The Science of Healing, The Art of Care

Your first appointment will be different from subsequent ones. This session, often called an “intake evaluation,” is focused on gathering information. I will ask questions about your personal history, your family background, your current challenges, and what brought you to therapy. This is also your opportunity to ask questions and to begin collaboratively setting some initial goals for our work together. I will guide the conversation, so you don’t need to worry about preparing anything.

Therapy is much more than just “venting” or talking about your feelings, though both are welcome. A session is a collaborative exploration conducted in a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space. You and I will work together to explore your thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and life experiences to identify recurring patterns, build insight, and develop new skills and perspectives. My role is to listen deeply, ask thoughtful questions, offer reflections, and, when appropriate, teach you evidence-based strategies to help you achieve your goals.

This is the most important thing to know: you set the pace, and you are in control of what you share. You will never be forced to talk about anything you are not ready or willing to discuss. I will respect your boundaries and understand that trust must be earned over time. The goal is that, in time, you feel comfortable enough to explore difficult topics, but that exploration will always happen on your terms. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to be a client; the most important thing is to show up authentically, just as you are.

When you first contact me, our initial conversation is designed to understand your needs. I will ask about the challenges you are facing and what you hope to achieve in therapy. Based on this information, we can begin to determine if my expertise and approach align with your specific situation.

Choosing a therapist is a deeply personal decision and one of the most important steps you can take for your well-being. The connection you build, the therapeutic alliance, is the foundation for meaningful change. I encourage you to be an active participant in this process. Here are some steps to help you determine if Introspectus Counselling is the right fit for you.

1. Explore My Approach and Story

I believe that effective therapy comes from a place of both professional expertise and authentic human experience. My approach is eclectic and client-centred, meaning your unique story and goals are at the heart of our work together. I work with individuals navigating a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, grief, trauma, relationship difficulties, and life transitions.

My professional and personal journey uniquely shapes the care I provide:

• The Science of Healing: My work is mainly ACT-based (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and it also draws on Mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Family Systems Theory. My Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology provides the clinical foundation for our work.
• The Art of Care: My Master’s in Divinity and nine years of experience as a pastor have given me a deep appreciation for life’s big questions and the importance of compassion, meaning, and, if you choose, faith in the healing process.
• A Foundation in Resilience: My past roles in the infantry and as a plumber have taught me invaluable lessons about teamwork, perseverance through adversity, and our profound dependence on one another.

This blend of clinical training, spiritual insight, and real-world experience allows me to offer a space that is both scientifically grounded and human.

2. Reflect on Your Personal Goals

Take a moment to consider what you hope to achieve. Having a sense of your goals can help clarify whether my approach aligns with your needs.

• Are you looking for practical, skill-based strategies to manage anxiety or stress? Our work may draw from Solution-Focused Therapy, helping you build on your strengths to create immediate, positive change.
• Do you want to cultivate a sense of inner peace and emotional balance? We can use techniques from Mindfulness and ACT to help you observe difficult thoughts and feelings without judgment.
• Are you hoping to explore how past experiences or family dynamics are affecting your present-day relationships? A Family Systems lens can help you see where long-standing patterns began.
• Do you feel stuck and wish to rewrite your personal story? Narrative Therapy offers a powerful way to separate yourself from your problems and author a more empowering future.
• Is it important for you to integrate your spiritual beliefs into your healing? My background in Pastoral Counselling allows us to explore your challenges within a context of faith and find hope rooted in your values.

3. Book a Complimentary 15-Minute Consultation

Ultimately, the best way to know if we are a good match is to connect. I offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation to all potential clients. This is a two-way street: it’s a chance for me to understand your needs and for you to assess if you feel comfortable with me.

During our conversation, I invite you to ask yourself:

• Do I feel heard and understood?
• Do I feel safe and respected in this space?
• Do I sense that I can be open and honest with this person?
• Do I feel confident in their expertise and approach?

Finding a therapist you trust is the first step. My goal is to provide a place where the science of healing truly meets the art of care, and I would be honoured to start that conversation with you.

