Below are some options for helping reduce the costs of counselling. I also recommend spacing out sessions to reduce costs (such as monthly sessions) or having shorter and more focused sessions (such as 30 minute sessions). With EMDR and OEI therapy, the benefits are not 'lost' with gaps between appointments - you can pick up right where you left off. So feel free to book appointments when it suits your budget or as needed.
Extended Benefits
If you have extended medical coverage, check to see if your insurance covers sessions with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC). You will need to pay for your sessions and then be reimbursed by your insurance provider.
Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP)
If you have been a victim of a crime, you can apply for the BC Government's Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP). You do not need to wait until a perpetrator is charged or convicted before applying. There is a limit of 1-2 years to apply (depending on when the crime occurred), but there is no limit for crimes involving s*xual assault that happened after July 1, 1972. I am a counselling service provider for CVAP. CVAP does not cover the full cost but direct billing is available.
If you have a child with a diagnosis of autism, you can apply for the BC Government's Autism Funding and request funds for family counselling. I am a counselling service provider for BC Autism Funding. Direct billing is available. Please use the business name Psygentra Consulting Inc. in your request for funds.
BC Autism Funding
If you have experienced a traffic incident you can open a claim with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and receive funding for counselling. When a claim is opened you are pre-approved for 12 counselling sessions and these can be extended if needed. I am a counselling service provider for ICBC. You will need to pay for your sessions and then be reimbursed by ICBC. Check with your recovery specialist prior to booking an appointment.
ICBC
Limited spots available for those on low and/or insecure income.
Sliding Scale Sessions
Financial Hardship
Limited spots available for those experiencing a period of financial hardship.
Free Counselling
Qmunity provides limited free counselling with interns, low cost counselling ($60-$120), and peer support groups for members of 2SLGBTQAI+ communities. The waitlist for free counselling is 6-8 months. Sign up here.
Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre (previously known as Women Against Violence Against Women - WAVAW) offers up to 25 free counselling sessions and a range of groups (please note - at the time of writing, Salal does not offer EMDR). Waitlist can be long (currently one year). Salah offers support to Indigenous and gender diverse survivors. Learn more here. If you need immediate support, call their 24-Hour Crisis & Information Line on 1-877-392-7583.
BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse offer up to 26 sessions of low cost counselling ($50-$100) to cisgender and transgender men (they use the term 'male-identifying survivors'). Contact directly for updated waitlist times. Learn more here.
Battered Women's Support Services provides long term individual counselling and a range of support groups for women survivors of abuse, including sexual abuse. Groups are available for Indigenous and queer survivors. Learn more here. Contact directly for waitlist times. If you are in need of immediate support, you can contact their Crisis Support Line.
Fee Transparency
My fee includes:
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Specialised counselling for adult survivors of violence, trauma, and s*xual abuse based on 20+ years of clinical and research expertise;
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60+ minute appointments with time before and after each appointment dedicated to session preparation and admin, treatment planning, case conceptualisation, and consultation to provide the best quality care;
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Ongoing education and training to ensure that I'm providing up-to-date and innovative counselling techniques;
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Membership to multiple professional bodies to stay on top of the latest developments in counselling and adhere to codes of conduct of professionalism and ethical care;
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Room rental and/or subscriptions for online appointments and website platforms;
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Equipment rental, purchase, and/or maintenance;
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Creation of general and bespoke counselling resources for clients; and,
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For regular clients (i.e. weekly appointments for 2+ months), my fee also includes report writing.
Available OnlineFor potential counselling clients - find out more about what I do
15 min