Therapy FAQ
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Is therapy right for me?
Choosing to start counselling is a personal decision, and there is no single right reason to begin. Some people come to therapy to work through longstanding struggles with anxiety, depression, or the effects of trauma. Others are responding to a change or loss, such as a separation, a health concern, or a stressful transition at work or school. Many simply want space to understand themselves better and grow.
Working with a counsellor can provide insight, support, and practical strategies for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, low mood, relationship distress, grief, stress, and life transitions. If something in your life feels stuck or heavy, therapy can be a good place to start, whether you meet with us in person in Surrey or online across BC.
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone moves through difficult seasons, and many people manage on their own for a long time before reaching out. Asking for support is not a sign of weakness. It usually reflects enough self awareness to recognize that something needs attention, and a willingness to do something about it.
A counsellor can help you understand the patterns that keep a problem in place, build new skills, and offer steady support while you make changes. Many clients find that having a dedicated space to reflect each week helps them respond to stress differently, rather than simply coping with it.
How can therapy help me?
Counselling can help in different ways depending on what you bring to it. A therapist can offer support, help you make sense of difficult emotions and experiences, and work with you on practical coping strategies for concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationship distress, unresolved childhood experiences, grief, and stress. Many people also find therapy valuable for personal growth, parenting and family concerns, and navigating the demands of daily life.
A counsellor can also offer a fresh, outside perspective on a problem that feels stuck. The benefits you notice often depend on how you use the process and on practising what you learn between sessions. Common benefits include a better understanding of yourself and your relationships, healthier ways of managing stress and emotion, improved communication, and greater confidence in handling what life brings.
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communications and listening skills
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What is therapy like?
Every therapy session is unique and tailored to you and your goals. Sessions are usually 50 minutes, and many people begin by meeting weekly or every other week. In your first session, your counsellor will ask what brings you in, learn a bit about your history and current situation, and begin building a plan together. In ongoing sessions, you might talk through recent events, explore patterns in your relationships or emotions, practice new skills, or process past experiences at a pace that feels safe. Between sessions, your therapist may suggest things to notice or try, and progress often comes from applying what you learn in daily life. Whatever you are working on, you can expect:
- A 50 minute session focused on your goals
- A pace that respects your comfort and readiness
- Practical tools and reflection between sessions
- A collaborative plan that adapts as you grow
Is medication a substitute for therapy?
For some people, a combination of medication and counselling works best. For others, therapy alone is a good fit. Decisions about medication are made with your family doctor or psychiatrist, and your counsellor can work alongside them.
Medication can ease symptoms, while therapy provides space to address the patterns, experiences, and circumstances that contribute to distress. Many clients find that combining approaches, or building skills in therapy first, supports more lasting change. What matters most is finding the path that fits your needs and values.
Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
Most extended health plans in BC include some coverage for Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs), and many also cover Registered Marriage and Family Therapists (RMFTs). To confirm your coverage, check with your insurance provider and ask:
- Does my plan cover Registered Clinical Counsellors?
- How much is covered per session, and what is my yearly maximum?
- Do I need a referral from my doctor?
At Sojourn we can direct bill many plans through TELUS eClaims (a small service fee applies), and we work with ICBC and CVAP for eligible clients. Otherwise, payment is due at the time of your appointment, and we provide receipts you can submit to your plan for reimbursement. Even if your insurer isn’t one we can bill directly, plans that cover RCC or RMFT services may still reimburse you.
- Does my plan cover Registered Clinical counselors?
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. What you share in counselling is confidential. Our counsellors follow the ethical code and standards of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, and information about you is not released without your consent, except in the limited situations below.
There are a few exceptions required by law, which your counsellor will review with you in your first session. These include: when there is reason to believe a child or vulnerable adult needs protection, when there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or someone else, and when records are ordered by a court. If you have questions about confidentiality, your counsellor will be glad to talk them through with you. Our privacy policy sets them out in full.
- When there is reason to believe a child or youth needs protection. BC law requires the counsellor to report this to the Ministry of Children and Family Development or an Indigenous child welfare agency.
- When a vulnerable adult needs protection, as the law requires or allows.
- When there is a substantial risk that a client will seriously harm another person very soon. The counsellor may need to share information to prevent that harm.
- When a client is at risk of seriously harming themselves. The counsellor will make every effort to work with the person to keep them safe, and if that is not possible may need to share information to protect them.