Questions About Counselling? We’re Here to Help.
Explore answers to some of the most common questions about individual, couples, family, and child counselling, including what to expect, how counselling can help, and how to find the right support for you.
FAQ
General Counselling
How do I know if I need counselling?
You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from counselling. People seek counselling for many reasons, including feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, disconnected, stressed, or simply wanting support through a difficult season of life. Counselling can also be helpful when you notice the same patterns repeating in your relationships, emotions, or behaviour and aren’t sure how to make a change.
At Family Matters Counselling, we believe you don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Sometimes recognizing that things could feel better is enough of a reason to start.
How do I choose the right counsellor in Vernon, BC?
Finding the right counsellor is about more than credentials. Feeling comfortable, respected, understood, and safe with your counsellor is an important part of the counselling process.
When choosing a counsellor, consider their professional training, areas of experience, therapeutic approach, availability, fees, and whether their professional designation is covered by your extended health benefits.
Most importantly, look for someone who feels like a good fit for you. At Family Matters Counselling, our counsellors bring different areas of experience and approaches to therapy, allowing you to choose someone whose style and expertise align with what you are looking for. If you aren’t sure who might be the best fit, you’re welcome to reach out and we can help you explore your options.
What happens during your first counselling session?
Your first counselling session is an opportunity for you and your counsellor to get to know one another. Your counsellor will usually ask about what has brought you to counselling, what has been happening in your life, and what you would like to be different.
Together, you can begin identifying goals and discussing what counselling might look like moving forward. You are never expected to share everything in your first appointment. Building a comfortable and trusting relationship takes time, and counselling can move at a pace that feels manageable for you.
How much does counselling cost in Vernon, BC?
Counselling fees in Vernon vary depending on the counsellor’s professional designation, experience, and the type or length of appointment.
At Family Matters Counselling, our team includes counsellors with different backgrounds and fee structures, which may provide options depending on your needs and budget. We recommend reviewing the individual counsellor’s profile or contacting us for current session rates.
Is counselling covered by insurance in BC?
Many extended health benefit plans in British Columbia provide some coverage for counselling and mental health services. Coverage varies considerably between insurance providers and individual plans.
Before booking, we recommend checking your benefits to see which professional designations are covered, how much coverage you have each year, and whether you need a referral. After your appointment, you can receive a receipt to submit to your insurance provider when applicable.
Can counselling help with anxiety and depression?
Yes. Counselling can be helpful for people experiencing anxiety, depression, chronic stress, emotional overwhelm, low self-esteem, and other mental health concerns.
Your counsellor can help you better understand what you are experiencing, recognize patterns and triggers, develop practical coping strategies, and work toward changes that support your emotional well-being. The approach used will depend on your individual needs, goals, and preferences.
Is counselling confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is an important part of creating a safe and trusting counselling relationship. What you discuss with your counsellor is generally kept private.
There are, however, specific circumstances where a counsellor may be legally or ethically required to share information, particularly when there are serious concerns about safety or where disclosure is required by law. Your counsellor will explain confidentiality and its limits at the beginning of counselling so you can ask questions and understand how your information is protected.
FAQ
Children's Counselling
How do I know if my child needs counselling?
Children often communicate what they are experiencing through their emotions and behaviour rather than through words. You may consider counselling if you notice ongoing changes in your child’s mood, sleep, behaviour, confidence, friendships, school experience, or ability to manage emotions.
Counselling may also be helpful following significant changes or stressful experiences such as separation or divorce, grief and loss, family conflict, bullying, school difficulties, anxiety, or other transitions.
Not every difficult behaviour means a child needs counselling. If you’re unsure, reaching out to a counsellor can be a helpful first step in deciding what kind of support may be appropriate.
FAQ
Couples Counselling
When should couples consider counselling?
Couples counselling isn’t only for relationships in crisis. Many couples seek support when communication has become difficult, conflict feels repetitive, emotional or physical connection has changed, trust has been impacted, or they are navigating a major life transition.
Counselling can also be preventative. Some couples come to counselling because they want to strengthen an already healthy relationship, understand each other better, or develop stronger communication skills before problems become bigger.
Can couples counselling save a relationship?
Couples counselling can help partners better understand one another, improve communication, address recurring conflict, rebuild connection, and explore difficult issues in a supported environment. However, no counsellor can guarantee a particular outcome or promise that counselling will “save” a relationship.
Sometimes the goal is repairing and strengthening the relationship. Other times, counselling helps partners gain clarity about what they each want and how to move forward in the healthiest way possible.
The earlier couples seek support when difficulties arise, the more opportunity there may be to address patterns before they become deeply established.
