Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Cancellation Policy
If you wish to cancel your appointment please provide 48 hours notice to avoid the session's fee. If you miss a scheduled appointment you will be charged the scheduled fee for services.
Insurance Coverage for Counselling
Your insurance company or extended health plan may pay all or a portion of your counselling fee. Contact your insurance provider to find out about your coverage for Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC).
Methods of Payment and Direct Billing Options
E-Transfers, Cash and Credit Cards are available payment methods for clients who are private pay. Receipts can be submitted by clients to their insurance company for reimbursement if their coverage allows.
Sandstone Counselling accepts clients with funding through ICBC, RCMP, BCEHS, Pacific Blue Cross, CVAP (Crim Victim Assistance Program), AFU (Autism Funding), and Sun Life. Direct billing is available to these clients.
ICBC Counselling
We aim to make the healing process after a motor vehicle accident as simple and stress-free as possible. As an ICBC-approved counsellor in Nanaimo and a member of the ICBC Recovery Network, we offer direct billing to ICBC and can work directly with your claim so you don’t have to manage the paperwork alone.
ICBC covers counselling sessions for up to 12 weeks following a car accident, with a fixed amount per session, no doctor’s referral required. If additional support is needed beyond the initial 12 weeks, we can also request further ICBC-funded counselling sessions on your behalf.
What is a Registered Clinical Counsellor?
People can say they are "counsellors" or "therapists," even if they have no training in the assessment or treatment of mental health challenges. So, it’s important to find someone who is registered with a professional regulatory body (BC Psychological Association, BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, BC College of Social Workers). This means they have met specific educational and training criteria and are held accountable by professional standards
To help put your mind at ease when looking for a counsellor, be sure to look for a ‘RCC’ (Registered Clinical Counsellor) designation in BC. Or, counsellors can be registered with the Canada-wide association and have a ‘CCC’ (Canadian Certified Counsellor) designation. Social Workers can provide counselling too and have a ‘MSW’ (Master of Social Work) designation. Some mental health professionals have more than one designation.
What is EMDR & How Does It Work?
EMDR is a type of therapy that helps people process and heal from trauma. It is a safe and effective treatment for PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. EMDR is an acronym for "eye movement desensitization and reprocessing."
EMDR therapy is based on the idea that our brains are able to heal from trauma and other negative experiences. When we experience a traumatic event, our brains can get "stuck" in that moment. And often, our brains are not only responding to what is happening in this moment but responding based on past experiences we've had at various points in our lives. This can lead to symptoms like anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares. EMDR therapy can help "unstick" these memories and help our brains process them in a healthy way.
Why Do People Seek Counselling in Nanaimo?
Many people seek counselling during times of stress, change, or emotional difficulty. People searching for the best counsellors in Nanaimo are often looking for a safe, supportive space to talk through challenges such as anxiety, burnout, trauma, or grief.
Counselling can help when you’re feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, stuck in patterns that no longer feel helpful, or simply needing support during a difficult season of life.
Is Counselling Helpful If I’m Struggling With Anxiety?
Counselling can be very effective if you’re struggling with anxiety. Therapy helps you understand anxiety patterns, calm your nervous system, and develop coping strategies that reduce overwhelm and improve emotional wellbeing.
Anxiety can show up as constant worry, racing thoughts, panic, sleep difficulties, or feeling on edge. Counselling offers a supportive space to explore what’s contributing to anxiety and to learn tools that help you feel more grounded and in control.
Can Counselling Help If I’m Experiencing Burnout?
Yes. Experiencing burnout is one of the most common reasons people seek counselling. Burnout often includes emotional exhaustion, irritability, loss of motivation, numbness, or feeling disconnected from yourself or others.
Counselling can help you recover from chronic stress, set healthier boundaries, reconnect with your values, and prevent burnout from becoming long-term. Burnout is not a personal failure — it’s a sign that your system needs care and support.
What Is Trauma Therapy?
Trauma therapy is a form of counselling that supports people who have experienced overwhelming or distressing events that continue to affect their emotional wellbeing, relationships, or sense of safety.
Trauma does not always come from a single incident. It can also result from ongoing stress, workplace trauma, relationship experiences, loss, or early life experiences. Trauma therapy focuses on helping the nervous system feel safe again, rather than forcing you to relive painful memories.
Do I Need Trauma Therapy If I’m Healing From Trauma?
If you’re healing from trauma, counselling can be a supportive and gentle part of that process. Many people live with the effects of trauma without realizing how much it influences their emotions, reactions, or sense of self.
You might consider trauma-informed counselling if you notice feeling easily overwhelmed, emotionally shut down, triggered by certain situations, or stuck in patterns that feel hard to change. Healing from trauma happens at your own pace, with safety and choice at the centre of the work.
How Do I Find the Right Counsellor in Nanaimo?
Finding the right counsellor is about feeling safe, understood, and supported. Many people searching for the best counsellors in Nanaimo are really looking for someone they feel comfortable opening up to.
A free consultation can help you ask questions, learn about a counsellor’s approach, and decide whether it feels like the right fit. The relationship you build with your counsellor is one of the most important parts of effective counselling.
Is Counselling Only for People in Crisis?
No. Counselling is not only for people in crisis. Many people seek counselling for personal growth, emotional support, or help navigating life transitions before things feel overwhelming.
People often begin counselling when they want support with stress, relationships, grief, burnout, anxiety, or simply to better understand themselves and their experiences.
How Do I Know If Counselling Is Right for Me?
If you’re wondering whether counselling could help, that curiosity alone is often a sign it may be worth exploring. You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting.
Counselling offers a space to talk openly, gain clarity, and receive support tailored to your needs. A consultation can help you decide if counselling feels like the right next step.