to complete an intake form to provide me with information regarding your concerns, family psychiatric history, developmental milestones, your child's strengths, etc.
Adults:
The clinician's aim in your first session is to get to know you and what brought you in for therapy, to gather background information, to set goals, and to build trust. Following sessions are usually aimed at helping you examine changes you would like in your life and helping you gain skills and strategies to make these changes a reality.
Parenting/Caregiver Focused Treatment:
If the family and the clinician have decided to pursue the Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Behaviours, the clinician's aim in the first session is to get to know the family and the family dynamics involving anxiety, while also building a trusting relationship with the parents/caregivers. The treatment plan will be outlined and a new conceptualization of anxiety will be presented to the parents.
Clinicians typically meet only with the parent(s) or caregivers at the first session, so that they can openly speak about concerns and they can gather background information. During the second session, they will focus on gaining your child's trust and setting goals for us to work on. The following sessions will be aimed at helping your child develop skills and strategies to manage concerns. You and your child will be asked to practice these skills and strategies between sessions.
Clinicians involve parent(s) and caregivers in sessions as much as possible as you can help support your child to practice new skills and strategies. They also help parents find new ways to engage with their child through parenting consultations. Their goal is to strengthen relationships and to provide parents with knowledge and skills, so that they can support their children through the struggles they face.
Parent(s) and caregivers will be asked to complete an intake form to provide the clinician with information regarding your concerns, family psychiatric history, developmental milestones, your child's strengths, etc.
Youth:
Clinicians typically meet with parent(s), caregivers, and youth at the beginning of our first session. They use this time to explain and gain informed consent and discuss current concerns. They will then meet with your teen to gather background information, build trust, and set goals. They generally meet with parent(s) and caregivers to gather further background information at a later time. During the following sessions, they will help your teen gain skills and strategies. Although they attempt to involve parents as much as possible, youth may require a certain degree of privacy in therapy. Thus, parent involvement will depend on a number of factors.
Parent(s) and caregivers will be asked to complete an intake form to provide me with information regarding your concerns, family psychiatric history, developmental milestones, your child's strengths, etc.
Adults:
The clinician's aim in your first session is to get to know you and what brought you in for therapy, to gather background information, to set goals, and to build trust. Following sessions are usually aimed at helping you examine changes you would like in your life and helping you gain skills and strategies to make these changes a reality.
Parenting/Caregiver Focused Treatment:
If the family and the clinician have decided to pursue the Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Behaviours, the clinician's aim in the first session is to get to know the family and the family dynamics involving anxiety, while also building a trusting relationship with the parents/caregivers. The treatment plan will be outlined and a new conceptualization of anxiety will be presented to the parents.
How Often Will we Meet and For How Long?
Clinicians typically meet with you, your child, or your teen every week and move to bi-weekly sessions when skills and strategies to help manage concerns have been acquired or when less distress is being experiencing.
Typical treatment length is 12 sessions. However, there are numerous factors that can impact this length. For example, treatment length can be impacted by severity, the number of areas that your child is struggling in, your child's level of motivation, contextual stressors, ability to practice new skills and strategies between sessions, and/or family dynamics. We can discuss the expected length of treatment for you or your child after the first session.
Typical treatment length is 12 sessions. However, there are numerous factors that can impact this length. For example, treatment length can be impacted by severity, the number of areas that your child is struggling in, your child's level of motivation, contextual stressors, ability to practice new skills and strategies between sessions, and/or family dynamics. We can discuss the expected length of treatment for you or your child after the first session.
Do You also Provide Therapy to Parents?
Clinicians provide parent consultations for parents and evidence based parenting support based on the Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotion approach. However, clinicians do not provide individual therapy to parents/caregivers.
It can be very stressful and painful to see our children struggle. Thus, parents may benefit from their own therapy. Clinicians encourage parents to seek out support and are happy to recommend therapists.
It can be very stressful and painful to see our children struggle. Thus, parents may benefit from their own therapy. Clinicians encourage parents to seek out support and are happy to recommend therapists.
Will I have to Wait to See Someone?
Clinicians will do their best to see you quickly. However, they sometimes have a waitlist. It is usually faster to book an appointment with them during the morning or early afternoon (school-hours). If you are willing to book appointments during these times, please mention this when booking a consultation.
