Question 1

Whom do you see?

Accepted Answer

I meet all people with respect and openness and my practice is open to anyone and everyone*. I work with individuals as well as couples (be they partners, family members, friends, or colleagues). I welcome folks from all cultures, backgrounds, orientations, walks of, and stages in, life including BIPOC and the LGBTQI2S+ community. I am very grateful that my clients come from many walks of life, offering a richness that only diversity can bring. Thank you for trusting me.
*For those seeking counselling for children, please contact me to discuss further.

Question 2

What challenges do you address?

Accepted Answer

The list is long:
Any forms of anxiety and depression, including self-harm and suicidal thoughts, emotional paralysis and discouragement
Any forms of trauma, abuse, and shock
Grief and loss
Handling anger, shame, guilt, perfectionism, numbness, lack of motivation...
Identity concerns
Sexuality and sexual orientation concerns
Relational challenges with partner (including sexual), family, workplace colleagues
Family of origin concerns
Parenting
Life and career burnout
Transitions, life changes, and aging 
Navigating chronic illness
Palliative support for patient, caregivers and family
Concussion-related challenges
Difficult conversations, including navigating doctor visits
Communication concerns
Unwanted and/or addictive behaviours
Meaning-making and existential concerns
End of life support, including caregiver, conversations about illness and death
The creative process and challenges including performance anxiety, mental blocks and finding inspiration
Career changes
Feeling stuck
If you are curious as to how I approach different challenges, feel free to contact me and ask.

Question 3

How do coverage claims work?

Accepted Answer

Insurance coverage and extended medical plans differ widely and it is worth checking in with your provider before starting therapy. Most extended health plans cover Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs); I am not a Psychologist.
After you pay for a session I will issue you a receipt with my registration numbers:  RCC#12026  CCC#3887. You can submit this when you make your claim.
For more explanation, please contact me.

Question 4

Do you have a sliding scale?

Accepted Answer

It is extremely important to me that my services are accessible to you. If you cannot afford my posted fees, please let me know. I offer sliding scale fees on a case by case basis.

Question 5

What are your qualifications?

Accepted Answer

I hold a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology from City University of Seattle, Vancouver campus.
I have an array of trainings in Adlerian Psychology, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Art & Play Therapy, Behavioural Therapies, Palliative Care and Bereavement support.
I am a Certified Parenting Facilitator (CPF) and in addition I hold a degree in Graphic Design

Question 6

How will I know if you are a good choice of counsellor for me?

Accepted Answer

A brief phone chat offers an opportunity for you to ask me questions and to get sense of who I am. By the end of our conversation it will be clear if you think we are a good fit and that I seem like someone with whom you could work. My interest is to help you find someone with whom you will feel comfortable. Should that not be me, I will be glad to offer you names of other Vancouver based counsellors.

Question 7

What is your intake process?

Accepted Answer

Once we have had a brief phone chat, I email out a simple intake form. Alternatively, should you be having in-person sessions, you can come to the first session early in order to complete this at my office. I am glad to answer any questions – technical or otherwise.

Question 8

What is the difference between Counselling, Psychotherapy and Coaching?"

Accepted Answer

I think of counselling as practical present day work, psychotherapy as deeper work, and coaching as encouraging support for subjects such as communication, parenting, etc.

Question 9

Can I ask you for general information about counselling and counselling studies?

Accepted Answer

I like to make myself available to people who have questions about counselling or counselling studies. Often a partner or friend of someone receiving counselling is curious to know more about it, or someone may be unsure about pursuing counselling or counselling studies.  It gives me great pleasure to offer the knowledge I have; please contact me and ask any brief questions, bearing in mind that for non-clients it may sometimes take me up to a week to respond.

Question 10

I know someone who needs help; what should I do?

Accepted Answer

Taking help for mental health challenges is sadly still stigmatized. We cannot force people to take the help we think they need but we can offer them information. It may be helpful to point out role models who have taken help (e.g. https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/kevin-love-everyone-is-going-through-something or https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/celebrities_who_are_advocates_for_better_mental_health/s1__34563539#slide_1) and offer a description of exactly what counselling entails.

Being there for people can be extremely challenging. Depression, for example, causes people to retreat and cut themselves off from those who care about them. Keeping the channels open, reiterating that you are there for them, and not giving up is within our power, despite the frustration and even hurt which rebuff after rebuff cause.
 
Reaching out for help can be extremely hard; many people talk of feeling shame for needing help because they think it shows ‘weakness’. Taking help from a professional in actual fact shows great courage and strength.
 
A brief introduction to counselling:
Counselling can be vastly different for different people. Some use it as a private and safe place to vent, off-load stress, talk though ideas or weigh things up, some use it to process the past, some to change behaviours or patterns, or to improve communications skills… Counselling can help people to better understand themselves which in turn allows them to live a calmer and more fulfilled life. A counsellor is not a friend, not a parent, not a doctor, not a priest., but can act as a guide, a confidant and a cheerleader on a client's journey. And, as with any journey, one needs to feel comfortable with one’s traveling companion. If you have tried counselling and have not found it helpful, consider giving up on the particular counsellor rather than on counselling itself.
 
If you would like to ask me any questions about the process of counselling, please feel free to reach out to me. I am also able to offer names of counsellors.

Anna Goren, MC, RCC, CCC

Frequently Asked Questions