Risk-free First Session
We’ll spend your first session talking about what you are looking for from therapy, what your previous experiences with counselling (if any) have been like, and how I usually work. Depending on how well your needs match with what I have to offer, we’ll move forward from there. You only pay for your first session if we both decide that working together would be a good fit, otherwise, it’s free.
Session Rates
$155 / 50-60 min. individual session
$175 / 60-75 min. couple or family session
Sliding Scale:
I’m aware that many LGBTQ+ folks are struggling with the effects of social marginalization and I believe in the importance of providing accessible therapy. Therefore, I commit 20% of my client load to spaces for sliding scale clients. I prioritize these slots, first for youth and young adults who have no support from their families, and then for those whose struggles with mental health and/or discrimination leave them unemployed or under-employed. Sliding scale rates are determined on a case-by-case basis specific to what you can afford to pay and still be able to commit to regular sessions. When I’m out of slots, I keep a waitlist until one opens up.
Benefactor Rates:
In order to be able to offer more sliding scale slots, I also offer a benefactor rate for those who are currently comfortable financially and are able to give back to the community. Perhaps that youth was you growing up and you want another kid to have the support you didn’t have. Perhaps you have benefitted from therapy on a sliding scale in the past and now you are able to pay it forward. Whatever the reason, if you can afford to pay more for your sessions, I will see to it that more people will have access to good therapy at a price they can afford. Essentially, beyond my base rate, you set the fee that is most comfortable for your current situation.
For every $40/hr over my base rate that benefactors are able to collectively pay, I can afford to open one more sliding scale slot. So, even if you can only spare $5-10/hr more, you are still contributing to accessible LGBTQ-affirmative counselling for those who need it most.
Insurance
Depending on your current health insurance provider or employee benefit plan, it is possible for services to be covered in full or in part. Please contact your provider to verify how your plan compensates you for psychotherapy services and if they will cover therapy with either a BC Registered Clinical Counsellor or Registered Social Worker. I have both registrations and the vast majority of insurance policies will cover one or the other.
I’d recommend asking these questions to your insurance provider to help determine your benefits:
- Does my health insurance plan include mental health benefits?
- Do I have a deductible? If so, what is it and have I met it yet?
- Does my plan limit how many sessions per calendar year I can have? If so, what is the limit?
- Do I need written approval from my primary care physician in order for services to be covered?
Payment
I accept payment via Interac E-transfer in advance. I am also able to arrange automatic payments on any major credit card for a small processing fee. You will receive automated invoices for services to help you keep track of your account and statements to send with insurance claims as necessary.
Cancellation Policy
Your session time is set aside for you. If you can’t make it for any reason, please let me know as soon as possible. Due to the difficulty of filling an empty slot at the last minute, I need 48 hours notice to contact someone else who might be waiting for an opening. If you need to cancel with less than 48 hours notice, it’s okay, but we will share the expense of the missed session and I will bill you for half your usual fee.
If you need to late cancel on an initial session and we have yet to negotiate a fee, I will bill for $77.50. If you miss a session without cancelling, I willcharge the full amount, unless there was an unavoidable emergency.
Any Other Questions
Please contact me for any additional questions you may have. I look forward to hearing from you!