How Do I get to Your Office and Where do I parK?
We are located at the Lonsdale Quay, close to the Sea Bus and bus terminal. From the Sea Bus, turn left and you will see our building (145 Chadwick Court). We are located on the 2nd floor. Our office is not accessible by vehicle, but you can park at the parkade under the Lonsdale Quay Market, the ICBC parkade, or find street parking on Esplanade.
Unfortunately, the building is not open on Saturdays and evening. This means that your therapist will have to meet you at the front entrance to the building at your session time. Please allow a few minutes in case your therapist is not able to come down right away.
If your session is online, your therapist will send you instructions on how to log into our system.
Unfortunately, the building is not open on Saturdays and evening. This means that your therapist will have to meet you at the front entrance to the building at your session time. Please allow a few minutes in case your therapist is not able to come down right away.
If your session is online, your therapist will send you instructions on how to log into our system.
What happens if I have to cancel my Appointment?
You will be sent an appointment reminder 72 hours prior to the appointment. If you need to cancel or make changes to a scheduled appointment, please notify me at least 48 hours prior to your appointment time. Since this time is set aside for you and it is often not possible to fill this spot on short notice, you will be charged the regular session rate if you do not provide 48 hours notice.
In snow conditions, the cancellation policy remains in effect if schools, busses, and the skytrain are operating.
In snow conditions, the cancellation policy remains in effect if schools, busses, and the skytrain are operating.
What is your work schedule?
Clinicians are in the office Monday to Saturday.
1. What happens after I book a consultation?
2. How much do sessions cost and are they covered by insurance?
3. Do I need a referral?
4. What does therapy look like?
5. How often will we meet and for how long?
6. Do you also provide therapy to parents?
7. Will I have to wait to see someone?
8. How do I get to your office and where do I park?
9. What happens if I have to cancel my appointment?
10. What is your work schedule?
2. How much do sessions cost and are they covered by insurance?
3. Do I need a referral?
4. What does therapy look like?
5. How often will we meet and for how long?
6. Do you also provide therapy to parents?
7. Will I have to wait to see someone?
8. How do I get to your office and where do I park?
9. What happens if I have to cancel my appointment?
10. What is your work schedule?
1. What happens after I book a consultation?
Our clinicians like to speak to you before they book a session so that they can make sure that they are a good fit for you and/or your family. During this phone consultation, they will ask you some questions regarding your current concerns and they will have the opportunity to tell you a bit more about themselves and Nova Mental Health. You can then decide if you would like to book a session with someone from our team.
Our clinicians like to speak to you before they book a session so that they can make sure that they are a good fit for you and/or your family. During this phone consultation, they will ask you some questions regarding your current concerns and they will have the opportunity to tell you a bit more about themselves and Nova Mental Health. You can then decide if you would like to book a session with someone from our team.
2. How much do sessions cost and are they covered by insurance?
Charges for travel time (e.g., travel to a school for an observation) or other services (e.g., third party consultations, school observations, phone conversations) are prorated on the same schedule fee.
These fees are set in accordance with the College of Psychologists of BC and the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.
In regards to insurance coverage, many extended health care plans pay all or a portion of the costs of seeing a Registered Psychologist or a Registered Clinical Counsellor. You will need to check your benefits coverage or speak with your insurance company to find out about your specific coverage.
- Psychologist fee is $225 for the 50 minute session
- Doctoral level Registered Clinical Counsellor fee is $160 (plus GST) for the 50 minute session
- Registered Clinical Counsellor fee is 150 (plus GST) for the 50 minute session
Charges for travel time (e.g., travel to a school for an observation) or other services (e.g., third party consultations, school observations, phone conversations) are prorated on the same schedule fee.
These fees are set in accordance with the College of Psychologists of BC and the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.
In regards to insurance coverage, many extended health care plans pay all or a portion of the costs of seeing a Registered Psychologist or a Registered Clinical Counsellor. You will need to check your benefits coverage or speak with your insurance company to find out about your specific coverage.
3. Do I need a referral?
You do not need a referral to see a psychologist or a registered clinical counsellor. You can contact the clinic directly. However, referrals from physicians or school are welcome.
Some extended insurance plans may require a referral before they reimburse expenses. Thus, you may want to check the specifics of your extended insurance plan prior to booking an appointment.