Book a free consultation

A standard therapy session, often called a “therapeutic hour,” is a 50-minute dedicated appointment. We’ll typically use the first 5-10 minutes to check in on your week and review your progress, sometimes using brief questionnaires. This helps us ensure we stay on track with your goals.

The core of our session is a protected space for you to talk openly. During this time, we will actively work together using specific therapeutic interventions tailored to your needs. To ensure your success and make lasting progress, you will be encouraged to apply what we discuss by completing “homework” or practising new skills between our appointments.

For therapy to be most effective, particularly in the initial stages, consistency is key. I highly recommend weekly sessions for the first three months. This regular cadence helps to build momentum and foster a strong, trusting relationship between you and a therapist, a factor known to be essential for positive outcomes.

As you progress toward your goals, the frequency of sessions can be adjusted collaboratively. For clients navigating a particularly acute crisis or who wish to do more intensive work, meeting twice a week may be an option, contingent on your therapist’s availability and a joint clinical determination that this is appropriate. Conversely, as you begin to feel more confident and integrate new skills, you and your therapist may decide to taper sessions to every other week. I also understand that financial considerations are a reality for many, and we allow for less frequent sessions to ensure that cost does not become an insurmountable barrier to receiving care.

The total length of time you spend in therapy is highly individualized and is not predetermined. It is a decision made jointly between you and your therapist, guided by the goals you set together. Some clients seek therapy to address a very specific, short-term issue and finish once it feels resolved. Others engage in a longer-term process of self-exploration and growth, remaining in therapy for a year or more as they continue to pursue deeper goals and practise new ways of being. All of this said, it is also possible to come in for 2-3 sessions and feel the issue has been resolved with the newly introduced skills learned in therapy.

Many people worry about being locked into therapy with no way out. That is a fair concern. You are an equal partner in deciding how long we work together, and we can revisit it at any session.

Regardless of the duration, we strongly recommend that your final session be planned in advance. This allows you and your therapist to thoughtfully review your progress, summarize the work you have done, and provide a sense of closure. A planned ending gives you time to look back at what changed and what you want to keep doing. For ongoing support, some clients find “booster sessions”, a single follow-up appointment scheduled several months after regular therapy has concluded, to be a helpful “tune-up” for maintaining progress over the long term.

Ultimately, the pace and success of your therapy are significantly influenced by the work you do between our sessions. Therapy is most effective when it is an active, collaborative process. The clients who experience the most profound and lasting change are typically those who commit to applying new strategies, practising skills, and completing reflective exercises outside of the therapy room. This commitment helps to bridge the gap between insight and action, turning the 50-minute session into a catalyst for continuous growth in your daily life.

Fees & What to Expect

I want costs to be clear and straightforward: no surprises.

Current session fee (50 minutes): $150
Many extended health plans cover Canadian Certified Counsellors; coverage varies, so check yours.

Jane app, the portal I use for payments, accepts cash, Visa and e-transfer.

Good news: As a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), services from Introspectus Counselling are eligible for coverage under many extended health insurance plans in British Columbia; coverage varies, so check yours. Most major insurers include CCCs in their mental health benefits, but coverage varies by specific plan.

Direct Billing

Introspectus Counselling offers direct billing to select insurance providers, which means the practice can submit claims on your behalf and you’ll only pay any difference not covered by your plan. Direct billing availability depends on your specific insurance company and plan.

Before your first session, contact the practice at sean@introspectuscounselling.ca to confirm whether direct billing is available for your insurer.

Self-Submission for Reimbursement

For insurance companies where direct billing isn’t available, the process is simple:

1. You pay the $150 session fee at the end of each appointment
2. You receive a detailed receipt immediately with the CCC registration number and all required information
3. You submit the receipt electronically to your insurance company (most insurers process claims within 1-2 business days)
4. Your insurer reimburses you according to your plan’s mental health benefits

Verify Your Coverage

Before booking, contact your insurance provider to confirm:

• Whether Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC) are covered under your specific plan
• Your session limits and reimbursement rates
• Whether a referral or diagnosis is required

Not sure if you’re covered? Contact Introspectus Counselling and we can help you navigate your insurance questions.