You do not need a referral to see a psychologist or a registered clinical counsellor. You can contact the clinic directly. However, referrals from physicians or school are welcome.
Some extended insurance plans may require a referral before they reimburse expenses. Thus, you may want to check the specifics of your extended insurance plan prior to booking an appointment.
4. What does therapy look like?
Children:
Clinicians typically only meet with the parent(s) or caregivers at the first session, so that they can openly speak about concerns and they can gather background information. During the second session, they will focus on gaining your child's trust and setting goals for us to work on. The following sessions will be aimed at helping your child develop skills and strategies to manage concerns. You and your child will be asked to practice these skills and strategies between sessions.
Clinicians involve parent(s) and caregivers in sessions as much as possible as you can help support your child to practice new skills and strategies. They also help parents find new ways to engage with their child through parenting consultations. Their goal is to strengthen relationships and to provide parents with knowledge and skills, so that they can support their children through the struggles they face.
Parent(s) and caregivers will be asked to complete an intake form to provide the clinician with information regarding your concerns, family psychiatric history, developmental milestones, your child's strengths, etc.
Youth:
Clinicians typically meet with parent(s), caregivers, and youth at the beginning of our first session. They use this time to explain and gain informed consent and discuss current concerns. They will then meet with your teen to gather background information, build trust, and set goals. They generally meet with parent(s) and caregivers to gather further background information at a later time. During the following sessions, they will help your teen gain skills and strategies. Although they attempt to involve parents as much as possible, youth may require a certain degree of privacy in therapy. Thus, parent involvement will depend on a number of factors.
Parent(s) and caregivers will be asked to complete an intake form to provide me with information regarding your concerns, family psychiatric history, developmental milestones, your child's strengths, etc.
Adults:
The clinician's aim in your first session is to get to know you and what brought you in for therapy, to gather background information, to set goals, and to build trust. Following sessions are usually aimed at helping you examine changes you would like in your life and helping you gain skills and strategies to make these changes a reality.
Parenting/Caregiver Focused Treatment:
If the family and the clinician have decided to pursue the Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Behaviours, the clinician's aim in the first session is to get to know the family and the family dynamics involving anxiety, while also building a trusting relationship with the parents/caregivers. The treatment plan will be outlined and a new conceptualization of anxiety will be presented to the parents.
Children:
Clinicians typically only meet with the parent(s) or caregivers at the first session, so that they can openly speak about concerns and they can gather background information. During the second session, they will focus on gaining your child's trust and setting goals for us to work on. The following sessions will be aimed at helping your child develop skills and strategies to manage concerns. You and your child will be asked to practice these skills and strategies between sessions.
Clinicians involve parent(s) and caregivers in sessions as much as possible as you can help support your child to practice new skills and strategies. They also help parents find new ways to engage with their child through parenting consultations. Their goal is to strengthen relationships and to provide parents with knowledge and skills, so that they can support their children through the struggles they face.
Parent(s) and caregivers will be asked to complete an intake form to provide the clinician with information regarding your concerns, family psychiatric history, developmental milestones, your child's strengths, etc.
Youth:
Clinicians typically meet with parent(s), caregivers, and youth at the beginning of our first session. They use this time to explain and gain informed consent and discuss current concerns. They will then meet with your teen to gather background information, build trust, and set goals. They generally meet with parent(s) and caregivers to gather further background information at a later time. During the following sessions, they will help your teen gain skills and strategies. Although they attempt to involve parents as much as possible, youth may require a certain degree of privacy in therapy. Thus, parent involvement will depend on a number of factors.
Parent(s) and caregivers will be asked to complete an intake form to provide me with information regarding your concerns, family psychiatric history, developmental milestones, your child's strengths, etc.
Adults:
The clinician's aim in your first session is to get to know you and what brought you in for therapy, to gather background information, to set goals, and to build trust. Following sessions are usually aimed at helping you examine changes you would like in your life and helping you gain skills and strategies to make these changes a reality.
Parenting/Caregiver Focused Treatment:
If the family and the clinician have decided to pursue the Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Behaviours, the clinician's aim in the first session is to get to know the family and the family dynamics involving anxiety, while also building a trusting relationship with the parents/caregivers. The treatment plan will be outlined and a new conceptualization of anxiety will be presented to the parents.
5. How often will we meet and for how long?
Clinicians typically meet with you, your child, or your teen every week and move to bi-weekly sessions when skills and strategies to help manage concerns have been acquired or when less distress is being experiencing.
Typical treatment length is 12 sessions. However, there are numerous factors that can impact this length. For example, treatment length can be impacted by severity, the number of areas that you or your child is struggling in, your child's level of motivation, contextual stressors, ability to practice new skills and strategies between sessions, and/or family dynamics. We can discuss the expected length of treatment for you or your child after the first session.
Clinicians typically meet with you, your child, or your teen every week and move to bi-weekly sessions when skills and strategies to help manage concerns have been acquired or when less distress is being experiencing.
Typical treatment length is 12 sessions. However, there are numerous factors that can impact this length. For example, treatment length can be impacted by severity, the number of areas that you or your child is struggling in, your child's level of motivation, contextual stressors, ability to practice new skills and strategies between sessions, and/or family dynamics. We can discuss the expected length of treatment for you or your child after the first session.
6. Do you also provide therapy to parents?
Clinicians provide parent consultations for parents and evidence based parenting support based on the Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotion approach. However, clinicians do not provide individual therapy to parents/caregivers.
It can be very stressful and painful to see our children struggle. Thus, parents may benefit from their own therapy. Clinicians encourage parents to seek out support and are happy to recommend therapists.
Clinicians provide parent consultations for parents and evidence based parenting support based on the Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotion approach. However, clinicians do not provide individual therapy to parents/caregivers.
It can be very stressful and painful to see our children struggle. Thus, parents may benefit from their own therapy. Clinicians encourage parents to seek out support and are happy to recommend therapists.
7. Will I have to wait to see someone?
Clinicians will do their best to see you quickly. However, they sometimes have a waitlist. It is usually faster to book an appointment with them during the morning or early afternoon (school-hours). If you are willing to book appointments during these times, please mention this when booking a consultation.
Clinicians will do their best to see you quickly. However, they sometimes have a waitlist. It is usually faster to book an appointment with them during the morning or early afternoon (school-hours). If you are willing to book appointments during these times, please mention this when booking a consultation.
8. How do I get to your office and where do I park?
We are located at the Lonsdale Quay, close to the Sea Bus and bus terminal. From the Sea Bus, turn left and you will see our building (145 Chadwick Court). We are located on the 2nd floor. Our office is not accessible by vehicle, but you can park at the parkade under the Lonsdale Quay Market, the ICBC parkade, or find street parking on Esplanade.
Unfortunately, the building is not open on Saturdays and evening. This means that your therapist will have to meet you at the front entrance to the building at your session time. Please allow a few minutes in case your therapist is not able to come down right away.
If your session is online, your therapist will send you instructions on how to log into our system.
We are located at the Lonsdale Quay, close to the Sea Bus and bus terminal. From the Sea Bus, turn left and you will see our building (145 Chadwick Court). We are located on the 2nd floor. Our office is not accessible by vehicle, but you can park at the parkade under the Lonsdale Quay Market, the ICBC parkade, or find street parking on Esplanade.
Unfortunately, the building is not open on Saturdays and evening. This means that your therapist will have to meet you at the front entrance to the building at your session time. Please allow a few minutes in case your therapist is not able to come down right away.
If your session is online, your therapist will send you instructions on how to log into our system.
9. What happens if I have to cancel my appointment?
You will be sent an appointment reminder 72 hours prior to the appointment. If you need to cancel or make changes to a scheduled appointment, please notify me at least 48 hours prior to your appointment time. Since this time is set aside for you and it is often not possible to fill this spot on short notice, you will be charged the regular session rate if you do not provide 48 hours notice.
In snow conditions, the cancellation policy remains in effect if schools, busses, and the skytrain are operating.
You will be sent an appointment reminder 72 hours prior to the appointment. If you need to cancel or make changes to a scheduled appointment, please notify me at least 48 hours prior to your appointment time. Since this time is set aside for you and it is often not possible to fill this spot on short notice, you will be charged the regular session rate if you do not provide 48 hours notice.
In snow conditions, the cancellation policy remains in effect if schools, busses, and the skytrain are operating.